Yosemite National Park’s gateway city is Oakhurst, California. This is so because Oakhurst has a strong bond with the park and is 16 miles (24 minutes) south of Yosemite’s Southern Entrance. There are many restaurants, activities, and other amenities available in Oakhurst. Residents of gateway cities frequently enjoy parks as places to relax and enjoy, but they also depend on tourism for a living. These Gateway Cities are home to park employees and park volunteers, both of whom are vital to maintaining the parks and who have opened businesses that cater to park visitors.
Yosemite Valley can be reached in three different ways: by bus, taxi, or car.
How far is Yosemite National Park from Oakhurst?
In normal traffic, it should take 2 hours and 5 minutes to travel directly from Oakhurst to Yosemite National Park over a distance of 73.3 miles.
If you’re taking a road trip from Oakhurst to Yosemite National Park, we did the research and came up with a list of fantastic places to stop along the way, including Coarsegold Historic Village, China Peak Mountain Resort, and the perennially well-liked Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino.
Best stops along the route from Oakhurst to Yosemite National Park
Yosemite Valley
Yosemite Valley serves as the centerpiece of Yosemite National Park. Half Dome, El Capitan, and Glacier Point are the three mountains that stand guard, their silhouettes creating mesmerizing and unforgettable landscapes. Some of Yosemite Valley’s most well-known features include vertical granite cliffs, misty waterfalls, lush meadows, clear streams, pinewood forests, and biological diversity. Springtime snowmelt from the Sierras fills creeks before gushing 3,500–3,500 feet down granite cliffs to the valley floor. Yosemite Valley welcomes four million enthusiastic visitors each year who come for outdoor pursuits like camping, hiking, photography, climbing , or just relaxing relax in a serene setting.
If you’re planning a trip to Yosemite Valley in your own car or on a guided tour with Extranomical Tours, use this page to get acquainted with the waterfalls, hiking trails, hotels, visitor centres, and directions. Enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity after that.
Glacier Point
Our 4-hour Glacier Point Tour offers some of California’s most breathtaking views. The shuttle will take you 3,200 feet above the Valley Floor to the breathtaking Glacier Point, where Yosemite National Park rangers will meet you. As its name suggests, the glacier that originally carved out this cliff top also left behind a variety of glacial rock. But what sets Glacier Point apart are the breathtaking panoramic views. Prepare to be amazed as you capture Vernal Falls, Nevada, Yosemite Falls, and the breathtaking High Sierra in your photos. Carry a camera.
Mariposa Grove
The experience of hiking through the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias is difficult to describe. Words like “magical,” “monumental,” “sleeping giants,” and “awesome” have been used by our visitors. The Mariposa Grove in Yosemite National Park, which has 500 stunning old-growth trees, is home to the largest stand of enormous redwoods in the area. The 2,200-year-old Grizzly Giant tree alone, though, would make the trip worthwhile.
No matter if you select the straightforward Mariposa Grove trails or the more difficult ones, you will see numerous grand giant redwoods that are perfect for photography. Along with the Grizzly Giant, other trees on this Sequoia hit parade include the Fallen Monarch, Bachelor and Three Graces, Faithful Couple, and California Tunnel Tree.
Tioga Pass
It’s hard to put into words what it’s like to hike through the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. Our visitors have described it as “magical,” “monumental,” “sleeping giants,” and “awesome.” The largest group of enormous redwoods in the region can be found in Yosemite National Park’s Mariposa Grove, which has 500 magnificent old-growth trees. But the 2,200-year-old Grizzly Giant tree alone would be worth the trip.
There are many grand giant redwoods that are ideal for photography, whether you choose the easy Mariposa Grove trails or the harder ones. The Fallen Monarch, Bachelor and Three Graces, Faithful Couple, and California Tunnel Tree are some of the other trees on this Sequoia hit parade in addition to the Grizzly Giant.
Yosemite Falls
The tallest waterfall in Yosemite National Park is Yosemite Falls, which plunges a total of 2,425 feet from the top of the upper fall to the base of the lower fall. In the late spring when the water flow is at its highest, it is a popular tourist destination in the park and is located in the Sierra Nevada of California.
