Yosemite National Park is a natural treasure, and road trips to the park are always full of adventure. But if you’re starting from Las Vegas, the journey to Yosemite is something else. You’ll pass through desert ghost towns and stumble upon natural springs that make this route unforgettable. Here are the 9 best stops:
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Planning your trip to Yosemite? Save with the Annual National Parks Pass. We visited 4+ parks for only $80 last year, saving $53! Here are the best tours, hotels, and car rentals:
📸 Best Tours In Yosemite National Park:
- 6-Day Yosemite Backpacking (skip the lines, crowds and permits!)
- Jeep 4×4 Yosemite Park Tour (avoid parking and sold-out tickets)
- Experience Yosemite: Beginner or Advanced Photography Lesson
- Private Full Day Fly Fishing For Beginners and Experienced Anglers
- Small Group Yosemite & Glacier Point Tour (full day with hotel pickup)
😴 Best Hotels In Yosemite:
- Curry Village (💲) (around 1 mile from Vernal Falls Trail)
- Yosemite Valley Lodge (💲💲) (13-min walk to Lower Yosemite Falls)
- The Ahwahnee (💲💲💲) (20-min walk to Yosemite Village)
🚘 Best Car Rental: DiscoverCars (save up to 70%)
How To Get There
By car, it takes 414 miles (less or more depending on where you’re staying in Las Vegas). It’ll take around 7.5 hours without breaks to get there. For directions, take US-95 N for its natural springs and ghost towns from Las Vegas to Yosemite.
If you are driving from Central Oregon, you can also take Highway 395 as well. If you’re traveling from another city in or outside California, there are also other great road trips to take.
If you need to rent a car, check prices on Discover Cars. You’ll find cheap deals there!
If you’re flying, the nearest airport to Yosemite is Fresno/Yosemite International Airport, which is more than a 2-hour drive so you would need to get a rental car or you can take public transit. You can take a bus with YARTS.
The closest major airport to Yosemite National Park is Oakland International Airport. Look for cheap flights on Expedia!
Las Vegas to Yosemite Road Trip Itinerary
1. Las Vegas
Las Vegas is famed for its bright lights, glitzy casinos, and “anything goes” attitude. There’s no better place to take in a show, take a gamble, or relax in luxury.
Home to some of the most recognizable entertainment venues in the world, Las Vegas is also home to plenty of interesting museums, shopping, and exceptional dining.
And during any time of the year, there is always something to do in this city. Las Vegas has hundreds of hotels, restaurants, bars, golf courses, and more.
The Mob Museum and The Neon Museum are two of the oldest attractions in the city, and both are fun for all ages. The Mob Museum features exhibits that explore the history, origins, and operations of the Mafia. The Neon Museum contains vintage neon signs, some of which date back to the 1930s.
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2. Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge is located in the Mojave Desert, This hidden gem is around 100 miles northwest of Las Vegas, Nevada.
This desert landscape is home to hundreds of plant and animal species with around 30 of those species that you can’t find anywhere else in the world!
These kinds of species are known as endemic species and you’ll find the highest amount of these species right here! The must-see things here are the Crystal Springs, the Longstreet Cabin, and the Devil’s Hole.
The Crystal Springs powers out 2800 gallons of water per minute! And the Devil’s hole goes as deep as 500 feet and the bottom of the hole cannot be seen!
Also, observe desert fish that is as old as when mammoths sipped water from these springs and fossil water that’s from ice melted from the last Ice Age.
Highly recommend visiting this internationally known wetland with beautiful springs to adore among the dry desert environment.
3. Death Valley Junction or Amargosa
A longer detour but a worthful one – the Death Valley Junction aka Amargosa. If you’re looking to stay overnight at a ghost town but try the Amargosa Opera House and Hotel!
Built in the 1920s, this hotel has 16 rooms and is painted with murals by artist Marta Becket.
With its rich history, the Amargosa Opera House and Hotel are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
With temperatures reaching 120˚F in the summer, the best time to visit would be between November and April.
Camping is also available at the Amargosa Campground for at most a two-night stay with a suggested $8 donation.
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4. Beatty
Take in the views of the Bare Mountain Range as you enter through Beatty, a small town on your road trip to Yosemite.
In this town, you can visit the Beatty Museum and Historical Society to learn more about the town’s mining history and its admission is free.
Reserve an overnight stay at this family-friendly vacation home: Death Valley Gateway.
But you definitely need to check out the Goldwell Open Air Museum that’s a couple of miles away from the center of Beatty.
This outdoor museum is free as well and consists of 7 cool sculptures created by a group of Belgian artists. You must snap a shot of one of the exhibits that recreated “The Last Supper” painting but in sculpture form.
