Lake Tahoe To Yosemite: How To Get There & What To See En Route
Ah, Yosemite. The place that we always mention in apprehensive murmurs, hoping that we haven't butchered the pronunciation again. Yoze-mite and yo-see-might are common mispronunciations, but we'll settle this once and for all and save you any future embarrassment — the park is pronounced Yo-seh-mitee.
With towering sequoias and gushing valleys, the iconic landmark is world-famous and a national treasure of the U.S. It's been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984 and was formed around 10 million years ago. In this post, we'll be covering how to get from Lake Tahoe to Yosemite, which is located around 200 kilometers / 123 miles away.
Over 400 species of mammals, amphibians, and reptiles can all be found in the park, including black and brown bears, coyotes, and bobcats. There are also over 1,000 varieties of plants, tumbling waterfalls, and majestic peaks which all together make Yosemite a diverse and fascinating place to visit.
You could spend an entire year at the park and still not see all of it, but the most renowned spots include Glacier Point, Yosemite Valley, and Yosemite Falls.
On top of the must-see attractions, you can go hiking, kayaking, wildlife-spotting, swimming, white water rafting, camping, and even skiing while in Yosemite. In fact, there are very few activities you can't do in the national park.
Lake Tahoe is another unmissable natural attraction in California for outdoor enthusiasts. It's easy to hop between the two spots and there are plenty of sites to see along the way.
Where Is Yosemite National Park?
Yosemite is a national park that is wedged between the Sierra National Forest and the Stanislaus National Forest, in central-eastern California. The park is substantial and spans almost 760,000 acres, spread out over four counties.
The closest major cities are San Francisco and Sacramento, although both of these are still over 160 kilometers / 100 miles away. The smaller town of Mariposa is one of the gateway towns to the national park and it takes roughly an hour to reach Yosemite from the town.
Best Time To Visit Yosemite
Yosemite National Park is open year-round, although most travelers head to the park in the summer season. 75% of visits happen between May and November when the sun is shining, and there's barely any rain. If you visit in the height of summer, you can expect the temperature to be around 32°C / 91°F.
If the climate sounds too scorching for you, consider visiting between November and April. The conditions are cooler averaging between 9°C / 48°F and 18°C / 64°F which makes for pleasant hiking conditions.
You'll experience more rain during these months, but if you visit around January, you may be blessed with seeing the park covered in a frosting of fresh snow.
Lake Tahoe To Yosemite By Car
It's just under 200 kilometers / 123 miles between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite, and while this may sound like a sizable distance, you can drive between the two in just over 2.5 hours.
The drive is the ultimate road trip, following the 395 highway the whole time, allowing you to forget about directions and focus on the scenic drive. Whether you want to drive from Yosemite to Lake Tahoe or vice versa, it's possible to do day trips between the two, but we'd advise getting up early to make the most of either of the breathtaking sites.
If you're lacking in road trip buddies, be sure to check out our community where we connect female travel lovers from across the globe.
Lake Tahoe To Yosemite By Public Transport
Taking public transport from Lake Tahoe to Yosemite is not advisable for several reasons. The first is that it's expensive. It costs on average between $230 and $280 to travel between the two. Another reason is that the journey is long. While driving to Yosemite takes just 2.5 hours, the bus takes over six hours as long as you make all of your connections. Lastly, it's a little tricky. You'll need to take three buses as well as a taxi to reach the national park.
In saying that, if public transport is your only option, it's absolutely doable. Catch a bus from Lake Tahoe to Tamarack Lodge which takes just 15 minutes. From there, take the red route bus to Reno International Airport, which takes an hour and departs five times per day. Once at the airport, change onto the 395 route bus heading north and disembark at Lee Vining, Chevron. This journey lasts around three hours and the bus only travels this route five times per week, so ensure you plan your journey in advance.
There is no public transport between Lee Vining and Yosemite, so you'll have to take a taxi for the last 65 kilometers / 40 miles to reach the national park.
Must-See Destinations Between Lake Tahoe And Yosemite
Mammoth Lakes
Wilderness seekers will love making a stop off at Mammoth Lakes. No matter the time of year you visit, there's something to see and do. In the wintertime, you can ski, ice skate, or ride in a snow cat. As the weather warms up, Mammoth Lakes is known for its gondola rides, and you can also hike Mammoth Mountain or take a refreshing dip in the basin. Mammoth is endlessly breathtaking and competes with both Lake Tahoe and Yosemite for the best natural site in California.
Travertine Hot Springs
The Travertine Hot Springs is one of the few springs that haven't been made into an attraction. While others charge an entry fee, have gift shops, and feel about as authentic as a swimming pool, at Travertine the water is largely untampered with. It's free to enter and there are no facilities, just the thermal water to slip into and indulge in an afternoon of pure relaxation. The springs hover around 37°C / 100°C and are the perfect place to kick back after a long hike in Lake Tahoe.
Lake Alpine
If watersports are what you visit California for, you won't be disappointed by Lake Alpine. You can swim, kayak, fish, or stand up paddle, as well as rent a motorboat or set up camp for the night. The lake is a reservoir and is situated in Alpine County. The body of water is formed by snow melt, meaning that it’s pretty chilly for a large part of the year. Dotted with evergreens, with the occasional summit peeking through, Lake Alpine is a picturesque place to stop and cool off when traveling from Lake Tahoe to Yosemite.
More Unmissable Sites Between Lake Tahoe And Yosemite
When we said there was plenty to see between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite, we weren't kidding. While these stop-offs may prolong your road trip, you'll be mesmerized by each of these places in equal measure.
Grover Hot Springs State Park
Hetch Hetchy Reservoir
Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve
Tioga Pass
Devils Postpile National Monument
Rainbow Falls
Convict Lake
Nelder Grove
Bodie State Historic Park
Kirkwood Mountain Resort
Final Thoughts On Traveling To Yosemite From Lake Tahoe
Traveling to Lake Tahoe is as easy or difficult as you want to make it. If you don't drive or are unable to rent a car, it can be difficult and long-winded to access the national park from Lake Tahoe. On the other hand, if you do have a vehicle, it's an easy and enjoyable road trip between the two that takes just a couple of hours. If you're in the Lake Tahoe area, it would be a crime to miss out on seeing Yosemite with its towering peaks and deep valleys filled with shimmering rivers.
If you love the great outdoors, check out these 5 best hiking trails in the Midwest.