Compare Yosemite’s five road entrances.
You want to arrive ready for your Yosemite adventure. With five entrances and seasonal road access, picking a route can feel confusing. Use this guide to match your entrance to the sights you want to see, then choose a stay along that approach.
Your next steps
- Pick your main park destination.
- Compare the entrance routes below.
- Verify current access and choose lodging along your route.
Ready to choose a place to stay?
Compare Highway 120, 140, and 41 lodging options by your park entrance, or explore a separate mountain getaway around Pinecrest and Strawberry.
Which entrance works for your trip?
Yosemite has five vehicle entrance stations: Big Oak Flat, Arch Rock, South, Tioga Pass, and Hetch Hetchy. The first three are the main western approaches to Yosemite Valley. Tioga Pass serves the high country from the east when Tioga Road is open. Hetch Hetchy is a separate day-use destination with limited road hours.
Check current roads, weather, entrance requirements, and fees with the National Park Service conditions page before you leave.
Big Oak Flat
Best for Groveland and the northern west approach to Yosemite Valley, Crane Flat, and Tioga Road when open.
Explore this entrance ↓Highway 140
Arch Rock
The Merced River corridor through Mariposa and El Portal toward Yosemite Valley.
Explore this entrance ↓Highway 41
South Entrance
For Oakhurst, Fish Camp, Wawona, and Mariposa Grove before continuing toward the Valley.
Explore this entrance ↓Highway 120 east
Tioga Pass
The seasonal eastern gateway from Lee Vining to Tuolumne Meadows and the high country.
Explore this entrance ↓Evergreen Road
Hetch Hetchy
A separate reservoir and trail destination reached from the Highway 120 west area, open only during daylight hours.
Big Oak Flat Entrance
Nearby places to stay: Groveland, Buck Meadows, and lodging along the Highway 120 corridor. Sonora is a farther base for travelers combining Yosemite with the Highway 108 area.
Good fit: A western approach to Yosemite Valley and access toward Crane Flat and Tioga Road when that road is open. Highway 120 west remains a park approach when Tioga Road closes for winter.
Read our west entrance towns lodging guide.
Arch Rock Entrance
Nearby places to stay: El Portal, Midpines, and Mariposa. Compare the driving distance of a listing with your planned park activities, especially if you expect to return after dark.
Good fit: Visitors approaching along the Merced River corridor whose main destination is Yosemite Valley. The entrance is on El Portal Road, the continuation of Highway 140.
Read our west entrance towns lodging guide.
South Entrance
Nearby places to stay: Fish Camp, Oakhurst, and Wawona inside the park. Mariposa Grove is in southern Yosemite; Yosemite Valley is a separate drive farther into the park.
Good fit: A trip centered on Mariposa Grove or Wawona, or an arrival from the Fresno and Oakhurst direction.
Tioga Pass Entrance
Nearby places to stay: Lee Vining is the closest east-side town to this approach; June Lake and Mammoth Lakes are farther bases. Check the map before booking for a Yosemite Valley trip: the high country and the Valley are not the same destination.
Good fit: Tuolumne Meadows, Tenaya Lake, and a summer or fall high-country itinerary.
Seasonal access: Tioga Road usually closes around November and reopens in late May or June, depending on snow and road work. When closed, there is no vehicle entrance from the east or drive through the park on Highway 120. Check current status.
Hetch Hetchy Entrance
Nearby places to stay: Groveland, Buck Meadows, and limited lodging near Evergreen Road. This entrance serves Hetch Hetchy Reservoir and its trails; it is not a shortcut into Yosemite Valley.
Access: The Hetch Hetchy Road is open from sunrise to sunset for day visitors and can close intermittently because of snow. Plan your return before the gate closes. Read the official Hetch Hetchy guidance.
Staying near Pinecrest or Strawberry?
Highway 108 and Sonora Pass are not Yosemite entrances. Pinecrest, Strawberry, and Sonora can be part of a wider Sierra trip, but check the actual driving route to your chosen Yosemite entrance before booking. Sonora Pass and Tioga Pass have separate seasonal closure schedules.
Make the route match the room
Confirm the property’s exact address, the park area you want to visit, and realistic travel time. Park roads, weather, traffic, and rules can change. Use the official Yosemite directions and current conditions for the final check.
This independent lodging guide is not affiliated with the National Park Service. Lodging availability and travel conditions can change.
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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.
Evergreen Lodge
Cabins in the Groveland area for the Highway 120 west approach.
Yosemite View Lodge
Riverside lodging in El Portal along Highway 140.
Tenaya at Yosemite
Explore stays near the South Entrance and Highway 41.
Planning a separate Highway 108 trip? Strawberry Inn rooms & booking ↗ 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.