How to Get to Yosemite National Park – 2025 Visitor Guide
Thinking about an epic trip to Yosemite National Park? Here’s the updated 2025 guide on reaching the park with U.S.-friendly, clear info to help you plan with confidence.
🗺️ Main Entrances & How to Reach Yosemite
Yosemite has five year-round entrances, each with unique advantages:
| Entrance Name | How to Reach | Notes (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Arch Rock (Highway 140, Mariposa) | Closest to Merced, accessible year-round | Best for all vehicles, least likely to have snow issues |
| Big Oak Flat (Highway 120 West, Groveland) | From Modesto, Stockton | Great for northern routes |
| South Entrance (Highway 41, Oakhurst) | Via Fresno; also the gateway to Mariposa Grove | Best for visiting southern park features |
| Tioga Pass (Highway 120 East, Lee Vining) | Connects with Eastern Sierra & Lake Tahoe | Open late May–mid-Nov (seasonal, high elevation) |
| Hetch Hetchy | Off Highway 120, northwestern edge | Open sunrise-sunset only, no entry reservation required |
- All main roads are fully open in summer 2025. Tioga Pass opens late May, Glacier Point Road by mid-May.
✈️ Airports Nearest to Yosemite
- Fresno Yosemite International (FAT): ~2.5 hours to South Entrance (Highway 41)
- Merced Airport (MCE): ~2 hours to Arch Rock Entrance (Highway 140)
- Sacramento (SMF): ~4 hours to Big Oak Flat (Highway 120)
- San Francisco (SFO), Oakland (OAK), San Jose (SJC): ~4½–5 hours to park entrances
- Reno-Tahoe (RNO): ~3 hours to Tioga Pass (if open)
Rental cars are available at all these airports.
🚍 Public Transportation: YARTS & Park Shuttles
- YARTS (Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System):
- Runs from Fresno, Merced, Mammoth Lakes, Sonora, and other communities into Yosemite.
- Perfect for those without a car or during reservation-only entry periods.
- YARTS passengers do not need a Yosemite entry reservation during quota season.
- Once inside the park:
- Free Yosemite Valley shuttle: Connects lodging, trailheads, and major sights within the valley.
🚗 Driving: What You Need in 2025
Reservation Requirements (May–September 2025)
| Date Range | Reservation Needed to Drive In? | Reservation Hours |
|---|---|---|
| May 24–26 (Memorial Day) | Yes | 6 AM – 2 PM |
| May 27–June 14 | No | — |
| June 15–August 15 | Yes | 6 AM – 2 PM (every day) |
| August 16–29 | No | — |
| August 30–September 1 (Labor Day) | Yes | 6 AM – 2 PM |
- No reservation needed:
- If you enter before 6 AM or after 2 PM, or travel on dates outside these peak periods.
- If you have lodging, campground, wilderness, or Half Dome permit for in-park entry.
- How to get a reservation:
- Book via Recreation.gov (opens May 6 for summer 2025). Cost is $2, valid for three consecutive days per vehicle.
Basic Driving Tips
- Bring a credit card—entrance fee is $35/vehicle (good for 7 days).
- Arrive early for best parking (ideally by 8–9 AM).
- Stay on main highways—GPS can misroute on remote forest roads.
- Winter/spring: Tire chains may be required on snow routes (especially November–April).
🛎️ Entry Without a Vehicle Reservation
You do not need a reservation if you:
- Enter the park on YARTS buses or authorized tour group shuttles.
- Visit Hetch Hetchy entrance (open sunrise–sunset).
- Hold in-park lodging or campground bookings, or wilderness/Half Dome permits.
- Enter outside reservation hours (before 6 AM or after 2 PM).
🧭 Sample Itinerary: Getting to Yosemite From Big U.S. Cities
- From Los Angeles:
Drive north on I-5 to Highway 99, then Highway 41 through Fresno and Oakhurst (South Entrance). - From San Francisco Bay Area:
Take I-580 east to I-205, then Highway 120 through Manteca and Groveland (Big Oak Flat Entrance). - From Sacramento:
Highway 99 south to Highway 120 east (Big Oak Flat Entrance).
📋 Pro Tips for a Stress-Free Arrival
- Book entry reservations early (needed for peak times!)—they sell out fast.
- Download maps ahead of time—cell service drops quickly in the mountains.
- Have a backup plan: If driving is full, use YARTS or explore other entrances.
- Pack snacks, water, and fill up your tank before you enter park territory.
- Expect high traffic during weekends and holidays—arrive before or after peak hours.
Yosemite is accessible, breathtaking, and ready for you—just plan a bit ahead and you’ll be in the heart of the wild in no time!
