Curator note: With such a diverse and vast area, including many well known, beautiful monuments, national and state parks, some of which are deserving of/have entire websites and hiking books devoted to them and one could easily spend a lifetime exploring, listings referenced here are just a tiny sampling and may highlight natural features such as caves, hot springs, waterfalls, and/or viewpoints, city proximity or discovered during trips.
Central, East, & Southeast: Groveland, Independence, June Lake, Lee Vining, Mammoth Lakes, Markleeville, Merced, Murphys, Pine Grove, Tejon Ranch, Volcano, Yosemite
Rainbow Falls, Pool - Groveland
Location: Along Highway 120, 15 miles east of Groveland
Why Go There? More of a very short stroll stretch stop, swim spot than a hike, but worth a visit on a hot day to take a refreshing swim, view the pretty waterfall. Basic porta potty/changing room (always good idea to carry own toilet paper), parking and very short walk down to the cool water pool on the South Tuolumne river. Popular, so be prepared for other people. (Curator visited end of September late-ish weekday hot afternoon and only a few cars parked, one other person below the waterfall to swim in the pool). Never take glass to any water area, and please respect pack it in, pack out.
More Information: Rainbow Falls & Rainbow Pools
Manzanar National Historic Site Walks - Independence
Daily sunrise to sunset
Location: 5001 Highway 395
Why Go There? One of ten encampment (prison) sites where thousands of law abiding, hardworking, proud US citizens of Japanese descent were sent during World War Two, the Visitor Center can be a starting point to see exhibits and pick up self-guided tour maps: 3.2-mile self-guided auto/bicycle tour road (or walk), and a "Garden Guide" suggested walking routes to see eleven of the 100+ Japanese gardens that have been uncovered and stabilized (0.25 miles to 2.5 miles each); walking the grounds offers more details than the auto route: tour Block 14, and newer block 15 buildings, exhibits and learn, reflect about a painful and shameful part of US history; see original sentry posts, the cemetery monument, remnants of the administrative complex, orchards, hospital grounds, uncovered foundations of the Children’s Village (the only orphanage of the ten War Relocation Centers).
More Information: Manzanar National Historic Site
June Lake + Gull Lake - June Lake
Location: Follow Gull Lake Road from Highway 158 in downtown June Lake to the lake. There is also access along the southern edge from Highway 158 and from the Gull Lake Campground.
Why Go There? Popular year-round, easy walking trails encompass June Lake and close by Gull Lake, offer scenic (and stunning fall colors) views of surrounding peaks; the small, laid back town has a friendly brew pub, US Forest Service campgrounds at both June and Gull Lakes. Best opportunity for fewer people following summer season, and before fall colors peak as "leaf peeping" touring highly popular (and winter season brings snow activity visitors).
More Information: Camping at Gull Lake
Mono Lake Tufa State Nature Reserve - Lee Vining
Location: Highway 395, 13 miles east of Yosemite National Park, near Lee Vining
Why Go There? Ancient Mono Lake's approximately 65 square miles of alkaline water draws photographers, birders and nature lovers to view abundant Tufa "towers" (spire and knob formations made of calcium-carbonate that occur when freshwater springs interact with the alkaline and highly salty lake water), one million+ annual migratory birds (80+ species) and take nature walks along the lake shore (or swim in designated spots).
More Information: Mono Lake Tufa State Nature Reserve
Convict Lake Hikes - Mammoth Lakes area
Location: Convict Lake Road approximately two miles from Highway 395, about 15 minutes south of Mammoth Lakes. There is a designated day use parking lot.
Why Go There? Oblong-shaped incredibly clear glacially formed deep lake, encircled by a 2.5 mile long access fairly level trail, surrounded by Sierra Nevada peaks, including 12,241 ft Mount Morrison makes this a stunning views hike. Longer hike option: take the intersecting Convict Canyon trail towards Dorothy or Mildred lakes and John Muir Wilderness (may not be well maintained). This is a very popular lake for fishing, boating, swimming (in summer) and fall colors, so expect to see/share the trail with others; best visited mornings off season for less people; nearby campground, resort cabins, store, restaurant (Convict Lake Resort) on the north end of the lake.
