Mammoth Lakes to Yosemite National Park [How to Get There]

We are avid explorers of California’s backroads, and our adventures often end up in the Eastern Sierras with stops in both of these amazing destinations. 

If you are planning a trip to California to experience Mammoth Lakes and Yosemite National Park, we have you covered with everything you will need to know and plan, no matter what season you visit.

We made all the mistakes and learned the hard way about what to do and avoid, and now we can share all our tips and tricks to ensure you have an epic trip to the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California.

Before you know it, you will go from exploring mountain lakes in Mammoth to walking in the mist from the massive waterfalls in Yosemite.

How far is Mammoth Lakes from Yosemite?

The distance from Mammoth Lakes to Yosemite National Park entrance is 40.2 miles.

This drive typically takes around 45 minutes, and it will fly by as there are gorgeous views of the jagged Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains from along Highway 395.

While this drive may be short, it will only get you to the Tioga Pass entrance to Yosemite, but there are plenty of attractions and things to see once you arrive inside the park.

To be more accurate, the drive from Mammoth Lakes to Yosemite Valley is about 2.5 to 3 hours without stops or significant traffic, covering 101 miles.

❄️If you are planning to visit outside of the main tourist season during the summer, the drive from Mammoth Lakes to Yosemite will be 296 miles and take 6 hours and 30 minutes, as the Tioga Pass closes seasonally. 

We have driven this route during a winter storm, and the drive took well over 8 hours, as we had to put on chains multiple times and we had to slow down to 30 mph.

This route is best avoided during the winter unless you plan to also spend some time in Lake Tahoe.

Mammoth Lakes to Yosemite National Park

The drive from Mammoth Lake to Yosemite National Park connects two of California’s top natural attractions.

This popular route is worth the trip alone as there are lots of stunning viewpoints along the way. 

Although you can use Mammoth as your base for day trips to Yosemite, make sure to plan for about a 2.5 to 3-hour drive to Yosemite Valley each way.

Mammoth Lakes has lots of great accommodation options, from quaint hotels to mountain lodges. 

There are also some great spots in Mammoth for camping that do not require booking six months in advance, unlike the campgrounds or cabins inside Yosemite.

• 🛣️WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TIOGA PASS

Although this drive is fairly quick during summer, it can be a long and arduous trip during the winter as the Tioga Pass that connects Yosemite with the Eastern Sierras closes for the winter.

The opening and closing dates for the Tioga Pass change each year, as it is based on the snow pack in the higher elevations. 

Historically the Tioga Pass opens around the middle to late May, but there are years like 1998 where the gates stayed closed all the way till the start of July.

The closing dates are slightly more predictable as they usually shut down the Tioga Pass around the first or second week of November. 

If you are hoping to connect these to stunning destinations in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, then it’s a good idea to be on the conservative side and plan your trip well away from these projected opening and closing dates.

📢Local Tip: If you plan on visiting Mammoth and Yosemite, check to see if you can fly into one of the airports near Yosemite to save yourself lots of driving time from a big city airport.

1. Mammoth Lakes to Yosemite Valley via Tioga Pass

While the drive from Mammoth Lakes to Yosemite via the Tioga Pass may only take 45 minutes to get to the park entrance, many of the main attractions in Yosemite Valley are much farther inside the national park.

After completing the 45-minute drive to the entrance, you have to drive an additional 63 miles to the heart of Yosemite Valley, which will take close to 2 hours.

This long drive can be extra long if there are backups getting to the Valley, as traffic often builds up near popular attractions during the busy season. 

If you plan to do a day trip from Mammoth to Yosemite Valley, make sure to leave early so the 2.5 to 3-hour trip doesn’t chew up your time in the park.

The big perk of traversing between Mammoth and Yosemite is that you will avoid the large lines of cars trying to enter the national park and the busier Yosemite entrances that are closer to California’s major city centers.

📢Local Tip: Make the drive in the morning when the sun will be behind you, and do not forget to fill up at the gas station at Crane Flat, as there are no stations inside the park.

