You can sand board here, if you happen to have a board or a sled. Funky, free sculpture park in the desert featuring 7 offbeat works by Belgian artists & a gift shop. Answer 1 of 7: Hi all, My boyfriend and I are travelling from Las Vegas to Death Valley on the 23rd of May, then making our way to Yosemite on 24th and arriving 25th May 2015. This is a great getaway from the lights, hustle, and constant 'on the go' feeling of the strip and downtown area of Las Vegas. This entrance fee is good for 7 days. Ten minutes and 12 miles away from Calico rests Barstow, another potential stop on your drive to Yosemite. Bay Area weather is far gentler than Las Vegas' scorching summers of 100-plus degree days. When the silver dried up, so did the population. Formed by extreme tectonic forces, it's thought the canyon, whose 3000ft red rock escarpment rises sharply from the valley floor, was formed around 65 million years ago. This small town has a particular charm to it that makes it an ideal place to get out of the car and stretch your legs. Time your trip to Tuolumne Meadows carefullythis 8,600-foot high area is accessible only from June to October. It is dog friendly so we were able to bring out little guy, he enjoyed the trail and found plenty of new smells. Instead, head up to the Ubehebe Crater, which is a bit of a drive (an hour, give or take ten minutes), but is worth the journey. A treat to explore, its colorful canyons offer up all kinds of excellent outdoor activities with stupendous views and nature wherever you go. That means if you decide to leave the park to explore all the cool landmarks to the east or west of the park, youll be able to get back into the park within 7 days without having to pay that fee again. Your trip begins in Las Vegas, Nevada. Follow a 0.7km interpretive loop trail along the cliffs to learn a little geology and see jaw-dropping scenery. We came in at 6:30 so parking wasn't a problem and it was actually a bit chilly. 2 hours and 52 minutes out from Yosemite (roughly 168 miles), you'll find Bakersfield, CA. Chill. Because there are so many cool things to do in-between Las Vegas and Yosemite, to do it all, youre going to need weeks. Youll pass the Mesquite Salt Flats on Highway 190 on your way to/from Panamint Springs. He even gave my daughter a piece of Obsidian. While hotel options are limited here, you could also make this your home base if youre planning on visiting Yosemite over a course of multiple days. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area feels like an entirely different world from the Vegas Strip, despite being only a 20-minute drive west of downtown Las Vegas. Be sure to take the trail to the top of the formation. Ubehebe Crater (pronounced oo-beh-heh-bee) is a volcanic crater in Death Valley. This 340.2 mile drive may add an extra half hour or so to your trip compared to the shortest route suggested by Waze or Google, but it also takes you past several unique and beautiful spots, including Death Valley National Park. Be sure to head here in the spring when the grasses are green and full. The region around Yosemite features landscapes of great diversity, including the high plateau of Tuolumne Meadows. (See photos), Beautiful place, great for photography. A lot of that has to do with the world-class resorts, the best one being The Inn at Death Valley. The outside, palm trees everywhere. 4. Plan along with your friends with live syncing and collaborative editing. Your email address will not be published. Las Vegas is a 123-mile (198-kilometer) drive away. A look at these sand dunes will make you feel as though youve been transported to the Sahara Desert. Absolutely beautiful. 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. Jack Sawyer road is a mostly dirt road but is easy to traverse. One thing that slightly complicates matters is Vegas' position relative to Yosemite - the only way to enter the park from the east is only available for about half a year, with the exact opening and closing dates depending on the weather in a particular year. The area is tight so be aware of parking can get crowded. This volcanic crater is 600 feet deep and half a mile across. Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes are the most popular sand dunes in the park and the easiest to reach. The area got it's name because it was said that the rocks were so incredibly serrated that only the devil could play golf on such rough links. Easily accessible hot spring are rare, so expect this site to be crowded on weekends, and expect a diverse crowd of people. Because of the rough texture of this salt pan on the base of Death Valley, this area was coined Devils Golf Course because only the devil could play golf in this area. The road is closed before Yosemite. Death Valley National Park is only a 2-hour drive from Las Vegas and on the way to Yosemite. Stopped here after a nice hike. You will walk on dried salt. Thanks a lot! You may also like: document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Subscribe to the TWE newsletter get first dibs on travel tips, updates, and exclusive deals! Consider also checking out the exhibits, ask a park ranger questions, and pay for your entrance to the park if you havent already. Good food choices. It's going to be a bit of a drive to get here. From Stovepipe Wells, it is a one-hour drive (47 miles) to get to Ubehebe Crater. Both Lake Ellery and Tioga Lake were iced over.. This is like a poor man's Devil's Tower. Visitors Center also open for questions or buying things. How long is the drive from Yosemite National Parkto Las Vegas? The sand dunes are a far out, no service, wide open adventure. Impossible. Your trip begins in Las Vegas, Nevada. This unique formation is a 600 foot deep inverted volcano. The 480-mile road trip from Las Vegas to Lake Tahoe takes 8 hours of driving through the Death Valley and along US-395. And because changes in elevation also bring changes in temperatures, be sure to pack layers so that youre prepared for any type of weather. Take the Bad Water way and stay in artistic way for a while in the night. Yes, just like all National Parks in the US, there is an entrance fee. Vegas is really exciting. A beautiful one way drive leads you to a spectacular series of hills in a stunning variety of colors. You can check out the affiliated website for additional information. However, it is important to note that this entry point (via Tioga Pass) is not always open year-round. You go in a winter for skiing or in summer for hiking and biking, its so much of fun and natural. We managed to get through before the first serious snows of the winter, but its always best to check if the pass is actually open as they dont plough the road! Second, its super salty. Beautiful little hike around a unique Body of water. Yosemite Valley closing 4/28/23. 228 reviews. But hold on, this isnt a golf course, but a rough bumpy field. You will see the pristine mountains, beautiful lakes and green pines everywhere. Once a lake but due to wind and water erosion, the rock salt formed into ragged spires. You might have heard aboutMono Lake in passing, but whats the deal with Mono Lake? While Tioga Pass is the quickest (and most scenic) route to get from Las Vegas to Yosemite, its important to know that its not open year-round. You can't get lost, as the canyon walls lead back to the trail head. Despite the distance, the drive is devastatingly beautiful and the stark contrast between the bright lights of Vegas and the natural splendor of the national park is awe-inspiring. The red rock formations are unforgettable as are the petroglyphs and the unique and beautiful scenery. Its a villa in the middle of the desert, built in the 1920s and 1930s by a millionaire from Chicago as a winter home. My suggestion is to . Series of hills in pastel hues, colored by oxidation & weathering, along 9-mi. Scotty's castle is a beautiful desert castle with a ton of interesting history. Have plenty of water and NEVER leave the road/trail-it is called Death Valley for a reason! The visitor center is located in the Furnace Creek resort area on California highway 190. After tasting the wines we went into their restaurant for dinner. Again, a lovely surprise. Our compliments to the chef. The gift shop is top notch and they have clean bathrooms. It's only a short distance between the trailhead and one of the most popular bathing sites made possible by the hot spring, but there are several other locations to be found by hiking around the area which is also the best way to explore the topography and understand the curious geology. Definitely a must see attraction if you want to get-away from Las Vegas and see something different and unique. The oldest tree Methuselah is around 4700 years old. Both for the temperature and the light. Keep in mind you need to allow enough time for exploring Mammoth Lakes, both the towns and the hikes. We took the drive early. I've seen people go down (down the hills and down on their face) using skim boards, boogie boards, surf boards, trash bags, snow sleds, skis-just anything and everything they can think of! The snow here is not always powdery but I believe they make their own snow. LazyTrips is a trading name of Uncle Bob Media Ltd. You'll mostly be within walking distance from everything you could want to visit in the area (or, worst-case scenario, a short drive away), and the service at the resort is impeccable to boot. The clear waters of Blakiston Creek rush through the startlingly crimson Red Rock Canyon. Located off Highway 190 in the center of the park, the dunes are easy to reach. We got our kids Park Passports to start