The route passes through Death Valley, Inyo National Forest, and Mammoth Lakes, or via Bakersfield and past Sequoia and Sierra National Forests. It is an incredible sight to find an expanse of sand dunes right in amongst the mountain ranges and salt flats. Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes are the most well-known and easy to reach sand dunes in Death Valley. This looks incredible! Dont expect to find any food here but you will find souvenirs. White-tablecloth find for upmarket Continental cooking & wine pairings in a vineyard setting. I had no idea this place was a thing. He built it as a vacation getaway for him and his wife, Bessie. Love the old buildings, trucks, and other items from years ago. I cant imagine anyone not loving this app! While the trails are open year-round, the roads are weather dependent. If we had to pick the best hotels available during this trip, it would have to be these: As scorching as Death Valley can get in the summer, the park is incredibly popular with many of the States' most famous entertainers. This one percent is spread across five different dune areas, of which the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes are the most well-known. Definitely a must see attraction if you want to get-away from Las Vegas and see something different and unique. The wine tasting was informative and plenty (dont forget to tip). Do this on the way to Badwater. It is absolutely beautiful. So thank you! Nice view and chilling place. The region around Yosemite features landscapes of great diversity, including the high plateau of Tuolumne Meadows. Mesquite Sand Dunes is another prime spot for photography and for a good reason the beautiful sand formations, along with the surreal mountain rangers surrounding the dunes give a lot of different photographic opportunities. You can't get lost, as the canyon walls lead back to the trail head. Tuolumne Meadows is home to some of the most enchanting landscapes in Yosemite National Park. From here you have to choose which direction you have to go. 98,267 posts. There are several exhibits to view, as well as a short orientation film to get you started. . It's going to be a bit of a drive to get here. Your email address will not be published. Despite its small size, there are plenty of things to do in Pahrump! Save your money and time and simply drive down to one of the free trailheads. Nowadays, the aforementioned switch tower oversees trains passing through California to and from Buffalo, New York. Love this lake, Im here every time Im in Mammoth. Almost stepped on a snake. Formed over 2,000 years ago, the Ubehebe Crater is 600 feet deep and half a mile across. 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. Thank you for hosting us on our short stop. Ubehebe Crater (pronounced oo-beh-heh-bee) is a volcanic crater in Death Valley. These also the most accessible sand dunes in the national park, situated just off of Highway 190, a couple of miles east of Stovepipe Wells. Not only is the castle itself beautiful, but thanks to the large trees and bushes surrounding the castle, this is the place to visit if you want to see local and migrating birds. In the evening, you can relax in the swimming pool in the communal area, with a green, mountainous backdrop that's as scenic as scenic gets. If you want to visit an attraction that's closer to Fresno's urban center but still a part of the park, Mariposa Grove is your ideal stop. Spend some time exploring the meadows below, or continue along the road and cut through the mountains at Tioga Pass. 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. LazyTrips is a trading name of Uncle Bob Media Ltd. For more information about this Yosemite pit stop, check out its website. . Even during summertime, if you take the Tioga Pass and the eastern route, Google suggests taking a slightly shorter route, via Oasis, CA and then Beatty, Nevada. The grove is home to over 500 Giant Sequoias, some of which are over 3,000 years old. Tuolumne Meadows is another underrated spot outside of Yosemite Valley. The road stops at a small parking lot with enough room for about a dozen vehicles. Moved out quickly. This railroad and Old West museum recreates the village of Laws, an important stop on the route of the Slim Princess, a narrow-gauge train that hauled freight and passengers across the Owens Valley for nearly 80 years. 