Hetch Hetchy Reservoir
American state of California contains the valley, reservoir, and water system known as Hetch Hetchy. The Tuolumne River drains the glacial Hetch Hetchy Valley, which is located in Yosemite National Park’s northwest.
Coarsegold Historic Village
Since Yosemite’s access road (Highway 41) was finished in 1876, the influx of tourists from around the world hasn’t significantly altered this peaceful region. Coarsegold has a reputation for being a tranquil place to pause and unwind while searching for gold that dates back 144 years.
All year long, the Coarsegold Historic Village offers a wide range of unique shops and events. We can make sure you have a good time while you are here, whether you are looking for a fantastic meal at The Wild Fig or you are staying the whole weekend to support our small businesses.
Mammoth Pool Reservoir
California’s Sierra Nevada region, which is a part of the Sierra National Forest, contains Mammoth Pool Reservoir on the San Joaquin River. It establishes the boundary between Madera County and Fresno County. It is located approximately 45 miles northeast of Fresno.
Half Dome
Nearly 5,000 feet above Yosemite Valley and 8,800 feet above sea level, Half Dome is a famous landmark in Yosemite. Many hikers find it to be a formidable challenge. Each day, thousands of people climb to the summit. The majority of people find the hike to be challenging and exciting, but only a small number find it to be an unexpected adventure. In fact, park rangers assist hundreds of tourists on the Half Dome trail each summer.
Nelder Grove
Nelder Grove is a giant sequoia grove that was formerly known as Fresno Grove when it was part of a much larger Fresno County in the 19th century. It is situated in Madera County, California, in the western Sierra Nevada, inside the Sierra National Forest.
The grove, the largest collection of giant sequoias in the Sierra National Forest, is a 1,540-acre parcel that is home to 54 mature Giant Sequoia trees. A number of historical sites can be found in the grove. These include historic cabins and enormous sequoia stumps left behind by loggers in the 19th century. Before European Americans arrived, Nelder Grove was home to 400 mature sequoias.
Since then, there have been a number of sharp population declines. During the late 19th century timber era, 70% of the mature trees were felled. Under federal protection, the population stabilized during the 20th century. However, decades of fire suppression would be disastrous for the ecosystem that depends on fire. The Railroad Fire, which broke out in 2017 and destroyed a thick accumulation of ladder fuels, destroyed 38 of the remaining 89 giant sequoia trees. There are currently only 54 mature specimens left.
Merced Grove
The Merced River watershed of Yosemite National Park, California, contains the giant sequoia grove known as Merced Grove. It is situated approximately 3.6 km west of Crane Flat. A 2.5 km dirt trail leads to the grove, which is located at an elevation of 5,469 feet and in a small valley.
Bridalveil Fall
When entering Yosemite Valley, Bridalveil Fall, which drops 620 feet, is frequently the first waterfall you’ll see. The rest of the year, keep an eye out for its distinctly light, swaying flow. It thunders in the spring. A paved trail leads from the parking area to the base of this perpetual waterfall. Despite being paved, this trail is not wheelchair accessible due to its grade.
Vernal Fall
Just below Nevada Fall in California’s Yosemite National Park is Vernal Fall, a 317-foot waterfall on the Merced River. Vernal Fall, like its neighbour upstream, is clearly visible from Glacier Point and up close on the Mist Trail.
Tuolumne Grove
The entire trail to Tuolumne Grove is downhill, so it was created with desert enthusiasts in mind. Oh, and in the actual grove, there are a few dozen mature Giant Sequoias, one of which you can walk through.
Mist Trail
One of the most recognisable and well-liked hikes in Yosemite is the Mist Trail. Although many hikers use this trail to ascend Vernal Fall or Nevada Fall, or even Half Dome, there are numerous intermediate locations that can be used as a successful turn-around point. Just 0.75 miles (1.3 km) from the trailhead, the footbridge offers a fantastic view of Vernal Fall.
The John Muir Trail and the Mist Trail split off after the bridge after 0.2 miles. You can also combine the Mist Trail and John Muir Trail to form a loop, or you can take the John Muir Trail to the top of Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall.