Lukens Lake
Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park
| Address: | Tioga Rd, Wawona, CA 95389, USA |
| GPS: |
37°51'1.9"N 119°36'54.8"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | California |
| Trail Length: | 1.60 miles |
| Trail Type: | Out & Back |
| Hike Difficulty: | Easiest |
| Elevation Gain: | 200 feet |
| Trails/Routes: | 0.7 mi |
Lakes Rivers Streams Wildflowers National Park
Hike and Swim
Lukens Lake is a small lake in the White Wolf area of Yosemite National Park. The hike is a short, 1.6 mile walk through a forest to the secluded lake surrounded by trees and a small wildflower meadow. This lake is famous for the luminescent shooting stars that are easily spotted while swimming here, so although it's not the most popular lake in the valley, it's not uncommon to have company while you're there.
There are two separate trails that will take you to Lukens Lake, one is 1.6 miles and starts from Tioga Road, and the other is 4.6 miles and starts from the White Wolf Lodge. Both trails have a low elevation gain, about 200-300 feet, and lead you through some pretty thick woods until you reach the lake. The longer trail crosses the Middle Fork of the Tuolumne River has a few more wildflowers and streams, but mostly it's just a longer walk in the forest.
The best time to visit is in July, when the wildflower meadows are at their peak. Tread carefully, though, because the trail is typically wet and muddy until August. It's also important to stay on the marked path so as not to damage the meadows.
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=9zpxis0diinDay Hikes in Crane Flat and White Wolf - Yosemite National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
The Tuolumne Grove and the Merced Grove are two small, quiet groves of giant sequoias. Both located near Crane Flat, about 30 minutes from Yosemite Valley. Parking at each trailhead is very limited. Both groves can be visited year-round. In winter, skis or snowshoes may be necessary.
https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/whitewolf.htmYosemite Hikes: The Lukens Lake Trail
The Lukens Lake Trail, a short hike to a small alpine lake with a seasonally wildflower-filled meadow at one end
https://www.yosemitehikes.com/tioga-road/lukens-lake/lukens-lake.htmBe 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 Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park
- Head west on CA-120 W toward Sierra High Rte/Yosemite National Park RdToll roadMay be closed at certain times or daysDestination will be on the right(22.1 mi)
There is a parking lot just outside of both trailheads
Other Swimming Holes and Hiking Trails Nearby
Harden Lake
Big Oak Flat, Yosemite National Park
2.3 miles NWA 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 5.7 mi
Ten Lakes
Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park
6.2 miles NEA 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 1.3-1.6 mi
May Lake
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
6.7 miles EA 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 2.9 mi
Upper Yosemite Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
6.8 miles SThe 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 4.1 mi
North Dome
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
7.1 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 0.8 mi
Lower Yosemite Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
7.3 miles SA 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 2.1 mi
Snow Creek Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
7.3 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 0.7 mi
Cook's Meadow Loop
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
7.3 miles SA 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
Devil's Bathtub
Yosemite Valley, California
7.5 miles SA warm, off-the-beaten-path pool fed by the Royal Arches Cascade just above Yosemite's Ahwanhee Hotel — great for families or a picnic near world-class climbing walls.
Swim
Merced River
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
7.7 miles SThe 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 15.9 mi
Valley Loop Trail
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
7.8 miles SAn 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
Mirror Lake
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
8.0 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 4.6 mi
Four Mile Trail
Yosemite National Park
8.2 miles SA 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
Tenaya Lake
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
8.3 miles ETenaya Lake's glacier-carved granite shoreline offers a spacious east-beach for swimming, canoeing, and kayaking with stunning Yosemite dome views all around.
Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Swim
Horsetail Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
8.4 miles SFor 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 1.9-2.9 mi
Mist Trail
Yosemite National Park
8.7 miles SA steep, mist-soaked Yosemite staircase hike climbing 639 stone steps past Vernal and Nevada Falls — with Half Dome, Whitecap, and Mt. Broderick views from the switchbacks above.
Backpack, Hike 0.3 mi
Glacier Point
Yosemite National Park
8.7 miles SPerched 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.
Hike 0.2 mi
Ribbon Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
8.8 miles SThe 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 1.9 mi
Half Dome
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
9.2 miles SEA grueling 14-mile round-trip hike with 4,800 feet of gain to the summit of Half Dome, including a cable section in the final 400 feet — a permit is required and a sunrise start is essential.
Hike 0.2 mi
Bridalveil Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
9.4 miles SA 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.
HikeNearby Campsites
Ten Lakes
Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park
6.2 miles NEA 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
7.7 miles SThe 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
11.4 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
11.4 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
Crane Flat
Big Oak Flat, Yosemite National Park
12.3 miles SWFramed 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
Tuolumne Meadows
Tuolumne County, California
14.8 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 4.0 mi
Saddlebag Lake
Lee Vining, California
20.4 miles NEAt 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
Briceburg Recreation Area
Midpines, California
26.8 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
Crystal Lake
Mammoth Lakes, California
37.2 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
Wild Willy's Hot Spring
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48.0 miles EA soaking hot spring in Long Valley's open sagebrush plain — pools range from 95°F to 105°F, with a larger deeper pool and smaller, hotter pools, reached by a 0.2-mile wooden boardwalk from the parking area.
Camp, Hot Springs
Standish Hickey Area
Lakeshore, California
48.9 miles SEA two-mile stretch of the south fork of the Eel River inside a redwood canyon 180 miles from San Francisco — swim, kayak, fish, or hike, then camp near the 1,200-year-old Captain Miles Standish Tree.
Backpack, Camp, Hike, Kayak, Swim
