If you’ve never been to Yosemite, you may be wondering, “Which entrance is best to use”? You may even be unaware that there are multiple entrances! Because the park is so big, it is essential to know where you will enter to plan enough travel time for all of your activities.
There isn’t really a best entrance to Yosemite, but it always makes the most sense to enter through your closest entrance and work your way to different parts of the park from the inside. Yosemite has three main entrances, which include Rock Arch (West), Tioga Pass (East), and the South entrance. There are also two lesser-visited entrances known as Big Flat Oak and Hetch Hetchy. All entrances are at least 2 hours away from each other, driving outside the park, while it will be considerably faster and more scenic to commute from inside the park boundaries.
But not to worry, as I know Yosemite like the back of my hand. In this post, I will go over where each entrance is located, activities near each one, and what makes the most sense for wherever you plan to stay, along with much more.
Make your trip planning EASY, avoid the crowds, and see places most people don’t know about
Inside the guide:
*Step-by-step plan that will take you to the best hikes, viewpoints, drives, and must-do stops
*Exact time-frames and star-ratings so you can make the best use of your time and money
*Best Friend Guarantee: love it or get your money back
*Stay in the right spot with our area recommendations to reduce time driving and waiting in entrance lines
Everybody! You cannot enter Yosemite National Park without one of three passes. Those include the Standard Pass, Annual Pass, or America the Beautiful Pass. Check out the box below to decide what is best for you.
| Pass Type | Price | Best For: | How Long Does it Last? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Pass | $20-35 based on vehicle type | One-time visitors | 3 days from purchase |
| Annual Pass | $70 | Visiting Yosemite multiple times | 1 year from purchase |
| America the Beautiful Pass | $80 | Visiting Yosemite and other National Parks | 1 year from purchase |
You can purchase all passes at any entrance gate when you arrive. Be aware that only a card is accepted as payment here. This is the easiest and best way to buy your pass.
You can buy the America the Beautiful Pass online. It is important to note that it takes up to 2 weeks to arrive after purchase, as it is a physical card.
GOOD TO KNOW: Yosemite has a special surcharge for international visitors. Learn more here.
This is by far the most popular entrance into Yosemite due to its proximity to the Valley.
It is a 5-minute drive from the Arch Rock entrance to Yosemite Valley. It has the longest entrance lines in the park.
The Arch Rock Entrance is also known as the El Portal Entrance or West Entrance. People will use these names interchangeably, even the National Park website and rangers at times.
The small ‘town’ of El Portal consists of the singular Highway 140 that follows the Merced River. The majority of the buildings scattered here are hotels with small, overpriced attached restaurants. There is pretty much nothing else around and cell service outside of hotels is nonexistent for miles.
That being said, the majority of visitors stay here because of the proximity to Yosemite Valley and because there is an abundance of hotels.
It is a very scenic area with views of the rushing Merced River and high mountains, but it can be very scary at night. There are no lights on the road, and animals are constantly crossing to get water from the river. I have personally seen multiple deer jump out in front of my car as well as bears and other smaller animals, so it truly is no joke.
El Portal also gets extremely hot in the summer and cold in the winter (and at night).
Arch Rock is the best entrance for those staying in:
Because this entrance is extremely close to Yosemite Valley, all activities will be centered around here within a 30-minute drive of the entrance. You will find something for everyone.
Mist Trail to Nevada Falls or Upper Yosemite Falls is the way to go. Both take about half a day to complete and have fantastic views of their respective waterfalls. They are relatively strenuous with a lot of elevation gain, but are definitely worth it.
Sentinel Meadow or Mirror Lake are great options here. They both take around 1-3 hours, are completely flat, and have beautiful views right on the water. Mirror Lake is completely paved, while Sentinel Meadow is mostly boardwalk.
The only completely wheelchair accessible trail is Bridalveil Falls. There is plenty of handicapped parking and ADA bathrooms available, while the actual trail is completely flat with stunning views of Bridalveil Falls.
Tunnel View is one of the most iconic viewpoints in Yosemite and has incredibly expansive views of the entire Valley floor. This is definitely worth a stop for sunset or sunrise, although it is beautiful all day long.
Driving the Scenic Valley Loop is also a great way to see the Valley and you can stop along the way to get more up close and personal.
Floating the Merced River is another fantastic and relaxing activity that is close to the El Portal Entrance. Just keep in mind that there are specific places to float, while the rest of the river can be very dangerous to swim or float in. Check out my blog post How to Float the Merced River in Yosemite National Park for more information.
This entrance is the least visited of the three and is closed from November to May each year. It is closest to Tuolumne Meadows and is very secluded from the rest of the park. From the entrance, it is about a 2-hour drive into the Valley and another 45 minutes to Wawona.
Those that enter through the Lee Vining entrance often road trip from the East and spend their first night somewhere around this entrance, while shifting to a new home base near the Valley after that.
The Tioga Pass entrance is also known as the Lee Vining Entrance or East entrance.
The nearest town of Lee Vining is a very small community that hosts travelers into Yosemite. It has a few options for lodging and food, and is mainly a pit stop for those entering from the east.
The main road here is known as Tioga Road (also known as highway 120), and connects to Yosemite Valley after passing over the Sierra Nevada mountain range.
