Tenaya Lake
Lake · Mariposa County ·

Tenaya Lake

Lake · Mariposa County ·

Alpine lake with clear water, granite rocks, and swimming

Tenaya Lake by null
4.9 (343)
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Rated 4.9 stars by 343 reviewers
Tenaya Lake by Photo by Kristina Pchelintseva/age fotostock
Tenaya Lake by null
Tenaya Lake by null
Tenaya Lake by null
Tenaya Lake by null
Tenaya Lake by null
Tenaya Lake by null
Tenaya Lake by null
Tenaya Lake by null
Tenaya Lake by null
Tenaya Lake by null
Tenaya Lake by null
Tenaya Lake by null
Tenaya Lake by null
Tenaya Lake by null
Tenaya Lake by null
Tenaya Lake by null
Tenaya Lake by null
Tenaya Lake by null
Tenaya Lake by null
Tenaya Lake by null
Tenaya Lake by null
Tenaya Lake by null
Tenaya Lake by null
Tenaya Lake by null
Tenaya Lake by null
Tenaya Lake by null
Tenaya Lake by null
Tenaya Lake by null
Tenaya Lake by null
Tenaya Lake by null
Tenaya Lake by null
Tenaya Lake by null
Tenaya Lake by null
Tenaya Lake by null
Tenaya Lake by null
Tenaya Lake by null
Tenaya Lake by null
Tenaya Lake by null
Tenaya Lake by null
Tenaya Lake by null
Tenaya Lake by null

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Dec 1, 2025

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10 Places Where You Can See the Bluest Water in the U.S.

"Yosemite’s rock climbing and hiking potential gets a lot of love, but this California national park also boasts spectacular swimming, kayaking, and rafting spots such as the alpine Tenaya Lake. Tucked between Yosemite Valley and Tuolumne Meadows, this beautiful glacial body of water sits at an elevation of 8,150 feet and is backed by granite boulders." - Travel + Leisure Editors

https://www.travelandleisure.com/places-with-the-bluest-water-in-the-united-states-7185526
Tenaya Lake
@afar
25,132 Postcards · 3,700 Cities

"Tenaya is not only one of the most beautiful lakes in Yosemite, it’s one of the most accessible—when Tioga Road (the only road in the high country) is open, usually May through October. The fact that it’s easy to get to makes it one of the most popular sites in Yosemite, but because it’s located 8,150 feet about the valley floor, it’s still a lot less crowded than other attractions. The sandy swimming beach on the east end of the clear alpine lake is a favorite spot for sunbathing, with granite domes surrounding three sides. There’s also a smaller, typically less busy beach on the west end, but you’ll have to do a little wading to get there. For landlubbers, there’s an easy 2.5-mile hike around the lake."

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The Best Things to Do in Yosemite
Photo by Kristina Pchelintseva/age fotostock
Tenaya Lake
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Sarah S.

Yelp
One of my favorite places in Yosemite. In the summer it's all about the swimming in the beautiful shallow waters on the edge of the lake with little boulders to sit and sunbathe on. In the fall/winter we enjoyed walking on the beaches and watching the sunrise on the lake that was covered in a layer of steam.
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Nicole V.

Yelp
Did a pit stop here and it was so much fun! Got to dip my feet in the lake and just admire the landscape around us. There is parking alongside the road
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Stephanie A.

Yelp
A gorgeous alpine lake. Swimming is allowed. And amazing. Paddleboarding also occurs. Parking is hard to come by. Come early or late. Don't count on parking though so make alternative plans in case to find a trail. The park requires reservations to enter in the summer. Plus admission.
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Vincent P.

Yelp
This might have been my group's favorite spot in Yosemite! Tenaya Lake is the base camp for the Cloud's Rest hike, so while my cousin and I trekked the gruesome 6-8 hour hike, my sister and other cousin had a well-relaxing day at the lake. The scenic lake's clear water and mountains in the background makes for amazing photos, it's a lovely spot to have a picnic and relax. There is also plenty of wildlife everywhere that my sister and cousin spotted. They loved Tenaya Lake so much that they vouched for a return to the lake before our Yosemite trip was over.
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Sandeep R.

