Cherry Lake
Campground · Yosemite corridor
Cherry Lake is a high-Sierra reservoir at 4813 feet in the Yosemite corridor, tucked in a granite basin northeast of Hetch Hetchy. Wind and afternoon thermals shape the character here more than at lower elevation lakes.
Morning calm transitions to afternoon wind funneling off the lake by mid-day. Wind typically averages 7 mph but peaks to 14 mph in afternoon hours. The exposed water means shelter matters; coves on the north and east hold calmer pockets. Skip afternoon paddling if you're sensitive to chop.
Over the last 30 days, Cherry Lake averaged a NoGo Score of 16.0 with wind holding at 7 mph on average and temperature at 45 degrees. The stretch ahead will see morning windows open and close faster as day-length increases; plan for afternoon wind to build by mid-April through early May. Crowding remains light (12 on average), but Highway 120 snowmelt timing reshapes traffic patterns week to week.
30 days back / 7 days forward
Today's score by factor
About Cherry Lake
Cherry Lake sits 4813 feet high in the central Sierra, northeast of Hetch Hetchy Reservoir and roughly 40 miles north of Yosemite Valley. The campground occupies a granite-rimmed cove on the lake's west shore, accessible via Highway 120 from Groveland. Drive time from Highway 49 is roughly 90 minutes via the Big Oak Flat Road; from the Valley, budget two hours via Tioga Pass Road to Highway 120 westbound. The lake fills a steep drainage; surrounding peaks and ridgelines force wind patterns that define paddling and camping conditions.
Cherry Lake averages 45 degrees year-round at this elevation, with a 30-day wind average of 7 mph but peaks to 14 mph. Temperatures range from 33 degrees (winter lows) to 62 degrees (summer highs over a full year). Late September through early November brings the most stable conditions, with lighter wind and lower crowding. Winter and early spring (November through April) see afternoon wind increase and occasional rain or snow above 5000 feet; Highway 120 closures above Tioga Pass can trap access for weeks. Summer (late June through August) brings warmer days but also stronger afternoon thermals and peak campground occupancy, though still below that of Yosemite Valley.
Head here for fishing, kayaking, and dispersed camping away from the Yosemite corridor crush. The lake suits small groups and experienced paddlers comfortable with afternoon chop; beginners should plan morning-only water time or seek shelter in protected coves. Campground sites fill first on weekends; off-season visits (October, April, May) mean easier parking and shorter ranger-station lines. Afternoon wind means water activities are best before noon; after 2 p.m., launch only if you're equipped for 14 mph gusts and cross-lake chop. Smoke from Sierra wildfires (typically August to October) can obscure sightlines and affect respiratory comfort.
Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, visible from higher elevations nearby, is larger and more crowded but less exposed to afternoon wind due to steeper surrounding terrain. Tenaya Lake on Highway 120 offers similar access but less shelter in the primary campground. For fishing-focused trips, Cherry Lake rivals Bridgeport Reservoir for quality and solitude, though water temps stay colder longer. The Yosemite high country (Tuolumne Meadows area) sits 35 miles east and requires Tioga Pass Highway 120 access, which remains closed until late May most years.