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. Natural preserve with trails among 4,000-year-old trees, plus a seasonal visitor's center. The direct drive from Yosemite National Parkto Las Vegasis372 mi(599 km), and should have a drive time of 8 hrs 16 minsin normal traffic. While Bodie State Historic Park is more than 200 miles from Sonora, it has a convenient location for travelers coming from the east to Yosemite. This salty drainage basin in Death Valley National Park sits 282 ft below sea level. Official visitor center offering information about attractions at Death Valley National Park. The 195,819-acre (79,245-hectare) Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area in Nevada comprises a network of narrow canyons, seasonal waterfalls, rock art sites, and surreal rock formations with ample opportunity for hiking, biking, rock climbing, and desert wildlife watching, all a short drive from Las Vegas. Just several visitors over there and hiking. While personally, I dont think one day is enough to see all that Yosemite National Park has to offer, one day in the park does allow you to get a good taste of what the park has to offer. The one investor remaining Albert M Johnson became enamored with Death Valley and the two men became lifelong friends. Living history tours are offered by costumed park rangers. There is an entrance fee to be paid here and with surety grab the map of the park from here. Getting to Yosemite From the South Los Angeles area Distance: 313 mi / 504 km Time: 6 hours Take I-5 north (or I-405 north to I-5) to Highway 99 north to Highway 41 north (Fresno) into Yosemite National Park. This is to the eastern entry point to Yosemite (near Lee Vining). We were greeted by a friendly, knowledgeable host, who went on to handle our service throughout our dining experience. Dont miss the Red Rock Canyon, a sweet (and close by) escape from the hustle and bustle of Sin City. I would definitely recommend this museum for all visiting Bishop! Yosemite NPs entrance fee is $35 per vehicle. The sand dunes display spectacular golden glow at sunset but the pristine contours at sunrise is also worth the effort. That is exactly how it looks when you see it. The Visitors Center has a lot of information about the trees, geology of the region, and Edward Shulman who discovered the ages of the oldest trees. I personally love, love, love June Lake! Note that it costs $20 per noncommercial vehicle to enter Death Valley National Park. Established in 1881, it once served as a California silver town, with 500 mines operating in and around the area. Vast area of mountain-fringed sand dunes reaching 100 ft. & a prime spot for sand-boarding. 6725 Lee Canyon Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89124, USA. Mono Lake began to form around 750,000 years ago, making it one of the oldest lakes in North America. 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. 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. You can literally photograph there from every angle!. If the views of Temple Crag and the surrounding mountain ranges dont take your breath away, the color of the bright, turquoise lakes will. Natural wonder with red rocks draws those looking to hike, rock climb or go for a scenic drive. I've taken my kids there before and it was a great bonding experience, the town was fun to stroll around in and the shows and gun fights were fun. There is also a short interpretive trail behind the building, winding over to the lakes shoreline. Salt crusted over the rock formations can be seen for miles. We stepped up to their wine bar and begun tasting some very delicious wines. While Travertine Hot Springs is not on the direct route to get to Yosemite from Las Vegas, its just a short detour away! By the way, had a small issue with a steak, was resolved immediately and made us a customer for life. At the lunch time cafeteria gets crowded so make sure be prepared. Related Post: 14 Best Red Rock Canyon Tours From Las Vegas. Yes, this was once an active volcano, and the surrounding landscape is still littered with charred soil and cinders. Also it has small terrains which are excellent for beginners. Lots of RV station and camping ground are located here. There are campgrounds and cabins surrounding the lake too, something were definitely coming back for next time! Is the scenic route marked the whole way so I stay on course? Keep up with the Facebook page and the NPS website. But the numbers are stark: The median Las Vegas home price is around $400,000, up from around $300,000 . Mariposa Grove, while not at the heart of Yosemite, is home to one of the parks most iconic offeringsthe Giant Sequoias! If you have an extra day to spare on your Las Vegas to Yosemite road trip, this is undoubtedly going to be the most memorable stop. Needless to say I am glad I stopped by. The full loop is a leisurely 13 mile drive, but be sure to stop at several lookouts and plan a hike or picnic at one of the stops. The Furnace Creek Visitor Center is located between Death Valley Junction and the Stovepipe Wells Village in Death Valley National Park. Find the travel option that best suits you. This is a great place for wildlife spotting too, so keep your eyes peeled for coyotes, kangaroo rats, and desert foxes. Always a nice time visiting Bodie! Having