At the bus stop need to hike about 1 miles. Driving from Phoenix to Yosemite National Park will take you through the best of the southwest if you choose the 870-mile Scenic Route, which will take about 16 hours and 40 minutes (not accounting for stops). Depending on your route, the trip can be between roughly 330 and 560 miles long. Numerous trails lead to these scenic falls within the lush forests of the Ansel Adams Wilderness. The town is a base for Devils Postpile National Monument, a formation of basalt columns, and the soaring Rainbow Falls. First off, Mono Lake is old. Expect a whole variety of mountains, lakes, streams, forests, and waterfalls once you reach the canyon area. Many of the buildings are closedown to protect them, their contents and the public. Calm and serene. Nice grounds. The area is tight so be aware of parking can get crowded. A weekend in Death Valley National Park is not complete without a visit to Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes. September is probably the safer of the two options, as you might get the occasional inaccessible road even in late spring. With that said, it's definitely worth considering the longer route too, since you get to see some beautiful landscapes unique to it, on top of having several large cities at various points of the trip. I always add an hour to account for slower driving through scenic areas, bathroom stops etc. . Formed over 2,000 years ago, the Ubehebe Crater is 600 feet deep and half a mile across. There are a few natural pools to choose from, all of which have hot mineral waters that emerge from the ground, flow down rock formations, and finally reach the pools at a comfortable temperature. One of the last stops we made inside the park was Ubehebe Crater, and Im glad we decided to make the drive up to here!. Though this summer hardly any water flowing in the river. Much easier to climb then Kelsi Dunes. Pahrump Valley Winery is a fantastic surprise found while were staying at Wine Ridge RV Resort, which is happily located next door to said winery. The total driving time is 6 hours, 7 minutes. Trekking through the dunes of Death Valley comes with a feeling of being in the Sahara Desert for every tourist. That's because that route crosses the Sierra mountains via the Tioga Pass, which is actually inside Yosemite National Park. Looks like a tile floor! There is a nice little gift store with some cool unique souvenirs. For more information about Death Valley National Park,click hereto read our Guide to Death Valley National Park. The unending stretches of desert and the amazing rock formations really make this area look out of this world. This high-altitude mountain pass is covered in snow during wintertime. Trails ranging from short loops to day hikes might carry you to lookouts on the lip of canyons with temporary waterfalls in early-spring. These dunes are the best known and easiest to visit in the national park. Your three days in Yosemite National Park comes to a brilliant conclusion with a sunset stroll through the Tuolumne Meadows. After that, the road trails along to Manzanar National Historic Site, a memorial marking one of the internment camps where Japanese Americans were incarcerated during World War II. Both for the temperature and the light. Turn left onto CA-190 E, continue for 5 miles, turn left onto Scottys Castle Road for 33 miles. I read there was a lot of traffic going up there right after the snow fall a couple days ago. It took us three trips to do more off the Strip, which is when we finally discovered Red Rock Canyon. The best road trip route from Las Vegas to Yosemite National Park depends on what you're after - if you're aiming for speed and are traveling the right time of year, driving along the Sierras is the quicker option, on top of being scenic. You'll need a place to cool off after a grueling, sweaty hike, and The Inn does not disappoint thanks to the beautiful outdoor pool featuring loungers and a gorgeous fireplace, you'll be patting yourself on the back for having found such a perfect respite from the Mojave heat. Flight time: 31 minutes. Depending on your route, the trip can be between roughly 330 and 560 miles long. The most exciting attraction in Fresno, however, is the Fresno Chaffe Zoo. If you want to go two-for-one on your naturalist road trip, you'll want to stop at Badwater Basin. If you have one of those nice super telephoto lenses, dont forget it at home you might be surprised by what you might see just driving along the main roads. This entrance fee is good for 7 days. But it does get pretty busy so thats why Little Hebe makes a perfect, quieter alternative (or addition). (See photos), Beautiful place, great for photography. The most accessible sand dunes are the Mesquite Dunes in Stovepipe Wells. Methuselah, a