Reno to Yosemite for Day Trip (Las Vegas, Elko: camp, live, restaurants)

[gregorsamsa8]

Looking for advice, please share opinions I guess even if you think it is crazy. Will be visiting mid July. Will be on east coast time so figure wake up 5 leave by 5 30...figure spend day at Yosemite from 11-8 or so. Seems like it is an awesome place to visit and time is going by....

[1200RT]

Its a healthy day trip, but doable if you like driving. With traffic and summer closures, dont expect to spend that much time in the park. If it was me, I'd do a reverse loop - 395 to tioga pass (this is a nicer drive, you'll want to do it in the daytime), and IME southbound is less traffic. Drive through the park and back up 4.

[gregorsamsa8]

Originally Posted by 1200RT

Its a healthy day trip, but doable if you like driving. With traffic and summer closures, dont expect to spend that much time in the park. If it was me, I'd do a reverse loop - 395 to tioga pass (this is a nicer drive, you'll want to do it in the daytime), and IME southbound is less traffic. Drive through the park and back up 4.

Thanks will keep that in mind. I see Tioga Rd is closed now, hopefully will be open in next few weeks. Must have been quite a winter.

[1200RT]

The sierrra got a significant amount of snow this year. It should open in the next few weeks unless the plows and blowers uncover road damage.

[MayMoveInFuture]

Yosemite has been crazy busy, hours to get inside

[Camaro5]

This upcoming weekend, 07/29, were supposed to go to Yosemite from the Las Vegas area where we live. Had the trip planned 6 months ago but after reading about the flooding, road closures, and 4-hour wait times to get in we cancelled.

Instead, we're going up to Ely, NV and Great Basin National Park. I'm sure it's not as scenic as Yosemite but there is a lot to see up there and it's a lot less crowded. As a photographer I'm looking forward to shooting the Milky Way as that area has some of the darkest skies in the country.

[Teacher Terry]

Elko is close to Ely and a nicer little town. They also have 2 really good Basque restaurants.

[gemstone1]

So, what you're saying is you be up at 2 PDT, which is 5 EDT ? Leaving that early might ensure you get into the park.

[SkyLark2019]

Yosemite attracts a lot of visitors from overseas, meaning it's usually full and always pricey if you want a comfortable stay.

There are other national parks in California that are just as scenic but less popular.

[ChrisMT]

Yosemite is very doable for a day trip from the Reno area. The drive down Hwy 395 is quite spectacular.

It is very crowded, I have only driven through the main valley a few times and didn't like the crowds. I am glad I drove through because it is incredible and you should experience it once. There are areas of the park that are less frequented that you can access, I know locals that often camp and fish up there.

The big if with Yosemite from Reno is Tioga Pass. It can remain closed until late spring, just depends on the winter and snow depth. Tioga Pass is also an experience you won't forget...oh my gosh...last time I drove on it in a blizzard, with rock falls on the road and the cliff....yeah...never forgetting it

Also, Lamoille Canyon outside of Elko is sometimes referred to as the 'Yosemite of Nevada', maybe the OP visited it instead