Can You Drive Into Yosemite National Park? Yes—But Plan for Crowds

Yes, you can drive your car into Yosemite National Park. All major entrances are vehicle-accessible. But "can" doesn't mean "effortless"—especially in peak season.

Entrances (All Car-Accessible)

• Arch Rock (West / El Portal): CA-140 from Merced/Mariposa. Lowest elevation, open year-round.
• Big Oak Flat (Northwest): CA-120 from Groveland/Sonora. Scenic, steep grades.
• South Entrance: CA-41 from Fresno/Oakhurst. Access to Mariposa Grove.
• Tioga Pass (East): CA-120 from Lee Vining. Seasonal (usually Nov–May closed for snow). Highest (9,943 ft).
• Hetch Hetchy (Northwest): Hetch Hetchy Road. Limited hours, no trailers >25 ft.

Peak Season Reality (May–September)

• Traffic: Valley gridlock common 10 AM–4 PM. Entrance station waits: 30–90+ min.
• Parking: Valley lots fill by 9 AM. Overflow = long walks or shuttle dependence.
• Shuttles: Free Yosemite Valley shuttle (east-west); seasonal routes to Glacier Point, Mariposa Grove, Tuolumne.

Pro Tips

1. Arrive early: Enter by 7–8 AM for easy parking.
2. Use shuttles: Park once, ride free.
3. Reserve lodging/campgrounds 5 months ahead (recreation.gov).
4. Check conditions: nps.gov/yose, @YosemiteNPS Twitter, 209-372-0200.
5. Consider YARTS (regional bus) from gateway communities.

Vehicle Restrictions

• Max length: 45 ft (most roads), 25 ft (Hetch Hetchy, some campgrounds).
• Chains required in winter (carry Nov–Apr).
• EV charging: Valley, Wawona, Tuolumne (limited).

Driving in is easy. Enjoying it without stress takes strategy. Be the early bird in the valley.