Besides that all was good. Las Vegas, NV to Yosemite National Park - Rome2rio I drove this place times but never found a place to parking and always crowd in usual time. The dirt and salt crystalline spires form a rugged terrain of over 200 square miles. What a great choice it turned out to be. The resort is very laid back and the village area is nice, we would love to go back to Mammoth one day during the main winter season. The staff are wonderful and full of great knowledge. Since it is a National Conservation Area, they do require an entrance fee of $15 per vehicle, which allows you access to the thirteen mile long scenic loop. After molten lava was exposed to the underground spring, the steam eventually produced enough pressure to explode through the earth and create this half-mile wide crater. By continuing to use our site, you consent to our use of cookies as described in our cookie policy. Walter Scott was a con artist who effectively stole money from wealthy investors from Eastern US who believed he had discovered a gold mine in Death Valley. If youre looking for a breathtaking road trip that will take you through some of the most amazing scenery in the country, look no further than a journey from Las Vegas to Yosemite National Park. The dunes rise as high as 100 feet and cover a huge area. One of the more interesting geological stops for Death Valley. Dont take fastest route from Vegas to NWR. Keep an eye out for animal tracks. It is in the Bullfrog Hills, about 120 miles northwest of Las Vegas, near the eastern boundary of Death Valley National Park. For the most up-to-date road conditions, check the NPS websiteif theres a Tioga Pass road closure, its usually posted at the top of the page. The year-round adventure haven of Mammoth Lakes, CA is not to be missed. The Ghost Town Rhyolite is right next to it, also worth exploring. The stars are incredible in the park since it is so far from major cities and there is hardly any lights inside the park. Your email will not be provided to third parties. Good food, nice staff and reasonable prices. There is a smell but its worth the view. One of the underrated places to witness a beautiful sunset in Yosemite is Tuolumne Meadows, located along Tioga Pass Road, north of the Yosemite valley. If its fresh snow, its deep on the one section. You'll be missing out on some cool places to see on road 395. All of the wines on their menu are created on this property, at least two of the wines, the Nevada Merlot and the Zinfandel, are crafted using grapes that our grown on this property. You can hike into the center, but note that the steep climb out is much more difficult than the climb in! After we strolled the grounds and shot a video for out social media page. Scottys Castle is a mansion and ranch that has become an attraction in Death Valley. You can even fly over the Pahrump valley in a colorful hot air balloon! So plan to go early in the morning. Absolutely beautiful. Stretch your legs exploring the large subalpine meadow that is teeming with wildlife and natural beauty. Bonnie Springs Ranch Old Nevada Western Town, For the budget-friendly traveler who doesnt mind roughing it, Id recommend trying to snag a. Check out our post about where to see Redwood Sequoia trees in California. Re: Las Vegas - Death Valley - Monterey- LAX . Visitors Center also open for questions or buying things. The Childrens Museum of Fresno is a great option for families, with hands-on exhibits and interactive displays. Dont forget to tell them Ms.Nica of Las Vegas sent you!, It's not Tahoe, but once you get over that ,you'll have a wonderful time. The one investor remaining Albert M Johnson became enamored with Death Valley and the two men became lifelong friends. So whether youre looking for culture or history, food or drink, Bakersfield isnt a bad stop to consider. If youre looking for a great place to take a dip, have a lakeside picnic, or get out on the water on a watercraft, head to Oh Ridge at June Lake. If you time your entry right, don't forget to have a picnic lunch at the Willow Springs parking lot plenty of picnic tables just be aware they aren't covered so you're exposed to the sun. US-95 (highlighted in blue) this is the shorter route; takes you through Bishop, Mammoth Lakes, and Tioga Pass. Surrounded by mountains on all sides the smooth mounds of sand stand in stark contrast to the jagged purple mountains in the distance. How far is Yosemite National Park from Las Vegas and the way long will the street trip take? Main thoroughfare through Yosemite National Park, offering dramatic views past granite rock & lakes. The sand dunes are a far out, no service, wide open adventure. Modern desert property offering mountain views, plus a spa, a movie theater & a bingo hall. Best in the morning or evening. a detailed post about the best things to do in Death Valley National Park, a day trip from Las Vegas (itinerary available here), read about our visit to the Fresno Zoo here, where to see Redwood Sequoia trees in California, Beyond The Cherry Blossoms: 5 Family-Friendly (& Free!) Me and my family have wonderful memories there and is hard to see it go. However, while you come to this place, explore every vista points you get on the road. Two awesome places to grab coffee really early in the morning before you head out on your adventures areBlack Velvet Coffee(get the liege waffle to pair with your coffee) andStellar Brew & Natural Cafe(you can even pick up fresh smoothies here). Consider also checking out the exhibits, ask a park ranger questions, and pay for your entrance to the park if you havent already. 