If you’ve ever wondered what the best Yosemite entrance is, you’re not alone. The answer depends on what kind of experience you’re chasing. Some routes offer wide-open alpine views and dramatic granite reveals. Others are smoother, easier drives with great spots to stretch your legs and grab that iconic Yosemite sign photo.
As someone who spent years living and working in Yosemite National Park, I’ve driven through every entrance multiple times, in every season. If anyone knows what it takes to find beauty and ease on a Yosemite road trip, it’s me. And if it’s your first time visiting, make sure to read my Yosemite First Time Guide for insider tips on what to see, where to stay, and how to make the most of your visit from day one.
Whether you’re visiting in summer, fall, or snow-covered winter, this guide breaks down each Yosemite entrance by:
- Sign photo opportunities
- Scenic value (hello, photo ops)
- Best season to visit
- Driving difficulty
- Notable views and landmarks
TLDR: Yosemite’s Entrances
| Entrance | Highway | Open | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tioga Pass | 120 East | May–October | Alpine views, lakes, high country, summer photos |
| Big Oak Flat | 120 West | Year-round (mostly) | Iconic sign, SF/Sac access, pretty drive |
| Arch Rock | 140 | Year-round | Easiest drive, low elevation, smoothest ride |
| South Entrance | 41 | Year-round (mostly) | Tunnel View, Glacier Point, Sequoias |
| Hetch Hetchy | Hetch Hetchy Rd | Year-round | Off-the-beaten-path, hidden hikes |
1. Tioga Pass Entrance (Highway 120 East) – Best Yosemite Entrance for Alpine Views
Best for: Summer road trippers, high-elevation hikes, sweeping granite views. Visitors coming in from the East from Nevada or along the 395
Open: May through October (Dependent on snow)
Sign Photo: Yes – easy pullout
Tioga Pass is arguably the most scenic entrance to Yosemite in the summer. This high-elevation drive takes you through Tuolumne Meadows, past Tenaya Lake, and over Olmsted Point, where you can spot Half Dome from the back.
There are three tunnels on the way to the Valley from this route, offering dramatic reveals of Half Dome and El Capitan. Expect wildflowers, alpine lakes, and occasional waterfalls right off the roadside.
Just a heads up: the road is steep, but relatively straight, and closed in the winter due to snow.
2. Big Oak Flat Entrance (Highway 120 West) – Best Yosemite Entrance for Iconic Sign Photos
Best for: Visitors from San Francisco, Sacramento, or northern CA; iconic park sign shots
Open: Year-round, but can close briefly in winter due to snow or rockslides
Sign Photo: Yes – best one in the park, with space to pull out before the entrance
Coming from the west? Big Oak Flat offers a pretty drive and the best Yosemite sign photo spot just before the gates. Like Tioga, this route passes through three tunnels with great views of granite cliffs and distant waterfalls.
It’s a solid year-round option, though keep an eye on weather in the winter months.
3. Arch Rock Entrance (Highway 140) –Best Yosemite Entrance for Easiest Drive
Best for: Families, anxious drivers, low elevation travel, year-round access
Open: Year-round
Sign Photo: Yes, but not as picturesque as Big Oak Flat
Looking for the easiest entrance to Yosemite? Arch Rock is your best bet. At the lowest elevation, this road has the fewest switchbacks and the smoothest drive.
It’s the most accessible route from Merced and Mariposa and is the least likely to close in winter. As of 2025, you’ll still need to cross a temporary one-lane bridge, but it’s worth it if you hate mountain driving or get carsick easily.
4. South Entrance (Highway 41) – Best Yosemite Entrance for Tunnel View & Glacier Point Access
Best for: Mariposa Grove, Glacier Point, Wawona, and that WOW Tunnel View moment
Open: Year-round
Sign Photo: Not great – small and not photo-friendly
South Entrance doesn’t have the prettiest sign, but it delivers where it counts: Tunnel View, one of the most iconic Yosemite photo ops. You’ll drive through Wawona and emerge from the tunnel to a jaw-dropping panoramic view of El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall, and Half Dome.
It also gives direct access to the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias and Glacier Point Road (open seasonally). The drive itself is steep and winding, so it’s not ideal for those prone to motion sickness.
5. Hetch Hetchy Entrance – Yosemite’s Hidden Gem Entrance
Best for: Quiet hiking, waterfalls, off-the-beaten-path adventures
Open: Year-round, weather permitting
Sign Photo: Not available
Most people skip Hetch Hetchy, and that’s part of its magic. This entrance won’t get you to Yosemite Valley, but it doesoffer stunning hikes to waterfalls and lakes.
This entrance is ideal if you want solitude and scenic trails away from the crowds. Just note: you’ll have to exit and re-enter through a different gate if you’re headed to the Valley.
Final Thoughts: Which Yosemite Entrance Should You Choose?
- Want the most scenic Yosemite entrance overall? Go with Tioga Pass (summer only).
- Looking for an easy, smooth drive year-round? Arch Rock wins.
- Coming from the Bay Area and want a great sign photo? Choose Big Oak Flat.
- Want to be blown away by the view at the entrance? South Entrance delivers with Tunnel View.
- Prefer quiet trails and waterfall hikes? Try the Hetch Hetchy entrance.
Still not sure? Pick your priorities: ease, views, photography, or access to specific areas of the park.
Wherever you enter, one thing’s for sure: Yosemite has a way of blowing you away no matter what road you take in.
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