Hetch Hetchy Reservoir
Groveland, California
| Address: | Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, California, USA |
| GPS: |
37°56'57.2"N 119°47'6.2"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | California |
Lakes Rivers Waterfalls Streams Trails Rocks Wildflowers Pet Friendly Fishing National Park
Backpack and Hike
Located thirty minutes outside Yosemite Valley, Hetch Hetchy has the longest hiking season in the park. It's home to the O'Shaughnessy Dam and Wapama Falls.
Since the O'Shaughnessy Dam was built in 1978, the Hetch Hetchy reservoir holds 117 billion gallons of water provides drinking water for the Bay Area residents.
Wapama Falls is one of the lesser known waterfalls in Yosemite, but the hike offers amazing views of the reservoir and takes you straight across the dam and through a tunnel to a footbridge at the base of the falls, almost ensuring that you'll get sprayed.
There are several day hikes available in Hetch Hetchy, including Lookout Point, Wapama Falls, Rancheria Falls, Smith Peak, and Poopenaut Valley.
At 7,751 ft, Smith Peak is the tallest point in the Hetch Hetchy area. There are two trailheads that both begin at the entrance. One trail is 13 miles roundtrip, and the other is 16 miles roundtrip, but they are both fairly strenuous.
Many people who visit Hetch Hetchy enjoy the peace and serenity offered there, because there is no boating or swimming allowed in the reservoir. Fishing is permitted, but fishers are not allowed to catch anything larger than 12 inches, no more than two trout per day, and only artificial lures are permitted in the O'Shaughnessy Dam area.
More Information
Yosemite National Park Itinerary
This Yosemite National Park Itinerary will help you get started as you plan your vacation to Yosemite National Park.
https://www.justgotravelstudios.com/collections/national-park-itineraries/products/yosemite-national-park-itinerary?ref=9zpxis0diinBe courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
Read More
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Groveland, California
- Head northeast on CA-120 E/Main St toward Back StContinue to follow CA-120 E(13.9 mi)
- Turn left onto Cherry Lake Rd/Forest Rte 1N07 (75 ft)
- Turn right to stay on Cherry Lake Rd/Forest Rte 1N07Continue to follow Forest Rte 1N07(5.3 mi)
- Slight right onto Forest Rte 1S02 (3.4 mi)
- Continue onto Mather Rd (381 ft)
- Continue straight (1.3 mi)
- Continue onto Forest Rte 1S02/Mather Rd (2.6 mi)
- Continue onto Hetch Hetchy Rd (1.6 mi)
- Continue onto Evergreen Rd (0.2 mi)
- Continue onto Hetch Hetchy Rd (2.6 mi)
- Continue onto Evergreen Rd (4.8 mi)
Parking is available just before the dam.
Other Hiking Trails and Backpacking Trails Nearby
Wapama Falls
Groveland, California
0.2 miles SWA 5-mile moderate hike along the Hetch Hetchy reservoir in Yosemite to 1,000-foot Wapama Falls — cross a dam, walk through a tunnel, and prepare to get sprayed by the mist at the bridge below.
Backpack, Hike
Harden Lake
Big Oak Flat, Yosemite National Park
9.2 miles SEA long but gentle 5.8-mile walk down old Tioga Road through granite domes and red fir forest to a serene lake ringed by wildflowers — with optional extension to the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne.
Backpack, Hike 0.7 mi
Lukens Lake
Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park
11.5 miles SEA short 1.6-mile forest walk to a secluded lake famous for the luminescent shooting stars visible while you swim, plus a wildflower meadow that peaks in July.
Hike, Swim
Crane Flat
Big Oak Flat, Yosemite National Park
13.9 miles SFramed between two giant sequoia groves, Crane Flat meadow is a quiet Yosemite base camp for birding, stargazing, and seasonal hikes to Lukens and Harden Lake.
Backpack, Camp, Hike, Snowshoe 5.7 mi
Ten Lakes
Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park
14.8 miles EA 6.4-mile hike from Yosemite Creek to three of the Ten Lakes Basin's seven lakes, through wildflower meadows, forests, and past the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne, gaining 2,200 feet.
Backpack, Camp, Hike
Gods Bath
Phoenix Lake-Cedar Ridge, CA, California
14.8 miles WCrystal-clear but cold water at the bottom of a boulder-hop, rope-assisted descent into Clavey River canyon — cliff jumping, smaller pools on the way, about a mile one way.
Hike, Swim 2.9 mi
Upper Yosemite Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
17.3 miles SEThe tallest waterfall in North America at 2,425 feet — a 7.2-mile, 2,600-ft-gain hike to the top of Upper Yosemite Falls with stunning valley views along the way.
Hike 0.8 mi
Lower Yosemite Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
17.4 miles SEA short, flat walk to the base of a 3,967-foot waterfall — twice the height of the Empire State Building and one of North America's tallest, best visited in spring or early summer before it dries.
Hike 1.3-1.6 mi
May Lake
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
17.4 miles SEA 2.5-mile roundtrip hike to a scenic 9,270-foot lake at the base of Mt. Hoffmann — with views of Clouds Rest, Half Dome, and Teyana Lake, plus the option to summit the peak for even grander panoramas.
