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Ostrander Lake

Mariposa · Managed by Yosemite National Park (NPS) · Region: Yosemite National Park
Difficulty 13/100 · Easyout and back#lakes#cross-country-skiing#glacier-point-road#quiet
Distance
11.4 mi
Total gain
1,500 ft
Net gain
1,500 ft
Net loss
1,500 ft
Elevation
7,041–8,527 ft
Days
2
Permit
Required
Campfires
Campfires allowed

Overview

Ostrander Lake is the dome-viewer's weekend: a gentle 5.7-mile walk from Glacier Point Road to an 8,500-foot lake on Horse Ridge, ringed by granite domes and looking across at the Clark Range. Quiet, easy, and one of Yosemite's best lake camps south of the Valley.

Highlights

  • Sunset across the lake toward the Clark Range
  • Granite domes scattered over Horse Ridge
  • A mellow grade suited to first-timers
  • The trailhead's launch point for bigger southern Yosemite routes

How hard is Ostrander Lake?

CaliPeaks rates this route 13/100 (Easy). The score weights five factors: climbing counts for 45% — 1,500 ft puts this trip at 13% of the reference climb; distance 20% at 11.4 miles; maximum altitude 15% at 8,527 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: Ostrander Lake Trailhead (Glacier Point Road) (7,041 ft) · parking: Ostrander Lake trailhead parking off Glacier Point Road
  • Water: Ostrander Lake and seasonal creeks; treat all water.
  • Resupply: None; Wawona or Yosemite Valley stores nearby.
  • Shuttle: Not needed for an out-and-back.
  • Bear canister required.

Permits

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

Campfires & stove regulations

Campfires allowed. Campfires are allowed in existing rings below 9,600 ft unless fire restrictions are in effect. 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: Glacier Point Road opens by June; the lake trail clears shortly after.

Heat: Pleasant at 8,500 feet.

Bugs: Mosquitoes at the lake in early summer.

Weather forecast

Know before you go

  • Mosquitoes can be heavy at the lake in early summer
  • The lake has no inlet in dry years — check conditions
  • 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. Trailhead and destination elevations sampled at geocoded coordinates; location from OpenStreetMap data (ODbL).
  2. Wawona & Glacier Point Backpacking Trails — Ostrander Lake. Yosemite National Park (National Park Service). https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wawona-backpacking-trails.htm. Accessed 2026-09-07. License: Public domain (US government work). Distance (11.4 mi round trip) and elevation gain (1,500 ft) from the Ostrander Lake trailhead.
  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 rules and bear canister requirement.