Would recommend coming an hour or two before sunset, exploring/playing on the dunes and then watching sunset there. Located in the high sierras, Tuolumne Meadows is a beautiful location that sadly doesnt get the attention that Yosemite Valley does. The geographic midpoint between Yosemite-National-Park and Las-Vegas is in 133.96 mi (215.58 km) distance between both points in a bearing of 114.83. The tour . As a general rule of thumb, Tioga Pass is typically closed for drivers safety between November and to late May. Distance: 471-523 miles Approximate time: 7.25-9.75 hours, depending on the route Arches contain some of the country's most amazing natural wondersmammoth rocks and arches formed from erosion. From the dazzling Las Vegas start to the natural wonders of Yosemite end point, your road trip spans a whopping 334 to 560 miles. On your road trip to Yosemite from Las Vegas, you should consider passing through the Mojave National Preserve. A lot of that has to do with the world-class resorts, the best one being The Inn at Death Valley. Please don't forget to pay this place a visit you will never regret it. 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 were hungry, so we returned to the hotel for lunch and reviewed the park maps to make plans. 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. Clothing is optional here. This was a great choice for our 5 kids. There are also several golf courses in the area, as well as a waterpark and an amusement park. 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. After Fresno, you'll be knocking on Yosemite's front door. 1. Remember to take your water and hat. There are 6 sand dunes in this park (Mesquite, Eureka, Hidden, Saline Valley Dunes, Panamint Valley, and Ibex Sand Dune) but Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes are the most popular and easily accessible. My . Recommended Bus, train, drive Take the bus from Las Vegas to Bakersfield And guess what? There are several trails through the area, all offering great views of the amazing layers and bands of color. Located near Stovepipe Wells, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes is a great spot for seeing A LOT of sky. Once you're (literally) out of the woods, make a left onto State Route 120 when you see Mono Lake to your right, and follow it through Tioga Pass. Again, a lovely surprise. Two awesome places to grab coffee really early in the morning before you head out on your adventures areBlack Velvet Coffee(get the liege waffle to pair with your coffee) andStellar Brew & Natural Cafe(you can even pick up fresh smoothies here). Sand dunes cover less than 1% of the surface area of Death Valley National Park, but are undoubtedly among the main sights in the park. Check them out here: Yes! Plan some extra time for the hike from the parking lot to the actual sand dunes. If youve ever wanted to take some epic, so-cool-they-seem-fake photos on some sand dunes, this is one of the best things to see in Death Valley. Nothing is here, but one cant get enough of looking. The name mocks that Only devils could play golf on this rough land. 98,267 posts. They have chair ride, disc golf, archery, and axe throwing. Re: Las Vegas - Death Valley - Monterey- LAX . Bring water, a camera, and comfortable sports clothing for a special day. 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. They relax briefly on the nearly empty patio. Must see, must walk through. The scenic itinerary will have you driving along Death Valley, then the impossibly scenic Sierra Nevada range and its constituent parks. up to 10050ft. This site and app let me do all the planning for our 15 day trip in a little over 6 hours! Limits are pretty low, but was able to win a bit. You can walk the easy 2.2 mile trail around the crater and even drop down 500 feet deep into the crater, but it is definitely not an easy hike back up the rocky and ankle-deep debris. What you find here is salt formations and theyre very hard, almost petrified hard, so you have to be extremely careful with where you put your feet, if you fall over youll likely be pierced by one of the pointy salt spikes not to mention what would happen to your lens if it falls front first!. This unique formation is a 600 foot deep inverted volcano. 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. Located 54 miles north of Furnace Creek is Scottys Castle, an elaborate mansion built truly out in the middle of nowhere in the 1920s. And because changes in elevation also bring changes in temperatures, be sure to pack layers so that youre prepared for any type of weather. Tuolumne Meadows is a large high-elevation meadow in the Sierra Nevada. On your way to the park's main entrance, you can ogle at the 500 mature giant sequoias growing undisturbed in this grove. Luxury Meets Disney Magic: Inside the $109,995 Private Jet Adventure! Beautiful and amazing! 