In-depth guide · CampingSpirit
From the largest trees on Earth, via the granite cathedrals of Yosemite Valley, to the summit of the pass at 3,031 metres: a High Sierra loop from Fresno.
The spirit of the route
This loop leads from the pastureland of the Central Valley into the forest of giants and up into the High Sierra. In Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, sequoias stand so mighty that the camper beside them looks like a toy; in the morning light the air smells of vanilla and damp bark. In Yosemite Valley, waterfalls fall over granite walls, and in the evening campfire smoke hangs in the valley. Then the Tioga Road climbs in hairpins and across high plateaus to almost 3,000 metres: granite domes, lakes, meadows, wide views. At the Tioga Pass the landscape changes within minutes from forest to high mountain desert, and Mono Lake glitters below. The route demands planning: roads close in winter, sites are booked up early, and some sections are narrow for long vehicles. If you prepare properly, you sleep among cones and stars.
Stage-by-stage plan
1Stage 1: Fresno to Grant Grove and Sequoia National Park (Lodgepole) (approx. 140 km)
- The drive
- From Fresno, take Hwy 180 east through orchards into the Sierra foothills, later in serpentines to the entrance of Kings Canyon National Park. From Grant Grove, the Generals Highway (Hwy 198) continues south to Lodgepole and Giant Forest; this northern section is wide enough for most motorhomes. Pure driving time is about three hours; with stops, a whole day. Important: on the southern Generals Highway, the NPS advises vehicles over 24 ft (7.3 m) against the stretch between Foothills Visitor Center and Potwisha Campground, and vehicles over 22 ft (6.7 m) against the stretch between Potwisha Campground and Giant Forest Museum; large campers therefore approach from the north via Grant Grove and Hwy 180. Check the current length information beforehand at nps.gov.
- Highlights & must-sees
- General Grant Tree in Grant Grove: the tree is regarded as the second-largest living tree by volume; a short circular trail leads past it. A park entrance fee is charged; surcharges partly apply to visitors without US residence, so check amounts on nps.gov.
- General Sherman Tree in Giant Forest: the largest living tree on Earth by volume; the main path is short but involves steps. Parking is scarce, and a shuttle runs in peak season.
- Moro Rock and Crescent Meadow: a staircase of around 350 steps leads up a granite dome with a view over the Kaweah valley; often a queue in high season. On the Crescent Meadow Road, single vehicles over 22 ft (6.7 m) and combinations are closed in the shuttle season (May to Labor Day) according to the NPS; the Tunnel Log (road beneath a fallen tree) is too narrow for tall and wide vehicles.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Lodgepole Campground in Sequoia National Park (Kaweah River, near the visitor centre, showers and launderette nearby; reserve via Recreation.gov). Dorst Creek Campground (Sequoia) is open seasonally and can be reserved. Azalea and Sunset Campground in Grant Grove (Kings Canyon) are easy to reach with motorhomes. Check vehicle lengths, opening times and reservations beforehand at nps.gov or Recreation.gov; according to the NPS, sites in autumn 2026 can only be had with a reservation, and many are booked up months ahead.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): In the national parks, free camping outside the campgrounds is prohibited. In Sequoia National Forest and Giant Sequoia National Monument (Hume Lake Ranger District), dispersed camping is mostly allowed, away from water and roads; a California Campfire Permit is needed for fires and stoves. Forest roads are partly steep and unsuitable for motorhomes.
- Insider tip for campers
- Shop, fill up and empty in Fresno: in the park there are only small shops and expensive filling stations. Use bear boxes at all sites; never leave food in the vehicle if the site provides bear boxes. The Generals Highway is winding, so drive early in the morning.
2Stage 2: Sequoia National Park to Oakhurst and Yosemite South Gate (Fish Camp) (approx. 250 km)
- The drive
- From Lodgepole, back north via Grant Grove and Hwy 180 to Fresno, then on Hwy 99 and Hwy 41 up to Oakhurst and Fish Camp. Most of the route is expressway, usually 55–65 mph, with traffic around Fresno. Pure driving time is around 4 hours. Alternative: Hwy 198 through the south of Sequoia Park to Three Rivers and Visalia, only for shorter vehicles (see stage 1).
- Highlights & must-sees
- Hospital Rock near Three Rivers: Monache pictographs and access to the Kaweah River; only a short stop. Applies only to drivers taking the southern route.
