How To Get To Yosemite National Park (Best Options)

Getting To Yosemite National Park (Best Options)

June 24, 2025

Ellie

Yosemite National Park in the Sierra Nevada is a popular tourist destination due to the area's beautiful scenery and rich ecosystem. Explore Yosemite National Park with this guide to the park's entrances, neighboring communities, and surrounding airports.

What are Yosemite's Entrances?

Arch Rock Entrance

Image from Flickr by vera

While driving underneath the Arch Rock is a relic of the past, you can enter Yosemite Valley, home of El Capitan, Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls, quickly from this Highway 140 entrance. It's the quickest way from the town of Mariposa and offers breathtaking views of the valley.

Big Oak Flat Entrance

From here, you can access the beautiful Tioga Road area, including Tuolumne Meadows and Tenaya Lake. Or you can continue towards Yosemite Valley. Visitors from the San Francisco Bay Area tend to favor it.

South Entrance

You can reach the giant sequoias in Mariposa Grove by taking Highway 41. This woodland is home to some of the world's oldest and largest surviving trees. Travelers from Fresno and Southern California appreciate the easy access - from Los Angeles, it's 280 miles and about a 5-hour drive.

Hetch Hetchy Entrance

Image from Flickr by Laura Jolly

This entry is located at the park's north side, along Highway 120. It provides access to an equally stunning area of the park. Hetch Hetchy Valley is a lesser-known tourist destination due to its remoteness, but it has a beautiful reservoir, towering waterfalls, hiking trails, and a tranquil atmosphere. It's essentially the 'other Yosemite Valley.'

Tioga Pass Entrance

Tioga Road is a beautiful drive across the Sierra Nevada mountains that provides access to the park's highland. From this entrance, you can access a scenic route that winds through the stunning alpine landscapes of the Sierra Nevada.

What are the Towns and Cities Near Yosemite National Park?

There are a variety of small towns on the outskirts of Yosemite where you can base your stay. Check out the list below for nearby towns.

Small Towns Near Yosemite

Mariposa

Mariposa is ideally situated as a park entry, just 45 minutes from the closest park entrance to Yosemite Valley: Arch Rock. Tourists can refuel and relax in Mariposa before continuing on to Yosemite's breathtaking scenery. Mariposa has a charming downtown area with a variety of hotels and restaurants perfect for visitors.

El Portal

Even closer to the Arch Rock Entrance is El Portal, a little town with housing and dining options just 20 minutes from Yosemite Valley. You're at a great spot to discover Yosemite Valley and the surrounding area, but dining and lodging options are much more limited and are more expensive.

Groveland

Groveland is home to numerous quaint stores, cafes, and hotels due to its convenient location on the way to the Big Oak Flat and Hetch Hetchy entrances 30 minutes and 50 minutes away respectively.

Oakhurst

It's easy to find lodging, food, and retail options in Oakhurst, which is 30 minutes from the South Entrance. From this location, you may quickly reach Mariposa Grove and the southern portion of the park through the South Entrance.

Fish Camp

The little alpine community of Fish Camp can be found just south of Yosemite National Park's South Entrance. Those planning to maximize their time around Mariposa Grove and Glacier Point should stay in Fish Camp because of its convenient location near the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias.

Lee Vining

This quaint town near Yosemite's Tioga Pass entrance is an excellent home base for exploring the park's high altitude landscapes.

What are the Major Cities Near Yosemite?

San Francisco

International airports may be found in San Francisco, which is about 190 miles west of the park. It takes about three to four hours to drive from San Francisco to Yosemite National Park, depending on the weather and traffic.

Oakland International Airport (OAK)

You can also fly into Oakland Airport, which is located around 180 miles west of Yosemite. Driving from the airport to the park takes about three to four hours. Cars are available for rent right at the airport.

Sacramento

Approximately 140 miles north of Yosemite National Park is the international airport in Sacramento. Travel time from Sacramento to the park is around 2.5–3.5 hours.

Los Angeles

Los Angeles is 280 miles south of Yosemite. It can take as long as six hours to get from Los Angeles to the park due to the awful traffic in the area.

Airports

Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT)

Fresno Airport is the closest major airport, located 65 miles south of Yosemite National Park. It will take you about 2 hours to drive from the airport to the park.

Enjoy the Park

You can have a wonderful day exploring Yosemite's natural treasures no matter how you get there. Our Yosemite National Park Tour will ensure that you don't miss a thing on your next trip.

Ready to take the tour? Check out Shaka Guide's Yosemite National Park!

We hope that we’ve given you all the information you need to make the most of your day. Your vacation is extremely important to us so if you have any questions feel free to reach out at aloha@shakaguide.com.

For more detailed information to help you plan, check out our Yosemite National Park Itinerary and Know Before You Go article.

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