*These drive times are estimates which can vary depending on traffic and lines at the park entrance.

Mammoth Lakes to Yosemite East Entrance (Tioga Pass) 

• 45 minutes
• Yosemite East Entrance (Tioga Pass) Address

Mammoth Lakes to Yosemite Valley

• 2.5 to 3 hours
• Start of Yosemite Valley Address

Mammoth Lakes to Yosemite Valley Visitor Center

• 2.5 to 3 hours
• Yosemite Valley Visitor Center Address

2. Mammoth Lakes to Yosemite by Bus (YARTS)

• Runs 7 days a week from July 1st to August 31st
• About a 4-hour ride
• $30 one-way, purchased on the bus with cash or major credit cards 
• Route Schedule

For travelers looking to visit Yosemite National Park from Mammoth Lake via public transportation, your only option is to take YARTS (Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System).

This convenient option offers five pick-up locations in Mammoth Lakes, including a stop right in the Mammoth Lake Village on Minaret Road.

There are seven total drop-off and pick-up points inside the park’s boundaries, including three options inside Yosemite Valley. 

🚌 Stops in the Yosemite Valley

• Curry Village
• Yosemite Valley Visitor Center (best stop for first-timers)
• Yosemite Valley Lodge / Laurel Cottage

🚌 Stops along Highway 120/ Tioga Road

• Tuolumne Meadows Store
• Tuolumne Meadows Visitors Center
• White Wolf Lodge
• Crane Flat Gas Station

This service only runs when the Tioga Pass is open for the season, and there are only two bus trips in each direction offered seven days a week.

This means that you will have to plan your day around the YARTS bus schedule, as you can get stuck inside the park and waste the $30 fare if you miss the second pick-up.

It is also highly recommended that you book your trip in advance, as seats fill up fast, and any additional seats are first come, first serve. 

They will not send an additional bus because you failed to plan in advance or show up on time for your pick-up.

November in Yosemite is nothing short of amazing, but the Tioga Pass and this bus route will most likely already be closed for the season.

We love this option as it allows us to leave the driving to the professionals, and instead of staring at the road, we get to enjoy the gorgeous views along the way. It’s more than worth the $60 round-trip ticket.

Visiting Yosemite from Mammoth Lakes

As the seasons change, so do the road conditions, which can greatly affect visitors’ ability to connect these two popular destinations.

While the boundary of Yosemite is located just a short distance from Mammoth Lakes, the drive that connects the two destinations takes a longer route.

We have experienced this road in every season, and we included everything you will need to know to traverse between Mammoth and Yosemite.

For those traveling during the summer to explore the scenic lakes in Mammoth and stunning valley attractions in Yosemite, the trip will be a breeze. 

If you are planning to travel between these two destinations during the winter, it is imperative that you read on, as this trip can go from a scenic drive to a nightmarish adventure.

Mammoth Lakes to Yosemite in Winter

During the winter, the Tioga Pass Road that connects Highway 395 with Yosemite National Park closes for the season, turning the short 45-minute drive into a long day of driving or a two-day ordeal.

You have two options:

• OPTION 1 via Lake Tahoe: Hwy 395 N to 50 W to 49 S to 120 E
  • Travel Time: 6:30 hours

The first option requires driving much farther north through the mountainous passes in Lake Tahoe before driving all the way back south on the other side of the mountain range. 

This massive detour can easily take 6.5 hours, even if the road conditions are clear and there is no traffic.

Unfortunately, the road conditions in the mountains can be icy or covered with a fresh layer of snow, which will require snow chains or an all-wheel drive vehicle with all-terrain tires.

If you attempt this route after a snowstorm, it will add several hours to the trip, as you should not drive over 30 mph, even with chains.

If you are not experienced in driving in snow or installing chains, it would be advisable not to take this route.