recording their times at National Parks. I really like this small resort feel over any large overcrowded resort . As Nevadas first national conservation area, this 200,000-acre park offers spectacular views of rock formations, desert vegetation, hidden springs, wide open dunes, and vistas. The main entrance has a visitor center and a cost that requires a reservation. The drive was excellent. This area was a favorite spot of John Muirs and was a big reason why he wanted Yosemite to be a National Park in the first place! Sierra Nevada mountain passes, including Tioga Pass in Yosemite National Park, are closed during the winter. No matter what time of day you come, the view is always beautiful. Depending on when you visit, you might appreciate some extra time in the AC anyways. the Death Valley National Park is the most popular city on the route it's 6 hours from Yosemite National Park and 3 hours from Las Vegas. Loved seeing all the buildings and exhibits. I am so glad we had an opportunity to stop through. We definitely recommend spending a night or two in or around Mammoth Lakes in order to enjoy a few of the activities Mammoth has to offer. The Calico Tanks is a 2.5 mile round trip hike with about 400-500 feet in elevation change. Unfortunately there isnt a pool. Scenic, unique place, and beautiful at sunset and for stargazing. West of the Sierra Nevada mountains, via the valley (Bakersfield and Fresno). He turned it on and everything. This looks incredible! Such a cool spot that visitors can view from the parking area. Tips For Finding The Cheapest Flights Possible, 13 Best Stops On A Las Vegas to Yosemite Road Trip. Although you could definitely do this drive in a day, gas and food breaks included, you'll definitely want to stretch it out as much as possible in the interest of seeing everything there is to see on the way. This place is the best place in Death Valley for taking a break. Check website. 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. Just straight driving time from Las Vegas to San Francisco is already 9 hours. At Travertine Hot Spring you may choose to soak in the waters, the awesome Eastern Sierra scenery, the unique geological site or all three simultaneously. If you come from the south to visit the Artists Palette, you could unwittingly overlook this location. That is how the name was coined. Now onto fun stuff: Because flows ended up being lower than expected, the park reopened with limited hours Sunday and will reopen in full on Monday. Devils Golf Course is usually closed after rain. . Either route will get you to your destination: Yosemite Valley. How far is Las Vegas from Yosemite National Park? Alternatively, you can drive into the park and hike along the Tioga Pass, then return to your motel at Lee Vining and drive to Yosemite Valley the following morning. What a beautiful place to relax, eat something and take one of the many hiking trails. Bishop Creek Canyonis another awesome outdoor wonderland, perfect for outdoor enthusiasts who want to explore, fish, and camp. It is located in United States of America, California, Inyo County. The view of the lake from Oh Ridge is probably one of the most picturesque so definitely be sure to take a few photos with the lake/mountain views. The total driving distance from Las Vegas, NV to Yosemite National Park is 366 miles or 589 kilometers. To includes breaks, this and that, easily 11 hours. More waterfalls await in the Sierra Nevada high country of Yosemite National Park off Tioga Road, many of them near Tuolumne Meadows. While it doesnt have the giant icons of the valley like Half Dome, it is an incredible beautiful and serene meadow that is worth exploring. The scene is set off beautifully by twisted old mesquite trees. You could also go visit The Devil's Postpile National Monument. You will want to bring your camera and take plenty of photos of the stunning scenery. I made sure to visit multiple times on my second trip! In many ways, Las Vegas, Nevada, seems like the perfect gateway to a vacation in the West. Lena, I had a grand ole time! Basically trying to find things to do since we will be here for the New Years Eve fiesta With 19 hiking trails, a 13-mile bike loop, and 200 different mammals, kids will love the chance to get out and explore this scenic conservation area. Ubehebe Crater is a large volcanic field in the northern half of Death Valley. I'll be back here again someday! While it only lies twenty minutes drive west of the city, the stunning landscapes and scenery of the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area feel a million miles away from the sights and sounds of the Strip. Always sunny and the mountain is so big there is always somewhere to find good snow. Dont miss the Red Rock Canyon, a sweet (and close by) escape from the hustle and bustle of Sin