Yosemite Road Conditions
Enjoy a double dose, as you cruise through Yosemite Mariposa County’s picturesque highways. You can read on to find out about Yosemite road conditions, before you make your trip.
Seasonal Yosemite Road closures
Yosemite's roads tend to be clear and accessible all year. However, there are some exceptions such as Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road.
Highway 41, Highway 120 ,Highway 108 re at higher elevations so snow is more likely (and Chain controls). Highway 140, also known to be the All-Weather Highway and has a lower elevation, so it is less likely to get snow.
The road from Hetch Hetchy to the city is open throughout the year, but it is closed during daylight hours.
Annual Tioga Road Closure
This view overlooks Tenaya Lake and is just one of many iconic views along Tioga Road. This high-altitude road crosses the park between Crane Flat and Lee Vining.
Tioga Road is only available during the summer months. This section of Highway 120 runs east through Tioga Pass, east of the Sierra. This road is blocked by deep snow and dangerous avalanche hazards in winter. It is difficult to predict when this road will open each season as it depends upon the weather. However, Tioga Road closes around November. The road re-opens in May and June.
A better view of the historic opening and closing dates can be obtained. If you're interested in tracking the progress on the last stretch, the National Park Service will post occasional plowing reports starting in mid-April.
Annual Glacier Point Road Closure
Half Dome is seen from Glacier Point Road's U-Bend.
Glacier Point Road (off Highway 41) is a spur that takes you to beautiful overlooks like Glacier Point. This road is only accessible to Badger Pass, Ski Area in winter. The road is open for cross-country ski. On the tracks' outside edges, snowshoers can be found.
NPS also has tracked the dates of Glacier Point Road's opening and closing since 1995. NPS will post plowing progress while they work to make the road accessible in the spring.
Note : The Glacier Point Road has been closed to traffic during the summer months.
Mariposa Grove
The Mariposa Grove Road are usually open around March 15. They will close around November 30.
Mariposa Grove Road is forbidden for most people. The Welcome Center is closest to the South Entrance Gate. It's possible to hike the 2 mi (3.2 km) Washburn Trail or to take a shuttle bus, if there are any. If you are a person with a disability placard or license plate, you can also drive to the Arrival Area.
Mariposa Grove Road cannot be plowed in winter. It becomes impassible to cars, but cross-country skiers snowshoers snowshoers or hikers frequently enjoy the journey along the winter road.
Notice: Following a catastrophic Mono Wind event in the early 2021s, Mariposa Grove Road & shuttle system were closed to vehicles. We are still waiting for information on when the system might reopen.
Winter driving conditions
Yosemite County is easily accessible due to mild winters at low elevations. Chain control restrictions can be applied in Yosemite and Yosemite when there is a snowstorm.
Check the weather forecast before you visit to make sure you are aware about any possible storm systems.
Current Yosemite National Park Road Situation
The Yosemite National Park road conditions hotline (209) 372 0200 (press 1 and 2 again) will provide you with the most current information.
Call the road condition hotline at (209-372-0200) (press 1 & 1 again to play the recording) and get the most recent road conditions for Yosemite National Park.
On its current conditions page, park staff also update road conditions. This however requires an extra step. In cases where the weather is unpredictable or a storm is forecast, the road status hotline is the better source of information.
A good place to start is the Yosemite webcam . This will give you a sense of
The current weather conditions in Yosemite are good for road conditions on Highway 140, which is called the
All-Season Highway.
This highway is more likely to be snow-free than other routes into the park. For more information on highways to Yosemite National Park, you can check out CalTrans.
Highway 140 (The All-Weather Highway) are usually easy to navigate in winter. But sometimes, chain control conditions can also be created by a particularly frigid snowstorm that occurs outside the park boundary. More common is the encounter with winter road conditions along higher-elevation routes, like Highway 120 and Highway 41 before you enter the park.
Contact CalTrans for current road conditions in Yosemite National Park.
Plan For Relaxing Summer Travels
Yosemite boasts stunning views that attract visitors from all corners of the globe. It is easy to find parking and navigate transportation when it is hot. Plan ahead and avoid returning to your vehicle in the middle of the afternoon. We recommend that you plan your trip so that Yosemite's entrance is reached before 9:00 am. But, it doesn't hurt to get there earlier.
You should also look into public transportation options. These include YARTS and free shuttles to Yosemite Valley. A great way to explore Yosemite Valley are bicycles. Bicycling is fun and you can stop whenever the view calls. If you don’t have a bicycle. For shorter trips around Yosemite Valley you can use the Yosemite Conservancy Bike Share to share your bike.
You'll be able to enjoy a double dose as you drive through Yosemite Mariposa County on scenic highways. Before you visit Yosemite, learn more about the road conditions.
Closed Seasonally on Yosemite Road
Yosemite's roads are generally clear and navigable all year, with some exceptions: Tioga Road, Glacier Point Road and Mariposa Grove Road (sorta).
Highway 41 and Highway 120, which are higher elevations, are more susceptible to snow (and chains) in winter. Highway 140, also known by the All-Weather Highway is lower and snow-free more often.
All Yosemite Highways They our Located off all-weather . That means that the great Cal Trans crews keep the highway open 24/7 for you. As always carry chains with you when traveling in the mountains, and contact Cal Trans as road conditions change throughout the day
Check Current Highway Conditions
You can also call 1-800-427-7623 for current highway conditions.