Yosemite National Park Itinerary: How To Visit Captivating Cathedral Lakes

Spend a day visiting the Tuolumne Meadows and hiking to Upper and Lower Cathedral Lakes on your epic 4 day Yosemite National Park itinerary. Yosemite National Park has it all! Epic views, amazing hikes, great wildlife, and more.

Learn more about the amazing hike to Upper and Lower Cathedral Lakes. This may seem like an easy hike, but starting at 8,500 feet, you’ll be short on oxygen, and it may take a bit more energy! That being said, the hike to two gorgeous lakes is 100% worth the effort. Finally, stop at Tenaya Lake during your return trip for a quick scenic stop.

This adventure is part of our 2 week California adventure to visit 5 national parks. Other posts in our 4 day Yosemite National Park itinerary are below:

• Day 1: Hike the Upper Yosemite Falls Trail to Yosemite Point.
• Day 2: Visit Tuolumne Meadows and hike to Upper and Lower Cathedral Lake.
• Day 3: Get soaked on the Vernal and Nevada Falls Loop along the Mist Trail.
• Day 4: Explore the amazing Hetch Hetchy Reservoir and hike to Wapama Falls.

Where to Stay

Our home base for this leg of the trip was Midpines/Mariposa, CA. It may sometimes be hard to secure accommodations in Yosemite Valley. Mariposa is a great place to stay, within 1 hour of Yosemite. Check out some of the best options below:

• Miners Inn – breakfast included as well as a pool.
• Best Western Plus Yosemite Way Station Motel – clean and comfortable with a variety of breakfast options.

Want to stay in Yosemite Valley and be close to it all? Check out your options here!

• Wawona Hotel – One of California’s original mountain resorts with hotel dining, a piano, seasonal swimming, and golf. Beginning December 2, 2024, the historic Wawona Hotel will close to allow the National Park Service to conduct a comprehensive condition assessment of the hotel complex.
• The Ahwahnee – on the National Register of Historic Places and is a National Historic Landmark with nature views. This location includes a heated pool, dining, and shuttle access.
• Yosemite Valley Lodge – perfect for families and large groups.
• Curry Village – hotel rooms, cabins, and tents with plenty of nearby food options.
• Housekeeping Camp – canvas roof tents with unmatched views and campfire rings.

Safety and Weather in Yosemite National Park

• Cell phone coverage is spotty to non-existent in the Tuolumne Meadows area.
• The abundant mosquitoes were in attack mode along this trail! Take this seriously and Get our favorite bug spray here!
• Water: It’s recommended to carry at least 1 liter of water for every 5 miles you are hiking. Why carry a plastic or large water bottle when you could carry a water bladder?
• Food & Gas: There are very limited food options near Tuolumne Meadows. Further, there are NO gas services near Tuolumne Meadows. Here is where you can find gas:
  • El Portal Market (west of the valley), 9 am – 7 pm
  • Crane Flat Gas Station (west of Tuolumne Meadows), open Year-round: 24 Hr Pay-at-Pump
• Restrooms: There are restrooms located near the Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center and some along Tioga Pass Road. Some have running water and some do not.
• Weather can vary depending on your location in the park. Yosemite National Park ranges from 2,000 feet to 13,000 feet in elevation. Lower elevations will be hot in the summer months, but cooler in the higher elevation areas. The rainy season is from October to May, and the park is often covered with snow from November through May.
• Be aware of forest fires: fire and smoke may be present in the park at any time.
• Poison oak may be present. Here is what it looks like, so you don’t touch it!

Animal Safety in Yosemite National Park

• Yosemite National Park has a diverse range of animals living in the park. Deer, black bears, big horn sheep, mountain lions, and foxes are just a few of the mammals you might see. There are also frogs, lizards, turtles, and snakes, including the one venomous Northern Pacific rattlesnake. That being said, it’s unlikely you’ll encounter one.
  • Review the steps to take if you encounter a black bear or mountain lion along the trail. That being said, it’s unlikely that you will encounter an aggressive animal, but always be prepared.
• Please do not leave food in your car! By storing your food properly, you can prevent a bear’s unnecessary death. Failure to store your food correctly could result in a $5,000 fine and/or the impoundment of your car. Learn more about what to do.

👉🏽 Looking for a fun tour or other things to do in Yosemite National Park? Check out the options from Viator!

Map

Check out the map above to help plan your trip to Cathedral Lakes.

Upper and Lower Cathedral Lakes via John Muir Trail – 9-10 miles – moderate, out and back, 1,000+ ft. gain

Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center

Today, your Yosemite National Park itinerary starts at the Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center. Park here and walk to the Cathedral Lakes Trailhead. The trailhead is located at the western end of the parking lot.

First, hike the connector trail until you reach the famous John Muir Trail, and then head west (to your right). You might encounter a few areas of mud and standing water along this trail. After about 0.4 miles on the John Muir Trail, you’ll reach another junction. Here, turn left or head south, sticking to the John Muir Trail.

John Muir Trail to Lower Cathedral Lake

At this point, the trail gains elevation as it leads into the Yosemite National Park wilderness. Keep in mind that if you plan to camp in the backcountry, you must obtain a permit. Continue along the trail, watching for wildlife and enjoying the forest scenery.