5. Rhyolite
A short detour from Beatty, stop by Rhyolite, a ghost town that was once a gold-mining town in the 1900s.
This also used to be a Hollywood movie set! Rhyolite is mostly in ruins with abandoned homes, an old railroad depot, an old general store, and other buildings but yet it’s a sight to see.
Make sure to stop by at Tom Kelly’s Bottle House constructed with glass bottles. You can also keep driving on this road and it’ll take you to Death Valley National Park – if you want to check out a viewpoint or two in this park.
Need a car to go to Yosemite? Find the best car rental deals here!
6. Goldfield
This quirky, historic mining town is full of interesting sights, from abandoned buildings to old mining equipment. There are also some fun roadside attractions, like the International Car Forest of the Last Church, featuring graffiti-covered cars stacked in creative formations.
7. Boundary Peak Wilderness
Right off Highway 6, you’ll pass near the Boundary Peak Wilderness, where Nevada’s tallest peak stands. While hiking to the peak itself may be time-consuming, the area offers breathtaking desert and mountain views, making it a great place to stop and take in the scenery.
8. Benton Hot Springs
The main attraction in Benton is the Benton Hot Springs, a historic hot spring resort where you can relax in natural mineral hot tubs while enjoying stunning views of the surrounding mountains and desert.
It’s a great place to take a break and soak in the peaceful, remote setting. You can reserve a private hot tub, or even stay overnight at the Benton Hot Springs Inn if you have time.
9. Lee Vining
Lee Vining is the perfect little town to stop by on your way to Yosemite. Nestled right by Mono Lake, it’s a great spot to take in those surreal tufa towers. While the town is small, there are many charming diners, local motels, and unbeatable views of the Sierra Nevada.
If you’ve got time, stop by the Mono Basin Scenic Area Visitor Center to learn about the lake’s fascinating ecosystem before heading into Yosemite via Tioga Pass.
Where To Stay In Yosemite
With all the choices for where to stay in Yosemite, it can be difficult to choose. We recommend these top 3 places to stay in the park:
Budget-Friendly Option: Curry Village
Mid-Priced Option: Yosemite Valley Lodge
Lux Option: The Ahwahnee
What To Pack For Las Vegas to Yosemite Road Trip
Packing for road trips can be tiresome; from figuring out what clothes to pack to what food to bring along the way. If you’re looking all the road trip essentials, check out these 51 items to bring along the way. The top things to take:
- Car Windshield Sun Shade
- Emergency Flashlight
- First Aid Kit
- Jumpstart Kit
- Portable Air Compressor
- Snow Chains
- Travel Size Hand Sanitizers
- Video Camera
- National Parks Pass
California can have some hot sunny days and the more you drive inland towards the east, the more hotter it will get. Get a small cooler before your road trip to make sure you stay hydrated and cool throughout the whole trip.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about how your Yosemite road trip? Here’s what you need to know before venturing from Las Vegas:
How much is a road trip to Yosemite?
When it comes to the cost of a road trip to Yosemite, things to consider are the park’s entrance fees, gas, food, and possibly lodging if it’s a multi-day trip. On average, it cost us $100 per person daily.
If you’ve got the America the Beautiful—National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass, then the entrance fee for Yosemite would be free. And if you plan to visit at least 3 parks annually that have an entrance fee, then the pass is well worth it!
How many days do you need in Yosemite?
That depends on how many things you want to see in Yosemite. You can spend a day to a week and still have things to see on your next trip. Thinking about what to do and how many things to add to your itinerary? Check out the best viewpoints in Yosemite to guide your trip!
Do I need a reservation for Yosemite?
Make sure to check the National Park Service site for updates on reservations and restrictions. Currently, reservations are required during the summertime to reduce crowds and until the public health conditions in the US improve.
Can you drive your car into Yosemite?
Yes, you can drive your car into Yosemite but make sure the roads you are planning to drive on are open. Glacier Point Road and Tioga Pass Road are closed during winters but otherwise, you can drive through the whole park.
Need a car to go to Yosemite? Find the best car rental deals here!
Is the drive to Yosemite scary?
The drive to Yosemite can be scary and dangerous. I’ve felt my stomach do backflips while the road curves.
The roads can be narrow, steep, and curvy making it dangerous to drive above the speed limit so make sure you’re driving within the limit while leaving ample space between vehicles.
Sometimes you’ll feel like you need to drive faster because the vehicle behind you is tailgating you and in that case, stop at a turnout and allow those faster vehicles to pass by.
Final Thoughts
We love this route for its scenic stops along the way before heading to Yosemite. While Yosemite is the final destination, there are so many cool attractions to see on the way. Happy driving!
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35 Best Viewpoints In Yosemite
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