East Lake Camping

Hoover Wilderness

photo of East Lake, Hoover Wilderness, California
photo of East Lake, Hoover Wilderness, California

East Lake Camping

Hoover Wilderness


Pitch Your Tent at East Lake

Comfortable, forested campsites are found at the north end of the lake on either side of the outlet creek. Campers will find plenty of space to spread out. Some respectable campsites can also be located along the creek a short distance below the outlet of the lake.

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Backpacking Tents

Those with some spring left in their legs may want to continue along the trail to a peninsula near Nutter Lake on the south end of East Lake. Some other sites are located there.

Campsite at East Lake, Hoover Wilderness, California

East Lake Campsite

Fishing at East Lake

East Lake is a popular place to fish for brook and rainbow trout. Fishing with lurtes, anglers have an excellent chance of landing some good-size fish. Neighboring Nutter Lake has some large rainbows waiting for someone to drop the right fly on the surface, maybe an ant. Other good fly choices are Olive Caddis, Parachute Adams and Black Gnat.


Unnamed Lake next to East Lake, Hoover Wilderness, California

Unnamed Lake Next to East Lake

Explore the Area


On to Yosemite National Park

The trail to East Lake can serve as the first day of a longer excursion which dips into Yosemite National Park. Continuing from East Lake the trail climbs 3.8 miles past Hoover Lakes and then Summit Lake before crossing into Yosemite at the head of Virginia Canyon

West Lake

West Lake is 2.3 miles from East Lake. Descend about 500 feet to Green Lake and then climb 1000 feet to West Lake. Fish for rainbow, brook, and brown trout.

Cross-County Jaunt

Experienced cross-country hikers could follow the trail from Summit Lake into Yosemite's Virginia Canyon and then swing north and cross Virginia Pass which leads to Glines Canyon and down to Green Lake, making a 5-mile loop.



Peak Bagging

For experienced mountaineers, Dunderberg, Gabbro, Page, and Epidote peaks all have Class 2 routes. Read details in R. J. Secor's The High Sierra: Peaks, Passes, and Trails.