You’ll encounter some switchbacks as well as some sections of flat trail. Once you have hiked about 1-1.5 miles, you’ll encounter a few stream crossings. This is a spot where you could potentially fill up your water as needed, but it should be treated before drinking!

Eventually, you will reach a spur trail on the right that leads to Lower Cathedral Lake. Due to meadow restoration work, this spur trail may have moved, but there is signage pointing you in the correct direction! Once you reach the signage for Lower Cathedral Lake, it’s about a half mile downhill to the lake.

What an epic location this is! Spend some time exploring the areas around the lake, but please stay on designated trails if you can. The views are ever-changing and awe-inspiring as you circle the lake. After you have enjoyed your time here, head back up the spur trail and continue to the right (south) to reach Upper Cathedral Lake.

➡️ Read next: Ultimate Itinerary for Yosemite National Park: Vernal and Nevada Falls

John Muir Trail to Upper Cathedral Lake

From the spur trail junction, continue about a half mile or a bit more to reach Upper Cathedral Lake. There are several small trails here that will lead you to the edge of Upper Cathedral Lake, but be careful, as these trails can be very marshy and wet in the early spring and summer months. Now we know why there are so many mosquitoes here!

That being said, the views along the lakeside here are breathtaking! If you can find a good spot with a breeze, it’s a great place for a picturesque lunch before heading back to the Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center.

Finally, use the route you just took and backtrack toward your car. We won’t lie, it isn’t the most exciting hike back, but hey, would you rather stick around and be eaten alive by skeeters? We think not. Back at the parking lot, a hiking group asked us how bad the mosquitoes were at the lakes….we just laughed and told them to lather it on!

Tuolumne Meadows

Once you’ve made your way back to your car, there is an option to explore more of Tuolumne Meadows, which is basically across the street from the parking lot. Additionally, you can travel by car east on the road to visit more of the meadows.

Tuolumne Meadows is one of the highest-elevation meadows in the Sierras. If you time your visit right, you’re likely to see amazing native wildflowers in bloom. You’ll see them come alive here in late June. Other popular trails around here are Soda Springs and Parson Lodge, Lyell Canyon, and Elizabeth Lake.

Tenaya Lake

The next spot on your Yosemite National Park itinerary for the day is a quick stop at scenic Tenaya Lake. Along Tioga Road, as you make your way back toward the Yosemite Valley, stop here and enjoy the amazing views of the lake and the granite peaks that surround it. This is a very popular area for picnicking, swimming, and canoeing.

Additionally, the Sunrise Lakes Trailhead starts here. This is another popular trail that leads to Clouds Rest.

Olmstead Point

Finally, close out your epic Day 2 Yosemite National Park itinerary with a visit to Olmstead Point. From here, enjoy expansive views of Half Dome, Clouds Rest, and Tenaya Lake! As we were arriving at Olmstead Point, a storm was rolling in from the west and made for some dramatic scenery.

🛏️Don’t forget to book your accommodations in Mariposa or Yosemite Valley. Book early to guarantee your room because Yosemite is a VERY popular destination!

Need to Know Info – Yosemite Entry 2025

• Timed entry is required for Yosemite National Park during specific times of the year. There are some changes compared to last year. Check your dates below. Reservations can be purchased here. Additionally, use your interagency pass to enter Yosemite National Park.
  • 2025 Yosemite entry reservation requirements:
    • Now – May 23: No reservations needed.
    • May 24 – May 26: reservations required for entry between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m.
    • May 27 – June 14: No reservations needed.
    • June 15 – August 15: reservations required for entry between 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., DAILY.
    • August 16 – August 29: No reservations needed.
    • August 30 – September 1: reservations required for entry between 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Driving through the park will also require reservations if entering between 6 a.m. and 2 pm on the dates you need a reservation above. If you arrive after 2 p.m., no reservations are needed.
• Arrive as early as possible at Yosemite National Park. Even if you have a timed entry pass, it’s best to get here as early as possible to beat the heat, crowds, and to ensure parking.
• Plan to park your car and use the FREE shuttle system to get around the park. Shuttles run often and provide a convenient way to move around the park. Trust us, once you’re parked, you will regret trying to move your car.
  • Valleywide shuttle: Serving all stops in Yosemite Valley. This includes lodges, restaurants, campgrounds, and trailheads. Buses arrive every 12 to 22 minutes from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
  • East Valley shuttle: Serving ONLY Yosemite Village, Curry Village, Pines campgrounds, and trailheads in eastern Yosemite Valley. Buses arrive every 8 to 12 minutes from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Final Thoughts

We had another amazing day at Yosemite! Upper and Lower Cathedral Lakes were amazing. The hike to the lakes wasn’t the greatest, and the mosquitoes were relentless. However, the amazing views around the lakes made it worth the pain and suffering.

We had originally planned on hiking from Tenaya Lake to Clouds Rest, but the weather had different plans for us. Had we hiked to Clouds Rest, we likely would have been caught in a really bad thunderstorm, so it’s safe to say we’re happy that didn’t happen!