Plan Your Trip

Your Yosemite getaway starts with a clear plan.

You want memorable park days, a comfortable stay, and fewer planning surprises. With several entrances and gateway towns, choosing a room before checking the route can leave you with more driving than you expected. This guide brings the decisions together so you can spend more time enjoying your trip.

Your next steps

  1. Choose your entrance. Start with the sights you want to see, then compare Yosemite entrance routes.
  2. Find your stay. Compare lodging along your route and check the full drive to your destination.
  3. Check and book. Review official park conditions, then confirm your dates, total price and cancellation terms with the booking provider.

Compare stays for your trip →

Sierra Nevada mountain valley with pines and autumn color, from Larry’s photo collection
The wider Sierra Nevada, from Larry’s personal collection. Photo enhanced for light, color and clarity.

 

Start with your Yosemite route

For Yosemite Valley and other park destinations, compare the west entrance corridors: Highway 120 through Groveland, Highway 140 through Mariposa and El Portal, and Highway 41 through Oakhurst and Fish Camp. Each route offers a different lodging base. Compare all five Yosemite entrances, including the seasonal east entrance and Hetch Hetchy. Check the exact address and driving directions for any property before you book.

Make a separate Highway 108 trip

Sonora, Twain Harte, Strawberry, and Pinecrest make sense for a Sierra vacation centered on Highway 108. Pinecrest Lake and the surrounding forest are reasons to visit in their own right. Highway 108 is not a direct west entrance to Yosemite, so compare your actual route if you plan to visit both areas. Explore the Pinecrest and Strawberry lodging guide.

Find a place to stay

Compare lodging along the route that fits your trip. Explore the property details, then follow its booking button to check rooms for your dates.

Compare lodging routes & stays

Compare stays with these questions

  • What is the drive to your main destination at the time you plan to travel?
  • Does the property offer the room type, parking, accessibility, and amenities you need?
  • What are the cancellation terms and the full price after taxes and fees?
  • Are roads and park facilities open for your dates?

Use the National Park Service driving directions and current conditions when planning your route. Confirm lodging details directly with the property.

Driving an electric car?

Explore the Yosemite roads EV charging map for Highway 120, 140, 41, and the Highway 108 area. Check live charger status before your trip.

Plan your route with confidence

Use the official park updates before you commit to a route or a room. Conditions can change with the season.

Check Yosemite conditions

Compare these stays on Expedia

Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission from qualifying bookings through these Expedia links, at no extra cost to you.

Open a property listing, choose your dates and guests, and compare the total price and cancellation terms.

Bookings and payments are handled by Expedia. Direct property booking links are listed separately.

CHOOSE YOUR ROUTE. FIND YOUR STAY.

Check lodging & booking options

Choose the approach that fits your itinerary. These buttons open official property websites, where you can enter dates and check rates and availability.

Planning a separate Highway 108 trip? Check Strawberry Inn availability ↗ Explore Pinecrest Chalet cabins ↗

Official property links, not affiliate links. Reservations and payments are handled by the provider. Confirm the full price, cancellation terms, amenities and actual drive before booking.