Where is Yosemite Park and How Do I Get There?
Yosemite National Park covers nearly 1,200 square miles of mountainous terrain in the Sierra Nevada of California.
You can visit Yosemite all year, though some areas of the park are inaccessible by car from approximately November through May due to snow. You can drive your car into and around Yosemite, though we encourage you to use shuttle buses in some areas.
Reservations are not required to enter Yosemite, however we strongly recommend that you make reservations for camping or lodging if you plan to spend the night.
FROM THE WEST & NORTH:
San Francisco/Bay area
Distance: 195 mi / 314 km; Time:4-5 hours
Take I-580 east to I-205 east to Highway 120 east (Manteca) or Highway 140 east (Merced) into Yosemite National Park.
Sacramento
Distance: 176 mi / 283 km; Time: 4 hours
Take Highway 99 south to Highway 120 east (Manteca) or Highway 140 east (Merced) into Yosemite National Park.
Reno & Lake Tahoe
Approximately June through October, conditions permitting
Distance: 218 mi / 351 km (Reno); Time: 5 hours
Take US 395 south to Lee Vining; take Highway 120 west into Yosemite National Park (open late May/June through October, depending on conditions).
Year-Round
Distance: 315 mi / 507 km (Reno)
Time: 8 hours
Take I-80 or I-50 west to Sacramento; take Highway 99 south to Highway 120 east (Manteca) or Highway 140 east (Merced) into Yosemite National Park.
FROM THE SOUTH:
Los Angeles area
Distance: 313 mi / 504 km; Time: 6 hours
Take I-5 north (or I-405 north to I-5) to Highway 99 north to Highway 41 north (Fresno) into Yosemite National Park.
San Diego area
Distance: 441 mi / 710 km; Time: 8 hours
Take I-5 north to Highway 99 to Highway 41 north (Fresno) into Yosemite National Park.
Las Vegas
June through October, conditions permitting
Distance: 350 mi / 560 km; Time: 6-7 hours
Take I-15 west to Barstow; Highway 58 west to the junction with US 395; go north on US 395 to near Lee Vining; take Highway 120 west into Yosemite National Park (open late May/early June through October, depending on conditions).
November through May
Distance: 495 mi / 797 km; Time: 8-10 hours
Take I-15 west to Barstow; Highway 58 west to Bakersfield; take Highway 99 north to Fresno. In Fresno, take Highway 41 north into Yosemite National Park.
Death Valley National Park
June through October
Distance: 270 mi / 435 km; Time: 5 hours Take Highway 190 west to US 395. Take US 395 north to Lee Vining; take Highway 120 east into Yosemite National Park (open late May/early June through October, depending on conditions).
November through May
Distance: 450 mi / 720 km; Time: 9 hours
Take Highway 190 west to US 395; take US 395 south to its junction with Highway 14. Take Highway 14 south to Mojave. In Mojave, take Highway 58 to Bakersfield. From Bakersfield, head north on Highway 99 to Fresno. In Fresno, take Highway 41 north into Yosemite National Park.