Hike, Swim 0.2 mi
Ribbon Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
17.4 miles SEThe longest single-drop waterfall in North America at 1,612 feet — seasonal and best seen in late morning when the sun hits it directly, visible from El Capitan Road as you enter Yosemite Valley.
Hike
Horsetail Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
17.5 miles SEFor a few weeks in mid-to-late February, Horsetail Falls glows orange with reflected sunset light — a rare 'firefall' phenomenon requiring clear skies and a parking permit.
Hike 0.7 mi
Cook's Meadow Loop
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
17.5 miles SEA nearly 1-mile, nearly flat loop in Sentinel Meadow with close-up views of Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, Glacier Point, and Sentinel Rock — Yosemite's best easy walk.
Hike 15.9 mi
Valley Loop Trail
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
17.6 miles SEAn 11.5-mile loop trail through the heart of Yosemite Valley following the Merced River past wildflower meadows, the Three Brothers, El Capitan, and Bridalveil Falls — with nearly no elevation gain.
Hike 0.2 mi
Bridalveil Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
17.8 miles SEA 620-foot waterfall that flows year-round and soaks onlookers with mist — Bridalveil Falls is just a quick half-mile paved walk from the trailhead, wheelchair accessible and pet friendly.
Hike 4.1 mi
North Dome
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
18.1 miles SEA strenuous 10.4-mile hike through Yosemite forest to North Dome, rewarding hikers with the best straight-on view of Half Dome from 7,450 feet — plus a 0.6-mile detour to a 15-foot granite arch.
Backpack, Hike 4.6 mi
Four Mile Trail
Yosemite National Park
18.4 miles SEA 4.7-mile one-way hike connecting Yosemite Valley to Glacier Point with views of Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, El Capitan, and the Royal Arches — best visited in spring when the falls run full.
Hike 2.1 mi
Snow Creek Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
18.7 miles SEA 2,140-foot, seven-drop cascade tucked deep in Tenaya Canyon — best spotted from the Mirror Lake Loop, where you can also take a swim before hunting for the falls from the Snow Creek Trail junction.
Backpack, Hike
Mirror Lake
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
19.0 miles SEA paved, car-free trail winds to this seasonal lake at the base of Half Dome, offering a still mirror reflection and a popular summer swimming hole.
Backpack, Hike, Swim 1.2 mi
Taft Point
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
19.1 miles SEA 5-mile Yosemite loop pairing Sentinel Dome with Taft Point, offering El Capitan views, dramatic cliff fissures, and 3,000-foot valley vistas — no guard rails, so watch your footing.
Hike 0.3 mi
Glacier Point
Yosemite National Park
19.1 miles SEPerched at 7,214 feet above Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point delivers bird's-eye views of Half Dome, El Capitan, and multiple waterfalls — accessible by car or a 4.7-mile hike.
HikeNearby Campsites
Crane Flat
Big Oak Flat, Yosemite National Park
13.9 miles SFramed between two giant sequoia groves, Crane Flat meadow is a quiet Yosemite base camp for birding, stargazing, and seasonal hikes to Lukens and Harden Lake.
Backpack, Camp, Hike, Snowshoe 5.7 mi
Ten Lakes
Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park
14.8 miles EA 6.4-mile hike from Yosemite Creek to three of the Ten Lakes Basin's seven lakes, through wildflower meadows, forests, and past the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne, gaining 2,200 feet.
Backpack, Camp, Hike
Merced River
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
18.1 miles SEThe Merced River circles Yosemite Valley with whitewater, swimming holes, gold-panning spots, and unbeatable views of Yosemite Falls and Glacier Point at every bend.
Camp, Swim, Whitewater 6.1 mi
Glen Aulin
Wawona, California
20.1 miles EAn 11-mile hike along the Tuolumne River to Glen Aulin with 800 feet of gain, passing Tuolumne Falls, Soda Springs, wildflower meadows, and the stunning White Cascade.
Backpack, Camp, Hike
Glen Aulin
Glen Aulin, California
20.1 miles EA popular introductory Yosemite High Country backcountry hike following the Tuolumne River to a High Sierra Camp beside the White Cascade waterfall, with further options to Waterwheel Falls.
Backpack, Camp, Hike, Swim
Tuolumne Meadows
Tuolumne County, California
24.5 miles EA stunning alpine meadow in the high Sierra with granite domes and mountain views, the meandering Tuolumne River, and access to Yosemite backcountry — open summer only when the park road is clear.
Camp, Hike
Briceburg Recreation Area
Midpines, California
26.7 miles SWBriceburg is where State Route 140 drops out of the Sierra foothills and meets the Wild and Scenic Merced River, twelve miles east of Mariposa on the road to Yosemite, and it's one of the best public...
Camp, Kayak, Swim 4.0 mi
Saddlebag Lake
Lee Vining, California
28.0 miles EAt 10,008 ft, this Eastern Sierra alpine lake offers exceptional trout fishing, a scenic four-mile loop, and a water taxi into the heart of the Twenty Lakes Basin.
Camp, Canoe, Hike
Crystal Lake
Mammoth Lakes, California
48.6 miles SEA 3.2-mile roundtrip Sierra day hike past Lake George, Lake Marie, and Lake Mamie, ending at Crystal Lake beneath the monolith Crystal Crag — shaded trail with room to swim, fish, or picnic lakeside.
Camp, Hike