City. Theres a tour of the grounds and buildings, but photography inside the house is prohibited. Below you'll find links to all the road trips we've assembled for Yosemite National Park. What you'll want to do is give yourself a couple of weeks to check out all of the following places: The great thing about doing a road trip from Las Vegas to Yosemite is that the park is among the most welcoming nature retreats in the States, no matter the season. Around 30 miles of incredible hiking trails, mountain biking, and rock climbing up the stunning faces of deep red Aztec sandstone cliffs make Red Rock Canyon, Nevadas first National Conservation Area, hugely popular with Vegas visitors who want to take time out from the gaming tables. In addition, the city offers a variety of shopping and dining options, as well as a number of annual events, such as the Fresno Fair and the Fresno Greek Festival. Follow the highway along Death Valley, then take State Routes 266 and 168 to get into California and onto Highway 395 at Big Pine. Well, for starters, its one of the highest in the USA, and its alsoscenic, which makes it a perfect setting to view some spectacular places from the car: the Tenaya and Tioga Lakes, the redwoods of Tuolumne Grove and Tuolumne Meadows. It's about two and a half hours from Zion National Park, four hours from the Grand Canyon, four hours from Los Angeles, and five to six hours from Yosemite National Park. Regardless of which route you take, youre probably going to need a lot more time to account for traffic, photo stops at scenic areas, overnight stays, food stops, and bathroom breaks. While hiking is the main activity in Red Rock Canyon, enjoy other recreational activities situated within convenient reach of the Las Vegas community of Summerlin, with luxurious resorts, stellar shopping and a variety of sporting events. This route comes with a serious caveat - you can only enter Yosemite from the east (via Tioga Pass) between May and November. It's near so many other key destinations that you have to make time to see it. A beautiful and informative stop along the 395 highway. So if you want to get inside the drug-induced, mind-altered head space of Raoul Duke (Johnny Depps character), head here. Once a lake bed, this area has now dried up leaving salt formations in its place. This is to the eastern entry point to Yosemite (near Lee Vining). Drinking extra water does help though.) We were hungry, so we returned to the hotel for lunch and reviewed the park maps to make plans. The views from this point are amazing. We didnt know what to expect because we just spontaneously decided to go up there since we knew there was snow. Nothing better than loosening your boots at the end of the day and soaking up the sun while sitting at the base of the mountain watching the sun go down. 9-mile drive in Death Valley National Park through canyons & by mountains with a rainbow of colors. The dunes shift in form throughout the year but theres always one over-achieving pile that reaches higher than the rest and if youre feeling energetic, you can head for that. 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. Devils Gold Course will be in 2.5 miles. And of course, no visit to Bakersfield would be complete without taking a drive on the historic Route 66. Start by driving downNorth Main Streetand soaking in Bishops quirky charm. Dealers are friendly. Barstow provides non-camping housing services for the folks interested in exploring Calico for multiple days in a row. This spot is in the middle of the park and easily accessible from the road. We had actually left the park a couple of days before that, and spent some time exploring the gorgeous areas around the nearby ski resort of Mammoth Lakes. After exploring the beautiful property, you can further unwind with a massage at the spa, have a traditional meal at the on-site restaurant, enjoy a drink before bed at the bar, or even try your hand at golf or a variety of other sports and activities. The 370-mile road trip from Las Vegas to Yosemite National Park will take 6 hours 20 minutes of driving. Plenty of parking. You will be able to see the dunes before even getting inside the parking lot, as they are quite massive, some around 150ft! Turn left on Ubehebe Crater Road, arrive at Ubehebe Crater in 5 miles. I highly recommend this winery/restaurant. I call that one "The Scenic Route". Natural wonder with red rocks draws those looking to hike, rock climb or go for a scenic drive. Also one of the best places in the park to star gaze about an hour and a half after sunset. What a place. Some of the most popular stops along the Tioga Road are: In summer, combine a trip to Yosemite National Park with Lake Tahoe by crossing through Yosemite via Tioga Pass Road (Hwy. Save. 