Overview
The O'Shaughnessy Dam and reservoir are sources for the Hetch Hetchy Aqueduct and provide water to the San Francisco area.
Plan Around Overview
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Overview Details
On the half-hour drive between Highway 120 and the Hetch Hetchy Valley, you'll follow the Tuolumne River through the Poopenaut Valley before reaching the O'Shaughnessy Dam. The dam, finished in the 1920s, flooded the beautiful Hetch Hetchy Valley, a move that conservationists from John Muir on have considered the biggest intentional desecration of public parkland in U.S. history. Camp Mather, once used to house dam workers, is now a San Francisco city park and campground. The camp is for city residents only, but you can stay overnight at the neighboring Evergreen Lodge. There's also a little-used entrance to Yosemite on Hetch Hetchy Road that's open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and includes a half-dozen trailheads, including a 20-mile hike into the Yosemite Valley.
Difficulty
Low
Distance
N/A
Estimated time
Region
Hetch Hetchy
Nearby Parks Around Overview
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Nearby Points of Interest Around Overview
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0.4 mi away
Evergreen Lodge Yosemite
This historic mountain resort offers a classic Yosemite experience with a blend of rustic charm and modern amenities, nestled right on the park's edge.
1.2 mi away
Hetch Hetchy Entrance
The 'secret entrance' to the Park.
1.2 mi away
Hetch Hetchy Entrance (H1)
This entrance takes you into Hetch Hetchy Valley, a scenic, tranquil area worth visiting any time of year.
1.7 mi away
Poopenaut Pass (H2)
Poopenaut Pass is located at 5,064 feet in elevation.
3.1 mi away
Poopenaut Valley View (H3)
A lookout with scenic views of Poopenaut Valley, once home to sheepherders and cattlemen.
