Yosemite National Park - Plan Your Visit

Operating Hours & Seasons

The park is open 365 days per year, 24 hours per day. Reservations are not needed (nor are they available) to enter the park.

The Tioga, Glacier Point, and Mariposa Grove roads are closed from October/November through May/June due to snow (the Mariposa Grove Road may be closed for a shorter period). All other parks roads generally remain open all year, though chains are frequently required.

Some hotels and campgrounds in Yosemite Valley and Wawona, and the Valley Visitor Center are open all year.

Local Partners & Information Resources

Yosemite National Park In Depth Web Pages

DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite (Lodging & Activities)

Yosemite.com (Lodging & Activities outside the park)

Help support Yosemite!

Getting There

Plane
Several airlines serve Fresno Yosemite International (off of Hwy 41), the Merced Air Terminal (off of Hwy 140), and the Modesto Airport (off of Hwy 120).

Car
There are five entrances to the park:

-South entrance on Highway 41 north from Fresno

-Arch Rock entrance on Highway 140 west from Merced

-Big Oak Flat entrance on Highway 120 west from Modesto and Manteca

-Hetch Hetchy Entrance (to Hetch Hetchy Valley)

-Tioga Pass entrance on Highway 120 from Lee Vining and Highway 395. The Tioga Pass entrance is closed from the first major snowstorm in November until late May to early June due to snow. All other park entrances are kept open all year, but may require tire chains because of snow any time between November and April.

**Visitors may drive into and around Yosemite Valley. Reservations are neither required nor available to enter the park.**

Public Transportation
Visitors can ride YARTS buses from gateway communities outside the park into Yosemite Valley. YARTS and VIA buses connect with Amtrak and Greyhound in Merced.

Getting Around

Free shuttle buses are recommended in Yosemite Valley (year round), Wawona/Mariposa Grove (spring-fall), and Tuolumne Meadows (summer).

In addition, bicycle rentals are available in Yosemite Valley spring through fall. Over 12 miles of paved bike paths are available in Yosemite Valley. In addition, bicyclists can ride on regular roads (if they obey traffic laws). Helmets are required by law for children under 18 years of age.

Off-trail riding and mountain biking are not permitted in Yosemite National Park.