Which Entrance to Yosemite is Best for Your Trip?
There are five Yosemite National Park entrances: the Big Oak Flat Entrance, Hetch Hetchy Entrance, Arch Rock Entrance, South Entrance, and Tioga Pass Entrance. Each option offers direct access to different areas of the park, from waterfalls and lakes to stunning mountain and forest views.
When you visit Yosemite, choose the Big Oak Flat Entrance for famous sights, Hetch Hetchy for fewer crowds, or Arch Rock for easy access to the center of the park. Yosemite’s South Entrance is the quickest route to the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, and the Tioga Pass Entrance takes visitors to Glacier Canyon and the surrounding areas.
We’ll outline the features and landmarks near all five Yosemite entrances to help you choose your ideal path into the park.
A Quick Guide to Yosemite Access
Yosemite’s Big Oak Flat (Highway 120), Arch Rock (Highway 140), and South (Highway 41) entrances are open year-round. The Hetch Hetchy Entrance is also open throughout the year, but some of its roads may close due to snow between November and June. The Tioga Pass Entrance typically closes for the season from November through late May.
You can drive into Yosemite without a reservation. The standard entrance fee is $35 per vehicle, valid for seven consecutive days.
Big Oak Flat Entrance
Best for: Seeing Yosemite’s most famous sights
Seasonal access: Open year-round
If you want to explore Yosemite Valley, the best entrance to use is the Big Oak Flat entrance. Only four minutes from Rush Creek Lodge, this western entrance to Yosemite gives you access to the Park’s most iconic landmarks, including Tunnel View, Glacier Point, and Yosemite Falls. Yosemite Valley is surrounded by bucket-list climbs Half Dome and El Capitan, and hikers can watch experienced climbers scale these granite summits.
You can also access Tuolumne Meadows through the Big Oak Flat Entrance by following Tioga Road. A portion of the Tuolumne River flows through Tuolumne Meadows, and it’s a popular spot for birdwatching, fishing, picnicking, stargazing, and photography.
Hetch Hetchy Entrance
Best for: Encountering fewer crowds
Seasonal access: Open year-round (though subject to snow closures)
The Hetch Hetchy Entrance of Yosemite National Park is best for those seeking an extra peaceful experience in Yosemite. Located the farthest north — and a short 24-minute drive from Rush Creek Lodge — Hetch Hetchy is the least crowded route into the park. It’s open daily from sunrise to sunset.
Hetch Hetchy is one of the best Yosemite entrances for hiking due to the long hiking season (early spring through the fall) and access to many of the park’s trails. It’s also located near several lakes, so it’s a favorite among those looking to fish.
Not sure where to start? Let the experts at nearby Rush Creek Lodge guide you. You can enjoy a leisurely and fascinating 4.5-mile hike high above the shores of the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir on the Hetch Hetchy Wapama Falls Naturalist Hike. Your knowledgeable guide will share history, science, and local lore you can’t find anywhere else. Learn more about our guided excursions in Yosemite National Park.
Arch Rock Entrance
Best for: Access to the center of Yosemite National Park
Seasonal access: Open year-round
Yosemite’s Arch Rock Entrance welcomes visitors to the park with two house-sized boulders that form an archway large enough to drive through. This route puts you close to the center of the park as well as Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, and the Merced River.
This western Yosemite entrance offers a direct route to the Valley via a gorgeous, 10-mile drive. You’ll be treated to views of Bridalveil Fall, Pohono Bridge over the Merced River, and the iconic El Capitan. Though Arch Rock is considered one of the most scenic routes into Yosemite, it is also the easiest because these roads are less steep and winding than other options.
South Entrance
Best for: Seeing the Giant Sequoias in Mariposa Grove
Seasonal access: Open year-round
The Yosemite National Park South Entrance is best if you’re traveling to see the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. While the road to the grove is closed to private vehicles, you can hop onto the free shuttle there from the Welcome Plaza, just two minutes from the entrance. You can also grab a park map and pay your admission fee at the Information Station.
The South Entrance is also ideal if a visit to Wawona is on your itinerary. This historic town is home to the Pioneer Yosemite History Center, historic buildings, and interactive experiences — including blacksmith demonstrations and horse-drawn carriage rides — during the summer.
Tioga Pass Entrance
Best for: Access to Tioga Lake and Glacier Canyon
Seasonal access: Typically open late May through November
The Tioga Pass Entrance to Yosemite National Park is best for seeing Tioga Lake, Glacier Canyon, and the Ellery Lake Lookout. This east Yosemite entrance opens in the summer, and access continues through early fall. It offers an easy route to outdoor activities at Tioga and Ellery Lakes and the stunning Tuolumne Meadows.
Glacier Canyon is less than a mile from the Tioga Pass Entrance and is one of the most popular sights to see in Yosemite. This glacier-carved valley features stunning views of the surrounding cliffs and sparkling waterfalls. As you head deeper into the park, you’ll catch glimpses of Mount Dana’s towering peaks and see climbers scale Lembert Dome. You’ll finally reach Tenaya Lake, an alpine lake surrounded by towering granite cliffsides.
The Best Yosemite Entrance for Every Traveler
No matter where you start in Yosemite National Park, you’re surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and opportunities for adventure at every turn.
- Hikers, anglers, and visitors looking to avoid crowds appreciate the Hetch Hetchy Entrance.
- The South Entrance is great for tree lovers and history buffs, thanks to its proximity to Mariposa Grove and Wawona.
- Big Oak Flat is best for tourists wanting to see the park’s most famous landmarks, traveling from Northern California, or staying at Rush Creek Lodge.
- For access to the easiest in-park driving route, take the Arch Rock Entrance.
- The Tioga Pass Entrance is a good choice for visitors seeking stunning, high-altitude views of the park.
From cascading waterfalls and granite peaks to gentle rolling meadows and meandering streams, you can see it all in Yosemite National Park. Save your precious exploring time when you stay nearby at Rush Creek Lodge, just minutes from two of Yosemite’s best entrances. Book your Yosemite stay today!
Frequently Asked Questions about Which Entrance to Yosemite is Best
Visitors to Yosemite wondering which entrance to the park is best will find different answers depending on their Yosemite itinerary. There are 5 park entrances, each offering access to unique trails and sights.
Which entrance is the best for Yosemite?
The best entrance to Yosemite National Park depends on what you want to see and do, but many visitors agree that the Big Oak Flat entrance is a great choice for seeing iconic sights, including Tunnel View, Yosemite Falls, and Glacier Point. It also provides access to Tuolumne Meadows and prime spots to watch hikers scale El Capitan and Half Dome.
Which is the best route to enter Yosemite?
The best route for reaching the center of Yosemite is through Arch Rock. For an uncrowded sightseeing experience, choose the Hetch Hetchy entrance, and to visit the most popular landmarks, enter through Big Oak Flat. The South Entrance is best for visitors who want to see the Giant Sequoias in Mariposa Grove, and Tioga Pass Entrance lives up to its name with access to Tioga Lake and Glacier Canyon.
Which Yosemite entrance for Tunnel View?
You can easily access Tunnel View via Yosemite’s South entrance, located about 45 minutes away by car. While there are several ways to explore this iconic viewpoint, the classic perspective made famous in 1930s photography is seen from this approach.
What is the easiest drive into Yosemite Valley?
The easiest drive into Yosemite Valley is through the Big Oak Flat Entrance. Just minutes from Rush Creek Lodge, this route gives you access to explore Yosemite Valley’s iconic sights, including Glacier Point, Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite Falls, and Tunnel View.