visited both places, the California version does pale in comparison to Wyoming's but the hike to the Devil's Postpile is great. Methuselah, a tree registered at 4,851 years old in 2019, and the other bistlecone pines in the area have had their location erased from the Internet. If its quiet, you might hear the salt crystals popping as it expands in the heat. There is no formal trail, you just head out and have fun! Yosemite National Park is visited by over 4 million visitors each year. You can drive from Yosemite National Park to Las Vegas. Keep an eye out for animal tracks. Depending on your route, the trip can be between roughly 330 and 560 miles long. There are several trails through the area, all offering great views of the amazing layers and bands of color. Take note that the sand can be HOT. If youre looking for a great place to take a dip, have a lakeside picnic, or get out on the water on a watercraft, head to Oh Ridge at June Lake. First off, Mono Lake is old. Between two national parks, multiple national monument sites, vista points . You can also calculate the cost to drive from Las Vegas, NV to Yosemite . Theres the Fresno Art Museum, the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, and the Forestiere Underground Gardensall of which can keep you entertained for a whole day. There are a few different hikes depending on ability and time. Remember to take your water and hat. Death Valley National Park, Echo Canyon Rd, California 92328, USA. The fastest and easiest way to get from LA to Yosemite National Park is to fly. Everything was clean. Why? We had to ventured over to experience the winery as we were so close. Lee Vining is a great place to use the bathroom or pick up a quick snack before driving into the park. Iron oxide accumulated throughout these rocks over centuries and will give your photos a bright orange element. But it was a harmless little snake sun bathing on trail. Oh and the place is hauntedI wonder if the ghosts will stay and haunt the new place.I hope they do. Lol. . The best thing to do in Las Vegas is riding an electric bike around Red Rock Canyon. After molten lava was exposed to the underground spring, the steam eventually produced enough pressure to explode through the earth and create this half-mile wide crater. Both Lake Ellery and Tioga Lake were iced over.. Located relatively close to the The Strip, Red Rock makes for a nice break from all the people and is a huge draw for rock climbers and hikers from around the world. To preserve their safety and ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy these historic relics. So that was pretty cool to see. Enjoy this peaceful Yosemite time. Located in the Stovepipe Wells Village area, the dunes feature seemingly endless mounds of sand backed by rugged mountains. Everything was excellent. Surrounded by mountains on all sides the smooth mounds of sand stand in stark contrast to the jagged purple mountains in the distance. 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. Snow levels will drop by Tuesday to around 4,000 to 5,000 feet elevation, with a few inches of accumulation expected. Visited in March, it was already springtime in California, there was snow and it was beautiful. Tioga Road is a road through Yosemites high country that offers many spectacular views and has a host of attractions to check out along the way. Wawona, Mariposa Grove, Crane Flat & Tuolumne Grove, and Hetch Hetchy will remain open. The access road is often closed by snow in winter. 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. Ubehebe Crater is a massive 600 foot-deep, half-mile-wide volcanic crater thats about an hour north of the Furnace Creek Visitor Center. Depending on the time of year you visit, you may be able to catch the Kern County Scottish Games. The Mesquite Flat sand dunes are the most accessible sand dunes in Death Valley, next to Stovepipe Wells. 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. Sadly, in 2015, damage from horrific flash floods resulted in a closure of Scottys Castle. The salt pan of Devils Golf Course stands out for its shape, where salt crystals form large holes in the ground (thus its name), an incredible phenomenon that you have to see in Death Valley. In the beginning of October, you can see yellow falling leaves. If you're looking to do a spot of camping, Death Valley's Furnace Creek Visitor Center is the place to go. Unfortunately there isnt a pool. Once in Fresno, take State Route 41 north and pass Sierra National Forest, and you'll soon pass through Oakhurst and Fish Camp, one of the entrances to Yosemite National Park. Never knew what as Tufa was before! Full-moon nights are especially magical. Not only was she knowledgeable about the food served in the restaurant but she was filled with fun information about the Pahrump area. This route trades the Sierras for a series of beautiful forests and some larger cities, so think of it as a comparably scenic alternative. It is famed for its towering red rock formations and petroglyphs!. Ash Mdws is a treasure. Got there early, still a large amount of people there early too. 