What Is The Closest City To Yosemite National Park?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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  • El Portal, CA. 14.9 mi / 29 mins.
  • Yosemite West, CA. 17.6 mi / 36 mins.
  • Wawona, CA. 28.2 mi / 54 mins.
  • Mariposa, CA. 43.3 mi / 1 hour 10 mins.
  • Groveland, CA. 47.8 mi / 1 hour 12 mins.
  • Bass Lake, CA. 48.9 mi / 1 hour 26 mins.
  • Mammoth Lakes, CA. 320 mi / 6 hours 36 mins.

What city do you fly into to go to Yosemite?

Private charter planes can fly into an airport just a few miles from

downtown Mariposa at the Mariposa / Yosemite Airport

(KMPI). For commercial flights, the closest airports to Yosemite Valley are Merced Regional Airport (MCE), Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT), or Mammoth Yosemite Airport (MMH).

What is the closest town to Yosemite National Park?

Enjoy a free shuttle to the Mariposa Grove


Wawona

is located within the Yosemite National Park, making it the nearest town to the famous Mariposa Grove and Chilnualna Falls.

What else is close to Yosemite?

  • Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. Hetch Hetchy Reservoir is Yosemite Valley’s often forgotten sister. …
  • Tioga Pass to Tuolumne Meadows. …
  • Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias. …
  • Merced Grove. …
  • Big Trees Lodge (Formerly known as the Wawona Hotel) …
  • White Wolf Lodge. …
  • Badger Pass Ski and Snowboard Area (Winter Only)

How many days should I stay in Yosemite?

If you only plan to do a few hikes and drive around to see the sights,

three days

is enough to see most everything. If you’d like to linger, you’ll have time to enjoy more ranger-led activities, attend evening programs, take tours, and hang around enjoying the scenery.

What is best time of year to visit Yosemite?

The best times to visit Yosemite are

May and September

, when the park is accessible, but not too crowded. It’s important to know that many roads and trails in Yosemite are closed for the majority of the year due to snow.

Do you need a car in Yosemite?


Having a car is essential to getting around Yosemite

, especially if you’re visiting outside of the summer months, when park shuttles and some of the YARTS routes aren’t running. … If you don’t want to drive from the airport to the park, you can take alternative transportation, but it could be a lot more time-consuming.

How far apart are Sequoia and Yosemite?

The drive from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park to Yosemite National Park is

215 miles (346 km)

.

What is there to see between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite?

Best stops along South Lake Tahoe to Yosemite National Park drive. The top stops along the way from South Lake Tahoe to Yosemite National Park (with short detours) are

Yosemite Valley, Heavenly Lake Tahoe, and Glacier Point

. Other popular stops include Mariposa Grove, Tioga Pass, and Bodie State Historic Park.

Where do you stay to visit Yosemite?


Yosemite Valley Lodge

This is perhaps the most centrally located lodge for those visiting the Central Valley. It is located near Yosemite Falls, so close that visitors staying at the lodge can walk there. (The best time to view Yosemite Falls, by the way, is late spring, when the snowmelt is in full force.

Where should I go after Yosemite?

Go over to the coast after Yosemite, specifically to

the Monterey/Carmel area

, and be sure to stop at Point Lobos State Reserve. Yosemite Valley and Point Lobos are the two most beautiful places in California. If you have time, drive south on Highway 1 to get a sampling of the Big Sur country.

How can I get to Yosemite without a reservation?

People can drive through Yosemite without a reservation



The entrance station ranger will

provide a time-stamped permit valid for the time needed to travel from entrance to entrance,” park officials said. “You must drive the most direct route to exit the park; stopping is prohibited.

Can I sleep in my car in Yosemite?

Within Yosemite National Park,

you may not sleep in your car or

RV except in a campsite that you’re registered to stay in (except at Camp 4, where sleeping in cars is not allowed because it’s a walk-in campground). Sleeping in your car along the side of the road is not allowed.

How much does it cost to visit Yosemite National Park?

Yosemite National Park has had an entrance fee since 1913. The current rate of

$30 per vehicle

or $25* per motorcycle has been in effect since 2015. The park is one of 117 in the National Park System that charges an entrance fee. The remaining 300 sites are free to enter.

What is the best part of Yosemite?

  • Glacier Point. …
  • Mirror Lake. Hiking Trail, Natural Feature. …
  • Mariposa Grove. Forest, Park. …
  • Tuolumne Meadows. Natural Feature. …
  • Tunnel View. Natural Feature. …
  • Cathedral Peak. Natural Feature. …
  • Yosemite Falls. Hiking Trail, Natural Feature. …
  • Three Brothers. Natural Feature.

Are there mosquitoes in Yosemite?

There are mosquitoes in

Yosemite National Park during the Summer months

. Mosquitoes are very active during dusk and dawn. Since Yosemite is home to numerous waterfalls, rivers, and lakes, it is the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.