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). So run and dig on the sand and see the shimmering beauty create magic. Unlike what many people assume, less than 1% of Death Valley is covered with dunes. An easy, 13-mile driving loop connects visitors to more than two dozen marked trails, with epic views waiting at every turn. Related Post: 14 Best Red Rock Canyon Tours From Las Vegas. Anyway, I recommend spending a day at Lee Canyon. The Devils Golf Course is another expansive area of salt formations but far different that the ones you saw at Badwater Basin. September is probably the safer of the two options, as you might get the occasional inaccessible road even in late spring. Bathrms were in great shape and clean. Ubehebe Crater is a massive 600 foot-deep, half-mile-wide volcanic crater thats about an hour north of the Furnace Creek Visitor Center. To the north, saltwater Mono Lake is dotted with limestone towers. Ways To Experience Washington, DC, A Pandemic Puppys Epic Adventure with Her Adopters, Discover the Worlds Tallest Observation Wheel: High Roller Ferris Wheel in Las Vegas. You can take a bus from Las Vegas Airport (LAS) to Yosemite National Park via Las Vegas Amtrak Bus Stop, Bakersfield, Merced Bus Stop, Merced Transpo, and Yosemite Valley Visitors Center in around 16h 24m. There are also a few short trails to hike around the spring if you prefer that as an alternative. One look into the meadow and its easy to see why. But we recommend checking it out, especially if youve never seen a volcanic crater before. I cant recommend it enough! Oh and the place is hauntedI wonder if the ghosts will stay and haunt the new place.I hope they do. Lol. . Be sure to check whether it is closed or not before attempting to take this route. Driving distance from Las Vegas, NV to Yosemite National Park. A very popular and picturesque place, the park attracts millions of visitors each year due to its ease of access, wealth of activities and dramatic scenery. Too bad we came on a Tuesday (their dark-days) but the staff allowed us to explore for free! If you're staying the night but arrived early enough - you can go visit Mono Lake. Your email address will not be published. While the trails are open year-round, the roads are weather dependent. This 600-feet deep crater is what remains after a massive volcanic eruption hundreds of years ago. You can access Devils Golf Course in a car, but an SUV or off-road vehicle is preferable. There were cool formations and slot canyons down in there, and looked otherworldly. Well more the vibe than the temperature. Be sure to take the trail to the top of the formation. We went to the sand dunes at 3:00 am to take some astrophotography, and we were not disappointed. The Artist Palette rocks in Death Valley are a must. Red Rock is the perfect day trip if you are in Las Vegas and want to enjoy the outdoors. I call that one "The Scenic Route". This Pahrump, Nevada hotel features a casino and on-site restaurants. Nice easy access sand dune. Yosemite Valley closing 4/28/23. Ramah saat itu sedang . Big gambling floor. Be rady for the heat and the sun. Visitors Center also open for questions or buying things. Fast climbing windy road, starts at about 4000ft. Lastly, Red Rock Canyon is a recreational area located in the Mojave Desert. Besides that all was good. 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. Tips For Finding The Cheapest Flights Possible, 13 Best Stops On A Las Vegas to Yosemite Road Trip. This is open all year round and during winter this is the only option for getting from Las Vegas to Yosemite (or the other way around), so I like to call it "The Winter Route". Oh yes, dont miss the opportunity to stop byErick Schats Bakkery to carbo-load on delicious breads/pastries, an activity you need NOT be shameful of. Tuolumne Meadows is another underrated spot outside of Yosemite Valley. The best thing about this casino was definately the coffee shop. Directions from Artist Palette, head back towards Badwater Road for 3 miles, make a left onto Badwater Road, continue for a mile, and make a right onto West Side Road. It gets very dark out there, which makes it the perfect setting for an outdoor movie night! It is like a mirage in the desert, Scottys Castle is a castle made in Spanish style. It is at the very edge of the desert. Our compliments to the chef. Located in the Stovepipe Wells Village area, the dunes feature seemingly endless mounds of sand backed by rugged mountains. You can have luck at either sunset or sunrise here. You will walk on dried salt. If youre short on time and dont have weeks (most of us dont), Id recommend taking 4 to 7 days for your road trip. Located only 25 minutes from the Strip it is a breathtaking place to see. One of our