Parsons Lodge & Soda Springs
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
You're at 8,600 feet here. If you just drove up from the Valley, the altitude can sneak up on you — take it slow and hydrate, especially on your first day at elevation.
Tuolumne Meadows is prime black bear habitat. Store all food in bear boxes at the trailhead and never leave snacks in your daypack on the ground while you explore the springs.
Trail Details
Pro Tips
Start from the Lembert Dome parking area on the north side of Tioga Road rather than the main Tuolumne Meadows lot — it shaves distance and puts you on a less-trafficked approach through the trees.
Time your visit for late afternoon when the light turns golden across the meadow and most day-trippers have cleared out. The walk back with alpenglow on the peaks is worth rearranging your whole day for.
Check the Parsons Lodge schedule before you go — rangers hold evening programs and naturalist talks inside the lodge during peak summer weekends, and the acoustics in that stone building are surprisingly good.
