The Open Road Travel

Best Place To Stop On A Las Vegas To Yosemite Road Trip – Tonopah, Nevada

At less than 6 hours, many people will aim to drive a Las Vegas to Yosemite road trip in one go. However, for anyone wanting to make the most of the journey and soak in all it has to offer, we recommend making an overnight stop. There are a few places you could do this, but none are better than Tonopah, Nevada.

Situated near the route's halfway point, Tonopah is a historic mining community located between Las Vegas and Reno, celebrated for its rich silver-boom legacy and Western appeal. Established in the early 1900s following a significant silver find, Tonopah swiftly evolved into one of Nevada’s most successful mining hubs. Today, travellers are drawn to Tonopah for its blend of history and small-town allure.

Visitors can explore the Tonopah Historic Mining Park, where the original mine shafts and equipment narrate the tale of the town’s development. The Central Nevada Museum also presents captivating exhibits related to pioneer life, mining heritage, and local folklore. The beautifully renovated Mizpah Hotel, once referred to as “the finest hotel in the desert,” stands as a landmark and is said to be haunted.

At night, Tonopah’s Dark Sky Park offers some of the most pristine stargazing opportunities in the continental U.S., making it a prime location for astronomy fans. With its combination of history, desert landscapes, and an element of enigma, Tonopah is an ideal destination for those examining Nevada’s historic mining route.

Best Hotel To Stay At In Tonopah, Nevada – The Clown Motel

The Clown Motel in Tonopah, Nevada, ranks among America’s most unconventional and renowned roadside attractions. Dubbed “the scariest motel in America,” it features an array of clown figurines, dolls, and paintings that create a distinctively unsettling yet whimsical ambience. Situated adjacent to Tonopah’s historic cemetery, the motel has become a cultural icon, attracting visitors curious about its blend of humour, horror, and nostalgia.

For travellers, a stay at the Clown Motel is more than just a way to rest; it is a unique and memorable experience. Each room has a unique theme; some are adorned with cheerful clowns, others showcase eerie horror designs. The front office serves as a small museum displaying vintage clown collectables. Whether you visit for the photo opportunities, ghost tales, or sheer curiosity, the Clown Motel provides an enjoyable and quirky overnight experience that captures Tonopah’s unique charm.



When you combine its comfortable accommodations with its fame and fun factor, The Clown Motel in Tonopah, Nevada, is easily the best place to stay on a Las Vegas to Yosemite road trip.

Top Attractions On A Las Vegas To Yosemite Road Trip

Mount Charleston

Mount Charleston is the highest peak in Nevada and the eighth highest in the contiguous United States. Situated just outside Las Vegas, breathtaking wilderness areas encircle it, and it stands as one of the most sought-after and picturesque destinations in the region for outdoor activities.

During the summer, numerous hiking paths enable explorers to venture up to its summit and take in vast panoramic vistas. In contrast, winter transforms it into a skier’s haven, featuring slopes and trails distributed throughout. For those seeking a more historic, distinctive attraction, there are even remnants of a military plane crash from the 1950s to be explored.

Beatty, Nevada

An unincorporated settlement known as "The Gateway To Death Valley", Beatty is situated merely 5 miles from the northeast entrance to Death Valley National Park. Seen as a refuge for weary travellers, it boasts a wide variety of amenities and services, including restaurants, motels, and RV parks, all established in the heart of the desert.

The primary attraction in the town is its open-air sculpture park, the Goldwell Open Air Museum. This is closely followed by a ghost town and historic mining settlement called Rhyolite, found just outside the town's borders. The nearby Yucca Mountain provides some truly breathtaking views and scenery, and Bailey’s Hot Springs & Bathhouses in Oasis Valley are an excellent way to step away from the vehicle and unwind for a bit.



You also have the Nevada Test Site, a past location for nuclear weapons testing. With guided tours around replicas of towns and communities in the desert, it offers a genuinely extraordinary post-apocalyptic experience.

Death Valley National Park

Death Valley National Park spans over 3.4 million acres, making it the largest national park in the contiguous 48 states and the fifth largest in the entire United States. It is also home to the lowest point in the U.S., Badwater Basin, which is located 282 feet below sea level. The Furnace Creek area is recognised as the place where the highest temperature ever recorded on Earth, 131.4 °F (56.7 °C), occurred in 1913.



Known for its extensive wilderness regions, deserts, mountains, and dunes, Death Valley National Park is also home to a rich array of wildlife. As a popular spot for hiking, scenic drives, and photography, and the backdrop for numerous films and TV shows over the years, the striking landscapes and views of Death Valley National Park are truly awe-inspiring and must be experienced to be believed.