favorite finds wasMammoth Gear Exchangewhere we found new and gently-used outdoor gear at steeply discounted prices! Death Valley National Park is a really unique place thatll have you thinking youre on another planet. The highlight here? Check outSilver Lake, Grant Lake, and Gull Lake, which offer swimming, boating, sailing, stand-up paddleboarding, waterskiing, and jet-skiing. Required fields are marked *. It is the oldest and fabled attraction of Death Valley. Second, its super salty. A little off the beaten path but well worth the effort. How to Travel From San Francisco to Yosemite by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane, 48 Hours in Mammoth Lakes, California: The Perfect Itinerary, When and Where to See the California Wildflowers, Scenic California Drives: 7 Routes That Will Make You Swoon, Yosemite National Park: The Complete Guide, The 'Neon to Nature' Routes Should Be a Must-Do on Your Next Vegas Trip. On the left, you see the route that takes you west of the Sierra Nevada. Great little museum exhibits on the region and wildlife! Need to park at the gondola. Worth a stop if you're in the area. You can hike into the center, but note that the steep climb out is much more difficult than the climb in! We spent 90-minutes walking through the town and reading some of the history. The surface of the Golf Course is so rough and the temperature so hot during the day, it is said that only the Devils can play golf there. 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. The entrance to the sandy road that leads to Devils Golf Courseis on Badwater Road between the entry and exit of the Artist circular road. Salt crusted over the rock formations can be seen for miles. These games celebrate Bakersfield's Scottish community with bagpipes and caber tossing, among other regional sports. A few people stop by the patio at the 95-year-old Ahwahnee Hotel on Friday in Yosemite National Park. 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. Not only was she knowledgeable about the food served in the restaurant but she was filled with fun information about the Pahrump area. I was so impressed seeing the before and after . Visiting from Australia, I always wanted to see a real ghost town in USA. Red Rock Canyon is located just 13 miles from the central Strip and three miles from Summerlin. And it's a good question, because you have two alternative routes -. And if you would rather not drive or worry about planning out what sites to see, there are many tours from Vegas that can take you out there: Big Pine holds a very special place in my heart. Scenic, unique place, and beautiful at sunset and for stargazing. This is like a poor man's Devil's Tower. In Yosemite National Park, there is no other place more picturesque than the Tuolumne Meadows. the Tenaya Lodge, with its countless on-site activities, is always an amazing choice. Tuolumne Grove Trail; Yosemite Falls Hike; Mirror Lake; Sequoia National Park . On the floor of Death Valley is a large salt span called Devils Golf Course. This post may contain affiliate links. If you think Death Valley is only good for your wide angle lenses, you are totally wrong. Funky, free sculpture park in the desert featuring 7 offbeat works by Belgian artists & a gift shop. Always sunny and the mountain is so big there is always somewhere to find good snow. Thanks so much for the tips!!! Yosemite National Park is visited by over 4 million visitors each year. Youll take Scottys Castle road most of the way up there, turning left onto Ubehebe Crater Road when it forks. The best place to see the Mono Lake tufas is undoubtedly at theMono Lake South Tufa Area. Looks like a tile floor! It is about 25 minutes west and is a great place to let the kids get some energy out climbing on the red sandstone formations and hiking on the beautiful trails. It's a fantastic zoo, with a massive open outdoor enclosure for the large African animals. Near the mammoth sculpture there is the kiosk to purchase the bus ticket $15/person. The Ghost Town Rhyolite is right next to it, also worth exploring. In many ways, Las Vegas, Nevada, seems like the perfect gateway to a vacation in the West. From the idyllic retreat of Tuolumne Meadows to the breathtaking views found at Olmsted Point, Tioga Pass is one of the best areas to visit in Yosemite National Park. Las Vegas is a 123-mile (198-kilometer) drive away. 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. She truly made our dining experience memorable. Located in central Death Valley near Stovepipe Wells, access is from Hwy. 