3205 Nevada 159 Las Vegas NV 89161, map | Hours: Dawn til Dusk. The best place to see the Mono Lake tufas is undoubtedly at theMono Lake South Tufa Area. Las Vegas - Death Valley - Monterey- LAX - Death Valley National Park I would recommend bringing a snow or sand slider. Though this summer hardly any water flowing in the river. If you want to bask in nature away from the touristy crowd of Yosemite, then you must visit this place. The full loop is a leisurely 13 mile drive, but be sure to stop at several lookouts and plan a hike or picnic at one of the stops. The highway is completed, but has not reopened because, according to the tour guide, the construction workers don't want to deal with would be tourists trying to get on premises while the castle is closed and they're working. That's because, come November, snow begins to accumulate on the road, making it impassable. The crystalline structures release popping sounds as the ground temperature rises. You can take a bus from Las Vegas Airport (LAS) to Yosemite National Park via Las Vegas Amtrak Bus Stop, Bakersfield, Merced Bus Stop, Merced Transpo, and Yosemite Valley Visitors Center in around 16h 24m. Numerous trails lead to these scenic falls within the lush forests of the Ansel Adams Wilderness. Motel hopping Death Valley-Yosemite on Memorial Day Weekend? - Death Pretty cool place. Our favorite food joints here wereBurger BarnandMercado Mexico! The Devils Golf Course is an immense area of rock salt eroded by wind and rain into painful jagged spires. Hwy 190 ends at 600ft-deep Ubehebe Crater, formed some 300 years ago by the meeting of fiery magma and cool groundwater. I would recommend to take a guided tour of the castle, since there is so much to discover here! The restaurant, bar and restrooms look great!! You'll definitely take lots of photos, and you don't have to leave the parking lot to enjoy the beauty but you will want to explore. Service is great. Don't pass through Alabama Hills without exploring some of the rock formations (many of them painted with quirky faces). If we had to pick the best hotels available during this trip, it would have to be these: As scorching as Death Valley can get in the summer, the park is incredibly popular with many of the States' most famous entertainers. Try to get there right before sunset because the lighting is just on point to illuminate all the colors without overkill. Then, in the evenings, you can cozy up with a cup of tea at the famed Yosemite Valley Lodge. You can walk the easy 2.2 mile trail around the crater and even drop down 500 feet deep into the crater, but it is definitely not an easy hike back up the rocky and ankle-deep debris. On the left, you see the route that takes you west of the Sierra Nevada. The town is also home to a number of museums and art galleries. There are four lakes in the Bishop Creek Canyon, each offering a variety of recreational activities. There are 8 ways to get from Las Vegas to Yosemite National Park by bus, train, car, night bus, plane or taxi Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner. A stop at the Furnace Creek Visitor Centre is a must do, to learn about the fascinating history, landscape, people and animals of Death Valley. Take the hwy from amargosa or pahrump instead. Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. 22% as popular as Death Valley National Park, 5 minutes off the main route, 20% of way to Las Vegas. A 1.5-mile trail follows the rim and offers views into the center of the crater as well as the surrounding cinder fields. Stop by and you'll find restaurants, boutiques, and hotels that'll make a day visit or overnight stay especially memorable. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, and may earn fees by linking to Amazon. You will remember the moment in your whole life. To get to Devils Golf Course: a 15-minute drive from Artist Palette. (Seriously, dont underestimate the effects of increased altitudes if like us youre from a relatively low-lying country. Between two national parks, multiple national monument sites, vista points . Casino inside for your convenience. There were cool formations and slot canyons down in there, and looked otherworldly. Be sure to check the temperature of the water before plunging. Tours 4 Fun provides a Vegas-Yosemite tour that includes many famous sights and continues on to San Francisco. The Zinfandel is quite unique, it finishes sweet - very unlike most Zinfandels that I have experienced. Like, those tubs you slide down the snow with. Check website. Highway monitors list the pass's openings and closings on their website so that drivers can plan their trips appropriately. You can catch unique views of Cathedral Peak, Pothole Dome and Lembert Dome alongside the Tuolumne River Bridge and Tuolumne pools. At the bus stop need to hike about 1 miles. After tasting the wines we went into their restaurant for dinner. You'll see the original 1883 train depot, a post office, a schoolhouse and other rickety old buildings. Ashford Junction, once upon a time, was one of the most active railroad towns operating in California. I really like this small resort feel over any large overcrowded resort . Check out the Ubehebe Crater, a dormant crater that has a 0.5-mile diameter. Enjoy the exhibits at the center for an hour or so, before heading to your next spot. Much better than fighting crowds and sweating! Las Vegas to San Francisco via Yosemite - Yosemite National Park Forum If you want to visit the park another time of year, you'll have to drive around the Sierras and cut through most of central California. Just outside the Death Valley eastern park boundary (about 35 miles from Furnace Creek), Rhyolite epitomizes the hurly-burly, boom-and-bust story of Western gold-rush mining towns in the early 1900s; it had 8000 Just a few remnants of its glory days can be found in this once booming mining town, including a 3 story bank, jail and train station. 