LA to Yosemite National Park Road Trip

The drive into Alabama Hills feels like entering a natural movie set – which makes sense, as this landscape has appeared in hundreds of films, including Gladiator and Iron Man, over the last century. Those sculpted boulders and sweeping views of the Sierra Nevada look dramatic in photos, but in person they feel even more cinematic. The whole area glows at golden hour, when the rocks turn warm orange and the mountains ignite with pink alpenglow.

Lone Pine adds its own charm with tall cottonwoods, a quiet main street, and views of Mount Whitney peeking over rooftops. Together, they create that classic “big American West” feeling you’ve seen in old films, only now you’re standing in the middle of it.

Hungry? Locals will point you toward Alabama Hills Café for hearty breakfasts and giant pancakes that keep road trippers going for hours. For an overnight stay with a killer view, Lone Pine’s Boulder Creek RV Resort is a favorite among frequent travelers with hot tubs, mature trees, and easy access to town.

Driving into Mammoth Lakes feels a bit like arriving at a cozy alpine village that also happens to have world-class scenery in every direction. If you want a local tip: head to Stellar Brew for coffee and breakfast bowls before exploring – it’s the unofficial fuel stop for half the town’s skiers, hikers, and van-lifers.

One of the most underrated stops in the area is the picnic area at Twin Lakes, where early mornings often bring low-hanging mist drifting between the peaks.

Afterwards, cruise back to Lake Mary, where you can wander the shoreline or simply soak in the mountain air. For a knockout viewpoint, drive up to Minaret Vista where the jagged Minarets glow brilliant orange in late-afternoon light.

If you’re settling here for the night on your Yosemite road trip, the Mammoth Mountain RV Park is a classic choice thanks to its proximity to the village and easy access to paved roads leading into the lake basin. Sunset here is pure Sierra magic – and you can enjoy the show right from the parking area.

Even on a busy day, Mono Lake feels ancient and otherworldly. The water has a shimmering, almost metallic quality thanks to its salinity, and the ‘tufa towers’ create a dreamlike skyline that feels unlike anywhere else in California. The South Tufa area gets the most love, but cruise a few minutes further to Navy Beach and you’ll be rewarded with tufa towers that are slightly less crowded and late-afternoon light that turns the shoreline golden.

Lee Vining’s quiet charm complements this, with alpine breezes, small shops, and the scent of sagebrush drifting through town. The legend of Whoa Nellie Deli is totally justified – the fish tacos and wild buffalo meatloaf are famous for good reason. But if you want a quieter stop, grab an organic coffee at Latte Da at the El Mono Motel and take a short walk behind the Mono Basin Scenic Area Visitor Center. There’s a little-known bluff behind the building with a panoramic lake view that most travelers miss entirely.

If you want to pull up for the night, Big Bend Campground is a rustic but very accessible campground, just off Hwy 120 east of Lee Vining. It has 17 sites and can accommodate vehicles up to ~30 ft but check in is first-come, first-served, so arrive early if you can.

When the season allows (typically late May to October), the climb over Tioga Pass into Yosemite National Park is one of the most spectacular scenic drives in the state. Every switchback reveals another dramatic vista – rugged granite cliffs, turquoise lakes, and wide-open high country that feels worlds away from the busy valley floor.

A quick stop at Ellery Lake, just before the national park entrance, is highly recommended. Its glassy surface looks especially beautiful in the morning when the water is still. Once inside the park, head straight for Olmsted Point, a breathtaking overlook where you’ll see Half Dome from a unique sideways angle you won’t find anywhere else. Tenaya Lake is just minutes away, too – pull into the western beach area for a refreshing leg stretch or a quick dip if the weather’s warm.

To stay a night or more, White Wolf Campground (typically open from sometime in July through mid-September) is 16 miles from Olmsted Point and accommodates campervans and RVs with reservations essential.

Even if you’ve seen it in countless photos, Tunnel View still hits like a cinematic reveal. Sunrise is surprisingly peaceful here; you’ll often find only a handful of photographers lined up along the stone wall. If you’re passing through later in the day, walk 50 meters up the left-hand trail from the main viewing area – it’s a tiny effort for a much quieter vantage point with fewer elbows in your panorama.

The sheer walls of El Capitan dominate the left side of the vista, rising like an impossibly smooth fortress, while Bridalveil Fall tumbles over the dark granite on the right. At the centre is Half Dome, perfectly framed in the distance. Layered forests fill the valley below, creating a green carpet that stretches far into the horizon.

