Question 1

What is the closest backpacking trip to Merced?

Accepted Answer

Ten Lakes Basin is the closest documented trip to Merced at roughly 63 miles (about 69 minutes of driving) from the Ten Lakes Trailhead trailhead.

Question 2

Do I need a permit to backpack near Merced?

Accepted Answer

Many routes near Merced, including Ten Lakes Basin, require a wilderness permit from Yosemite National Park (NPS). Always check the managing agency before you go.

Question 3

When is the best season to backpack near Merced?

Accepted Answer

For Ten Lakes Basin — the closest trip to Merced — the best months are July, August, September.

#	Trip	Miles away	Est. drive	Distance	Gain	Difficulty	Permit
1	Ten Lakes Basin Yosemite National Park	63 mi	~69 min	11.1 mi	4,212 ft	32	Required
2	Clouds Rest via Sunrise Lakes Yosemite National Park	66 mi	~74 min	17.4 mi	5,884 ft	39	Required
3	Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne Yosemite National Park	73 mi	~81 min	22 mi	5,034 ft	50	Required
4	Rush Creek to Thousand Island Lake Inyo National Forest	81 mi	~90 min	15.8 mi	2,683 ft	27	Required
5	Duck Pass to Duck Lake Inyo National Forest	85 mi	~94 min	9.5 mi	3,210 ft	28	Required
6	Little Lakes Valley Inyo National Forest	96 mi	~106 min	6.4 mi	1,242 ft	20	Required
7	Sabrina Basin Inyo National Forest	103 mi	~115 min	8.5 mi	3,652 ft	30	Required
8	North Lake–South Lake Loop Inyo National Forest	106 mi	~118 min	47.2 mi	9,320 ft	73	Required
9	Rae Lakes Loop Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks	110 mi	~123 min	41.4 mi	7,047 ft	58	Required
10	Lake Aloha via Glen Alpine Desolation Wilderness	111 mi	~123 min	11.6 mi	3,200 ft	25	Required
11	Big Pine Lakes Inyo National Forest	114 mi	~126 min	13.5 mi	7,086 ft	46	Required
12	Monarch Lakes Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks	120 mi	~133 min	7.1 mi	4,162 ft	30	Required

Best backpacking trips near Merced, CA