- Sierra National Forest near Oakhurst: viewpoints, Bass Lake and hiking trails along Hwy 41; quieter than Yosemite, with lakes and fishing spots.
- Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias: a grove with over 500 mature sequoias at the south entrance of Yosemite. Access is via the Welcome Plaza and a shuttle; vehicle access to the grove is restricted, so check times and rules on nps.gov.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Wawona Campground in Yosemite National Park (on the South Fork Merced River, reserve via Recreation.gov) is the obvious site; observe the length limits according to the NPS. Outside the park, campgrounds in Sierra National Forest and private RV parks in Oakhurst and Fish Camp offer electric hook-up and waste disposal. In high season, you need to reserve months ahead.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): In Sierra National Forest around Oakhurst and Bass Lake, dispersed camping on forest roads is mostly allowed, with a California Campfire Permit; get maps and rules from the Forest Service. In Yosemite National Park, any free camping is prohibited.
- Insider tip for campers
- In high season, Yosemite can have entry regulations or reservation requirements for certain times; check the regulation for your visit period on nps.gov beforehand. Fill up and empty in Oakhurst, as the options in the park are limited. Store food only in bear boxes.
3Stage 3: Fish Camp to Yosemite Valley (approx. 85 km)
- The drive
- On the Wawona Road (Hwy 41) through the Wawona Tunnel to Tunnel View, then down into the valley. The road is winding but well built; the drive takes a good 1.5 hours. In the valley, one-way traffic applies on parts of the south side, and parking for motorhomes is scarce. Glacier Point Road (turn-off at Chinquapin) is open seasonally, not suitable for all vehicle lengths, and can be closed at short notice because of wildfire (the case in early October 2026); check the status and lengths.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Tunnel View: the classic view of El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall and Half Dome; small car park, without crowds early in the morning or late in the evening.
- Yosemite Falls and Mirror Lake: the Lower Yosemite Fall Trail is a short circular trail; the water level is high in spring and often very low in late summer. Mirror Lake is a flat path along Tenaya Creek.
- Glacier Point: a viewpoint about 980 m above the valley with a view of Half Dome and the High Sierra; access only seasonal, so motorhomes and trailers should check whether the road is open to their length.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Upper Pines, Lower Pines and North Pines Campground in Yosemite Valley (Merced River, with toilets, water and waste disposal at the entrance; reserve via Recreation.gov, usually booked up months ahead). Hodgdon Meadow and Crane Flat are on the Tioga side. Observe the length limits according to the NPS; check fees and reservation windows on Recreation.gov. Yosemite Valley has no hook-ups for campers.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): In Yosemite National Park, free camping is prohibited at all times; rangers check strictly, and fines are high. On land in the Stanislaus and Sierra National Forests outside the park, dispersed camping is mostly possible (e.g. along forest roads near Yosemite West); check access rules on site.
- Insider tip for campers
- In the valley, it is best to leave motorhomes at the campground and explore the valley with the free Valley Shuttle. If you stay only one day, park early and use the shuttle and paths. There are bear boxes at all sites; food, cosmetics and rubbish belong inside.
4Stage 4: Yosemite Valley to Tuolumne Meadows (approx. 95 km)
- The drive
- From the valley loop, take the Big Oak Flat Road up to Crane Flat and then onto the Tioga Road (Hwy 120), which leads over high plateaus, forests and granite domes to Tuolumne Meadows. From Crane Flat to Tenaya Lake and Tuolumne, the road climbs to as much as 2,600 m; it is two-lane, winding and has gradients. Pure driving time is about 2 hours; with stops, a whole day. The Tioga Road is closed in winter and opens in late spring or early summer; check the status on nps.gov and Caltrans.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Olmsted Point: a viewpoint with a view of the back of Half Dome and Tenaya Canyon; short walk over granite slabs, small car park.
- Tenaya Lake: a high mountain lake with a sandy beach and granite domes, a trail around the lake, swimming spots and picnic tables. For motorhomes there are several lay-bys.
- Tuolumne Meadows: subalpine meadows on the Tuolumne River, surrounded by granite domes such as Lembert Dome; trails to Cathedral Lakes and Elizabeth Lake start here.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Tuolumne Meadows Campground (Yosemite, at 2,600 m; reserve via Recreation.gov, partly also walk-in sites) is the nearest site; check vehicle lengths according to the NPS, and note the status and opening times. White Wolf Campground and Porcupine Flat lie further west on the Tioga Road, open only seasonally and with basic facilities; access for motorhomes is partly restricted. Tamarack Flat is not suitable for motorhomes.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): In Yosemite National Park, free camping is prohibited. East of the Tioga Pass, there is dispersed camping in Inyo National Forest on forest roads, e.g. near Saddlebag Lake Road (stage 5); check rules and distances on site.