tree registered at 4,851 years old in 2019, and the other bistlecone pines in the area have had their location erased from the Internet. And because changes in elevation also bring changes in temperatures, be sure to pack layers so that youre prepared for any type of weather. PST Do note, though, that pets are not allowed to explore the area with you, and that there are no food services available in the area. It is also the lowest point in the surrounding county. To get to Ubehebe Crater: 1-hour drive from Mesquite Sand Dunes. Check outOh Ridge Campground,June Lake Campground, andJune Lake RV Park. A few hiking options and well worth spending a few hours exploring this amazing place! To includes breaks, this and that, easily 11 hours. Sanders Family Winery and Pahrump Valley Winery are 15 minutes drive away. 30 miles from Ashford Junction, Badwater Basin sits on the southern corner of Death Valley National Park. I gave 4 stars because, there should be other rentals equipments available. You'll make it back to the road refreshed and a little more knowledgeable. There are several casinos, a number of golf courses, and many wineries. Fast climbing windy road, starts at about 4000ft. Follow the highway along Death Valley, then take State Routes 266 and 168 to get into California and onto Highway 395 at Big Pine. This is the best place for kids at Death Valley. Lots of RV station and camping ground are located here. Las Vegas is well-known as a destination for nature enthusiasts. One part of the lake is on a slope so you might need snow shoes or spikes to get around it. 4. 1000 Scenic Loop Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89161, USA. Also, the place to get your visit registered if you are an annual pass holder.. they'll give you a datestamped paper for your car dash. Pack a lunch, strike out west of the Strip and within half an hour youll be in a gnarled and reddish sandstone landscape rising to more than 900 metres. It's also convenient that you'll be passing through Bakersfield and Fresno, giving you some stopovers if the weather catches you off-guard. The longer route that most travelers take during the winter months when Tioga Pass is closed is approximately 450 miles (about a 7-hour drive) viaI-15 and CA-99. And if you want to take even longer, you could do this as a day trip from Las Vegas (itinerary available here). Lee Vining is a great place to use the bathroom or pick up a quick snack before driving into the park. 228 reviews. Service is great. Whether youre looking to start exploring Yosemites natural wonders or just want to catch a glimpse of some of the worlds tallest trees, Mariposa Grove is definitely worth a visit. An easy, 13-mile driving loop connects visitors to more than two dozen marked trails, with epic views waiting at every turn. 1. Everyone one was so nice and professional. Admission is a donation. Red Rock is the perfect day trip if you are in Las Vegas and want to enjoy the outdoors. You can drive right up to the massive crater. The lakes are seasonal and things look very different in fall. Needless to say I am glad I stopped by. To the north, saltwater Mono Lake is dotted with limestone towers. We were started off with bread and the wine we selected during our tasting, then we ordered appetizers and the main meal, but were simply to full for dessert. Many stops and parking lots along the scenic drive for photo opportunities. Off Highway 120 East and about 1.5 hours from the Valley floor is Tuolumne Meadows. Also be aware of road conditions which require snow tires in special cases. Currently, Scottys Castle is closed due to flood damage and it is not expected to reopen until fall 2021. Got there early, still a large amount of people there early too. Yosemite Valley closing 4/28/23. Keep in mind you need to allow enough time for exploring Mammoth Lakes, both the towns and the hikes. You can access Devils Golf Course in a car, but an SUV or off-road vehicle is preferable. Be sure to check the temperature of the water before plunging. Mammoth is my favorite mountain to ski in California, the area is beautiful and the terrain has something for everyone. Meanwhile, in Mammoth Lakes and the surrounding region, there is plenty of nature to be explored by hikers, horseback riders, mountain bikers, and other outdoors enthusiasts. We stopped by after our trip to Mammoth. While Tioga Pass provides you with one of the most gorgeous passages into Yosemite, it's not open year-round. Mesquite Flat, the most popular dunes in Death Valley, is very accessible from the main road. Located in the high sierras, Tuolumne Meadows is a beautiful location that sadly doesnt get the attention that Yosemite Valley does. Formed between 2000 & 7000 years ago, this large crater was created by large steam