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. Amazing scenic drive and the weather was perfect that day. Very accessible trail for everyone, seniors, children and handicap. Named after a line in the 1934 National Park Service guide book for Death Valley, which stated that Only the devil could play golf on its surface, due to large, sculptural edges of the salt crystal formations. You can't get lost, as the canyon walls lead back to the trail head. Its dramatic vistas are revered by Las Vegas locals and adored by visitors from around the world. This is a very good half day trip. We arrived after three days of heavy rain and it was beautiful and overcast. Calm and serene. Worth a detour to check it out. 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. You will see the pristine mountains, beautiful lakes and green pines everywhere. 1. You can even pick up a few additional drinks or snacks to pair with your meal from the big general store in town. Beautiful hotel and casino indeed. 29, 2023 at 3:20 AM PDT | Updated: moments ago. Sierra Nevada mountain passes, including Tioga Pass in Yosemite National Park, are closed during the winter. The fastest and most popular route is to take the U.S. 95 to State Route 266, then through Bishop and Mammoth Lakes on the 395. Rainbow fall is at the bus stop 9 (last bus at 3:00pm). In certain places like Ice Box Canyon or the Children's Discovery Trail, you might even stumble upon a hidden waterfall or two. Hi Sarah, This entrance fee is good for 7 days. Always a nice time visiting Bodie! Distance from Furnace Creek Visitor Center: 22.7 miles; 26 min by car. More on that below! Nearly 200,000 acres, its a great area for those who love a little Vegas glitz with their nature: Red Rock sits only minutes from the Summerlin area, a large development west of the Strip. You can visit Furnace Creek Visitors Center website for more information about seasonally-available campsites, prices, and to schedule your stay. Plan along with your friends with live syncing and collaborative editing. Currently closed. Follow a 0.7km interpretive loop trail along the cliffs to learn a little geology and see jaw-dropping scenery. The service was great, the food tasted awesome. Consider also checking out the exhibits, ask a park ranger questions, and pay for your entrance to the park if you havent already. Each trail has many different difficulty levels, so you can choose one that fits your ability level and then challenge yourself as you get more accustomed to hiking in this environment. Share your memorable experience with our audience in comment box. And if you want to take even longer, you could do this as a day trip from Las Vegas (itinerary available here). You will find the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes beside the road just before Stovepipe Wells. Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes are the most popular sand dunes in the park and the easiest to reach. This drive boasts some seriously spectacular scenery. Everything was clean. Between two national parks, multiple national monument sites, vista points . All the workers were really nice and helpful. Over time, the weather and elements have worn away at the surface, creating the rough texture Devils Golf Course has today. Volcanic and glacial forces sculpted this formation of smooth, vertical basalt columns. Next time we are in town we will definitely stop back. Chill. Mammoth Lakes is a town in California's Sierra Nevada mountains. Subject to winter closure, this pass is California's highest vehicle crossing, with many trailheads. Our excitement continued when the sun rose over the dunes and created intense contrasting shadows that made us feel like we were in a computer screen. Despite its small size, there are plenty of things to do in Pahrump! San Diego area Distance: 441 mi / 710 km Time: 8 hours Take I-5 north to Highway 99 to Highway 41 north (Fresno) into Yosemite National Park. 1. Expect a whole variety of mountains, lakes, streams, forests, and waterfalls once you reach the canyon area. People love visiting Death Valley National Park and Mammoth Lakes, among others. The route passes through Death Valley, Inyo National Forest, and Mammoth Lakes, or via Bakersfield and past Sequoia and Sierra National Forests. Depending on your route, the trip can be between roughly 330 and 560 miles long. Love the old buildings, trucks, and other items from years ago. Thank you for hosting us on our short stop. 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! Theres no hike here. It's a fun spot to take the family and watch everyone else having fun while I relax under my umbrella (there is NO shade). Lee Vining is a great place to use the bathroom or pick up a quick snack before driving into the park. 