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Here you’ll find lakes and mountains that are, well, mammoth. How does 11,053 feet sound? Hitch a ride on the Panorama Gondola up to the summit for a bird’s-eye view. This year-round outdoor adventure playground includes a mountain bike park, numerous hiking trails, and recreational snow sports. And don’t miss the Devils Postpile National Monument nearby.
It’s a short drive to reach Yosemite’s eastern entrance gate via Tioga Road (closed in winter). Tuolumne Meadows, Lembert Dome, and Cathedral Lakes are unrivaled on the scenic beauty scale. Plan a day trip, don a backpack for a multi-day adventure, or explore camping options within or outside the park.
Fishing season opens in late April, and camping at June Lake lasts from then until late October. Ride the June Mountain chairlift up to the June Meadows Chalet Summer Cafe, or come during winter when the mountain turns into a ski and snowboard resort, with backcountry trails open to ski and snowboard mountaineers and ice climbers. The June Lake Loop is a photographer’s dream in the fall season, with aspen leaves reflecting the crisp autumn light.