The closest airports to Yosemite National Park and the best tips for getting there
Yosemite National Park does not have a major airport in California. However, you have several options for finding airports near Yosemite. This guide will help you determine which airport is best for your trip to Yosemite. We also offer tips on how long it takes to get to Yosemite from each airport, as well as car rental details and trip planning tips.
Organize your trip to Yosemite Yosemite
Yosemite is the most famous national park in California. So you need to plan to maximize your time in the park. This is a helpful travel guide from San Francisco to Yosemite. There are many important stops not only in the park but also in its surroundings.
Summer is the most popular time to visit Yosemite because the dry climate is excellent. for camping and hiking. If you travel in late spring, you can admire beautiful wildflowers and spring waterfalls. Autumn is a great time for changing leaves and there are also a lot fewer people this time of year. Use our Yosemite packing list to decide what to pack, no matter the season.
You can visit Yosemite Valley in the winter. However, the scenic Tioga Pass is not open in the winter. Typically, you can sail on Tioga from mid-June to November. If this sounds like you, check out our article on the best scenic drives in California. Tioga is on this list, as are Lake Tahoe, Highway 395, Highway 49 Gold Country, and Kings Canyon/Sequoia National Parks.
Yosemite Valley offers shuttle services that stop at important points in the valley. The goal is to reduce congestion in the park. However, the best way to explore all of Yosemite is by car. This allows you to explore the giant sequoias of southern Yosemite, the redwoods of northwestern Yosemite and Hetch Hetchy Dam, as well as northern Tioga Pass and Tuolumne Meadows.
And finally, John Muir is the grandfather of Yosemite as a national park. Get inspired by reading Muir's best quotes and these fun facts about Yosemite.
Where to stay in Yosemite
There are five lodges and campgrounds in Yosemite Valley. Everyone books well in advance, so plan ahead.
Related Post: What Things to Do Near Yosemite National Park?
At the far end of the park you can usually find more options and a much cheaper room. Consider staying at Fish Camp (near the Mariposa Redwood Forest) or near Midpine and Mariposa (a beautiful valley along the Merced River). From anywhere, you can avoid Yosemite Valley's summer traffic woes by taking the Yarts bus directly from town.
The closest airports to Yosemite
There is no airport in Yosemite National Park, not very close. The best way to visit Yosemite is as part of a larger California trip that begins in one of the most populated metropolitan areas. However, you have several options when it comes to airports near Yosemite. Choosing the right airport depends on the time of year, what part of the park you're visiting, and what else is on your itinerary.
Departure times travel in all weather conditions. and the distances shown below are calculated from the airport to Yosemite Valley. Please note that there may also be traffic jams entering and exiting the valley during the busiest times of the day. Pay attention to travel times.