Visit Yosemite | Madera County – Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, peak-hour reservations are required between June 15 and August 15 and between August 30 and September 1, between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. No reservation is needed outside those dates unless you plan to stay overnight.

Reservation Requirements for 2026 have not been announced. 

Reserve Yosemite Entry →

• Go to Recreation.gov

• Log in before reservations open

• Be ready 8 am PST when new passes are released

• Use the 7-day rolling release for additional spots

Yes. Yosemite requires separate permits for:

• Half Dome hikes (lottery system)

• Overnight wilderness trips

• *Climbing on specific routes

Apply for Yosemite Permits →

No — Mariposa Grove access is free with your Yosemite entry pass.

Explore Mariposa Grove →

How long does Yosemite National Park stay open? 

Yosemite National Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. However, entrance stations are not staffed around the clock.

• If you arrive when a station is unstaffed, you can pay your entrance fee on the way out.

• Seasonal road closures can occur due to snow, especially on Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road.

Road Conditions & Travel Info:

• Yosemite National Park Road Conditions: Call (209) 372‑0200 (press 1 for recorded updates)

• California Highway Conditions: Call (800) 427‑7623 or visit Caltrans QuickMap
  
  

Check Seasonal Updates → 

The Visitor Center is located at 40343 Highway 41, Oakhurst, CA 93644, just 14 miles from the southern entrance to Yosemite National Park.
Here’s a quick guide to estimated drive times and mileage from popular destinations:

Tip:

• Allow extra time during peak travel seasons and weekends.

• From Oakhurst, it’s roughly 25 minutes to Bass Lake and 30–40 minutes to Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias.

• For current road conditions, call:
  • Yosemite Roads: (209) 372‑0200
  • California Highways: (800) 427‑7623

Yes — but parking is limited in peak season.

• Park early and use the free shuttle

• Consider YARTS, or a tour if you prefer a no-stress option

Yes! The free Yosemite Valley Shuttle operates daily.

• Hours: 7 am – 10 pm

• Stops: Yosemite Village, Curry Village, Yosemite Lodge, trailheads

Yosemite Shuttle Info →

Yes! The Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System connects Oakhurst, Fresno, Merced, and Mammoth Lakes.

All year

• Highway 140 (Merced, Mariposa, Midpines, El Portal).

Summer only

• Highway 120 from the east (Lee Vining, June Lake, Mammoth Lakes)
• Highway 120 from the west (Buck Meadows, Groveland, Sonora)
• Highway 41 from the south (Fish Camp, Oakhurst, Fresno)

Tire Chain Requirements for Yosemite & the Sierra Nevada

California uses three levels of chain restrictions in winter:

• R1 – Chains, traction devices, or snow tires are required on the drive axle of all vehicles except 4WD/AWD.
• R2 – Chains or traction devices are required on all vehicles, except 4WD/AWD with proper snow tires.
• R3 – Chains or traction devices are required on all vehicles, even 4WD/AWD. (R3 conditions are rare; roads often close before reaching this level.

Good to Know:

• Maximum speed is 35 MPH during R1, R2, or R3, even on dry pavement. Exceeding this limit can result in a ticket.
• Always carry tire chains in your vehicle from November 1 through June 1 when traveling in the Sierra Nevada foothills or mountains.
• If chain controls are in effect — at any level — you must have them in your car, even if you don’t need to install them.

More Winter Driving Tips →

GPS isn’t always reliable when navigating Yosemite and the surrounding mountain areas, and it can sometimes send you the wrong way. For the most accurate Yosemite directions, we recommend using a printed map or stopping by the Visitor Center for up-to-date, local guidance.

Meet our Team of Yosemite Experts → 

Top lodging locations near Yosemite’s South Entrance:

• Oakhurst — Hotels, dining & visitor center

• Bass Lake — Resorts, cabins, and campgrounds

• Fish Camp — Lodges near Mariposa Grove

• Inside Yosemite Valley — Limited options; book early!

