Question 1

What is the closest backpacking trip to Madera?

Accepted Answer

Ten Lakes Basin is the closest documented trip to Madera at roughly 67 miles (about 75 minutes of driving) from the Ten Lakes Trailhead trailhead.

Question 2

Do I need a permit to backpack near Madera?

Accepted Answer

Many routes near Madera, including Ten Lakes Basin, require a wilderness permit from Yosemite National Park (NPS). Always check the managing agency before you go.

Question 3

When is the best season to backpack near Madera?

Accepted Answer

For Ten Lakes Basin — the closest trip to Madera — the best months are July, August, September.

#	Trip	Miles away	Est. drive	Distance	Gain	Difficulty	Permit
1	Ten Lakes Basin Yosemite National Park	67 mi	~75 min	11.1 mi	4,212 ft	32	Required
2	Clouds Rest via Sunrise Lakes Yosemite National Park	68 mi	~76 min	17.4 mi	5,884 ft	39	Required
3	Duck Pass to Duck Lake Inyo National Forest	72 mi	~80 min	9.5 mi	3,210 ft	28	Required
4	Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne Yosemite National Park	74 mi	~82 min	22 mi	5,034 ft	50	Required
5	Rush Creek to Thousand Island Lake Inyo National Forest	76 mi	~84 min	15.8 mi	2,683 ft	27	Required
6	Little Lakes Valley Inyo National Forest	79 mi	~88 min	6.4 mi	1,242 ft	20	Required
7	Sabrina Basin Inyo National Forest	82 mi	~91 min	8.5 mi	3,652 ft	30	Required
8	Rae Lakes Loop Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks	82 mi	~92 min	41.4 mi	7,047 ft	58	Required
9	North Lake–South Lake Loop Inyo National Forest	84 mi	~93 min	47.2 mi	9,320 ft	73	Required
10	Monarch Lakes Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks	88 mi	~98 min	7.1 mi	4,162 ft	30	Required
11	Timber Gap Trail Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks	88 mi	~98 min	9.7 mi	4,780 ft	32	Required
12	Black Rock Pass Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks	88 mi	~98 min	13.7 mi	8,954 ft	54	Required

Best backpacking trips near Madera, CA