This Northern California Scenic Byway Is The Road Trip Of A Lifetime

Northern California is among the most naturally beautiful regions of the country, hosting an array of expansive woodlands, snow-capped mountains, and other gorgeous alpine scenery, all of which also contain a number of America's most visited national parks. While exploring on foot via a local hiking trail is highly recommended, you can certainly cover more in a day on the road, not to mention the physical exertion you'll save yourself. If that sounds good to you, then the famed Tioga Road, with a slight extension along Big Oak Flat Road, is a wonderful route to travel, widely considered one of the best in the state.

Passing through Yosemite National Park, the Tioga Road/Big Oak Flat Road National Scenic Byway encompasses a 64-mile journey through mountain passes, old-growth forests, historic landmarks, and tons of other points of interest. Assuming you are going west to east, starting at the Big Oak Flat Entrance and ending in the town of Lee Vining, here is a selection of said stops that we highly recommend.

The Wilderness Center at Big Oak Flat Information Station

Located near the western entrance to Yosemite National Park, The Wilderness Center at Big Oak Flat Information Station serves as an essential first stop along the scenic byway. Inside, rangers are available to provide current road conditions, wilderness permits, and information on park regulations.

Delve deeper into the inner workings of the park, too, with the center's various outdoor displays, which often detail the natural and cultural history of the area, while the surrounding setting, free for you to explore on your own, is filled with one of Yosemite’s many diverse forest landscapes. It’s a practical and historical gateway to exploring the park’s high country, whether you're here for the byway, to go hiking, to spend a night or two camping, or whatever else you intend to do while within its boundaries.

Merced Grove

Merced Grove is the smallest and most secluded of Yosemite’s three giant sequoia groves. Reached by a three-mile round-trip trail at the side of the road that descends through quiet mixed-conifer forest, the grove contains about 20 full-grown sequoias, some over a thousand years old! The trail’s gradual descent gives you an intimate experience with Yosemite’s forest ecology, far removed from the crowds of the more sought-after Mariposa Grove.

In winter, the route becomes a popular snowshoeing path, while the fall brings milder weather that is more pleasant to walk in for those who don't like the summer heat.

Tuolumne Grove

Tuolumne Grove, situated near Crane Flat, is one of the first stops on the actual Tioga Road section, containing around two dozen mature giant sequoias. Many consider it Yosemite’s most accessible grove, with a trail that begins with a one-mile descent through pine and fir forest before reaching the grove. The return hike is uphill but shaded, making it manageable for most visitors.

Once you reach the grove, however, a collection of interpretive signs will greet you, describing the unique ecology of the area and the history of the large-scale forest fires that shaped the environment around these ancient trees. Among the other highlights here is a "tunnel tree," carved way back in the late 1870s, now serving as a historical relic rather than a drive-through feature.

Tenaya Lake

Tenaya Lake lies along Tioga Road between Tuolumne Meadows and Yosemite Valley, and is often called the “Jewel of the High Country.” Formed by glacial action, the lake sits at an elevation of 8,150 feet and is framed by a number of the park's iconic granite domes and lodgepole pines.

Its clear, cold waters make it a hotspot for kayaking, picnicking, and landscape photography, while the surrounding terrain is also full of popular hiking trails, like the Sunrise Lakes Trailhead and the Murphy Creek Trailhead. If you simply wanted to get out of your car for a few moments, shorter trails and pullouts along the shoreline make it easy to explore different vantage points as well.

Regardless, Tenaya Lake serves as an unforgettable scenic rest stop for travelers on the Tioga Road, whether cycling, driving, or walking.

Tuolumne Meadows

Tuolumne Meadows, located at a lofty 8,600 feet, is one of the largest high-elevation meadows in the Sierra Nevada. The area marks a transition between subalpine forest and the more barren granite peaks that exemplify the region, all formed by glacial/tectonic forces and sustained by the Tuolumne River.

In summer, wildflowers blanket the open grasslands, and a network of trailheads leads to eye-catching destinations such as Cathedral Lakes, Lembert Dome, and the John Muir Trail. The meadows serve as a hub for climbers and backcountry campers, too. If you're interested in staying the night, the Tuolumne Meadows Campground also sits nearby and is a hostpot for cozier, frontcountry camping.

You'll also probably find the Tuolumne Meadows Wilderness Center here. Like the Big Oaks Flats Station, it provides local info and basic camping/hiking gear, namely bear spray. Note that it is only open from late May to late September.

Tioga Pass

Tioga Pass, at 9,945 feet, is the highest highway pass in California, and the eastern gateway to Yosemite National Park. Located at the far eastern end of the Tioga Road, it connects Yosemite’s high country with the Mono Basin and the town of Lee Vining. From its various pullouts, you can view nearby mountain tops, alpine tarns, and remnants of glacial valleys from high above.

The area’s thin air and sparse vegetation highlight the extremes of Sierra Nevada elevation, but also mean that physical movement here is much more exhausting than down below, so definitely take it easy, especially if you're out of shape. The pass also remains snow-covered much of the year, typically opening between late May and November, but often closes much earlier depending on the conditions.

Lee Vining

Lee Vining can either be the start or end of your trip along the Tioga Scenic Byway, serving as the primary base for travelers exploring the park’s eastern approach and the Mono Basin. Founded in 1852 as a mining and logging settlement, the town now centers around visitor services, small museums, and access to Mono Lake.

If you plan to spend some time here, check out the Mono Basin Scenic Area Visitor Center, which houses detailed exhibits on local geological and ecological history. Nearby, interesting tufa formations rise from the alkaline waters of Mono Lake, one of North America’s oldest bodies of water, dating back over a million years! With the odd rocky formations bursting from the lake's surface and the quiet, flat desert surrounding it, the area is also lauded for its beautiful sunsets and sunrises.

The route connecting this remote community with the Tioga Road, the Lee Vining Canyon Scenic Byway, also has its fair share of stops, including numerous lakes, campgrounds, and scenic lookout points.

Start Planning Your Next Yosemite Road Trip

A trip to Yosemite is always a good time, but as they always say, the journey is more important than the destination. Make this a reality when you travel along the Tioga Road/Big Oak Flat Road National Scenic Byway, one of the most spectacular routes leading to a parkland in the entire country. Whether you plan to periodically hike along the way or simply want to make quick stops at some of its more accessible landmarks, definitely try to visit at least a few of the highly recommended locations above, regardless of whether you're leaving Yosemite or driving towards it.