12 Best National Parks to Visit from Las Vegas - Nature Near Vegas From the dazzling Las Vegas start to the natural wonders of Yosemite end point, your road trip spans a whopping 334 to 560 miles. Admission is a donation. We were greeted by a friendly, knowledgeable host, who went on to handle our service throughout our dining experience. If youre more interested in geology than hiking, be sure to consider driving up to the impressive looking crater. Its a bumpy ride, but beautiful. At the end of your trip, but just before Yosemite, comes Lee Vining. Big gambling floor. On the right, you see a suggested route that takes you through one additional national park (Death Valley) as well as a couple of other interesting stops. The surface of the Golf Course is so rough and the temperature so hot during the day, it is said that only the Devils can play golf there. I always add an hour to account for slower driving through scenic areas, bathroom stops etc. We managed to get through before the first serious snows of the winter, but its always best to check if the pass is actually open as they dont plough the road! If you are limited on time and need to pick just one, opt for South Lake or Lake Sabrina (with boat rentals, a cafe, and a store). The view of the lake from Oh Ridge is probably one of the most picturesque so definitely be sure to take a few photos with the lake/mountain views. A great natural landmark in Death Valley for sure!! The salt pan of Devils Golf Course stands out for its shape, where salt crystals form large holes in the ground (thus its name), an incredible phenomenon that you have to see in Death Valley. Yosemite is all about the outdoors, and Tenaya Lodge really drives that point home what little time you're not spending exploring the park, you'll be partaking in a variety of activities like rock climbing, archery, and skiing. Just 40.5 miles and 46 minutes away from Yosemite, these sprawling lakes provide day visitors and passing drivers alike a stunning view of the nearby mountain passes and the lakes that form there. But it was a harmless little snake sun bathing on trail. To reach Ubehebe Crater, from Furnace Creek, follow the 190 north for 17 miles till the intersection with Scottys Castle Road. When you get to the end, scale the wall for an amazing view of the entire Las Vegas Valley. Definitely good value since it is near the city (40 mins) and has perfect moderate difficulty slopes. I made sure to visit multiple times on my second trip! This 600-feet deep crater is what remains after a massive volcanic eruption hundreds of years ago. Tuolumne Meadows is a gorgeous high alpine meadow with beautiful rock formations, a clear and calm river, and wildlife galore. It took us three trips to do more off the Strip, which is when we finally discovered Red Rock Canyon. A stunning drive over the mountain which at a height of nearly 10,000 feet, was quite literally, breathtaking! All of the roads between Las Vegas and Yosemite are fully paved, so the majority of vehicles will have no issues driving on them. Tuolumne Meadows is home to some of the most enchanting landscapes in Yosemite National Park. After that, the road trails along to Manzanar National Historic Site, a memorial marking one of the internment camps where Japanese Americans were incarcerated during World War II. We got our kids Park Passports to start recording their times at National Parks. A two-mile stretch of blooming fields and the Tuolumne River with the backdrop of rising peaks, the overall serenity of the place touches you. While personally, I dont think one day is enough to see all that Yosemite National Park has to offer, one day in the park does allow you to get a good taste of what the park has to offer. The biggest obstacle in trying to plan a trip to Yosemite might be finding a fairly priced hotel. Tuolumne Meadows is one of the most picturesque areas in Yosemite, with 2mi (3km) of blooming fields, the winding Tuolumne River and a backdrop of rising peaks. To the north, saltwater Mono Lake is dotted with limestone towers. Nowadays, the aforementioned switch tower oversees trains passing through California to and from Buffalo, New York. Distance from Furnace Creek Visitor Center: 56.2 miles; 1hr 10 min by car. Once you arrive at the Visitor Center, take the one-way 13-mile scenic drive. Located just south of Bridgeport, and just a mile off the 395, follow Jack Sawyer road to the parking lot, trailhead and restrooms. The boardwalk and water jet metal designs throughout the park are testament to the love people have for this place. Below you'll find links to all the road trips we've assembled for Yosemite National Park. Save. From the idyllic retreat of Tuolumne Meadows to the breathtaking views found at Olmsted Point, Tioga Pass is one of the best areas to visit in Yosemite National Park. The