A road trip to Reno, Nevada, from Yosemite National Park takes you from one of the most beautiful, natural places on Earth to one of its premier nightlife destinations.
A 155-mile road trip to Reno, Nevada, from Yosemite National Park takes you through some of the most historic towns and cities in California and Nevada, as well as some of the most stunning locations in each state. A reasonably short road trip, it is a journey that packs a huge amount into a relatively low drive time.
Read on to discover all of the important information and fantastic attractions along the way, to help you plan a perfect travel itinerary for your dream vacation.
A Road Trip To Reno, Nevada, From Yosemite National Park: How Far Is It, How Long Will It Take To Get There, & What Is The Best Route?
A road trip to Reno, Nevada, from Yosemite National Park covers 155 miles (250 kilometres) and can be driven in just under 3 hours.
The best route for a road trip to Reno, Nevada, from Yosemite National Park is also incredibly easy to follow. It will see you exit Yosemite National Park through the Tioga Pass Entrance by heading east on Tioga Road/California Highway 120. When the road ends near the town of Lee Vining, turn left onto US Route 395 and drive north the remaining 141 miles (227 km) to your destination in Reno, Nevada.
Best Time For A Road Trip To Reno, Nevada, From Yosemite National Park
The best time for a road trip to Reno, Nevada, from Yosemite National Park is May or June. Travelling during this timeframe will ensure both your route and destination are pleasantly warm throughout, without posing the risk of blistering highs and a high chance of wildfires that are prevalent in the region in the subsequent months.
This period also virtually guarantees that all the attractions are open at your start point, along your route, and at your destination, and the huge crowds common in July and August have not arrived yet.
Top Attractions On A Road Trip To Reno, Nevada, From Yosemite National Park
Now you know a little more about what lies on a road trip to Reno, Nevada, from Yosemite National Park, it’s time to look at some of the top attractions that can be found either directly on our route or in the surrounding area.
Lee Vining, California
Located just a short drive away from the east entrance to Yosemite National Park, Lee Vining is a small yet historic town with just 200 residents. It is a perfect place to get a real feel for what small-town life in central California is like. Set 6,874 ft above sea level, on the shore of Mono Lake, it’s surrounded by stunning landscapes and natural features.
It boasts a quirky local culture, access to natural wonders, attractions like the Upside‑Down House landmark, Mono Basin Historical Society & Museum, Mono Basin Scenic Area Visitor Center, and Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve, opportunities to enjoy activities like birdwatching, hiking, fishing, kayaking, swimming, climbing, and ranger-led tours while taking in dramatic vistas and sunrise/sunset light shows.
Its abundance of basic services like hotels, cafés, restaurants, and a market cannot be overlooked in a destination as remote as this. In the winter, it is also an ideal spot for activities like ice climbing in Lee Vining Canyon, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and easy access to June Mountain or Mammoth for downhill skiing.
Stanislaus National Forest
Stanislaus National Forest is a vast, scenic natural preserve that spans almost 900,000 acres in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Known for its dramatic mountain peaks, deep river canyons, alpine lakes, dense pine forests, granite ridges, and diverse ecosystems, it is a popular destination thanks to its ability to offer endless recreational opportunities, no matter when you visit.
Visitors can hike trails ranging from easy nature walks to challenging backcountry treks like Crabtree and Kennedy Meadows trails, explore or camp in in the Emigrant Wilderness, fish in the Stanislaus, Tuolumne, and Mokelumne Rivers or alpine lakes like Pinecrest and Beardsley, swim, kayak, or boat on New Melones and Cherry Lakes, or, during the winter, enjoy activities like snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling.
The forest also holds rich historical and cultural value, with the remnants of Gold Rush towns, logging camps, and Native American heritage sites that can also be found throughout Stanislaus National Forest, making it a great stop for history buffs. Scenic byways like the Sonora Pass (Highway 108) then offer breathtaking drives through alpine landscapes and viewpoints, making it ideal for photographers or those who like to enjoy nature from the comfort of their vehicle.
Eldorado National Forest
Eldorado National Forest is another stunning wilderness in the Sierra Nevada mountains, although this one is slightly smaller at “just” 600,000 acres. Known for its rugged granite peaks, alpine lakes, wildflower-filled meadows, and dense conifer forests, it is a destination that draws visitors like hikers, campers, anglers, and winter sports enthusiasts throughout the year, thanks to the diversity of its landscapes and potential activities, as well as its relatively uncrowded trails.
In the warmer months, visitors can enjoy activities like hiking, backpacking, exploring the Desolation Wilderness—one of the most scenic and pristine areas in the region, boating, swimming, fishing, mountain biking, rock climbing, and horseback riding. Then in the winter, heavy snowfall makes it ideal for downhill and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.
Lake Tahoe
The largest alpine lake in the United States and the nation’s largest lake overall outside of “The Great Lakes”, Lake Tahoe is a stunning natural destination that straddles the border between California and Nevada. World-renowned for its crystal clear water and panoramic views, its crystalline alpine waters and forested Sierra Nevada mountain surroundings are sights that have to be seen with your own eyes to be believed.
A glacier-fed lake, Lake Tahoe features some of North America’s purest and deepest waters, as well as some of its best scenery at locations like Emerald Bay, which offers truly unforgettable sunrises and sunsets. A popular destination year-round, depending on when you visit, you can enjoy activities like sun-bathing, swimming, water sports, hiking, climbing, skiing, snowboarding, and gambling in the various casinos that surround it.
All of this has even led to Lake Tahoe becoming the 3rd most popular Spring Break destination in the United States, behind Panama City, Florida, and Miami, Florida.