eruptions. This 660 foot deep crater along the road to Scottys Castle is the result of a volcanic explosion a couple hundred years ago. Not only was she knowledgeable about the food served in the restaurant but she was filled with fun information about the Pahrump area. The mining village of Rattlesnake Gulch, abandoned mine shafts, and the remains of a small Chinatown are among the sights at this fascinating. It was a short hike 0.4m, and not too challenging. The town is also home to a number of museums and art galleries. The road stops at a small parking lot with enough room for about a dozen vehicles. Vegas is really exciting. This is(was) a great place to get away for a few hours, the restaurant was pretty good with decent prices, the jewel of their menu was most definitely the bison steak and the bison burger, not always available but worth the trip to find out. Everything is within reach. Always sunny and the mountain is so big there is always somewhere to find good snow. Unsubscribe at any time. A gently rolling, sub-alpine area near the Tuolumne River, the Meadows is home to a wide variety of wildlife, several alpine lakes, hiking trails and plenty of rock climbing.Try the easy hike to Soda Springs and Parsons Lodge or trek up to Gaylor Lake for spectacular high-country views. Depending on the time of year you visit, you may be able to catch the Kern County Scottish Games. This place is only 22 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip, a beautiful place for families to enjoy the desert of Nevada. Prices will vary based on the campsite you need, but each comes with either a campfire ring or a grill. Ashford Junction, once upon a time, was one of the most active railroad towns operating in California. Travertine Hot Springs, located in the town of Bridgeport, CA (30 minutes away from Lee Vining), is a very popular collection of hot mineral pools boasting some of the best views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. But it also makes it a little hard to hike up the hole. You can check out the town's website for additional information. Thanks so much for the tips!!! Little Hebe Crater is the underrated little sister of Ubehebe, the well-known 750-feet deep crater created by past volcanic activity. The routes I provide in this post will take you through some of the most beautiful and iconic landscapes in the American West, including Death Valley, the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains, and Yosemite Valley. Located around an hours drive northeast of Yosemite Valley, Tuolomnes flat basin is surrounded by steep granite rock formations and domes. She truly made our dining experience memorable. (Michael Macor/San Francisco Chronicle via AP) TWIN . Most of Yosemite National Park has shut down due to forecasted flooding. I cant imagine anyone not loving this app! Distance from Furnace Creek Visitor Center: 56.2 miles; 1hr 10 min by car. Take the Bad Water way and stay in artistic way for a while in the night. If its quiet, you might hear the salt crystals popping as it expands in the heat. There are 304 sites, and half are available on a reservation basis, and the rest are first to come to the first service. Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes is another recognizable attraction in Death Valley. Catch the wonderful views of the Pothole Dome, Lembert Dome and the Cathedral Peak near the Tuolumne River Bridge. On a clear night, you can see milkyway! The 278-mile-long Grand Canyon, located east of Vegas, is one of the Seven Wonders of the Worldand a true American mainstay. It is at the very edge of the desert. The best thing about this casino was definately the coffee shop. Located 53 miles north of Furnace Creek in Grapevine Canyon is a hidden oasis. Beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and there are streams cutting the meadows. As short as five and a half hours or an elongated eleven, the drive from Las Vegas to Yosemite is a treasure trove of stunning landscapes and historical towns. By far the best time to take a soak in these pools is before/during sunrise and during sunset. There are several trails through the area, all offering great views of the amazing layers and bands of color. This is around the corner from Scottys Castle and is available for photography. This is a great option for June though. The 12.7-mile drive will take you to the Tioga Pass entrance to Yosemite, where you'll be able to branch out into the park to find the natural landmarks of your choosing. From the parking area, youll follow a well-worn path around the rim of the ancient Ubehebe Crater. Las Vegas is a 123-mile (198-kilometer) drive away. Stretch your legs exploring the large subalpine meadow that is teeming with wildlife and natural beauty. Published: Apr. All