Yelp
Tenaya lake is an absolutely stunning glacial lake located in the Eastern part of Yosemite national park ! The parking lot has multiple restrooms and the lake is a 5 minute walk (not a hike) from the parking lot. Once you hit the lake, there's ample seating for folks who want to just chill by the lake. If not, you could also venture into the water if it's not too cold
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Rhonda W.

Yelp
Second time to Yosemite but first time to come to this lake. The lake is gorgeous .. mountains .. impressive rocks and we had all this to ourselves ... wow what a special moment. Very near here we saw several bears .. I'm not saying thats always the case but it was amazing. We saw a bear .. watched it from the car for awhile then continued toward s the lake when we heard something ...rolled down the windows. It was a baby bear separated from the mom .. crying. We hear A Big bear sound and the baby scampers across the road to mom and its siblings. She sniffed it and gave him a loving lick and they carried on.
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Stefanie C.

Yelp
Tenaya Lake holds a special place in my heart because one of our dog's friends is named Tenaya. I never knew where she got that name, but I'm guessing it has something to do with this lake. Regardless, this is a beautiful location to stop and take pictures, especially right before sunset. There's plenty of directional signage advertising its existence, so you can easily locate it while driving. Plus it's on lots of maps detailing popular Yosemite landmarks. We found a secluded area with a few parking spots to hang out and walk around. It was one of the last stops of our trip. You can bring lunch and picnic on one of the nearby benches. Apparently you can go fishing here too. We didn't stay for long because the air was crisp and the water was cold. Next time I'd come better prepared with some blankets and hang out here for a bit, playing games and taking pictures with my friends.
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Jeff H.

Yelp
Absolutely stunning! This was worth the drive from the valley. The water was so calm and clear with beautiful forests and mountains in the background.
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Jennifer N.

Yelp
Pros-easy to access and right along Tioga Road. Cons-also easy to access and right along Tioga Road. With the ease of coming across a pristine alpine lake, come lots of other visitors there to enjoy it. I wouldn't say it completely ruined the experience but for more solitude, I'd definitely like to come back on a quieter weekday. Visiting on a Saturday along a scenic drive in Yosemite's high country, finding the lake was easy and although quite busy, there were no issues finding a parking spot. The lake itself is set within a granite basin on one side and the part rocky, sandy tree lined shores in the other. I scrambled around part of the shoreline and found a quiet spot or two to soak in the views of its clear waters. Many families seemed to have set up for the day and were kayaking, floating, swimming and picnicking. If I had more time in Yosemite, I'd definitely want to spend a low key day at the lake. It's an easy stop en route to Tuolumne Meadows and a simply lovely place.
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Meghna G.

Yelp
Beautiful alpine lake that isn't too crowded to visit. Highly recommend going early morning. There is a trail that loops around the lake, takes an hour and has incredible views. Would come here to swim next time
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Fanny L.

Yelp
Such a beautiful lake to do a short hike and have a picnic lunch on the north/east side of the lake.
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Lit L.

Yelp
Easily accessible by car off highway 120. Great for the entire family. There are shores where you can just hang out.
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Melissa C.

Yelp
Just want to share these pictures. This is definitely a place to remember. The water is so clear, you're surrounded by beautiful mountains & you're there with great company. What else would you want?
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Eric B.

Yelp
Tenaya Lake is located between Yosemite Valley and Tuolumne Meadows. It is named after Chief Tenaya, who met the Mariposa Brigade near the shores of this Lake. Tenaya protested that the lake already had a name: Pie-we-ack, or "Lake of the Shining Rocks.". This original name is now attached to a granite dome to the east of the lake. Tenaya Lake was created by the Tenaya branch of the Tuolumne Glacier as it passed through Tenaya Canyon. The lake is supplied by a network of creeks and springs including Murphy Creek to the northwest and Tenaya Creek. Tenaya Creek is an outflow of the Cathedral Lakes and serves as both the principle inlet and outlet of Tenaya Lake. Tenaya Creek also runs through Tenaya Canyon into Yosemite Valley. The surface of Tenaya Lake has an elevation of 8,150 feet. The tranquil view here is nothing short of stunning. It's a great place to pause during your journey, enjoy lunch, or like I have, take a cold and refreshing dip.
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Richard K.