Browse Yosemite Lodging →

Yes — but Yosemite campgrounds fill fast.

• Reserve sites through Recreation.gov

• Limited first-come, first-served spots exist

• For last-minute options, check campgrounds in the Sierra National Forest nearby

Reserve Yosemite Campsites →

Absolutely! Bass Lake is one of the most popular camping destinations in the Sierra National Forest, offering a variety of options for tents, RVs, and lakeside stays. Whether you want a family-friendly campground, a shaded retreat, or a private RV resort, you’ve got choices:

Bass Lake Campgrounds (Managed by the Sierra National Forest)

• Recreation Point Campground — Spacious, family-friendly, great for group camping.

• Lupine & Cedar Bluff Campgrounds — Steps from the lake, perfect for tents and small RVs.

• Wishon Point Campground — Quiet, shaded sites, ideal for a more relaxed experience.

• Spring Cove Campground — Close to boat launches and great lake access.

• Forks Campground — Near The Forks Resort, restaurants, and boat rentals.

Private RV Camping at Bass Lake

• Outdoorsy Yosemite RV Park — A full-service RV park offering hookups, shaded sites, cabins, fully loaded trailers, showers, and easy lake access. Great for visitors who prefer a more comfortable, resort-style RV experience. Reservations are highly recommended, especially during summer.

Important Note: Dispersed Camping Is Not Allowed at Bass Lake

While dispersed camping is a great way to explore the Sierra National Forest, it is not permitted around Bass Lake due to environmental protections, private property boundaries, and heavy visitor traffic. All camping at Bass Lake must be in designated campgrounds or private parks.

Nearby Alternatives & Dispersed Camping Options

If Bass Lake campgrounds are full, here are other options nearby:

• Summerdale Campground (along Hwy 41, near Yosemite’s south entrance)

• Soquel Campground (secluded, shaded, and less crowded)

• Rock Creek (quiet, remote, and rustic)

For dispersed camping away from Bass Lake:

• Allowed in many areas of the Sierra National Forest outside the Bass Lake Recreation Area

• First-come, first-served (no reservations)

• No amenities — pack it in, pack it out

• Always check current fire restrictions

• Contact the Bass Lake Ranger District for maps & guidelines: (559) 877‑2218

Explore Bass Lake Camping →

• Popular places to stay:

  • Three Rivers (closest to Sequoia)

  • Visalia (central lodging options)

  • Oakhurst (ideal if combining Yosemite + Sequoia in one trip)

Explore Three Parks on the Majestic Mountain Loop →

A bear? Possibly, but never approach wildlife. There's an excellent chance of seeing lots of other wildlife: mule deer, coyotes, marmots, several species of squirrel, and numerous birds such as Stellar's Blue Jay, Black Headed Grosbeak, and various birds of prey.

• Use bear-safe food storage

• Follow National Park Service guidelines

Bear Safety Tips →

Yes, but there are restrictions:

• Dogs allowed: developed areas, campgrounds, fully paved paths

• Dogs NOT allowed: trails, shuttle buses, wilderness areas

• The only unpaved trail where pets can hike with their human is the Wawona Meadow Loop Trail

Yosemite Pet Policy →

• Foothills: Mid-March → April

• High Country: Mid-June → August

Show Me The Colors →

No, natural objects like rocks, pinecones, leaves, and flowers should be left where you find them. These items play an essential role in the ecosystem, and leaving them in place helps protect Yosemite’s beauty for future visitors to enjoy.

More Tips for Recreating Responsibly →

• Valley winter days: 30°–55°F

• Winter nights: 20°–35°F

Check out the 10-Day Forecast → 

Fishing in Yosemite Valley can be enjoyable, but many anglers find even better opportunities in the high country, at Bass Lake, and throughout the surrounding lakes and streams of the Sierra National Forest. Many of these areas are regularly stocked, making them great spots for beginners and seasoned fishers alike. Anyone 16 years or older must have a valid California fishing license, including when fishing inside Yosemite National Park.

