Mono Meadow
Yosemite West, Yosemite National Park
| Address: | Yosemite National Park, California, USA |
| GPS: |
37°40'17.1"N 119°35'4.2"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | California |
| Trail Length: | 3.00 miles |
| Trail Type: | Out & Back |
| Hike Difficulty: | Easiest |
| Elevation Gain: | 300 feet |
| Trails/Routes: | 1.7 mi |
Streams Trails Rocks Wildflowers Ponds National Park
Hike
The hike through Mono Meadow is the best way to get a view of Mt. Starr King, Clarke Range, and Half Dome all at once. It's about a three mile round trip hike towards Yosemite backcountry. It tends to stay really wet throughout the year, so it's typical for visitors to see a lot of mud and log crossings over creeks.
Three miles through Mono Meadow leads hikers to several options of things to do next, whether it's Half Dome, the High Sierras, or the more secluded Illiouette Creek. The Mono Meadow area is still recovering from some wild fires that have occurred, making a lot of burned trees and snags in the path pretty typical for those who visit to encounter.
Most people hiking through Mono Meadow are on their way to something else; few are rarely there just for the meadow itself. The trail is pretty lightly trafficked, making it a good place to look for wildlife.
It's a short, easy hike that leads to awesome views of the park. The elevation gain is 300 feet, making it more of a walk than a hike. The meadow is only open June to November, and the it's usually greener earlier in the season, so if you're interested in seeing the wildflowers at their peak, be sure to come early.
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=9zpxis0diinYosemite Hikes: The Mono Meadow
The Mono Meadow Trail, a short, steep descent to a small meadow off Glacier Point Road in Yosemite
https://www.yosemitehikes.com/glacier-point-road/mono-meadow/mono-meadow.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 Yosemite West, Yosemite National Park
- Head southwest on Northside Dr toward Cook's Meadow LoopToll road(2.9 mi)
- Keep right to stay on Northside DrToll road(2.1 mi)
- Turn left onto Southside DrToll road(0.9 mi)
- Slight right onto CA-41 S/Wawona RdContinue to follow Wawona RdToll road(9.2 mi)
- Turn left onto Glacier Point RdToll roadParts of this road may be closed at certain times or days(10.3 mi)
- Turn rightToll road(89 ft)
There is a parking lot outside the trailhead.
Other Hiking Trails Nearby
McGurk Meadow
Yosemite National Park
2.4 miles WA flat, 0.8-mile walk through one of Yosemite's most secluded wildflower meadows, complete with a brook and a historic 1800s cabin — few visitors, pure charm.
Hike 1.2 mi
Taft Point
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
3.1 miles NA 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 0.4-2.1 mi
Illilouette Falls
Yosemite West, Yosemite National Park
3.2 miles NEA 4-mile hike starting downhill from Glacier Point to a footbridge view of Illilouette Falls — with a side trip on the quieter Panorama Trail adding Half Dome and Nevada Falls views.
Hike 5.5 mi
Ostrander Lake
Wawona, California
3.7 miles SEAn 11.4-mile Yosemite hike to a semi-secluded swim lake surrounded by granite mountains — wildflowers, streams, and meadows in summer; open for cross-country skiing in winter via Ostrander Lodge.
Hike, Swim 0.3 mi
Glacier Point
Yosemite National Park
4.0 miles NPerched 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 4.6 mi
Four Mile Trail
Yosemite National Park
4.3 miles NA 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 1.9-2.9 mi
Mist Trail
Yosemite National Park
4.5 miles NA 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 0.2 mi
Bridalveil Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
4.6 miles NWA 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
Horsetail Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
4.7 miles NWFor 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 15.9 mi
Valley Loop Trail
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
4.7 miles NAn 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
Ribbon Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
4.8 miles NWThe 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 0.7 mi
Cook's Meadow Loop
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
5.1 miles NA 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 0.8 mi
Lower Yosemite Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
5.2 miles NA 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
Mirror Lake
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
5.6 miles NA 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 2.9 mi
Upper Yosemite Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
5.8 miles NThe 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
6.0 miles NA 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 1.9 mi
Half Dome
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
6.4 miles NEA 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 2.1 mi
Snow Creek Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
7.0 miles NEA 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 2.5 mi
Chilnualna Falls
Wowana, Yosemite National Park
9.1 miles SAn 8-mile round-trip hike in Yosemite to a lesser-known waterfall that passes through several forests and offers spring mist and creek crossings — horses and hikers share the trail.
Hike 0.7 mi
Lukens Lake
Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park
12.5 miles NA 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, SwimNearby Campsites
Merced River
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
4.9 miles NThe 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
Crane Flat
Big Oak Flat, Yosemite National Park
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Backpack, Camp, Hike, Snowshoe 5.7 mi
Ten Lakes
Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park
16.3 miles NA 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 6.1 mi
Glen Aulin
Wawona, California
18.7 miles NEAn 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
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Tuolumne Meadows
Tuolumne County, California
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Camp, Hike
Briceburg Recreation Area
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Camp, Kayak, Swim 4.0 mi
Saddlebag Lake
Lee Vining, California
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Camp, Canoe, Hike
Crystal Lake
Mammoth Lakes, California
31.7 miles EA 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
Standish Hickey Area
Lakeshore, California
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Backpack, Camp, Hike, Kayak, Swim
Wild Willy's Hot Spring
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44.5 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.
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Crowley Lake Campground
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Camp