• OPTION 2 via Bakersfield: Hwy 395 S to 58 W to 99 N
  • Travel Time: 7:25 hours
• This is a longer route, but you will be driving in lower elevations, so you have higher chances of better road conditions

If the road conditions are icy or covered in snow through Lake Tahoe, the next best option would be to head south towards Bakersfield, then head back north towards the southern Yosemite entrance. 

This option will take a combined 7.25 hours without stops along the way for gas or a quick bite to eat. 

While this may seem excruciatingly long, it may be shorter than going through Lake Tahoe if you will have to chain up multiple times and slow down to 30 mph. 

If you plan to visit these two destinations during the winter for some cross-country skiing or some snowboarding, you will want to weigh the hassle of the extra drive time.

Mammoth Lakes to Yosemite in Summer

Making the drive from Mammoth Lakes to Yosemite in the summer is a breeze, as 395 is seldomly crowded, and the Tioga Pass park entrance has short lines compared to other options to the west. 

Even though the drive to the park’s entrance is short, the additional trip to Yosemite Valley will add a minimum of two deceptively long hours. 

During the summer, you can take any of the routes listed above, and you can make it a longer adventure by adding Lake Tahoe to your Yosemite road trip from Mammoth Lakes.

Can you do a day trip to Yosemite from Mammoth?

Yes, a day trip to Yosemite from Mammoth Lakes is easy, especially for visiting attractions located off Tioga Road.

There is so much to do inside Yosemite Park that you will want to stay for at least a few days, but it is more than possible to visit several of the park’s top attractions in a single afternoon.

For those planning on staying in Mammoth Lakes for Yosemite day trips, the drive to the park entrance will take only 45 minutes, but to get to Yosemite Valley, it will take 2 hours and 45 minutes.

You can even book one of the Park Ranger-led Yosemite Valley tours, where they will whisk you around to the top sights in an open-top tram.

This will save you some time and help you get the most out of your day trip.

📢Local Tip: If you want to avoid the crowds that congregate in Yosemite Valley, there are several amazing natural attractions and stunning viewpoints located along Tioga Road, including Tuolumne Meadows and Tenaya Lake. This area sees less than one percent of visitors that come to the park.

Mammoth Lakes to Yosemite: Best Places to Stop

When making the drive from Mammoth Lakes to Yosemite, do not be in too much of a rush to get to Yosemite Valley, as there are some do not miss stops along the way.

These special destinations along Tioga Road only see a small portion of Yosemite visitors, which means these stops offer a perfect way to avoid the crowds in the valley.

If you plan on spending multiple days visiting Yosemite, make sure to set some time aside to enjoy these magnificent park attractions on your way to or from Mammoth Lakes.

Before heading over the Tioga Pass to the destinations below, there are several great spots to explore off Highway 395.

Make sure to stop by June Lake to swim in the emerald water, Mono Lake to see the famous tufas, and Lee Vining to grab a bite and fill the tank before heading to the park.

Ellery Lake

This mountain lake, situated at just over 9500 feet, is a gem that is often overlooked by visitors rushing to enter Yosemite National Park.

As it sees very few visitors, Ellery Lake is a tranquil oasis far removed from the commotion from the waves of visitors that pack inside the valley.

Nestled alongside the lake is a small first come, first serve campground that opens and closes seasonally in conjunction with Highway 120 through the Tioga Pass.

Lembert Dome

Yosemite is home to several iconic granite Monoliths, including Half Dome and El Capitan, but the one that is often left out of the conversation is Lembert Dome. 

This majestic peak is visible through the trees on the Tioga Road, but the best way to take in the views is from the Tuolumne River Loop Trail. 

This 3.6-mile trek will take you through a majestic meadow with a babbling stream, across charming bridges, with lots of wildflowers along the way (March to September). 

Tuolumne Meadows

A trip to Tuolumne is worth the trip alone for a chance to explore the open meadow with its gorgeous waterfall, crystal clear creeks, and granite domes that dot the landscape.

The area is made even more beautiful by the Tuolumne River, which runs right through the meadow.

