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Tioga Pass, Yosemite National Park

4.8
#1 of 23 in Outdoors in Yosemite National Park
Scenic Drive Tourist Spot
At an elevation of 3,031 m (9,943 ft ), Tioga Pass represents the highest highway pass in the Sierra Nevada. Serving as an entry point for Yosemite National Park, the 95 km (59 mi) stretch of road is considered to be one of the most scenic drives in the Sierras, according to National Geographic magazine. The road winds through forests and meadows and hugs the edge of Tenaya Lake. Along the way, you'll pass by the granite outcroppings and cliffs that Yosemite is known for--you can often spot rock climbers on the cliff faces. The pass features lots of off-the-beaten-path hiking opportunities and numerous picnic spots. Add Tioga Pass and other attractions to your Yosemite National Park trip itinerary using our Yosemite National Park itinerary maker.
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Reviews
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924 reviews
TripAdvisor
  • August 14, 2017
    The step is accessible only in summer, when the snow melts. The temperature drops dramatically because of the altitude and the natural scenery is wonderful. great way to traverse Yosemite and get to the other side, perhaps reaching the Death Valley.
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  • August 14, 2017
    Parking is at the entrance. Wonderful area, when the gates are closed you can hike or bike in. Do check out the road conditions before coming to insure safety of your party. Bring a camera. Restrooms ...  more »
  • August 13, 2017
    I forced the family to go through the back entrance to Yosemite through the Tioga Pass and after getting to the top at almost 10K feet it was worth it. There was still snow in August and there is some...  more »
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Where to stay in Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park offers something for everyone. Choose from upscale or historic hotels, a well-appointed lodge, motel rooms, rustic cabins, canvas tent cabins, and developed campgrounds. Yosemite Village in the heart of the valley is the most convenient place to stay, but other accommodations line the roads leading to the village. If you can't secure a place inside the park, try the various lodges, inns, bed and breakfasts, cabins, cottages, and motels on the roads leading in from the west. Staying any further out can cost you valuable time that you could be spending hiking, biking, and sightseeing. To escape from the crowds in the valley, reserve a campsite at Crane Flat or Hodgdon Meadow, which are far enough out to provide solitude but close enough to reach major valley attractions in less than half an hour. Campgrounds along Tioga Road see even fewer crowds. If you plan to visit in summer, you must reserve accommodations (even campsites) well in advance, as Yosemite remains extremely popular with both visitors from afar and those based in California.
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7 days in California BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES October, popular PREFERENCES: October ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 3 days in Yosemite National Park BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES October, popular PREFERENCES: October ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 35 days in United States BY A USER FROM MEXICO August, popular PREFERENCES: August ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 19 days in United States BY A USER FROM GERMANY September, popular PREFERENCES: September ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 6 days in California BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES September, culture, outdoors, romantic, historic sites, popular PREFERENCES: September, culture, outdoors, romantic, historic sites ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 19 days in United States BY A USER FROM JAPAN October, popular PREFERENCES: October ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 14 days in California BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES June, teens, kids, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites, shopping, popular PREFERENCES: June, teens, kids, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites, shopping ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 28 days in California & Texas BY A USER FROM MARSHALL ISLANDS May, popular PREFERENCES: May ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 11 days in California BY A USER FROM CANADA October, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, historic sites, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: October, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, historic sites ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 29 days in United States BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES July, kids, culture, outdoors, historic sites, popular PREFERENCES: July, kids, culture, outdoors, historic sites ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 14 days in West Coast BY A USER FROM CANADA August, culture, beaches, hidden gems PREFERENCES: August, culture, beaches ATTRACTION STYLE: Hidden gems PACE: Medium 8 days in California & Las Vegas BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES August, kids, culture, outdoors, relaxing, historic sites, popular PREFERENCES: August, kids, culture, outdoors, relaxing, historic sites ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium
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