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. The timings of scenic drive during sunrise depends on seasons which includes several packages. Where Is Disneyland In California? The monument itself is amazing. Once filled with miners searching for silver, this town was eventually abandoned in the 1890s, rendering it a ghost town.. Wander easy trails along the Tuolumne River or more rugged paths to the summits of lofty domes and granite-backed alpine lakes. Once you arrive at the Visitor Center, take the one-way 13-mile scenic drive. If you're having issues using the site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser. Can't wait to go back. Stop by and you'll find restaurants, boutiques, and hotels that'll make a day visit or overnight stay especially memorable. Driving from Yosemite National Park to Las Vegas should take you 8 hrs 16 mins in normal traffic. Wawona, Mariposa Grove, Crane Flat & Tuolumne Grove, and Hetch Hetchy will remain open. The temperatures in and around Death Valley are frequently blistering enough that the lakes that do form at Badwater Basin will evaporate within a day of their formation. It is also the lowest point in the surrounding county. The main entrance has a visitor center and a cost that requires a reservation. Much easier to climb then Kelsi Dunes. If youre looking for something a bit more active, Bakersfield is also home to several parks and recreation areas, such as Hart Park and Panorama Bluffs. On a clear night, you can see milkyway! 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. Best in the morning or evening. 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. The largest crater of the national park is about 600 feet deep and 1/2 mile across. Scotty's castle is a beautiful desert castle with a ton of interesting history. Those looking to get outside can explore one of Fresnos many parks, including Woodward Park, which is home to a number of hiking trails and a lake. The unending stretches of desert and the amazing rock formations really make this area look out of this world. Yes, just like all National Parks in the US, there is an entrance fee. The city also has a vibrant nightlife, with many bars and clubs to choose from. So, leaving from Mammoth Lakes, we leisurely drove around, stopped for some sighseeing, including scenic outlooks in Death Valley National Park. This place is the best place in Death Valley for taking a break. Flight distance: 151 miles or 243 km. Beautiful geological formation of crystallized basalt lava. Dress, Shoes, And Other Tips By Season]? This is dog friendly so long as theyre on a leash, you clean their poop and you stay on trail. The fastest and easiest way to get from LA to Yosemite National Park is to fly. If you are a bit adventurous, go off trail on the way back. It's also convenient that you'll be passing through Bakersfield and Fresno, giving you some stopovers if the weather catches you off-guard. Dont miss the Red Rock Canyon, a sweet (and close by) escape from the hustle and bustle of Sin City. You can fly via United's ski seasonal service from LAX to the Eastern Sierra Regional Airport (BIH) in Bishop. You've got great hiking and picture-taking opportunities in the foreground and mountains in the background. The red rock formations are unforgettable as are the petroglyphs and the unique and beautiful scenery. Head east to CA-190 W, and continue until you see the signs for Mesquite Sand Dunes. It is absolutely beautiful. There will also be no cell phone reception for most of the way once you enter the park (Death Valley National Park). Youre going to have your breath taken away as you drive into the park! I think my favorite thing was the variety of cacti and succulents that we saw. To get to Mesquite Sand Dunes: 1-hour drive from Dantes View. You can read about our visit to the Fresno Zoo here. The public roads are maintained year-roundexcept for the eastern entrance on Tioga Road (Highway 120 through the park). For when nature calls and you need a break from the hustle and bustle of the Strip, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is a beautiful spot just 25 minutes west of Las Vegas. Now onto fun stuff: Here, you'll be able to settle in at a luxury resort or in a nestled cabin and still reach Yosemite within 18 minutes. Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox, Zeke Quezada is a travel writer specializing in Las Vegas and the author of "Restaurants in Las Vegas: The Best for Less. . And of course, no visit to Bakersfield would be complete without taking a drive on the historic Route 66. If youre anything like me, Ive got something fun for you nature lovers out there! Mariposa Grove, while not at the heart of Yosemite, is home to one of its most impressive natural features: the Giant Sequoias. If youre looking for some inspiration, or just want to see what kinds of scenic stops are out there, keep reading. Access: Paved roadFacilities: Toilet in car parkTime needed: 30 minutes 1 hour+ Distance from Furnace Creek Visitor Centre:23 miles (35km)/ 26 minutes.
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