- Insider tip for campers
- Fill up (more expensive) and fill with water at Crane Flat; there are only a few water sources on the Tioga Road. Because of the altitude, plan for cold temperatures at night; frost in summer is possible. In the evening, mosquitoes in the meadows are a nuisance, so bring repellent.
5Stage 5: Tuolumne Meadows to Lee Vining and Mono Lake (approx. 35 km)
- The drive
- From Tuolumne Meadows, take the Tioga Road to the Tioga Pass (3,031 m, the highest pass in the Sierra crossed by a road) and then in steep serpentines through Lee Vining Canyon eastwards towards Mono Lake; gradients partly 8–10 %, use the engine brake. Pure driving time is about one hour. In winter, the pass is normally closed; the opening in early summer varies.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Tioga Pass Entrance and Ellery Lake: small lakes right by the road, with granite walls; the entrance station is the checkpoint for park admission.
- Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve (South Tufa): a salt lake with tufa towers; a signed shore trail leads through them; an entrance fee is charged, so check the current fee on site. Sunrise and sunset are best.
- Mono Lake Committee Visitor Center in Lee Vining: an exhibition about the lake and its history, information on road conditions and hikes.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Tioga Lake, Junction and Ellery Lake Campground (Inyo National Forest) lie right on Hwy 120 east of the pass; open seasonally, so check reservations and length limits beforehand. Lower Lee Vining Creek Campground is near Lee Vining. In Lee Vining there are private sites with electric hook-up and waste disposal.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): In Inyo National Forest near Saddlebag Lake Road and around Mono Lake, dispersed camping at already used spots is mostly allowed for up to 14 days; not in the Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve itself. Tracks can be sandy; observe fire bans.
- Insider tip for campers
- Check your brakes before driving down to Lee Vining: the descent is long. Fill up and fill with water in Lee Vining. In an afternoon thunderstorm, avoid lake shores and granite surfaces.
6Stage 6: Lee Vining to Fresno (via Tioga Road and Yosemite) (approx. 310 km)
- The drive
- Return over the Tioga Pass and the Tioga Road to Crane Flat and on through Yosemite Valley, or via Hwy 120 to Groveland and from there by Hwy 99 to Fresno. In total, around 5–6 hours of driving time; with stops, a long day. Alternatively, from Yosemite Valley via Wawona and Hwy 41 to Fresno (check your vehicle and the road status first). Vehicles with a trailer should use the main roads.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Mariposa Grove or Merced Grove: a grove of sequoias on the edge of the park; the Merced Grove is shorter, with a steep path and not for trailers; check access.
- Wawona Hotel and Pioneer Yosemite History Center: a small stop with historic buildings; check opening times beforehand.
- Lake Tulloch or Don Pedro Reservoir (Hwy 120): lakes on the edge of the Sierra foothills, with picnic and fishing opportunities.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Hodgdon Meadow or Crane Flat Campground in Yosemite National Park (reserve via Recreation.gov, note the status); further west, Bass Lake in Sierra National Forest offers several sites. For the last night before Fresno, private RV parks in Oakhurst or Fresno are an option, with electric hook-up and waste disposal.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): Along Hwy 41 and Hwy 120 outside the national park, dispersed camping on land in the Stanislaus and Sierra National Forests is mostly allowed; check rules and fire bans beforehand. In the park and in town car parks, sleeping in the vehicle is not allowed.
- Insider tip for campers
- Empty and clean the camper before returning it in Fresno; rental firms often require full tanks and a final clean. Fill up in Oakhurst and Fresno before heading into the conurbation. Risk of traffic jams on Hwy 99 on Sunday afternoon.
Camping practice & local rules
Wild camping & overnight parking
- In national parks (Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Yosemite), staying overnight outside the campgrounds is prohibited; car parks, viewpoints and roadsides also count as prohibited. Checks are carried out by rangers, and penalties can run to several hundred dollars.