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!. The public roads are maintained year-roundexcept for the eastern entrance on Tioga Road (Highway 120 through the park). Its super rough and craggy so much so that supposedly only the devil could play golf there. Mountains surround this scenic lake known for its turquoise water, trout fishing & storied past. The meadow was not accessible, but the drive alone may be worth it for some especially in the spring when flowers are in bloom. Check outOh Ridge Campground,June Lake Campground, andJune Lake RV Park. Monos Carry-On Pro Review: Is It Actually Worth The Price? Any time of the year is so perfect. You could check out Tuolumne Meadows and Travertine Hot Springs, or the always popular Tioga Rd! On your road trip to Yosemite from Las Vegas, you should consider passing through the Mojave National Preserve. How far is Yosemite National Park from Las Vegas and the way long will the street trip take? Lastly, Red Rock Canyon is a recreational area located in the Mojave Desert. May 1, 2023, 4:23 p.m. Save. TheVisitor Center also has a bookstore, restrooms, and a shaded picnic area. If your 2 days in Death Valley are limited, skip this one. Built in search to find the best places so you dont have to open 50 more tabs. But hold on, this isnt a golf course, but a rough bumpy field. The trails give you a lot of access. They relax briefly on the nearly empty patio. The beautiful scenery and striking rock formations of Red Rock Canyon create the ideal environment for a host of fun outdoor activities. Plan along with your friends with live syncing and collaborative editing. After this, you can finally begin your Yosemite journey at Tuolumne Meadows, the eastern section of the park known for its grassy flats surrounded by granite domes. And it's a good question, because you have two alternative routes -. We recommend grabbing breakfast atThe Stove Restaurant. One of the best times to visit is during an evening sunset when you can meander along the boardwalks as the sun lights up the tufa formations (those things sticking right out of the lake). Roads in Death Valley National Park are occassionally closed due to flooding. (thanks Chef). East of the Sierra Nevada ridge, via road US-395 (Mammoth Lakes). Its a villa in the middle of the desert, built in the 1920s and 1930s by a millionaire from Chicago as a winter home. In certain places like Ice Box Canyon or the Children's Discovery Trail, you might even stumble upon a hidden waterfall or two. There is a large parking lot that fills up fast during high peak season. Theres something for everyone here, train lovers, mining buffs, antique collectors, you name it, they have over 30+ displays throughout the property. Mesquite Sand Dunes are not the only dunes in Death Valley, but theyre definitely the most accessible since youll need a four by four and special wheels to get to the other dunes. This route comes with a serious caveat - you can only enter Yosemite from the east (via Tioga Pass) between May and November. This place is the best place in Death Valley for taking a break. Great little museum exhibits on the region and wildlife! Your trip begins in Yosemite National Park, California. It was formed when gases and magma built up and then exploded all over the surrounding desert floor. 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. Speaking of, Scottys Castle is another place I would certainly recommend checking out for some great photographic opportunities. People love visiting Death Valley National Park and Mammoth Lakes, among others. Visit it among Las Vegas Attractions for Kids. The Devils Golf Course is another expansive area of salt formations but far different that the ones you saw at Badwater Basin. Tours 4 Fun provides a Vegas-Yosemite tour that includes many famous sights and continues on to San Francisco. Oxidation never looked so pretty! You'll be missing out on some cool places to see on road 395. Owned and operated by the state, the park has a number of buildings that date back to the Gold Rush days. For more information about Death Valley National Park,click hereto read our Guide to Death Valley National Park. At it's source the hot spring can be too hot to touch, though most of the pools range from hot-tub like temperatures to luke warm. Modern desert property offering mountain views, plus a spa, a movie theater & a bingo hall. When you pay at the gate youll receive a map of the town that pints the name and functions of the main buildings and their location.
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