Las Vegas to Yosemite Road Trip : Yosemite National Park is one of the most natural attractions and is a well-known tourist spot. This is why most visitors enjoy going on their road journeys to Yosemite. Suppose you’re searching for an adventure on the California-Nevada highway and looking for a road trip. In that case, this Las Vegas to Yosemite road trip is among the most enjoyable activities to take!
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How To Get There
In a car, it’s approximately 414 miles (less or more, depending on the area you’re staying at within Las Vegas). It’s about 7.5 hours with no breaks to reach the destination. For directions, follow the US-95 N route to see the natural hot springs and ghost towns from Las Vegas to Yosemite.
If you’re driving to Central Oregon, you can travel on Highway 395 as well. If you’re coming from a different city within or outside California, there are additional great road trips you can make.
If you’re flying, the closest Airport to Yosemite is Fresno/Yosemite Airport. This is more than a two-hour drive. You’ll have to rent a car or use public transportation. It is possible to take a YARTS bus.
A central air hub closest to Yosemite National Park is Oakland International Airport.
Las Vegas to Yosemite Road Trip Itinerary
Why should you take this route? If you’re coming away from Las Vegas, this is the route to Yosemite to experience its many exciting destinations along the way, such as natural springs and ghost towns!
1. Las Vegas
Las Vegas is famed for its bright lights, glittering casinos, and “anything goes” attitude. There’s no better spot to watch an entertainment show, play the chance, or take a luxury break.
The home of some of the most well-known entertainment venues around the globe, Las Vegas is also host to a variety of fascinating museums, shops, and exceptional dining experiences.
At any season, there’s plenty to do in the city. Las Vegas has hundreds of bars, restaurants, hotels, golf courses, and more.
The Mob Museum and The Neon Museum are two of the most popular places to visit in the city, and they are both fun for everyone of all ages.
The Mob Museum features exhibits that examine the mafia’s background, history, and operations. Its Neon Museum contains vintage neon signs. Some of them are from the 1930s.
2. Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge is located in the Mojave Desert; This hidden treasure is located around 100 miles north of Las Vegas, Nevada.
The Desert landscape houses various animal and plant species, including around 30 species that aren’t found elsewhere!
These species are called native species, and you’ll be able to find the most significant amount of these species in this area! The most important things to see in the area are Crystal Springs, the Longstreet Cabin, and The Devil’s Hole.
Crystal Springs Crystal Springs powers out 2800 Gallons of water every minute! The Devil’s Hole is 500 feet deep, and the bottom is not visible!
Also, look out for desert fish that are older than when mammoths took a sip of the water of these springs and fossil water that’s melting ice from the last Ice Age.
It is highly recommended to visit this internationally well-known wetland with beautiful springs you can adore in the dry desert surroundings.
3. Death Valley Junction or Amargosa
A longer drive; however, it’s worth the trip if it’s the Death Valley Junction, aka Amargosa. If you’re planning to stay for a night in a ghostly town, however, you should be looking for a hotel; try this one: the Amargosa Opera House and Hotel!
The hotel was built in the 1920s. The hotel features 16 rooms decorated with murals created by the artist Marta Becket.
It is a rich historical site. Amargosa Opera House and Hotel are listed on the National Historic Places.
As temperatures can reach 120°F during Summer, the ideal time to visit is between November and April.
Camping is also offered at the Amargosa Campground for at most two nights with the suggested donation of $8.
4. Beatty
Admire the stunning, breathtaking views from The Bare mountain range as you drive through Beatty, which is a tiny town along the way to Yosemite.
In the town, it is possible to visit Beatty Museum and Historical Society. Beatty Museum and Historical Society to find out how the mining town developed over its heritage and free admission.
However, you must go to Beatty’s Goldwell Open Air Museum, just a few miles from the heart of Beatty.
The outdoor museum is also free and comprises seven fantastic sculptures made by an ensemble of Belgian artists. It is imperative to take a photo at one exhibit that recreates “The Last Supper” painting in a sculpture.
5. Rhyolite
A quick deviation from Beatty takes a detour to Rhyolite, an abandoned town that was an early gold-mining town in the early 1900s.
The location was also the location of a Hollywood film location! Rhyolite remains mostly ruined with abandoned houses, an old railway depot, a general store, and other structures, but it’s still an attraction to behold.
Be sure to visit Tom Kelly’s Bottle House, constructed with glass bottles. You can continue traveling on this road and bring the driver up to Death Valley National Park – should you wish to see a view or two within the park.
After Rhyolite, you’ll drive for 2.5 hours to reach the frontier border from Nevada to California.
When you reach the village of Benton, known as the hot spring town, you can turn off onto HWY 120. Continue along HWY 120 until your journey to Yosemite closes when you enter Tioga Pass, Yosemite’s East Gate Entrance.
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