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. There is movie about Death Valley history every 30 minutes. You can drive right up to the massive crater. Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes is best place in Death Valley National Park to see dunes, especially at sunset. Bunny hill is getting pretty crowded after 11 AM, and it is just the right size of slope although relatively short. This post may contain affiliate links. Nothing is here, but one cant get enough of looking. Get first-hand information from the park rangers and watch the film on the park and history. The falls are very beautiful. If youre into fishing, the four lakes here (June, Gull, Silver, and Grant) are renowned for fishing and are stocked with trophy-size Alpers trout. There is a lot of gravel on the path going down, making it a lot easier to hike down to the bottom of the crater. 28K views, 636 likes, 137 loves, 275 comments, 64 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Yosemite National Park: Join us live on the ranger couch to hear kids' questions in their own voices, to explore. Tours 4 Fun provides a Vegas-Yosemite tour that includes many famous sights and continues on to San Francisco. Avoiding crowds is also quite simple - visiting in May or September should guarantee you a quieter and cheaper stay. Yes, this was once an active volcano, and the surrounding landscape is still littered with charred soil and cinders. This 11,059-ft. lava dome mountain features a winter ski resort & summer biking. For a more accessible natural landmark, you can visit Mammoth Lakes. Me and my family have wonderful memories there and is hard to see it go. The fastest and easiest way to get from LA to Yosemite National Park is to fly. Theres no hike here. Visitors Ctr is awesome, beautifully designed and full of cool info. Its easily accessible from a parking lot. from the sculptures to the abandoned town walking distance up the road. The only services there were some toilets. Best skiing experience even when the conditions arent the best. Located in the high sierras, Tuolumne Meadows is a beautiful location that sadly doesnt get the attention that Yosemite Valley does. The primary source of sand is the Cottonwood Mountains. The dunes can get up to 100 feet high, and if youve never hiked on dunes before, youll soon see how hard it is! Worth a detour to check it out. The largest of these, Ubehebe Crater, is a sight to behold, at half a mile across and 600 feet deep. You can drive from Yosemite National Park to Las Vegas. We've compiled data from NASA for each month of the year: see the links below for more information. Do this on the way to Badwater. Well preserved and looked after. Try to get there right before sunset because the lighting is just on point to illuminate all the colors without overkill. 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. Assuming this isn't a problem for you, you can do the trip in the summer, when most people visit the park for the nature views and the easy access to hiking trails. Show only these on map. If you want to visit an attraction thats close to Fresno, but actually a part of Yosemite National Park, youve got to add Mariposa Grove as a stop. Hi. Yosemite Falls is covered behind a sign marking the water level of the 1997 flood in Yosemite National Park, Calif., as seen on Jan. 7, 2017. Water, restrooms and plenty of parking. The wine tasting was informative and plenty (dont forget to tip). I had no idea this place was a thing. This is one of the only ghost towns in the state that is still intact. To get to the monument there is a short hike but to get to the top to see the columns is not best for those with limited mobility. Remember to take your water and hat. On that thought, this is a place best seen in the morning. Dirt road closed in wet weather. PST That way, youll be able to explore at least some of what Californias Eastern Sierra region has to offer! Hiking trails range from easy to strenuous, but each family should find plenty of places along the way for kids and adults alike to hike and climb. The most accessible sand dunes are the Mesquite Dunes in Stovepipe Wells. Views with my image posted are not far from that location. For a nominal entrance fee, vehicles can drive the one-way 13-mile scenic drive and stop along the way at the 26 numbered hiking trails and rock climbing areas. We arrived after three days of heavy rain and it was beautiful and overcast. 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. Explore from the desert to the mountains to the coast. three stage model of critical thinking, shanahan's steakhouse owners, is chase and rondell still friends,
Steidtmann Commercial Real Estate,
Wisecars Protection Package,
City Of Millersville, Tn Property Taxes,
Bayswater Waves Opening Hours,
What Is The Difference Between Language And Literacy,
Articles H