Tioga Pass is Open for 2025 - Yosemite National Park
Hi friends! Tioga Pass is officially open for the 2025 Summer season in Yosemite National Park, and the current conditions are truly remarkable. From snow-capped peaks and frozen lakes to Half Dome views and abundant wildlife, this is a Yosemite adventure you won’t want to miss on your next park visit. Last week I spent time in the park, enjoying an incredible road trip through Yosemite’s high country. Join me below as I share what some of my favorite spots are looking like right now along Tioga Road.
Tioga Road and Tenaya Lake in Yosemite National Park
Location
Connecting Big Oak Flat Road and Crane Flat in the west to US-395, Mono Lake, and Lee Vining in the east, Tioga Road stretches for about 60 miles along Highway 120. Open for only the Summer season, this is the highest elevation mountain highway in all of California, traversing across the Sierra Nevada and Yosemite’s high country. The Tioga Pass Entrance is Yosemite National Park’s only entrance on the east-side of the park, and it marks the highest point along the drive a 9,945 feet above sea level.
Tenaya Lake and Tenaya Peak in Yosemite National Park
Yosemite 2-4 Day Summer Itinerary & Travel Guide
If you’re planning a Yosemite road trip during the summer months, make sure to download my complete Yosemite 2-4 Day Summer Itinerary & Travel Guide, which includes an hour-by-hour schedule (with a full day along Tioga Road!), Google & Apple map pin locations, the best stargazing spots, a dining guide, recommendations on where to stay, activities outside the park, and more! Download it today and make your Yosemite planning easy!
South Fork Tuolumne Falls along Tioga Road
Quaking Aspen Falls along Tioga Road in Yosemite
Tioga Road Waterfalls
Late Spring and early Summer are great times to take a road trip along Tioga Road, particularly to catch the beautiful waterfalls right off the road. Along the drive, you’ll encounter all kinds of seasonal streams and creeks tumbling down granite ledges, but there are three waterfalls in particular that I always make a point of stopping for this time of year.
South Fork Tuolumne Falls: Cascades along the South Fork Tuolumne River tumble down granite ledges right under a bridge along Tioga Road. There’s a large pull-off nearby, but explore the area with caution...vehicles are known to speed along this stretch of the highway.
Quaking Aspen Falls: This waterfall is quite special, as it tumbles over several large granite boulders and around a striking lodgepole pine. It’s found right off Tioga Road near the Yosemite Creek Picnic Area. The flow is lovely right now, but by late summer it’ll be reduced to a trickle.
Ellery Lake Falls: Found outside the park boundaries, this section of Lee Vining Creek drops down from Ellery Lake into Lee Vining Canyon. There’s a pull-off just east of the lake with incredible views of the falls and the vast gorge below.
Tioga Lake just outside Yosemite’s Tioga Pass Entrance
Siesta Lake in Yosemite National Park
Tioga Road Lakes
Every Tioga Pass road trip requires some lake-side recreation and relaxation. There are multiple bodies of water in Yosemite’s high country, but several of them can be found directly off the road without the need for a long hike.
Siesta Lake: If you’re not careful, you’ll drive right by this beauty without ever knowing it. There’s a small pull-out along the highway, and from there you’re just a few rocky steps away from this pristine glassy lake. It’s a great spot to escape the crowds and listen to the frog calls echoing across the waters.
Tenaya Lake: Tenaya Lake is the largest natural lake in Yosemite National Park, measuring over a mile long. This lake was named after Chief Tenaya, a prominent Ahwahnechee leader. Before the Mariposa Battalion drove out Yosemite’s original residents, the Ahwahnechee had long given this lake a very different name, “Pie-we-ack”, meaning lake of shining rocks. Tenaya Peak towers above the turquoise waters with spots of snow still clinging to the granite. Consider bringing an inflatable kayak and heading out on the lake for a dreamy adventure.
