# Yosemite end to end: sequoias, Glacier Point and Tioga Road

> 3-day road trip of about 147 km (91 mi) with 8 stops, from Mariposa to Lee Vining. About 1 h 38 min of driving in total.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/b17-yosemite-tioga/

**At a glance:** 3-day road trip of about 147 km (91 mi) with 8 stops, from Mariposa to Lee Vining. About 1 h 38 min of driving in total. Cross Yosemite from the sequoias of Mariposa Grove and the view from Glacier Point to the high-country lakes and meadows of Tioga Road.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 147 km (91 mi) |
| Driving | 1 h 38 min |
| Suggested days | 3 |
| Stops | 8 |
| Route | Mariposa → Lee Vining |
| States | CA |
| Updated | June 3, 2026 |

## Route description

From Mariposa, SR-49 and SR-41 lead to Yosemite’s south entrance in about an hour. Park at the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza and ride the seasonal shuttle or walk up to the grove, where a loop passes the Grizzly Giant and the California Tunnel Tree. The entry reservations used in earlier summers were dropped for 2026, but check the current rules before you travel.

Glacier Point Road branches off SR-41 at Chinquapin and runs 16 miles to a granite overlook 3,200 feet above the valley, facing Half Dome. The road is usually open from late May to November. Return to SR-41 and drive down through the Wawona Tunnel to Tunnel View for the classic view of El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall before dropping into Yosemite Valley.

From the valley, take Big Oak Flat Road and turn east onto the Tioga Road, SR-120, open roughly from late May or June to November. It climbs through forest to Olmsted Point, where you look down Tenaya Canyon to the back of Half Dome, then passes Tenaya Lake with its sandy beaches. Fuel is scarce inside the park, so fill up before you enter.

Tuolumne Meadows, at 8,600 feet, has easy walks along the river and short climbs up granite domes; its campground is one of the park’s largest. The road then crosses Tioga Pass at 9,943 feet, the highest highway pass in California, and drops steeply to Lee Vining and Mono Lake. Motorhomes manage the Tioga Road well, but use low gears on the long descent.

## Stop-by-stop itinerary

1. **Mariposa** (CA)
2. **Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias** (Wawona, CA): Yosemite’s largest sequoia grove, with the Grizzly Giant and the California Tunnel Tree. Park at the Welcome Plaza near the south entrance and take the seasonal shuttle or walk the two miles up.
3. **Glacier Point** (Yosemite National Park, CA): A granite overlook 3,200 feet above Yosemite Valley facing Half Dome, Vernal and Nevada falls. The road from Chinquapin is closed from about November to May; sunset is the busiest time.
4. **Tunnel View, Yosemite** (Yosemite Valley, CA): El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall and Half Dome in one frame. It is the first view of the valley when you arrive on Wawona Road.
5. **Olmsted Point** (Yosemite National Park, CA): A roadside viewpoint on the Tioga Road looking down Tenaya Canyon to the back of Half Dome, with glacial erratic boulders scattered over the granite. Parking is quick and the short walk out is easy.
6. **Tenaya Lake** (Yosemite National Park, CA): A clear alpine lake at about 8,150 feet beside the Tioga Road, ringed by granite domes. Sandy beaches at both ends make it a good picnic and swim stop in summer; the water stays cold.
7. **Tuolumne Meadows** (Yosemite National Park, CA): A wide subalpine meadow on the Tuolumne River at 8,600 feet, reached only when the Tioga Road is open, usually June to November. Flat walks lead to Soda Springs and Parsons Lodge; dome hikes start nearby.
8. **Lee Vining** (CA)

## FAQs

**How long is Yosemite end to end: sequoias, Glacier Point and Tioga Road?**
3-day road trip of about 147 km (91 mi) with 8 stops, from Mariposa to Lee Vining. About 1 h 38 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Yosemite end to end: sequoias, Glacier Point and Tioga Road?**
We suggest 3 days: about 1 h 38 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Yosemite end to end: sequoias, Glacier Point and Tioga Road start and end?**
It starts in Mariposa and ends in Lee Vining.

**Which states does Yosemite end to end: sequoias, Glacier Point and Tioga Road pass through?**
California.