Traveling to and Within Yosemite
Transportation to and from Yosemite
To Yosemite by private vehicle
You can reach Yosemite by private vehicle from the west and south via highways CA-120, CA-41, and CA-140 year round. You can reach Yosemite by vehicle from the east via highway CA-120 from Lee Vining over Tioga Pass from late spring, usually late May or early June, through mid-autumn, usually upon the first significant snowfall in November. (See "Tioga Road" in this Web site's introduction to Yosemite for more information on the Tioga Road seasonal closure.) Obtain information on road conditions before you travel.
To Yosemite by air
You can fly into an airport near Yosemite and then rent a private vehicle or connect to a bus (motorcoach) service to reach the park. The nearer airports are smaller fields; their commercial flights are less numerous and may be more expensive than those to the more distant major airports.
- Fresno Yosemite International Airport: the nearest commercial airport to Yosemite's South Entrance and Wawona, about 75 minutes away, and 115 minutes (95 miles, 150km) from Yosemite Valley by private vehicle (use CA-41).
- Merced Municipal Airport: the nearest commercial airport to Yosemite Valley, about 90 minutes from Yosemite's Arch Rock Entrance and 110 minutes (85 miles, 135km) from Yosemite Valley by private vehicle (use CA-140). Scheduled bus (motorcoach) services from Merced Municipal Airport to Yosemite Valley are available from YARTS and from VIA.
- Sacramento International Airport: about 4 hours (185 miles, 295km) from Yosemite Valley by private vehicle (use CA-120).
- Oakland International Airport: about 4 hours (175 miles, 285km) from Yosemite Valley by private vehicle (use CA-120).
- San Jose International Airport: about 4 hours (185 miles, 300km) from Yosemite Valley by private vehicle (use CA-120).
- San Francisco International Airport: about 4 hours (195 miles, 315km) from Yosemite Valley by private vehicle (use CA-120).
- Reno/Tahoe International Airport: when the Tioga Road is open (late spring to mid-autumn only), about 5 hours (215 miles, 340km) from Yosemite Valley by private vehicle (use CA-120).
To Yosemite by train (rail) and bus (motorcoach)
You can travel to and from Yosemite Valley using a combination of train (rail) and bus (motorcoach) services from much of California. You can use the passenger rail service Amtrak to arrange that entire trip. To reach Yosemite Valley, you can:
- travel by Amtrak "Thruway" bus service to any city served by Amtrak's San Joaquin route, including Oakland, Sacramento, and Bakersfield,
- travel by rail on the San Joaquin train to the city of Merced, and
- travel by Amtrak "Thruway" bus service from Merced to Yosemite Valley.
This service therefore allows you to travel from Los Angeles to Yosemite Valley or from San Francisco to Yosemite Valley without using a private vehicle.
To book your entire trip, use Amtrak's online reservation service to book round-trip Amtrak travel to "YOS" (Yosemite Valley). Choose your starting location from the Station List. For example, use "SFC" for the Ferry Building in San Francisco or "LAX" for Union Station in Los Angeles.
You can also book Amtrak rail travel to or from "MCD" (Merced) and make other arrangements for travel between Merced and Yosemite Valley. Scheduled bus (motorcoach) services between the Merced Amtrak station and Yosemite Valley are available from YARTS and from VIA.
Visitors arriving in Yosemite Valley without a vehicle of their own can use tour and shuttle bus services for transportation within Yosemite.
To Yosemite by bus (motorcoach)
Providers of bus (motorcoach) shuttle and tour transportation to Yosemite Valley include:
- YARTS: serves Yosemite Valley from Merced, Mariposa, Midpines, El Portal, and other communities all year, and from Mammoth Lakes, June Lake, and Lee Vining across Tioga Pass during the summer. It provides the option of leaving your private vehicle outside the park, using only shuttles for motorized transport inside the park.
- VIA: from Merced
- Alcatraz: from San Francisco
- California Parlor Car Tours: from San Francisco, Oakland, and Pleasanton
- Extranomical Adventures: from San Francisco
- Starline Tours: from San Francisco, Oakland, and Pleasanton
Visitors arriving in Yosemite Valley without a vehicle of their own can use tour and shuttle bus services for transportation within Yosemite.
More information
For more information about travel to Yosemite, see:
- the Yosemite Guide
- Yosemite: Your Complete Guide to the Park
- YARTS: bus (motorcoach) shuttle services to Yosemite
- California Department of Tourism: travel guidance and downloadable maps
Transportation within Yosemite
Within Yosemite by private vehicle
You can use a private vehicle to drive within Yosemite National Park. Roads and parking areas are marked on maps in the Yosemite Guide. Speed limits do not exceed 45mph (about 72kph) anywhere in the park, and are lower in many places.
To reduce traffic in Yosemite Valley, you will find it convenient and pleasant to park your car and walk or bicycle to the places you want to see, or ride the free shuttle buses that serve the Valley's east end. If visiting for the day, park in the day-use parking lot near Yosemite Village.
The Tioga Road (CA-120) and Glacier Point Road beyond Badger Pass Ski AreaYosemite Ski and Snowboard Area are closed each year due to snow from late fall until late spring. See "Tioga Road" in this Web site's introduction to Yosemite for more information on the Tioga Road seasonal closure. The road to Mariposa Grove is open year round but is subject to closures of extended periods during and after snowstorms.
Tour and shuttle bus services within Yosemite
Many shuttle bus and tour services are provided within Yosemite National Park by the park's concessioner. Some tour services offer one-way options, allowing them to serve as hikers' buses also.
- Valley Shuttle: throughout the eastern portion of Yosemite Valley (all year; no charge)
- Tuolumne Shuttle: between Olmsted Point and Tuolumne Meadows on the Tioga Road, with intermediate stops, and limited additional service to Tioga Pass (summer only; no charge)
- Wawona Shuttle: between the Wawona area and Mariposa Grove (spring to late fall; no charge)
- Badger Pass Ski AreaYosemite Ski and Snowboard Area Shuttle: between Yosemite Valley and Badger Pass Ski AreaYosemite Ski and Snowboard Area (ski season only; no charge)
- Tuolumne Tour and Hikers Bus: between Yosemite Valley and Tuolumne Meadows (summer only; a fee is charged)
- Glacier Point Tour and Hikers Bus: between Yosemite Valley and Glacier Point (summer only; a fee is charged)
- Other tours (fees are charged) may include the Valley Floor Tour, the Big Trees Tram Tour, the Moonlight Tour, and the Grand Tour.
For more information about transportation within Yosemite, and for information about air, train, and bus (motorcoach) services to Yosemite, see the Yosemite Guide and Yosemite: Your Complete Guide to the Park.