Those seeking a comprehensive guide to the area can find our Death Valley National Park guide here.

Goldfield, Nevada

Goldfield, Nevada, is an intriguing ghost town steeped in a vibrant Wild West history, situated between Las Vegas and Reno. Once among Nevada’s largest towns, during the early 1900s gold rush, it was celebrated for its lavishness, saloons, and mining fortunes. Travellers are drawn to Goldfield for its genuine Old West ambience and eccentric charm. Vintage shops, art displays, and rustic mining artefacts form a distinctive mix of history and desert essence.

Currently, visitors can stroll through its historic streets and examine well-preserved sites, such as the splendid Goldfield Hotel, the Esmeralda County Courthouse, and the Goldfield Historical Society Museum, which narrates the tale of the town’s rise and fall. Events such as the Goldfield Days festival and the annual off-road race “Goldfield Days Land Sailing” enliven the community.

Encircled by rugged desert scenery, Goldfield provides a window into Nevada’s mining legacy and serves as an unforgettable destination for history enthusiasts, those interested in ghost towns or Wild West towns, and road explorers journeying along U.S. Route 95. There is even a nearby abandoned mine with off-roading for visitors looking to satiate their wild side.

Coaldale, Nevada

Coaldale, Nevada, is a small ghost town situated at the intersection of U.S. Routes 6 and 95, positioned between Tonopah and Reno. Once a vibrant mining and railway stop, it prospered in the early 1900s due to nearby coal and silver deposits that provided fuel for local smelters. Presently, Coaldale is largely deserted, with the remnants of old service stations, motels, and mining facilities serving as a stark reminder of Nevada’s boom-and-bust frontier history.

For travellers, Coaldale presents an intriguing roadside stop and a chance for photographs amidst the expansive Nevada desert. Its weathered structures and haunting quiet make it a popular destination for photographers, history enthusiasts, and those fascinated by ghost towns. Although there are no functioning businesses, its location along the picturesque U.S. Route 95 allows for an easy detour for anyone navigating the historic mining path between Las Vegas and Reno.

Benton, California

Benton, California, is a tranquil, historic village situated near the Nevada border along U.S. Route 6, recognised for its Old West legacy and serene desert landscapes. Established during the 1860s silver rush, Benton once flourished as a centre for mining and stagecoach activity.

Today, it gives visitors a glimpse into that history through its rustic structures, sweeping mountain vistas, and the delightful Old Benton Hot Springs area, where natural geothermal waters continue to flow. For travellers, Benton is an excellent off-the-beaten-path spot for relaxation and exploration of the past.

The Benton Hot Springs Inn & Campground offers a distinctive experience with private soaking tubs supplied by natural mineral springs, set against peaceful high-desert scenery. Its closeness to the Sierra Nevada mountains, Mono Lake, and the eastern entrance of Yosemite National Park makes it an ideal stop for those in search of tranquil beauty, stargazing, and a taste of California’s frontier history.

Lee Vining, California

Situated just a brief drive from the eastern entrance to Yosemite National Park, Lee Vining is a small yet historic community. Home to only 200 inhabitants, it serves as an excellent location to experience authentic small-town life in central California. Positioned 6,874 ft above sea level, on the banks of Mono Lake, breathtaking landscapes and natural features envelope the town.

Lee Vining highlights include its eccentric local culture, access to natural attractions, and landmarks such as the Upside-Down House, Mono Basin Historical Society & Museum, Mono Basin Scenic Area Visitor Center, and Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve. Visitors can engage in activities such as birdwatching, hiking, fishing, kayaking, swimming, climbing, and ranger-led tours while enjoying striking views and spectacular light displays during sunrise and sunset.



Its plentiful essential services, including hotels, cafés, restaurants, and a market, are noteworthy in such a remote destination. During the winter months, it also becomes a prime location for ice climbing in Lee Vining Canyon, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and convenient access to June Mountain or Mammoth for downhill skiing.

Final Thoughts On A Las Vegas To Yosemite Road Trip

That concludes our guide to planning the perfect Las Vegas to Yosemite road trip itinerary. You should now have everything you need to make the drive, including the duration, the ideal route, and the best time to travel, attractions, and places to stay. We also have a comprehensive Yosemite National Park guide available for anyone needing assistance planning their visit.



All that’s left is to decide what to take with you, and then you can start booking and budgeting everything, so you can look forward to enjoying it all for yourself as soon as possible. Anyone looking to continue their journey beyond Yosemite may also appreciate our guide to a road trip to Reno, Nevada, from Yosemite National Park.