USA Tenaya Lake

Tenaya Lake is a magnificent High Sierra lake surrounded by granite domes, lodgepole forests, and Yosemite's vast wilderness. It is the largest lake in Yosemite's front country. Because of its remarkable scenic qualities, its inviting blue water, and its proximity to Tioga Road, Tenaya Lake is one of the most popular destinations for summer visitors in Yosemite.

Tenaya Lake can be accessed by car via Tioga Pass Road which is called California State Route 120 outside the park. Visitors from the east must pass through the Tioga Pass Entrance on the Eastern border of Yosemite National Park. Tioga Pass Road starts at the town of Lee Vining on U.S. Route 395 140 miles south of Reno and 330 miles north of Los Angeles. Tioga Pass Road is usually closed by National Park Service during the Winter months due to heavy snow. The connecting section to the east is closed by Caltrans when the park closes the entrance station for the winter. The lake can be accessed by automobile from the west via Crane Flat, where the Tioga Pass Road meets the Big Oak Flat Road that connects the Big Oak Flat entrance (and CA120) to the park and Yosemite Valley (and CA41 and CA140).