Carson City, Nevada
Carson City is the oldest city in Nevada, having been founded as a Pony Express stop in 1875. It also serves as the state capital and is the most populous city in the state not in the Las Vegas and Reno metropolitan areas. Boasting an abundance of museums, it is one of the best places to learn about the history of Nevada.
A vital hub during the silver boom of the 19th century, additional landmarks like the historic Governor’s Mansion and the Nevada State Museum, which houses exhibits on mining, natural history, and the Carson City Mint, are enthralling attractions. You also have various art galleries, breweries, and restaurants to enjoy, as well as community events like the Nevada Day Parade and outdoor concerts.
A beautiful, natural city, there are plenty of options here for outdoor recreation, without having to leave the confines of the town. This includes exploring the Kit Carson Trail, a self-guided walking route past over 60 historic homes and buildings. For those willing to head outside the city limits, though, the nearby Carson Valley is a stunning place for a scenic drive.
Virginia City, Nevada
Virginia City is an old west town best known as the location where the Comstock Lode, the first major silver deposit in the United States, was found in 1859, as well as the former home of legendary writer Samuel Clemens, who is better known as Mark Twain. Declared a National Historic Landmark District in 1961, it is one of the most authentic Wild West towns remaining in the nation.
It is brimming with beautifully restored buildings, wooden sidewalks, and sites like Piper’s Opera House, the Bucket Of Blood Saloon, Brass Rail Saloon, Delta Saloon, Ponderosa Saloon, Red Dog Saloon, Silver Queen, the Washoe Club, and multiple historic cemeteries and churches to explore.
These combine to create an authentic atmosphere and give you plenty of opportunities to see genuine historic locations, while the city’s collection of 17 museums, which includes the Fourth Ward School Museum, Way It Was Museum, Silver State Police Officers’ Museum, and Fireman’s Museum, are all filled with incredible artefacts and exhibits and are great places to learn about Virginia City.
If you have time, the Comstock Historic Walking Trail is a great way to take in the complete history of the city, while activities like horse drawn carriage tours, trolley tours, walking tours, the town’s various mines, and trips on the Virginia & Truckee Railroad, which goes from Virginia City to Carson City via Gold Hill, make it a fun-filled destination to visit for everyone.
Best Place To Stop On A Road Trip To Reno, Nevada, From Yosemite National Park– South Lake Tahoe, California
With a road trip to Reno, Nevada, from Yosemite National Park able to be completed in just 3 hours, many people will look to drive it in a single day. However, if you want to break the journey up, to ensure you have plenty of time to enjoy all of the many attractions along the way, one destination stands head and shoulders above the rest when it comes to making an extended stop. The place in question is the town of South Lake Tahoe.
Situated on the south shore of Lake Tahoe, immediately as you enter California, South Lake Tahoe is a beautiful town that is very unique. This is due to its plethora of attractions and activities that make it a destination that can be enjoyed at any time of year.
During the summer, the lake itself is the central attraction. Beyond its beautiful aesthetics, it offers countless opportunities for aquatic fun, with activities like kayaking, paddleboarding, jet skiing, and boating available. Its calm waters even make it a perfect spot for swimming, while beaches like Pope Beach, Kiva or Lakeside provide fabulous opportunities to laze on the sand and top up your tan.
Adventurous types who want to enjoy the scenery without getting wet could even take a cruise on the historic M.S. Dixie II from Zephyr Cove, hike or bike the various trails in Van Sickle and Emerald Bay State Park, or even climb Mt. Tallac.
In the winter, Lake Tahoe’s Heavenly Mountain Resort bursts into life. Boasting almost 100 trails, stunning panoramic views, and activities like gondola rides up to 9,123 ft, snowshoeing, tubing, sledding, and snowmobile tours through nearby Hope Valley, it is a true winter wonderland just waiting to be explored.
No matter when you visit, though, you will find countless shops, restaurants, ice skating rinks, casinos, entertainment and live music venues, and events such as Sample the Sierra or summer concerts.
Throw in attractions like Emerald Bay’s Vikingsholm Scandinavian style castle, the Tallac Historic Site and its preserved 1920s buildings, Fallen Leaf Lake, Taylor Creek Visitor Center, craft breweries like South Lake Brewing Co and Tahoe Cold Water Brewery, local farmers' markets, balloon rides at sunrise over the lake, horseback trail rides at Camp Richardson, and fly‑fishing or golfing against a backdrop of towering peaks, there is truly something for everyone year-round in South Lake Tahoe.
Best Hotel To Stay At In South Lake Tahoe – Tahoe Lakeshore Lodge & Spa
Tahoe Lakeshore Lodge & Spa is a relaxed, yet stylish resort perched directly on the southern shore of Lake Tahoe. Each of its beautiful rooms features rustic alpine décor and offers stunning, unobstructed views of the lake and mountains, while certain rooms boast features like gas fireplaces, balconies, lofts, and full kitchens.
Centrally located, it is within walking distance of numerous restaurants, shops, casinos, and marinas offering watercraft rentals and cruises, with some of the region’s top attractions situated just a short drive away. It also features more than 500 feet of private sandy beach, which is kitted out with complimentary beach chairs, volleyball nets, and BBQs, and where free summertime concerts are often held at sunset.
Some of the property’s other popular features include a heated outdoor pool, hot tub, lakeside fire pit, and the Elements Day Spa, which provides massages, facials, body treatments, and couples packages.
Conclusion
A road trip to Reno, Nevada, from Yosemite National Park is a fantastic journey that takes you through one of the most beautiful regions in the United States. As we bring our road trip guide to a close, you should now have all the information you need to make the journey yourself.
This includes which route to use, how long it will take, where to stay, and what to see along the way. All you have left is to decide what to take with you, and then you can start getting everything budgeted for and booked, so you can look forward to enjoying it all for yourself as soon as possible.
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