More Information: Convict Lake
Crystal Lake Trail + Mammoth Crest - Mammoth Lakes
Location: Park in Lake George day use parking lot (fee), walk to signed Crystal Lake Trailhead north of the parking area, near Woods Lake Lodge entrance
Why Go There? Hike offers expansive views, a good up hill workout. Walk past Woods Lake resort lodge/cabins ascending the fairly steep, heavily used zig zagging trail above Lake George with occasional views of Crystal Crag and Lake George. Trail continues up a steep ridge, and on clear days offers sweeping views of Mary Lake, entire Mammoth Lakes basin below and the Minarets to the west. After a mile, you'll reach the junction with Crystal Lake Trail, and can head down to the lake. If desiring a longer hike and more views, less people, return to junction, continue ascending two miles, reach Mammoth Crest. The trail turns left, but continuing straight onto Mammoth Crest Alternate Spur the trail meets the PCT for further hikes, or head back down to Lake George. Late Fall, before snows overtake the trail can offer best opportunity for less people.
More Information: Mammoth Crest Trail
Devils Postpile, Rainbow Falls Devils Postpile National Monument - Mammoth Lakes
Open seasonally: usually mid-June-October (road closed in winter conditions)
Location: Take Route 395 to Route 203 and drive 3.6 miles to Mammoth Lakes. Turn right onto Minaret Road toward Mammoth Mountain for four miles. If just visiting the park for the day (not staying overnight at the campground) should park at the ski resort parking, take shuttle to Devils Postpile National Monument (fees apply). If driving, continue past Minaret Vista Entrance Station 6.7 miles toward Reds Meadow. Turn right, following signs for Devils Postpile National Monument final 0.3 miles. You will come to a loop with parking at the end of the road; ranger station is straight ahead, campground is on the right, trail into Devils Postpile to the left. The shuttle drops hikers outside ranger station/next to the trailhead.
Why Go There? Basalt columnar Devils Postpile are spectacular examples of lava formations that look like giant rock hexagonal crystals (especially when seen from the top). A day hike from the parking lot can include a longer hike past the columns to beautiful Rainbow Falls, named because the mist coming off the falls creates rainbows if the sun is out, approximately 6 miles roundtrip if doing both. The shorter Devils Postpile hike (approximately one mile roundtrip from the trailhead) also has a loop option to walk up to the top of the columns, back down the other side. Both hikes are highly popular (so consider visits during non-peak times), and these natural wonders are only accessed when the main road into the national monument is open from Mammoth Lakes. Many other hike options as well.
More Information: Devils Postpile National Monument
Hot Creek Geological Site - Mammoth Lakes area
Daily 8:00am-7:00pm
Location: From Hwy 395 (located 15 mins South of Mammoth Lakes) take Hot Creek Hatchery Road, go two miles on a paved road, then three miles further on a gravel road. Hot Creek is located on the left hand side; parking, toilet.
Why Go There? Opportunity to view hot, steaming water, fumaroles, colorful residues caused by mineral deposits, occasional geyser eruption is hard to resist, especially when it's on a short .2 mile paved path. Respect the fenced off prohibited area to protect the fragile, dangerous and volatile hot creek.
More Information: Hot Creek Trail + Inyo National Forest
Grover Hot Springs State Park, Waterfall, Burnside Lake - Markleeville
Location: 3415 Hot Springs Road (4.1 miles west of 'downtown')
Why Go There? Set in a meadow at 5,900 feet, state park features a hot spring soak pool, hot springs fed swimming pool (day use fee), campground (fee), picnic area and short nearby trail to small, pretty waterfall. For a more strenuous hike, a trail from the campground area leads to Burnside Lake, passing through open pine forest, sagebrush, meadow, ascends 2300+ feet to pretty Burnside Lake, with views along the way and at the lake; approximately 9 miles roundtrip. Be prepared for weather changes.
More Information: Grover Hot Springs
Merced National Wildlife Refuge - Merced
Daily one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset (Visitor Center open daily 8:00am-4:30pm)
Location: 7430 West Sandy Mush Road
Why Go There? Within the 10,258 acres of wetlands, native grasslands, vernal pools, riparian areas there are four self-guided short (each half a mile to one mile) walking nature trails (and auto driving routes), viewing platforms, interpretive signs; hosts the largest wintering concentration of Lesser Sandhill Cranes in the Pacific Flyway with as many as 20,000 cranes using the Refuge; abundant spring wildflowers; numerous other wildlife species peaking throughout the seasons.
More Information: Merced National Wildlife Refuge + San Luis NWR + Seasons of Wildlife
Mercer Caverns - Murphys
10:00am-4:30pm (check website or call for seasonal hours, tour start times)
Location: 1665 Sheep Ranch Road
Why Go There? Close to historic Murphys, cave lovers who can navigate a few hundred steep stairs up, down (area is 2,176 feet elevation) will enjoy guided tour of rooms full of awe inspiring formations including aragonite crystals, cave "bacon", flowstone, stalactites, more; fee.
