Hetch Hetchy

Hetch Hetchy is a reservoir and valley in Tuolumne County, California, surrounded by steep granite cliffs. Water fills the valley floor and creates a narrow body of water flanked by high rock walls.

A dam was built in the 1920s to flood the valley and provide drinking water for San Francisco. The decision sparked debates about conservation that continue to this day.

The name comes from the Miwok language and likely refers to a type of edible grass or seed that once grew along the river. Hikers today walk through the landscape and see traces of old trails that were once used by groups gathering food and moving between valleys.

A road leads to the dam and provides access to trails along the shore and through the surrounding area. The drive to the entrance sits away from main park routes and requires extra travel time.

Visitors sometimes see waterfalls tumbling down the rock walls when snow melts or rain falls. The number and strength of these cascades depend on the season and precipitation.

Location: Tuolumne County

GPS coordinates: 37.94750,-119.78694

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:45