Tioga Pass
Yosemite National Park, Lee Vining, Yosemite National Park, CA, 93541
Reaching almost 10,000 vertiginous feet (3,050 meters) high in the Sierra Nevada, Tioga is not only the highest mountain pass in California—it's the eastern entry point to Yosemite National Park and the apex of one of the most scenic drives in the US. When open, the pass leads past Tioga Peak and Mount Dana to Tuolumne Meadows, three of the most eye-watering places in Yosemite.
The basics
Tioga is the only entrance (and exit) to Yosemite from the east. When it's open, typically from May to October, drive through and stop at the Tioga Pass Road Valley View or Tioga Lake Vista Point for views of Tioga Peak, Mount Dana, and Ellery and Tioga high-altitude lakes. Tours of Yosemite from San Francisco enter via the south and west—to see the pass, take tours that continue through the park to Mono and Mammoth Lakes, or depart from Vegas.
Things to know before you go
Tioga Pass can close unexpectedly any time there's a chance for snow. Check the Yosemite National Park website for road closures.
The pass sometimes opens to bicycles before it opens to cars.
The pass typically closes in late October and opens in late May.
When Tioga Road is closed, driving to Tuolumne Meadows or entering Yosemite National Park from the east is impossible.
You must pay the US$20–35 admission fee to enter the park through the pass.
How to get there
Tioga Pass lies along Highway 120 (Tioga Road) on the eastern side of Yosemite National Park, about 13 miles (21 kilometers) from Lee Vining and 62 miles (100 kilometers) from Yosemite Valley. The pass is best reached by car or on tours that offer transportation, but you can also pass through on a motorcycle, bike, or even a horse.
When to get there
Tioga typically closes due to snowfall in late October and opens in late May, but dates can vary significantly based on the weather. It's best to visit from July to September when the snow has cleared, and the chances for closure are almost nil. Arrive early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid traffic delays.
When Tioga Pass closes and opens
Tioga Pass usually closes due to snowfall in early fall, sometime in October or November, and opens in late May, but it has closed in December and January and opened as late as July. Clearing of the pass usually begins in mid-April and takes 1–2 months. However, predicting when the pass opens is often impossible, as springtime weather can affect snow plowing at any time.
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