- Dispersed camping is mostly allowed in the National Forests (Sequoia, Sierra, Stanislaus, Inyo), often for up to 14 days in one place, at already used spots, away from water and campgrounds. A California Campfire Permit is required for fires and stoves outside campgrounds. Ask the relevant Forest Service about current fire bans.
- Bears: black bears are active in all three areas, especially in Yosemite Valley and in the sequoia groves. Store food, cosmetics and rubbish in bear boxes or bear-proof containers; violations are punished. Never feed wildlife.
- Apps and sites: Recreation.gov (campgrounds in the NPS and Forest Service), iOverlander, Campendium, The Dyrt; Caltrans QuickMap for road conditions, especially Tioga Pass and Hwy 120. Road closures in the park on nps.gov.
- If you cannot get a site, you have options: sites in Sierra and Sequoia National Forest, private RV parks (Oakhurst, Mariposa, Lee Vining) or short-notice cancellations via Recreation.gov.
Waste disposal & supplies
- Waste disposal: there are dump stations at Lodgepole, Wawona and in Yosemite Valley (near campgrounds), as well as at private sites. Check fees and times beforehand; sanidumps.com lists locations.
- Drinking water: tap water in the parks is drinkable at designated points; at high altitude, sources are partly unsafe. Filter or boil water, and plan for 20-litre containers.
- Fuel: filling stations in Fresno, Oakhurst, Mariposa, Lee Vining; in the park there are only a few filling stations (e.g. Wawona, Crane Flat), more expensive than outside. Fill up before the climbs onto the Tioga Road.
- Shopping: supermarkets in Fresno, Oakhurst, Mariposa; in the parks only small shops with high prices. Propane at filling stations and dealers in Fresno and Oakhurst; European gas cylinders need an adapter.
- Power: most national park sites have no hook-ups; generators are restricted in hours. Plan for a leisure battery.
Vehicle size & traffic rules
- Speed limits in mph: on park roads mostly 25–45, on Hwy 41 and Hwy 120 outside the parks 55–65; with a trailer, a maximum of 55 mph (CVC 22406). Slow vehicles must pull over under CVC 21656 as soon as five or more vehicles are following.
- Lengths and heights: on the southern Generals Highway, the length advisories of 22 and 24 ft apply (see stage 1); Crescent Meadow Road and Crystal Cave Road are closed to vehicles over 22 ft; Wawona Road, Glacier Point Road and Tioga Road have advisories for long vehicles and trailers, and if in doubt, ask the NPS beforehand. Legal maximum height 14 ft (4.27 m); check the clearance height of the Tunnel Log and the Wawona Tunnel beforehand.
- Fees: admission to national parks is charged; since 1 January 2026, visitors without US residence aged 16 and over pay a surcharge of 100 US dollars per person in Yosemite and Sequoia and Kings Canyon, and the annual pass costs them more; check current amounts on nps.gov. The America the Beautiful Pass is valid in national parks, not in State Parks.
- Season: Tioga Pass and Glacier Point Road are closed in winter; peak season June to September, reservations months ahead. Wildfire season July to October, smoke and closures possible; thunderstorms in the afternoon.
- Reservations: campgrounds in the NPS and Forest Service via Recreation.gov; in Yosemite, the window opens five months ahead, in Sequoia and Kings Canyon usually six months. Check entry regulations or reservation requirements for Yosemite, which vary by year.
- Acclimatisation: pass altitudes above 3,000 m can cause headaches and shortness of breath; drive slowly, drink plenty and avoid alcohol.
- Emergency: 911; mobile reception is patchy in the parks. Emergency services and ranger stations in Yosemite Valley, Wawona, Tuolumne and Grant Grove.
CampingSpirit packing & preparation checklist
- Bear-proof containers and rubbish bags: bears are active in all three parks, and violations are punished.
- Warm clothing and a hat: at 2,600–3,000 m (Tuolumne, Tioga Pass), nights are cold even in July, and frost is possible.
- Water filter and 20-l container: many sites on the Tioga Road and in the Forest Service have no drinking water.
- Levelling ramps and wheel chocks: the pitches in the mountains are sloping and the roads steep.
- Offline maps, printed reservations and California Campfire Permit: mobile reception fails in the parks.
- Binoculars and mosquito repellent: Tuolumne Meadows and Tenaya Lake are full of mosquitoes from July, and mountain goats and marmots are easy to observe.
As of 2026-09. Closures, fees and booking rules change: check official sources before you go.
