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Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne

Tuolumne · Managed by Yosemite National Park (NPS) · Region: Yosemite National Park
Difficulty 48/100 · Strenuouspoint to point#waterfalls#river#point-to-point#yosemite
Distance
30.8 mi
Total gain
5,350 ft
Net gain
700 ft
Net loss
0 ft
Elevation
4,296–8,672 ft
Days
3–4
Permit
Required
Campfires
Campfires allowed seasonally

Overview

The Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne is Yosemite's great river trip: a 30.8-mile traverse from White Wolf to Tuolumne Meadows that drops into a glacier-carved gorge, threads past LeConte and Waterwheel Falls, and finishes with a 3,500-foot climb back to the rim. It is a thru-hike in miniature — waterfalls, swimming holes, and the loudest river in the park.

Highlights

  • Waterwheel Falls — the river launches a wheel of spray skyward off a granite step
  • Swimming holes and granite slabs along the canyon floor
  • Glen Aulin's High Sierra Camp and its cascades
  • Solitude between the rim and the river

How hard is Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne?

CaliPeaks rates this route 48/100 (Strenuous). The score weights five factors: climbing counts for 45% — 5,350 ft puts this trip at 45% of the reference climb; distance 20% at 30.8 miles; maximum altitude 15% at 8,672 ft; route technicality 10% (established trail throughout); and trip length 10% at 4 days. A score under 20 suits first-time backpackers; 60+ means serious endurance. See how we score difficulty for the full method.

Logistics

  • Trailhead: Tuolumne Meadows (Pothole Dome) (8,600 ft) · parking: Tuolumne Meadows visitor area; shuttle between Tuolumne and White Wolf in season
  • Water: The Tuolumne River the entire way; treat all water.
  • Resupply: None; Tuolumne Meadows and White Wolf have small stores in season.
  • Shuttle: Point-to-point — use the hiker shuttle between White Wolf and Tuolumne Meadows.
  • Bear canister required.

Permits

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

Campfires & stove regulations

Campfires allowed seasonally. Campfires are allowed only in existing rings below 9,600 ft and are frequently banned during fire season — check current restrictions. The canyon rim and much of the route are above the fire line. Current fire restrictions. Rules change with conditions — always confirm with the managing agency before your trip.

Best time to go

Best months: June, July, August, September.

Snow: Snow-free June through October; waterfalls peak in early summer.

Heat: The canyon bottom bakes in midsummer; the river is the route's air conditioning.

Bugs: Mosquitoes in the meadows in early July.

Weather forecast

Know before you go

  • The descent into the canyon and climb out at the far end are serious — plan water and shade
  • High water in June makes crossings and slabs dangerous; check conditions
  • This is a point-to-point — arrange the shuttle between White Wolf and Tuolumne Meadows
  • Bear canisters are required

Map

Route track shown for reference only — navigate with map and compass. Track source: OpenStreetMap route relation 19099681 (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) (ODbL 1.0).

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. Trailhead and destination elevations sampled at geocoded coordinates; location from OpenStreetMap data (ODbL).
  2. 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). Year-round permit requirement, trailhead quotas, and reservation windows.
  3. 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 rules, bear canister requirement, and camping distance rules.
  4. Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne Trail route relation 19099681. OpenStreetMap contributors. https://www.openstreetmap.org/relation/19099681. Accessed 2026-09-07. License: ODbL 1.0. Route geometry; distance and elevation statistics computed from the mapped portion of the trail.
  5. SRTM90 elevation data. OpenTopoData (SRTM, NASA/USGS-derived open data). https://www.opentopodata.org/. Accessed 2026-09-07. Elevation enrichment for computed gain/loss statistics.