Mirror Lake Trail

Trail Yosemite National Park, California, United States
Visit website

What to expect

Mirror Lake is a seasonal lake in Yosemite National Park, famous for its reflections of Half Dome and Mount Watkins. The lake is located in the shadow of Half Dome and is one of the few lakes that are easily accessible in the park. The area around the lake is in a state of transition, with sand carried by Tenaya Creek collecting and eventually forming a meadow. The lake is often referred to as Mirror Meadow in late summer due to the lack of water and the influx of grasses and sandy areas. The trail to Mirror Lake is a paved service road that leads directly to the lake, and then a loop trail follows Tenaya Creek beyond the lake. The area offers beautiful views of surrounding cliffs and is a popular spot for swimming and hiking. Leashed pets, bicycles, and strollers are allowed on the first paved mile of the trail, but are prohibited beyond that point. Visitors should keep their food within arm's reach and not feed the wildlife, and carry out all trash and food waste

Plan your family visit to the Mirror Lake Trail with these blog insights 👇

family travel blog favicon

11 Easy Hikes in Yosemite with Kids

11 Easy Hikes in Yosemite with Kids
This family's experience:

Activities: We hiked a portion of the Mirror Lake Trail, enjoying the scenic views of the lake and surrounding mountains

Highlights: The kids loved playing around the lake and trying to capture the reflection of the mountains in the water, and we all appreciated the peacefulness of this area ✨

family travel blog favicon

Yosemite National Park with kids: all the information!

Yosemite National Park with kids: all the information!
This family's experience:

Activities: I took a solo hike on the Mirror Lake Trail with my oldest kid

Highlights: We enjoyed the scenic hike and the beautiful lake ✨