This California's Sierra Nevada Scenic Byway Is The Road Trip Of A Lifetime

California's Sierra Nevada may boast a gold rush past, but its modern treasure lies in the region’s natural splendor. From its lowest foothills to its highest Mount Whitney peak, the sweeping mountain range holds some of the country’s greatest alpine scenes and most remarkable natural features. With beauty this vast, it is easy to wonder where to begin your journey.

Centered in Yosemite National Park, the Tioga Road and Big Oak Flat Road National Scenic Byway offers a chance to see much of this landscape in a single day. Framed by glacier-carved peaks, alpine lakes, and wildflower meadows, the byway presents a wide range of memorable stops and views.

Things To Know Before You Go

A spontaneous road trip may sound appealing, but the excitement can fade when you are unprepared or must turn back due to unexpected issues. Since Tioga Road and Big Oak Flat Road run through Yosemite National Park, there are several policies to consider and conditions to plan around. Here are a few points to think about before starting your scenic byway trip.

Directions, Cost, & Time To Drive

Assuming your journey begins on the west side of Yosemite, your trip will start just south of Mather, an unincorporated community in Tuolumne County. From there, you will follow Highway 120 to the Big Oak Flat Entrance. A Standard Entrance Pass costs $35 per vehicle or $20 for those entering on foot or by bike. Major credit cards and mobile payment services are accepted, but cash is not.

The remaining byway follows State Road 120 through Yosemite National Park. The Federal Highway Administration suggests allowing 90 minutes to drive the 64-mile route, or more than 3 hours if you plan to make stops along the way. Your drive will end at Tioga Pass. The Standard Entrance Pass remains valid for the next 7 consecutive days if you want to use it for additional park visits.

Is This Scenic Byway Open Year-Round?

Yosemite National Park is open 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, weather permitting. Winter conditions can make it difficult to access and travel through the byway’s Big Oak Flat Entrance. While it remains open year-round, it may require the use of tire chains. The Big Oak Flat Information Station is open only from May through October, so its park services are not available outside this period.

It is even more important to note that Tioga Road is seasonal. The route is generally closed from November through May, and sometimes as late as June due to snow conditions. Consequently, when Tioga Road is closed, Yosemite cannot be entered from the east, nor can this section of the byway be driven. In winter, travelers cannot drive the Tioga Road portion of the byway and must use Yosemite’s western entrances instead. With all this in mind, it is important to plan carefully and check for park closures ahead of time, no matter the weather or time of year.

Merced & Tuolumne Sequoia Groves

Yosemite is known for its ancient sequoias, two of which rank among the largest in the world. The park’s oldest tree is an estimated 2,700 years old, drawing visitors to the Mariposa Grove. The lesser-visited Tuolumne and Merced groves are byway highlights, allowing travelers to see the trees with fewer crowds.

The Merced Grove is the smallest of Yosemite’s sequoia forests, yet its trees remain striking. Around 20 mature sequoias can be seen with less foot traffic, which makes for a quieter hike and photo opportunity. East of the Big Oak Flat Entrance, the grove requires a 3-mile round-trip hike that takes an estimated 1.5 to 3 hours. While the site is remote, the setting and calm atmosphere are worth the walk.

Along the Tioga Road portion of the byway, the Tuolumne Grove is home to about two dozen mature giant sequoias. Much like Merced, the site is more secluded and requires a fairly strenuous 1-mile hike to the trees. It is also far less crowded than the Mariposa Grove, which makes its natural features easier to appreciate.

Tuolumne Meadows

The Tuolumne Meadows are high country grasslands with wide views and broad recreation. Sitting 8,600 feet above sea level, the expanse is bordered by pine groves and Sierra Nevada summits such as the Unicorn and Cathedral peaks. The Tuolumne River winds through the area and adds to the setting.

During warm months, Tuolumne is a strong hiking base. Routes range from short walks to full-day trips. The Pothole Dome trail is one of the shortest at 1 mile round trip, with views from the granite dome. A Cathedral Lake hike takes around 6 to 7 hours, about 8 miles both ways. Summer also brings wildflower blooms on trails such as Soda Springs and Elizabeth Lake. From pink shooting stars in late June to scarlet monkeyflowers in late August, the meadows show noticeable seasonal color.

Because the meadows sit along Tioga Road, driving access is seasonal. The area is generally open from late May or June through October or November, depending on the weather. In winter, the Tuolumne Meadows can still be reached by snowshoe or cross-country ski for those prepared for the cold.

Tenaya Lake

Tenaya Lake is accessible by car when Tioga Road is open, generally before the first significant snowfall. Between the Tuolumne Meadows and Yosemite Valley, the glacier-carved alpine lake is known for its smooth granite surroundings. It has a scenic beach and several picnic areas. Visitors can walk its border, paddle on the water, or cool down with a swim.

Adventurous travelers can extend their visit by hiking nearby trails. Much like Tuolumne, Tenaya is a gateway to Cathedral Lake and to landmarks such as Clouds Rest. The arête stands out for its proximity to Yosemite Valley, which results in broad viewpoints.

Tioga Pass

Depending on where you started, the Tioga Pass can be the beginning or the end of the byway. As Yosemite’s east entrance and the highest mountain pass in California, the route rises to almost 10,000 feet above sea level and presents a long stretch of open views. With Mount Dana to the east and Gaylor Peak to the west, this part of the drive includes several places to pause and look across the high country.

Tioga and Ellery Lake are quiet spots to walk or stop for a picnic, while Saddlebag Lake is known for its trout fishing and 4-mile hiking loop. The Tioga Pass also connects to easier trails such as the Nunatuk Nature Trail, a half-mile, dog-friendly path near Tioga Lake. Travelers seeking steeper terrain can use the pass as a starting point to hike Mount Dana, Yosemite’s second-tallest peak.

The pass is open only in the warmer months. Snow plowing on Tioga Road often begins around mid-April, although further maintenance continues afterward. Because of this, it is necessary to watch for announcements about opening dates.

Plan Your Next Sierra Nevada Adventure

Skirting mountain peaks, lake-filled basins, and broad alpine valleys, California’s Sierra Nevada remains one of the region’s notable road trip areas. The Tioga Road and Big Oak Flat Road National Scenic Byway includes many of Yosemite’s significant scenes and seasonal experiences. Whether walking through ancient sequoia groves, swimming in Tenaya Lake, or driving the high route toward Tioga Pass, the byway presents a wide range of memorable stops across the park.