More Information: Mercer Caverns Tour
Indian Grinding Rock State Park - Pine Grove
10:00am - 4:00pm
Location: 14881 Pine Grove-Volcano Road, 12 miles east of Jackson
Why Go There? 135 acres, stroll on trail that goes to/passes an outcropping of marbleized limestone (1,185 mortar holes, the largest collection of bedrock mortars in North America). Park grounds also contain museum/gift shop/bookstore (see separate listing under Arts: Chaw’se Regional Indian Museum); campgrounds; entrance fee. Sacred space for tribes who gather here annually for fall acorn grinding ceremony (September), so campground not available that weekend.
More Information: Indian Grinding Rock State Park
Tejon Ranch Conservancy Hikes, Walks - Tejon Ranch (south of Bakersfield)
Location: Several locations (see website map, events)
Why Go There? Tejon Conservancy, as part of their mission of stewardship, education leads hikes, spring wildflower walks on 240,000 acre privately owned Tejon Ranch, California's largest contiguous private property; straddles the Tehachapi Mountains, a convergence of Great Central Valley, Sierra Nevada, Mojave Desert and Southwestern California major ecological zones and creates a wildlife corridor: 200+ bird species spotted, one third of California's native oaks found, 60+ at-risk plant, animal species are protected on conserved lands.
More Information: Tejon Conservancy + Calendar
Black Chasm Cavern National Natural Landmark - Volcano
10:00am-4:00pm (check website or call for seasonal hours, tour start times)
Location: 15701 Pioneer Volcano Road
Why Go There? Rare fragile helictite formations fill the cavern with magical sparkle and beauty, along with many other cave features, including an underground lake. A worthwhile stop for those who enjoy cave touring; fee. A self-guided trail outside the cavern offers an additional easy half mile of walking.
More Information: Gold Country Adventures
Cathedral Lakes - Yosemite
Location: Trailhead from visitor center or campground
Why Go There? With hundreds of hikes in Yosemite to choose from, the seven mile round trip trail to the Cathedral Lakes are especially enjoyed in fall, walkable from the Tuolumne camp ground if staying there, the brisk fall air is invigorating, less people than during peak summer season, no mosquitoes and if weather cooperates, spectacular views of the lakes, huge granite slabs and surrounding peaks.
More Information: Cathedral Lakes
Additional Resources
Calaveras Big Trees State Park - Arnold
Walks to South, North large sequoia redwood groves; 1170 East Highway 4 (day use or campground fee) early mornings best to avoid crowds
Bodie Foundation - Bodie State Historic Park
Nonprofit raises money to help preserve Bodie State Historic Park, Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve, Grover Hot Springs State Park through private and public (fee based) unique, specialized walking tours; offers free history tours
Kern County Historical Society - Bakersfield
Historical society walking tours, events
Hiking - Death Valley National Park
Describes hikes of varying lengths, difficulties, view points, waterfalls, springs
Remington Hot Springs - Kern River Canyon/six miles from Lake Isabella
Next to the river is a short 1/4 mile but steep 300 feet walk down the hill; highway 178 to Borrel Road, park in dirt lot
Japanese Garden - Lodi
Three acre Japanese garden to stroll within Micke Grove Park; daily 9:00am-1:00pm, Monday-Thursday until 2:00pm; 11793 Micke Grove Road (entrance fee per vehicle)
Annual Sandhill Crane Festival - Lodi
Walking tours with crane experts; some include wine, nibbles, register early (November)
Owens Lake Bird Festival - Lone Pine
Listing under Entertainment, includes 30+ area walks, outings (April)
Hikes - Mojave National Preserve
Varying lengths, difficulties
Bodie State Historic Park - Northeast of Mono Lake
Mining era walkable 8375 feet ghost town; limited/no road access winter months, open year-round
Historic Walking Tours - Murphys
Saturday mornings
Nelder Grove - Oakhurst
Giant Sequoia Trees and trails less visited than near by Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks
Day Hiking - Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Trail maps, trail saefty, current conditions, etc.
Boyden Cavern - Sequoia National Forest
Seasonal access Boyden Cavern short walk, cave features (tour reservation, fee)
Crystal Cave - Sequoia National Park
Seasonal access Crystal Cave short walk, marble cave features (tour fee, reservation)
Sequoia Riverlands Trust - Tulare County (east of Visalia)
Owns, manages seven nature preserves containing short walking trails; leads hikes/walks, talks