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Cathedral Lakes

Tuolumne · Managed by Yosemite National Park (NPS) · Region: Yosemite National Park
Difficulty 12/100 · Easyout and back#alpine-lakes#john-muir-trail#beginner-friendly#granite
Distance
7 mi
Total gain
1,000 ft
Net gain
1,000 ft
Net loss
1,000 ft
Elevation
8,606–8,609 ft
Days
2
Permit
Required
Campfires
Stoves only

Overview

Cathedral Lakes are two granite-ringed tarns at the foot of Cathedral Peak's iconic spire, 3.5 miles up the John Muir Trail from Tioga Road. The lakes' improbable blue and the peak's cathedral-like profile make this the most photographed easy overnight in Yosemite's high country.

Highlights

  • Cathedral Peak's spire reflected in the lakes
  • A mellow 3.5-mile climb on the John Muir Trail
  • Access to Long Meadow and the Sunrise High Sierra Camp beyond
  • The most iconic lake view in the Tuolumne high country

How hard is Cathedral Lakes?

CaliPeaks rates this route 12/100 (Easy). The score weights five factors: climbing counts for 45% — 1,000 ft puts this trip at 8% of the reference climb; distance 20% at 7 miles; maximum altitude 15% at 8,609 ft; route technicality 10% (established trail throughout); and trip length 10% at 2 days. A score under 20 suits first-time backpackers; 60+ means serious endurance. See how we score difficulty for the full method.

Logistics

  • Trailhead: Cathedral Lakes Trailhead (Tioga Road) (8,606 ft) · parking: Signed pullout on Tioga Road west of Tuolumne Meadows
  • Water: Lower and Upper Cathedral Lakes; treat all water.
  • Resupply: None; Tuolumne Meadows store is nearby.
  • Shuttle: Not needed for an out-and-back.
  • Stove required: yes — no fires possible on this route
  • Bear canister required.

Permits

  • Agency: Yosemite National Park (NPS)
  • Reserve or apply on nps.gov
  • Quota: Trailhead quota for the Cathedral Lakes entry applies; 60% reservable 24 weeks out, 40% seven days out.
  • Reservation window: Lottery-based advance reservations; remaining quota releases weekly.

Campfires & stove regulations

Stoves only. The Upper and Lower Cathedral Lake basins are listed among the areas where campfires are prohibited in Yosemite. Stoves only. Current fire restrictions. Rules change with conditions — always confirm with the managing agency before your trip.

Best time to go

Best months: July, August, September.

Snow: Usually snow-free by early July.

Heat: Pleasant high-country temperatures.

Bugs: Mosquitoes at the lakes in early July.

Weather forecast

Know before you go

  • Campfires are prohibited in the Cathedral Lake basins — stoves only
  • The trailhead is extremely popular; permits go fast
  • Bear canisters are required

Sources & citations

Data compiled 2026 from public agency and reference sources. All descriptive text on this page is original; verify current conditions with the managing agency before your trip.

  1. SRTM90 elevation data (sampled). OpenTopoData (SRTM, NASA/USGS-derived open data) via Photon geocoding (OpenStreetMap). https://www.opentopodata.org/. Accessed 2026-09-10. Elevation sampled at geocoded coordinates; location from OpenStreetMap data (ODbL).
  2. Tuolumne Meadows Backpacking Trails — Cathedral Lakes. Yosemite National Park (National Park Service). https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/tuolumne-meadows-backpacking-trails.htm. Accessed 2026-09-07. License: Public domain (US government work). Distance (7 mi round trip), elevation gain (1,000 ft), trailhead, and Cathedral Peak context.
  3. Wilderness Permits. Yosemite National Park (National Park Service). https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wildpermits.htm. Accessed 2026-09-07. License: Public domain (US government work). Permit requirement, quotas, and reservation windows.
  4. Wilderness Regulations. Yosemite National Park (National Park Service). https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wildregs.htm. Accessed 2026-09-07. License: Public domain (US government work). Campfire prohibitions (including the Cathedral Lake basins) and bear canister requirement.