Crabtree Trailhead to Bear Lake (Emigrant Wilderness)

Emigrant Wilderness, Stanislaus National Forest, Summit Ranger District (near Pinecrest)

The Emigrant Wilderness sits on the northwest border of Yosemite National Park, a land of granite basins and lakes reached from Highway 108 near Pinecrest. From the Crabtree Trailhead, a short, well-used trail climbs past Camp Lake to Bear Lake, about 4 miles in. Sierra Rec Magazine calls Bear Lake perfect for beginners or families looking for an easy overnight trip.

Permits are free and have no quota, but you must pick one up in person.

The hike

The Forest Service says a wilderness permit is required for all overnight trips in the Emigrant Wilderness and that there are no quotas or reservation systems. Outbound says to pick up your permit at the Summit Ranger Station near Pinecrest. An Avid Backpackers trip report adds that the wilderness permit also serves as the fire permit for the area.

From the ranger station, Outbound says, head south and turn onto Crabtree Road, then drive about 30 minutes toward the Crabtree Trailhead, at about 7,200 feet. Sonora Pass Vacations says the road turns to dirt after the Aspen Pack Station, and that one night of camping is allowed at the trailhead before your trip. Avid Backpackers notes there’s no trash service or water at the trailhead. Wikipedia describes the trailhead parking as large and usually full.

Outbound says the trailhead can be hard to spot but is in the northwest corner of the lot. After you cross a small bridge, stay right for Bear Lake. Sonora Pass Vacations says the trail climbs steadily for the first mile.

Camp Lake comes at about 2.5 miles. Wikipedia puts it at 2.8 miles and 7,590 feet, and says it was once a good fishing lake but is no longer stocked because of efforts to restore the mountain yellow-legged frog. Outbound calls it a great lunch stop but says camping isn’t allowed there. Another trip report jokes that Camp Lake is a little misnamed, since there’s only about one camping spot.

From Camp Lake, Outbound says, keep walking through the forest for another mile until you reach the rocks on the western side of Bear Lake, at about 7,700 feet. Trek with Judy describes Bear Lake surrounded by thick forest and says people normally hike in and spend the night there.

The Forest Service limits how long you can stay. Its order prohibits camping for more than one night at Camp, Bear, Grouse, Powell, or Waterhouse Lakes, to protect solitude at these popular destinations. It also bans camping within 100 feet of lakes, streams, and trails, and limits groups to 15 people.

Sierra Rec Magazine puts the wilderness about four hours from San Francisco and three from Reno, and lists Kennedy Meadows, Crabtree, Gianelli Cabin, and Bell Meadow as its primary trailheads.

Longer trips continue past Bear Lake. Trek with Judy describes an 18-mile loop that camped at Granite Lake, noting that the route from Bear Lake to Granite Lake is undeveloped and isolated. AllTrails lists a 14.6-mile loop with Grouse Lake as a two-to-three-day trip. Another trip report reached Piute Lake on the first day, about 9 miles in.

For another easy Sierra overnight, see Little Lakes Valley.

Tips

Pick up your permit in person. It’s free, with no quota, at the Summit Ranger Station near Pinecrest.
Plan one night at Bear Lake. The Forest Service limits camping there to one night.
Camp 100 feet from water and trails. That’s the Forest Service rule here.
Look beyond the trail junction. A reviewer found quieter sites near a creek and waterfall on the northeast end of the lake.
Check fire restrictions. The Forest Service bans campfires above 9,000 feet, and seasonal restrictions may apply.

Camping

A free wilderness permit is required for all overnight trips, picked up in person; there are no quotas or reservations. The Forest Service prohibits camping within 100 feet of lakes, streams, and trails, and camping more than one night at Bear Lake and several other popular lakes. Groups are limited to 15 people. The Crabtree Trailhead allows one night of camping before your trip.

Inside Intel: Walk around the lake. An Outbound reviewer says the northeast end has a little creek and waterfall close enough for water, and fewer people than camping right where the trail meets the lake. Outbound describes campsites spread across the entire lake, and the Avid Backpackers writer camped on the far side, about 4.4 miles from the trailhead.

Trail facts

Distance: About 7 to 8 miles round trip
Route type: Out and back; longer loops possible
Difficulty: Easy to moderate. About 500 feet of gain (Outbound).
Elevation: Crabtree Trailhead about 7,200 feet; Bear Lake about 7,700 feet
Campsites: Dispersed around Bear Lake (one-night limit)
Water: Lake and creeks. None at the trailhead. Treat all water.
Permits: Free wilderness permit required; no quota
Group size: 15 maximum
Trailhead: Crabtree Trailhead, off Crabtree Road near Pinecrest (Highway 108)
Last verified: October 2, 2026

The Lowdown

An easy first night at Bear Lake:

A short hike to a forest-ringed lake is a great place to try out your tent. See which tents testers rate highest.

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Where this comes from

This page draws on the sources below, along with other guides and trip reports. Links go to the original pages.

Before you go: This page is based on published trail guides, trip reports, and reviews, along with official park and agency information where we could find it. It’s meant to help backpackers discover new trails, not to replace current, official information. Conditions, closures, permits, campsites, and water sources change, and some details here may be out of date or wrong. Confirm everything with the managing agency and check current conditions before you head out, and don’t rely on this page alone for safety or navigation. Backcountry travel involves risk.