This is our favorite place in the park for hiking trails, as the area’s natural beauty is breathtaking, and it remains relatively empty compared to options near the valley floor.

For a chance to trek along a section of the John Muir Trail, hikers can head south of Tioga Road past the Tuolumne Valley visitors center and follow it all the way to Curry Village in the valley.

Cathedral Peak

To get to the top of Cathedral Peak, you will have to be an experienced rock climber, but you can also take the Cathedral Lakes Trail, which has some of the most dramatic views in the park.

This jagged mountain peak stands in stark contrast to the tranquil meadow and mountain lakes that sit in its shadow.

The jump-off point for the long hike to Cathedral Peak starts in the Tuolumne Meadows, which makes this a great day trip from Mammoth Lakes.

Tenaya Lake

This glass-clear mountain lake is a perfect destination for a picnic before venturing farther into the park. 

You may find that you end up wanting to stay to relax along the shore or go for a paddle if you happen to have a kayak or a SUP.

For those that are brave enough, Tenaya Lake has a beach area where you can wade in or go for a dip in the cold water.

Olmstead Point

Olmstead Point offers a chance to see Half Dome from a unique perspective that only a small percentage of park visitors will ever see.

From this scenic overlook, you will get a panoramic view of Yosemite Valley from the northeast, looking down a portion of the valley.

This is a quick stopover for those heading to the valley floor, and it is a great way to see Half Dome for the first time.

Yosemite Creek

Yosemite Creek starts in the higher elevations from 10 lakes pass and makes its way all the way down to the Merced River after tumbling down 2425 over Yosemite Falls.

The upper section of Yosemite Creek is wildly more relaxing than its crowded sections near the Yosemite Valley Lodge.

There is a small picnic area by the water, but we love to hike along the shore and find a quiet area all to ourselves where we can only hear the sound of the rushing creek from underneath some of Yosemite’s hidden Sequoias.

Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias

If you have been dreaming of one day seeing the Giant Sequoias in one of California’s famed redwood groves, then this will be your first opportunity to see these massive trees when traveling through the Tioga Pass.

This redwood grove in Yosemite is home to two dozen mature trees that will add to the wow factor for the start of the trip, but don’t spoil it by arriving too late when the crowds will arrive in droves.

There is a short but steep trail that descends 623 feet down to the grove, which means you will have to make the quad-burning hike back to the top. 

Make sure to bring some water, and enjoy the majestic giants.

Yosemite to Mammoth Lakes

If you are interested in starting your adventure in Yosemite National Park, the trip to Mammoth Lake offers the exact same options for stops along the way.

You can just reverse the order of the attractions above and enjoy the drive across the Tioga Pass, followed by breathtaking views of the Eastern Sierra Nevadas.

Is there a shuttle from Yosemite Valley to Mammoth?

Yes, there is a shuttle that runs from the Yosemite Valley to Mammoth.

The YARTS (Yosemite Area Regional Transportation Service) travels between these two destinations twice a day on a set schedule, with three pick-up points in Yosemite Valley and five drop-offs in Mammoth Lakes.

This service only runs when the Tioga Pass is open during the summer months, and the start and end dates are variable depending on the snow conditions.

It is also a good idea to reserve a seat in advance, as first-come, first-serve seating fills up fast.

Tickets cost $30 in each direction, and there is special pricing for seniors, disabled, and veterans, which is half-price.

FAQs: Mammoth to Yosemite Drive

Is Mammoth Lakes a good base for Yosemite?

Yes, Mammoth is a good base for Yosemite, as the Tioga Pass entrance is only a 45-minute drive along Highway 395 and Tioga Road.

Those that decide to stay in Mammoth will have easy access to many of the lesser visited attractions in the park located off of Tioga Road, including Tuolumne Meadows and Tenaya Lake.

If you are planning to spend most of your time in Yosemite Valley, then there are other cities near Yosemite that are a shorter drive to see Yosemite Falls and El Capitan.

Can you drive from Mammoth to Yosemite?