Don’t miss the roadside pullout just beyond El Capitan Meadow. Locals call it ‘the climbers’ lounge’ because you can often spot tiny dots of climbers inching their way up the granite wall through a pair of borrowed binoculars.

Continue on to Wawona Campground, set among tall pines and close to the historic Wawona Hotel, where you can grab a drink on the veranda and soak up the nostalgic, old-Yosemite atmosphere. The nearby Pioneer Yosemite History Center offers easy riverside walking and a welcome dose of peace after the excitement of Tunnel View.

If you want a true “wow” moment, drive up to Glacier Point, where Yosemite Valley unfolds beneath you in sweeping layers of granite, forest, and cascading waterfalls. The view of Half Dome from here is unbeatable. It’s one of the best places in Yosemite National Park to understand the sheer scale of the landscape.

A short stroll to the Geology Hut provides a quieter vantage point and a perfect place to watch shifting light move across the rock faces.

Most travelers drive straight past the turnoff to Merced Grove on a Yosemite road trip, which is exactly why you should stop. The walk down to Yosemite’s smallest and most secluded sequoia grove is peaceful, shaded, and filled with birdsong. When you reach the sequoias themselves, the grove feels almost meditative – no shuttle buses, no crowds, just 20 enormous trees standing quietly in the forest. If you’re lucky, you might even catch shafts of light cutting through the canopy in the morning.

Afterwards, stop at Evergreen Lodge just outside Yosemite National Park for a bison burger or a cold drink on the outdoor deck. It’s a woodland oasis tucked conveniently close to the grove.

Hetch Hetchy feels like Yosemite’s quiet cousin – dramatic cliffs, glittering water, and hardly anyone around. The drive to the O’Shaughnessy Dam is beautiful, but the real treat is crossing the dam itself and feeling the canyon open around you. For an impressive photo stop, walk a few minutes onto the trail and look back at the dam framed by the granite walls – it’s a brilliant angle that most visitors don’t think to capture.

Because the area is tucked in a quieter corner of Yosemite National Park, it’s a great place for a relaxed day away from the valley crowds. Pack a picnic and set up at one of the shaded tables near the parking area. The serenity here is a stark contrast to the busy heart of Yosemite.

If you’re looking for a campground near Hetch Hetchy, Dimond O Campground (Stanislaus National Forest) is the most practical developed campground for campervans and RVs with paved roads, potable water and vault toilets on site.

As you leave the mountains, the Sierra foothill towns of Visalia and Exeter invite you to shift back into a gentler rhythm. Visalia’s historic streets are lined with boutique shops, cafés, and sun-filled plazas where locals gather after work. Grab a cold brew at Component Coffee Lab and wander the tree-lined blocks.

Nearby Exeter is famous for its colorful murals – over 30 of them – dotting the walls of downtown. It’s a charming, artistic detour that makes for fun exploring on foot, with plenty of small-town character and warm valley sunshine. For a sweet treat, stop by Exeter Whistle Stop – a beloved diner next to the old railway with home-baked pies.

As a final stop on your LA to Yosemite road trip, the Visalia / Sequoia National Park KOA Journey is a relaxed campground with a pool and Wi-Fi, ideal for catching your breath after a big few days of driving, before heading back to the city.

1. Drive Smart & Off-Peak
   Weekday early mornings are best to avoid traffic. Watch for wildlife, obey speed limits, and use turnouts for scenic stops.
2. Check Roads & Restrictions
   High-altitude roads like Tioga Pass and Glacier Point Road close in winter. Always confirm before driving.
3. Plan Your Parking & Use Shuttles
   Yosemite Valley has limited parking. Consider parking outside and using YARTS (regional bus) or the park shuttle to get around major viewpoints.
4. Bear Safety & Food Storage
   Never leave food or scented items visible in your campervan or RV. Store all edibles in bear lockers or out of sight to prevent break-ins.
5. Fuel & Reservations
   Fill up at larger towns along the way – there are no gas stations in Yosemite Valley itself but gas is available in Wawona, Crane Flat and El Portal. Make campground reservations well in advance.

Make your LA to Yosemite National Park adventure as smooth and memorable as possible with affordable campervan hire in Los Angeles. Every rental comes with free unlimited miles, giving you the freedom to linger at your favourite stops and soak up every stretch of the open road without stressing about hidden costs.

Looking for some more epic Los Angeles road trips? Here are some other itineraries you should check out:

• Los Angeles to Dallas Drive – Road Trip Itinerary
• LA to Sacramento Road Trip
• Los Angeles National Park Road Trip – Best Drive Itinerary
• Los Angeles to Palm Springs – Best Drive Itinerary

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