Tioga Pass is the best entrance for those staying in:
All activities near Tioga Pass are located in the Tuolumne Meadows area. This is roughly 30 minutes inside the Tioga Pass Entrance. Read more in my article, How to See Tuolumne Meadows: One-Day Guide.
My top pick for those who like to hike is Pothole Dome. This short hike gains a bit of elevation but has stunning views and is a fantastic picnic spot. Lembert Dome and Dog Lake are some other fantastic hikes in the area.
The best hike/brisk walk in the area is Soda Springs Trail. This short and sweet hike is completely flat and is mostly wheelchair accessible. There are a few bumps along the road, but nothing major that would hinder a wheelchair. This stops by a natural soda spring that you can drink out of, as well as Parson’s Lodge, where you can learn about the history of the area.
The visitor center has occasional ranger-led programs that are super cool. They have a pretty good variety and are great for those who aren’t interested in hiking. Check out the national park website or app to get a better idea of what programs will be led on the days you are in the area.
The South entrance is the second most popular, with very close proximity to Mariposa Grove. Unfortunately, that is currently the only thing it is close to in Yosemite.
The historic Wawona Hotel is also located in this area, although it is being closed indefinitely for structural remodeling.
From the entrance, it is a 45-minute drive up a very windy and steep road to enter Yosemite Valley and the rest of the park. This definitely can be a bit scary, but it is best to take your time and use the pullouts when you need.
Some argue it is the best for first-time visitors because your first look at the Valley will be from the iconic tunnel view.
The South entrance is often called the Wawona Entrance or the Mariposa Entrance.
The closest town to the South entrance is Fish Camp, although it is also usually the most convenient for those staying in Oakhurst and surrounding towns. It is a 5-minute drive from Fish Camp to the Wawona entrance.
The actual town of Fish Camp is very bare bones, although some very big lodges, such as Tenaya and Sugar Pine, are slightly farther away and are also considered Fish Camp.
South Entrance is the best entrance for those staying in:
All activities near the South Entrance are going to be located around Mariposa Grove. They are all immediately after you enter, on the first roundabout stop, and they share a parking lot. Be sure to exit on the right exit, as there isn’t really anywhere to turn around for miles if you don’t.
The Mariposa Grove Trail is a fantastic way to see the entire grove and all that Mariposa Grove has to offer. It takes roughly half the day and is rated strenuous. I would only recommend this hike if you have some time to kill and really love the giant sequoias. Other than that, the Giant Grizzly Loop is sufficient for most travelers.
My two favorite hikes in this area are Big Trees Loop and Giant Grizzly Loop. Big Trees Loop is completely wheelchair accessible and connects to Giant Grizzly (which isn’t wheelchair accessible except by driving). Big Trees will take around 30 minutes and is both shaded and paved. Giant Grizzly takes around 2 hours and has a slight grade to it, although it is doable for most. Both hikes have fantastic views of the giant sequoias.
Aside from the three main entrances, there are two lesser-visited entrances.
Hetch Hetchy’s Entrance is less visited because that part of the park is just not very popular due to it being a reservoir. However, it is still beautiful!
Big Flat Oak Entrance is very remote and nothing is near it, which makes it not very accessible or convenient for most people.
Make your trip planning EASY, avoid the crowds, and see places most people don’t know about
Inside the guide:
*Step-by-step plan that will take you to the best hikes, viewpoints, drives, and must-do stops
*Exact time-frames and star-ratings so you can make the best use of your time and money
*Best Friend Guarantee: love it or get your money back
*Stay in the right spot with our area recommendations to reduce time driving and waiting in entrance lines
It is best to know that during peak season (late May to September), you are going to encounter long lines to get to each entrance. This is a major issue for Yosemite National Park.
The lines to enter start early and last for a long time. They can be upwards of 2 hours if you enter at the wrong time.
The way I choose to avoid the lines is to get up early and inside the park by 6:30 am. Parking is easy to find, and you can have a chill morning with a nice nap by the river in the afternoon. The entrance lines are my absolute worst enemy, and I will do almost anything to avoid them.
If you choose to enter the park between the hours of 7:00 am and 1:00 pm, be prepared to wait in long lines. If you are traveling in June, July, or August, this may be an issue from 6:00 am to 4:00 pm. This affects Ash Rock, Tioga Pass, and the South entrances, and there is no way around it unless you have lodging inside the park or enter before/after peak hours.
READ: Driving in Yosemite: 10 Things You Need to Know
It is also good to know that there is virtually no cell service at all three entrances. I highly recommend downloading songs and podcasts to keep you occupied for the long journey into the park. Just be sure to download enough so you don’t get sick of them too quickly.
I like to make curated playlists before I leave for any trip so that I will remember my trip anytime I hear those specific songs playing. Putting in the work beforehand can help make long drives a lot more enjoyable.
YOSEMITE TRIP PLANNER: To read or watch all of our content about Yosemite National Park, check out our Yosemite Homepage.
THINGS TO DO: Don’t miss all that Yosemite has to offer, including hiking, things to do in Yosemite Valley, and floating the Merced River.
WHERE TO EAT: Don’t miss the best places to eat in Yosemite National Park
WHERE TO STAY: Learn all you need to know about where to stay inside and outside the park
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Find out how to get there, the best time to visit, which is the best entrance, and all about driving around Yosemite.
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