visitor center is located in the Furnace Creek resort area on California highway 190. The direct drive from Yosemite National Parkto Las Vegasis372 mi(599 km), and should have a drive time of 8 hrs 16 minsin normal traffic. Informal casino hotel offering a steakhouse, a 24-hour eatery & a bowling alley. And that is the reason we came here to see an old Western-style Nevada town-themed attraction. Devils Postpile Road, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546, USA. Read More:58 Fun Things To Do In Las Vegas Other Than Gambling and Drinking. An ideal destination for family vacations, Tuolumne Meadows is a favorite spot for camping, fishing and swimming in the Tuolumne River. Dont miss the Red Rock Canyon, a sweet (and close by) escape from the hustle and bustle of Sin City. Some things to do within Red Rock Canyon include driving the 13-mile Scenic Drive and hiking its many trails. There are several casinos, a number of golf courses, and many wineries. I wanted to get to the mountains across the salt flat but didnt know how far it went. A more challenging hike than devil's postpile and three times as long (about 1.3m) this was definitely worth the time. A soak with a side of views? Combining Nevada's gorgeous deserts and California's finest parks and forests into an epic adventure, the road trip from Las Vegas to Yosemite National Park is one you'll remember forever. Youll take Scottys Castle road most of the way up there, turning left onto Ubehebe Crater Road when it forks. If you have more time to spare in Las Vegas, you can take some time to check out some of these fun stops just outside of the Las Vegas area: Whenever I travel out of town, I always try to find new nature spots to explore and hike. We were hungry, so we returned to the hotel for lunch and reviewed the park maps to make plans. It ends in Yosemite National Park, California. If you drive all the way east along Tioga Road to the park exit, take the opportunity to stop at Mono Lake, a large lake characterized by unique tufa formations and two islands (one white and one black) that stand in the middle of the basin. Bartenders are very very excellent. Once you veer off the Las Vegas Strip, youll get a chance to really see what this city has to offer. Going north from here, you'll be passing directly through Fresno, and just past Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. It gets very dark out there, which makes it the perfect setting for an outdoor movie night! Located only 25 minutes from the Strip it is a breathtaking place to see. You will want to bring your camera and take plenty of photos of the stunning scenery. Despite its small size, there are plenty of things to do in Pahrump! No matter what time of day you come, the view is always beautiful. You can certainly cover the entire scenic drive in 1-2 hours, but if you have more time to explore, there are plenty of spots to hike, bike, SUP, kayak, fish, and snap pictures. From here you have to choose which direction you have to go. Your email address will not be published. To be honest, I have not imagined them being so huge and wide. Not only is the castle itself beautiful, but thanks to the large trees and bushes surrounding the castle, this is the place to visit if you want to see local and migrating birds. But we recommend checking it out, especially if youve never seen a volcanic crater before. Floridas Clearest and Most Sought-After Clear Springs, Driving to Alaska: The Complete Guide (Based on our experience). Its an easy hike out to the dunes from the parking lot, but remember that youll be walking on sand, so its significantly harder than it looks. Any time of the year is so perfect. Regardless of which route you take, youre probably going to need a lot more time to account for traffic, photo stops at scenic areas, overnight stays, food stops, and bathroom breaks. While the crater is visible from the road, it is also possible to hike along the crater rim. I personally love, love, love June Lake! Nowadays, Calico is not so much a town as a part of the San Bernardino County Regional Park system. Easy hike around the lake. Views with my image posted are not far from that location. As a general rule of thumb, Tioga Pass is typically closed for drivers safety between November and to late May. A few people stop by the patio at the 95-year-old Ahwahnee Hotel on Friday in Yosemite National Park. You can check out the affiliated website for additional information. Roads in Death Valley National Park are occassionally closed due to flooding. If youve got the stamina, several delightful waterfalls flow along the Tuolumne River, including the gracefully pooling Tuolumne Falls and the White Cascade, an eight-mile round trip. Ash Mdws is a treasure. Just an abandoned town and dreams of making it rich gone bust.. You have to spend several hours here and not rush it to truly appreciate Bodie. Your plane flies much faster than a car, so the flight time is about 1/5th of the time it would take to drive. There is a lot of gravel on the path going down, making it a lot easier to hike down to the bottom of the crater. We had to ventured over to experience the winery as we were so close. While it doesnt have the giant icons of the valley like Half Dome, it is an incredible beautiful and serene meadow that is worth exploring. Believe it or not, there are actually quite a few things to do in Bakersfield, California!
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