of the wines that we tasted were unique, tasty, choices, but the two grown on the property were my personal favorites. If you're a train aficionado or want to delve into a piece of California's history, Ashford Junction will let you do just that. With so much to see in between, I highly recommend taking your time and make an adventure out of it! In other words, during the rest of the year, your best option is a 9-hour drive covering about 510 miles. What youll find as soon as you get in the water is cold but shallow water and fine, soft sand, perfect for the whole family to play in. Calico Ghost Town recreates the California Silver Rush life with pioneer-style restaurants, shops, and sights. In Yosemite National Park, there is no other place more picturesque than the Tuolumne Meadows. Great preview tour! After all, this post is specifically about the road between Las Vegas and Yosemite - not the park itself. Its a doable road by car but not a fun road by car. A huge volcanic crater half a mile wide and 600 feet deep was created by steam and gas explosions in the Northwest of Death Valley. The sand dunes are a far out, no service, wide open adventure. One of our favorite finds wasMammoth Gear Exchangewhere we found new and gently-used outdoor gear at steeply discounted prices! The dunes rise as high as 100 feet and cover a huge area. A great spot to stop and check out briefly, with (like everywhere else in Death Valley) a unique terrain to explore. Need to park at the gondola. We didnt know what to expect because we just spontaneously decided to go up there since we knew there was snow. On that thought, this is a place best seen in the morning. If you want to meet halfway between Pahrump, NV and Yosemite National Park, CA or just make a stop in the middle of your trip, the exact coordinates of the halfway point of this route are 36.572941 and -117.993217, or 36 34' 22.5876" N, 117 59' 35.5812" W. This location is 168.17 miles away from Pahrump, NV and Yosemite . While these arent the tallest sand dunes inside Death Valley, they are the most accessible, located just outside Stovepipe Wells. Good food, nice staff and reasonable prices. Mesquite Sand Dunes are not the only dunes in Death Valley, but theyre definitely the most accessible since youll need a four by four and special wheels to get to the other dunes. On your road trip to Yosemite from Las Vegas, you should consider passing through the Mojave National Preserve. Two best hotel place to stay (expensive) are next to this location. This looks incredible! The Devils Golf Course is located south of Furnace Creek and is one of the most fascinating and rough landscapes Ive ever experienced. Turn left on Ubehebe Crater Road, arrive at Ubehebe Crater in 5 miles. If you time your entry right, don't forget to have a picnic lunch at the Willow Springs parking lot plenty of picnic tables just be aware they aren't covered so you're exposed to the sun. The top cities between Yosemite National Park and Las Vegas are Death Valley National Park and Mammoth Lakes. But hold on, this isnt a golf course, but a rough bumpy field. Tuolumne Meadows is a vast, grassy area located along the Tuolumne River. Looking for more Yosemite/Vegas travel tips? Airlines Southwest Airlines Allegiant Air Advanced Air, LLC JSX Spirit Airlines Train operators Amtrak Bus operators A hike up the Nevada Falls is a nice workout and yields world-class views of the park. Established in 1881, it once served as a California silver town, with 500 mines operating in and around the area. This is one of the only ghost towns in the state that is still intact. Its an easy hike out to the dunes from the parking lot, but remember that youll be walking on sand, so its significantly harder than it looks. The access road is often closed by snow in winter. Answer 1 of 4: I have booked a one way car hire from Las Vegas to LAX, leaving Vegas on Friday 20 October AM to arrive LAX Hotel Monday 23rd in evening. Nonstop drive: 366 miles or 589 km Driving time: 6 hours, 7 minutes Realistically, you'll probably want to add a buffer for rest stops, gas, or food along the way. Natural preserve with trails among 4,000-year-old trees, plus a seasonal visitor's center. Once filled with miners searching for silver, this town was eventually abandoned in the 1890s, rendering it a ghost town.. Except he accidentally built it on government land rather than the land he actually owned big OOPSIE DAISY. 