Tioga Lake

Tioga Lake is a glacial reservoir perched at about 2,960 meters (9,700 feet) in the Sierra Nevada within the Inyo National Forest. It sits just north of the main entrance to Yosemite National Park and is ringed by steep alpine peaks.

The name Tioga comes from an Iroquois word referring to water that divides or flows swiftly through mountains. The lake formed from glacial activity and was later developed as a reservoir.

The lake sits in a region shaped by indigenous presence over many centuries. Today visitors can sense the deep connection between the land and the communities that have long inhabited these mountains.

The area has a small campground with about 13 sites where you can pitch a tent, fish, and picnic. The best time to visit is late spring through early fall, when the lake is fully accessible and weather is more stable.

The lake often freezes over at night even during summer months because of its extreme elevation. This sharp contrast between warm days and frozen nights shapes the rhythm of life in this alpine setting.