Yelp
A breathtaking view. Water so still one can see a flawless reflection of the mountains and clouds. There is a sense of tranquility staring out into the lake. Enjoy your lunch here before heading to any hikes along Tioga Pass Road. Tenaya Lake is an unforgettable view.
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Joseph Y.

Yelp
The Tenaya Lake is one of Yosemite's quite impressive lakes and you don't even need to hike to it because it sits right off the Tioga Pass road. This is a perfect spot to stop and maybe catch some lunch, there's picnic tables located on the eastern shore of this lake, along with a small parking lot. There's also several parking spots located in the front right off the road, but its hard to see when backing out. There is some great scenery located around this lake, as you can see the Stanley Dome and many other rock formations. Lots of activities around this lake including fishing, hiking, kayaking and other water activities. Many trailheads to choose from around this area, there's a map located in the park next door.
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Kaori M.

Yelp
If I have a time when I pass this lake I stop a little to see the lake. The reason that I didn't give 5 stars was that there are too many people. It is inevitable considering the location along 120. However it is definitive fact that this lake is pretty.
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George T.

Yelp
My absolute favorite place in Yosemite. The lake is beautiful, the name is nice, the gulls are majestic, the water is nice to swim in................BUT, bears abound. Store food carefully. And don't make the mistake of trying to corner a cub like I saw some drunken idiots do, because a momma bear is just around the corner, and really pissed off. The Great White Open Book above the lake is a classic and so are the Pywiack Dome routes. Floating on the lake in a rubber boat on a lazy summer day is about as close to heaven as you can get, until you get so far off the shore that you have to paddle desperately back. The waves get tough in the middle of the lake. The shore opposite the road is pristine.
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Rochelle N.

Yelp
This lake was incredible. Loved the soft sand and walk in lake access. It was NOT crowded which was wonderful! The water was cold but did not stop my kids from going in.

Kavitha R.

Yelp
Such a beautiful lake. Stopped here on the way to the valley from the tioga pass. I actually like this side of Yosemite better than the valley cause there are far fewer ppl. My husband and I picnicked here with the view of the lake and snow capped mountains. Being at a high altitude it was pretty cold and windy on a sunny June day.
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Mona W.

Yelp
One of the most beautiful and most accessible lake in Yosemite. Tioga Pass will take you right next to the lake so there is no need to hike to see this beauty. Unless, of course, you want to walk the easy 2.5 miles loop around the lake to really experience it. Highly recommended. A definitely must see.
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Trisha C.

Yelp
When I researched trails this is one of the top ten easy hikes to do in Yosemite. When we got there I saw sidewalk along the lake. I thought this is what they meant as an "easy" trail. When I traveled along the shore, I didn't see the trailhead. I thought the trail was a path around the lake. Now looking back at the website it looks like the trail was before the lake heading east. So the trail doesn't exactly go around the lake, but nearby the lake. It's good to know, so you can pick a trail that has what you expect.
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Donna S.

Yelp
this is a nice lake to have an easy hike around....there are certain areas that make for a good picnic scene i *recommend* visiting in the spring because the snowcapped backdrop would be like a scene from any lake in switzerland plus in the summer you run the risk of encountering park goers using the lake as their personal pool o_O don't ask how i know
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Amy G.

Yelp
One of the busier spots in the valley! The was clean and cold! The sand is more rocky but still a nice place to relax after a hike. The kids and adults all had fun here!
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Rich D.

Yelp
Tenaya Lake is a quick and easy stop when traveling Tioga Pass Road, and definitely worth your time. The views are great, and even if you only have a chance to dip your feet in the water, you'll appreciate cooling off on a hot summer afternoon. And of course, just more great views to add to the long list of sights to see while visiting Yosemite.
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Salman M.

Yelp
An alpine lake in Yosemite National Park - if you do the Half Dome hike, it is worth the quick drive up to Tenaya Lake. You can park along the lake. The water is crystal clear and the lake is surrounded by the Sierras. Definitely worth stopping by for a picnic or a few photographs. The water is cold, so I wouldn't recommend venturing in unless it is a summer day. 5 stars.
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Olga C.

Yelp
This was one of my highlights during my trip to Yosemite. The water is sooo clear! The rocks aren't slimy or slippery. The water was frigid but it was sure worth wading up waist. It was such a beautiful place!