Yes, you can drive from Mammoth to Yosemite, and it will only take around 45 minutes to reach the Tioga Pass entrance if you are traveling during the summer.

If you are planning to connect these two destinations during the Fall through Spring, the drive will be significantly longer as the Tioga Pass closes for the season.

The drive from Mammoth to Yosemite during this variable length closure means that visitors will need to drive 6.5 or more hours, depending on snow conditions to reach the park.

Is Mammoth Lakes worth visiting?

Yes, Mammoth Lakes is worth visiting for its amazing trails that connect the scenic alpine lakes that are surrounded by pine forests and jagged mountain peaks. 

Mammoth Lakes also offers up a chance to take a soak in the natural geothermal hot springs in the area and to visit the unique basalt rock formations at Devils Postpile National Monument. 

This small mountain town is also home to the Mammoth Mountain ski resort, which makes this an idyllic destination for a winter getaway.

Which Yosemite entrance is closest to Mammoth Lakes?

The closest Yosemite entrance to Mammoth Lakes is the Tioga Pass entrance which can be reached in 45 minutes during the summer.

This route is only open for a portion of the year as the Tioga Pass closes, and the opening and closing dates are variable depending on the snowpack.

While the Tioga Pass entrance is the closest option to Mammoth Lakes, visitors will still have to travel an additional two hours after the entrance to arrive in Yosemite Valley.

Is Mammoth Lakes in Yosemite?

No, Mammoth Lakes is not in Yosemite, but they are located next to each other in the central and eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Mammoth Lakes is located directly east of the southern portion of Yosemite National Park, but it is outside the park’s boundaries.

During the summer, the Tioga Pass is open when the snowpack has melted, making it easy to connect these two destinations in around 45 minutes by car.

Is Mammoth Lakes near Yosemite?

Yes, Mammoth is near Yosemite, and the drive between these destinations is only 45 minutes during the summertime when the Tioga Pass is open.

While Mammoth and Yosemite are both located in a section of the central Sierra Nevada Mountains, the drive between can be very far from around late October to the start of June.

While the entrance to Yosemite National Park is close to Mammoth Lakes, the main attractions inside the park are located farther away in Yosemite Valley, which is an additional two-hour drive.

Can you drive your car through Yosemite National Park?

Yes, you can drive your car through Yosemite National Park, and it is the best option for getting to the main attractions in Yosemite Valley and on Tioga Road. 

While you can take a Yosemite tour from places like San Francisco, you will be limited to a few areas in the park.

The best option is to drive into the park and find a parking spot before utilizing the park’s free bus system to get around to the individual attractions.

If you are interested in driving through Yosemite to get to the Eastern Sierras and Mammoth Lakes, you will have to pay to enter the park, and this can only be attempted during the summer when the Tioga Pass is open.

Wrap-Up: Mammoth Lakes to Yosemite

Now that you have everything you need to know to plan your trip from Mammoth Lakes to Yosemite, all you have to do is pack your bags.

Now prepare yourself to see the largest trees in the world and take in the massive granite peaks in the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains during your trip to these stunning California destinations.

Yosemite Valley Quick Facts

• Fees: $35 per car, valid for 7 days

• Reservations: Currently not required

• Where to Stay: Rush Creek Lodge in Groveland which is a 5-minute drive to the entrance or Yosemite Bug in Midpines for better availability.

• Getting there: The closest airport to Yosemite is Fresno Yosemite International which is 35 miles away. For the best flight deals, use Skyscanner to browse various airlines and prices.

• How to Get Around: Having your car is the easiest way to get around, especially if you’re visiting other nearby sights. Check RentalCars.com to find the best deals on rental cars.

• Best Self-Guided Tour: This audio tour from GyPSy Guide provides engaging commentary to make your trip more fun and interesting at such an incredible price!

• Insider Tip: Make sure to get the America the Beautiful National Park Pass for only $80, which allows entry to over 400+ national park sites and is valid for an entire year. Get it from REI.