Cathedral Lakes Camping

Yosemite National Park

photo of Cathedral Lakes, Yosemite National Park, California
photo of Cathedral Lakes, Yosemite National Park, California

Cathedral Lakes Camping

Yosemite National Park


Set Up a Campsite with a View

At Lower Cathedral Lake work your way through the trees around the right side where you will pass through a number of good campsites. One particularly nice spot is on the small peninsula near the western end of the lake. More isolated sites are found along the western side. A couple of those sites are worth the extra trek around the lake.

At Upper Cathedral Lake campsites are available on the northwestern and south sides, often a distance back from the shore, but still with nice views.

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Upper Cathedral Lake, Yosemite National Park, California

Upper Cathedral Lake


Fishing

Both lakes have brook trout and perhaps some rainbows as well. They are heavily fished, but still offer some good opportunities for skilled anglers.


Lower Cathedral Lake, Yosemite National Park, California

Looking West Across Lower Cathedral Lake


Catch the Sunset

Campers at Lower Cathedral Lake have a great opportunity to watch the sunset from an overlook with views west with partial views of Pywiak and Polly domes, Mount Hoffman, glimpses of Tenaya Lake, and all the landscape beyond. Reach this perch by hiking to the west end of the lake near the notch formed by the outlet creek. Then veer right and go about 200 yards onto a broad, flat expanse of granite.

Budd Lake, Yosemite National Park, California

Budd Lake

Explore the Area

Budd Lake is one of those special places around Tuolumne Meadows that is worth the extra effort to make your way cross-country up to its shores. No official trail leads to the lake and camping is no longer allowed there, but it makes a wonderful day-hike. Hikers are rewarded with a scenic mountain lake surrounded by soaring granite peaks - Echo Peaks, Cathedral Peak, Cockscomb, and Unicorn Peak.

Experienced cross-country hikers can pick up a use-trail leading to Budd Lake by veering off the Cathedral Lake trail somewhere close to the trailhead, but not going so far as to cross Budd Creek. Then simply head south, climbing steadily for about a mile.

Peak Bagging

Cathedral Peak and many other nearby summits appear inviting, but they should only be attempted by experienced rock climbers. The route to the summit of Cathedral Peak is class 4.
Read details in R. J. Secor's The High Sierra: Peaks, Passes, and Trails.


Sunrise High Sierra Camp

Sunrise High Sierra Camp is situated along the John Muir Trail about 4 miles south of Upper Cathedral Lake. If you can get a reservation for the camp, it makes a convenient stopping place along the trail down to Yosemite Valley.

Resting in a beautiful alpine meadow, Sunrise High Sierra Camp has great views of Mount Florence and Mount Clark. The camp offers 9 cabins with room for up to 34 guests. Reservations are made through a lottery system.
Sunrise High Sierra Camp