Tioga & Ellery Lakes: Located just outside of Yosemite’s Tioga Pass Entrance, these two lakes are absolutely stunning right now. The surrounding peaks are blanketed with snow, and Tioga Lake even still has quite a bit of ice left on it. If you’re driving up into the high country from the valley, exiting the park for a bit to experience these lakes is well worth the extra few miles.
Pothole Dome and Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite’s high country
Half Dome seen from Olmsted Point in Yosemite National Park
Yosemite Creek Picnic Area along Tioga Road
Tioga Road Views & Hikes
There so many incredible scenic views in Yosemite’s high country, and some of which can be enjoyed right near the road.
Olmsted Point: Although it’s typically one of the more busy spots along Tioga Road, Olmsted Point is always worth a stop. If you’d like to enjoy these unique Half Dome views without the crowds, head across the highway and take the short and steep hike up the granite dome. There you’ll encounter panoramic views of Half Dome, Clouds Rest, Tenaya Lake, and the vast High Sierra.
Tuolumne Meadows: This area is still quite flooded with meandering streams weaving through the meadows and woodlands. Be extra aware to stay on the maintained trails that lead to spots like Pothole Dome, Lembert Dome, Soda Springs & Parsons Memorial Lodge. Stepping into meadows can have long lasting negative ripple effects on these delicate ecosystems.
Yosemite Creek Picnic Area: Miles before it spills into the valley as Yosemite Falls, the tallest waterfall in North America, visitors can explore Yosemite Creek at the picnic area along Tioga Road. Here you’ll find picnic tables, grills, and plenty of opportunities to enjoy creek’s rushing cascades this time of year.
Deer in a meadow near Tuolumne Grove in Yosemite National Park
Yellow-bellied marmot in the Yosemite high country
Tioga Road Wildlife
With Tioga Pass just opening last week, the wildlife is still very active. Be extra cautious while driving along the highway, staying within the posted speed limits. Sadly one of the main causes of black bear deaths in Yosemite is from collisions with speeding vehicles. During our trip last week, we saw a black bear, dozens of deer, and several yellow-bellied marmots right off the road.
Standing at the base of Mt. Dana at Ellery Lake outside of Tioga Pass Entrance
Know Before You Go
• For more information on this incredible region of Yosemite National Park, check out my First-Timer’s Guide to Tioga Pass.
• Check the official NPS website prior to heading out towards the high country for the most up-to-date weather and road conditions.
• Cell service is unreliable in most parts of Yosemite, particularly along Tioga Road, so bring a reliable GPS device with pre-downloaded maps. I love using Gaia GPS for iPhone and Android devices.
• Wilderness, by definition, is an unpredictable and even hazardous place, so stay on the designated trails. Traveling off trail is a leading cause of hiking accidents in Yosemite.
• Remember the Leave No Trace Principles and pack out what you pack in.
• This is black bear country. Bears and other wildlife can be present on trails at any time of the day or night. Feeding and approaching wildlife is dangerous and illegal. Make sure to properly store your food. Bear canisters are required for wilderness food storage for overnight hikers.
• Be prepared for sudden and sometimes hazardous changes in weather and trail conditions.
• Be cautious when crossing swollen streams and turn back if conditions warrant. Good planning and judgment may protect you from unsafe situations and prevent the need for rescue.
Downloadable Itineraries & Travel Guides
Quaking Aspen Falls along Tioga Road in Yosemite
In Summary
Thanks so much for joining me this week inside Yosemite National Park. For a virtual visit of Tioga Road’s current conditions, make sure to watch my Behind the Blog video located at the top of this post, or watch it on YouTube here. Until next week, I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go.
Ellery Lake Falls cascading down into Lee Vining Canyon along Tioga Pass
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About Me
I’m Dawn Marie, a travel and lifestyle blogger based out of Southern California. With in-depth articles, travel guides, and reviews on hotels & products, I seek to share my journeys to help you plan for your own. My adventures take me all over California, the western United States, and around the globe...and every Monday I post new content here, including a comprehensive blog post and YouTube video.
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