1. You will find the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes beside the road just before Stovepipe Wells. We were greeted by a friendly, knowledgeable host, who went on to handle our service throughout our dining experience. At it's source the hot spring can be too hot to touch, though most of the pools range from hot-tub like temperatures to luke warm. Closed due to flood damage and not likely to reopen until at least 2020, this whimsical castle was the desert home of Walter E Scott, alias Death Valley Scotty, a quintessential tall-tale teller who captivated Top ChoiceViewpoint in Death Valley National Park. The volcanic crater, some 600 feet deep, was formed a mere 300 years ago when rising magma hit ground water and the resulting trapped steam exploded. Park officials announced plans to temporarily close part of Yosemite National Park starting Friday due to the threat of flooding . See the Grand Canyon, lively Flagstaff, rich history, and more. Love love love! Read More:58 Fun Things To Do In Las Vegas Other Than Gambling and Drinking. This salty drainage basin in Death Valley National Park sits 282 ft below sea level. If you are limited on time and need to pick just one, opt for South Lake or Lake Sabrina (with boat rentals, a cafe, and a store). Its a maar volcanic crater that formed when hot magma came into contact with groundwater, which led to a giant steam explosion and a large debris field of cinder all around. If you're planning to go to Las Vegas, you can easily head to California's Sierra Nevada mountains. So, this is totally doable in one day. Never dig through your emails again access all your flights, lodging, and any reservations in 1 place. From here you have to choose which direction you have to go. The service was great, the food tasted awesome. Its just such a unique stop, that I had to include it for those who were interested. The direct drive from Yosemite National Park to Las Vegas is 372 mi (599 km), and should have a drive time of 8 hrs 16 mins in normal traffic. From the parking lot, you simply make your way out into the dunes. Having made both drives, I'm here to recommend the first route - but only if you're going between June and October, possibly November. This hiking and visitor center is about an hour off of 395 but well worth the drive. They were quick to accommodate us. Park your car next to the sand dunes and bring your camera. Ten minutes and 12 miles away from Calico rests Barstow, another potential stop on your drive to Yosemite. Also nice trails near by. (KFSN, MERCED COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, MARIPOSA COUNTY . Turn off the light and enjoy the night sky with stars. I wont get into the entire history of this colossal home built in the middle of nowhere by a wealthy man who wasnt, by the way, named Scotty, but the architecture alone is worth an hour of your time. Take a few minutes to enjoy the view, stretch your legs, and grab a bite to eat. Even during summertime, if you take the Tioga Pass and the eastern route, Google suggests taking a slightly shorter route, via Oasis, CA and then Beatty, Nevada. Tours are available of the inside, or you can simply wander around and take it all in on your own. Spend some time exploring the meadows below, or continue along the road and cut through the mountains at Tioga Pass. Not to be mistaken with the actual golf course at Furnace Creek, Devils Golf Course is the result of a vast evaporation 2,000 years ago. Show only these on map. . It is in the Bullfrog Hills, about 120 miles northwest of Las Vegas, near the eastern boundary of Death Valley National Park. A beautiful and informative stop along the 395 highway. Worth a detour to check it out. And of course, no visit to Bakersfield would be complete without taking a drive on the historic Route 66. There will also be no cell phone reception for most of the way once you enter the park (Death Valley National Park). Distance from Furnace Creek Visitor Center: 10 miles, 20 mins by car. You absolutelycannotmiss their Epic Carrot Cake, or any of their pastries and scones for that matter! The meadow was not accessible, but the drive alone may be worth it for some especially in the spring when flowers are in bloom. Cant wait to go back and check for ourselves, but unfortunately we cant visit the US until the COVID situation clears up. Explore the park's beautiful salt pans, sand dunes, Badwater Basin, Furnace Creek Visitor Center for camping, and more during your stop at Death Valley. Between two national parks, multiple national monument sites, vista points . You'll definitely take lots of photos, and you don't have to leave the parking lot to enjoy the beauty but you will want to explore. Youll find this meadow along Tioga Pass Road, north of the valley. Head east to CA-190 W, and continue until you see the signs for Mesquite Sand Dunes. The stars are incredible in the park since it is so far from major cities and there is hardly any lights inside the park. Elevated meadows at 8,600 ft. with a river, offering scenic views of the surrounding mountains.
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