Gallery photos coming soon
Mirror Lake
A granite-ringed reflection pool below Half Dome, full in spring, dry by fall
About
Mirror Lake sits in Tenaya Canyon at the base of Half Dome and North Dome, an easy walk from the Valley shuttle system. The paved 2-mile round trip from the trailhead near Curry Village is the version most people do — flat, open to bikes and strollers, and accessible year-round. Push past the lake itself and you can turn it into a 5-mile loop along Tenaya Creek, crossing two bridges and returning through forest on the canyon's south side.
Timing matters more than distance here
Mirror Lake is only actually a lake for part of the year. It fills with snowmelt in spring and early summer, when Tenaya Creek runs high enough to produce genuine reflections of the surrounding cliffs. By late summer the water recedes and the lakebed turns into a grassy flat locals call "Mirror Meadow." If a still-water reflection shot is the goal, plan the trip for spring rather than August.
Getting there and staying safe
- Trailhead is shuttle stop #17, about a 10-minute walk from Curry Village parking
- Elevation gain is minimal — around 100 feet over the full loop
- Bikes are allowed on the first paved mile, not on the unpaved loop beyond it
- No drinking water at the trailhead or along the route — carry your own
- Tenaya Creek runs faster and deeper than it looks; wading or rock-hopping across it has swept hikers into the current
- South-side sections can ice over in winter
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mirror Lake always full of water?
No. It's fullest with snowmelt in spring and early summer; by late summer it typically dries into a grassy meadow known as Mirror Meadow, so if you want the classic reflection photo, visit in spring.
How long is the hike to Mirror Lake?
The paved out-and-back to the lake itself is about 2 miles round trip and takes roughly an hour. Continue around the full loop past the lake and back along Tenaya Creek and it's closer to 5 miles, with only about 100 feet of elevation gain.
Is the Mirror Lake trail wheelchair accessible?
The first mile — the paved section from shuttle stop #17 to the lake — is flat and suitable for wheelchairs and strollers. Beyond the lake, the loop trail continues on unpaved terrain.
Can I swim or wade at Mirror Lake?
It's not recommended. Tenaya Creek looks calm but gets thigh-deep fast and can sweep hikers into faster water downstream; the National Park Service specifically warns against rock-hopping across it.
Reviews
See all on GoogleNo reviews yet for this listing.