The Best Fishing Holes →

Yes, ranger-led hikes are offered seasonally through the Yosemite Conservancy.
Additionally:

• Naturalist Walks are available via Yosemite Hospitality.

• Oakhurst-based tour companies, like Pedal Forward Bikes & Adventures, offer guided hiking and biking tours in Yosemite National Park and the surrounding Sierra National Forest.

Pro Tip: Book early during peak season, as spots often fill up quickly.

• Mist Trail → Vernal & Nevada Falls (moderate)

• Glacier Point Trail → panoramic views (easy/moderate)

• Mariposa Grove Trails → among Giant Sequoias (easy to moderate)

Maps for More Yosemite Hiking Trails →

Spring to early summer is peak waterfall season.

Yosemite Waterfall Guide →

Bass Lake is the top spot for boating near Yosemite. You can launch or rent speed boats, jet skis, kayaks, paddleboards, pontoons, fishing boats, and canoes!

There are three full-service marinas on the lake. 

• Miller’s Landing

• Bass Lake Boat Rentals

• The Forks Resort

Plan Your Bass Lake Adventure →

You can experience hands-on gold panning (not technically gold mining) at two great local spots:

• Angry Bear Mining Co. — Located at the outdoor mall at Southgate Station in Oakhurst, offering family-friendly gold panning experiences and demonstrations.

• Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad — Try gold panning before or after your scenic steam train ride through the Sierra National Forest.

  
  

The Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad offers antique steam train rides through the Sierra National Forest.

• Season: Spring → Fall

• Special rides: moonlight trains, BBQ dinners, and gold panning

The famous Wawona Tunnel Tree once stood in the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, just beyond Yosemite’s southern entrance, but it fell during the heavy winter storms of 1968–1969 and the original site is not marked. Today, visitors can still enjoy an incredible bucket-list experience by walking through the nearby California Tunnel Tree, which remains standing and open to the public.

Discover Yosemite's Iconic Locations →

Yosemite and the Southern Sierra are known for their incredible stargazing thanks to low light pollution. Popular spots like Glacier Point and the Sierra Vista Scenic Byway offer unmatched views of the Milky Way — a favorite for night photographers and astronomy enthusiasts.

Find The Best Stargazing →

Bass Lake, located just 17 miles from Yosemite’s South Entrance, is one of the Sierra Nevada’s most popular recreation spots. Known for its warm summer water, boating, fishing, hiking, and lakeside dining, it’s been called one of the “Best Lakes in the West” by Sunset Magazine. It’s also a filming location for movies like The Great Outdoors and Leave Her To Heaven.

Discover Film Locations → 

Oakhurst is famous for its hundreds of hand-carved wooden bears, created by talented local chainsaw artists. You’ll spot them throughout town — greeting visitors at storefronts, parks, and scenic pullouts. The bears have become an iconic symbol of the region’s mountain-town charm and creativity.

That's Bear-y Cute →

Along Historic U.S. Highway 99 in Madera County, there’s a symbolic point “where the palm meets the pine.” This marks the transition between Southern California’s warmer, Mediterranean climate (palm trees) and Northern California’s cooler, forested terrain (pine trees). It’s a unique piece of state history and a fun roadside oddity along the Golden State Highway.

Uncover the Other "Center" of California →  

That title goes to Yosemite Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in North America at 2,425 feet. The falls are most powerful in spring and early summer when snowmelt peaks, but water flow varies dramatically depending on the season.

Chase More Waterfalls →  

Derived from the Southern Miwok word “Yehemite” → “Some among them are killers.” 

More About Local Native Culture →

The Mariposa Grove is home to 500+ mature Giant Sequoias, some estimated to be over 3,000 years old. These ancient giants are among the oldest living things on Earth and can grow over 250 feet tall.

Learn More →