When towering granite walls rise from the forest, and waterfalls tumble down steep cliffs, framing the valley below in a postcard-perfect view, you’ve arrived in Yosemite. It’s a timeless landscape that’s inspired awe for generations and still stops you in your tracks. Getting there is part of the experience, and understanding how to get to Yosemite National Park can shape your entire journey.
The good news is that Yosemite has public transportation options that help protect its landscapes while making the park easier to explore for the millions of visitors it welcomes each year. Whether you arrive by plane, train, or bus, there are more seamless and sustainable ways to experience Yosemite than ever before.
This guide walks through how to get to Yosemite, from nearby airports to scenic train routes and regional shuttle systems, with a closer look at YARTS and the Yosemite Valley shuttle network for navigating the park without a car.
Where to Fly Into for Yosemite
For many travelers, flying is the first step in getting to Yosemite. Several nearby California airports offer convenient access.
Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) is the closest major airport to Yosemite Valley, with a driving time of about 2-2.5 hours.
San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Oakland International Airport (OAK), and Sacramento International Airport (SMF) are also popular starting points. These hubs offer domestic and international connections and pair well with a road trip by car, taking the train, or the bus.
Check out our San Francisco to Yosemite road trip guide when planning your route.
Yosemite Shuttles: Arriving Without a Car
One of the most relaxed and eco-friendly ways to get to Yosemite is through the Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS). Designed to reduce traffic and protect the park’s ecosystems, YARTS connects gateway communities to Yosemite National Park.
Seasonal routes run from California locations, including Merced, Fresno, Mammoth Lakes, Sonora, and Groveland, delivering passengers straight into Yosemite Valley.
Once inside the park, the Yosemite Valley Shuttle System takes over. These free, hop-on, hop-off shuttles run frequently, linking trailheads, viewpoints, waterfalls, and visitor centers. There’s no need to search for parking or plan complicated routes – just step off where curiosity pulls you. No mountain driving, no parking logistics, and no need to watch the road when you’d rather watch the scenery. Once inside Yosemite Valley, the in-park shuttle system makes exploring easy.
Under Canvas Yosemite is conveniently located on a shuttle stop, making it easy to explore Yosemite without ever getting behind the wheel.
For more, read our guide to Yosemite’s shuttle and bus system and visit the NPS website for timetables and route information.
Taking the Train to Yosemite
Not only does train travel evoke the spirit of the American West, but it’s also a helpful and scenic way to get to Yosemite.
Take Amtrak’s Gold Runner train from San Francisco, Oakland, Sacramento, or Los Angeles to the Merced, CA Station (MCD). And once you arrive at the station, you’ll have to transfer to the Amtrak Connection bus (Route 15), which takes you directly to Yosemite Valley. This bus route is serviced by the Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS), which operates both shuttle vans and luxury motorcoaches.
Best of all, when purchasing Amtrak tickets to Yosemite, the shuttle bus ride and admission to the park are included.
This rail-and-bus combo is ideal for families and international travelers who want to watch the landscape unfold through wide windows rather than a windshield.
Yosemite Buses & In-Park Transportation
Beyond YARTS, seasonal regional buses and local transit routes can help you get to Yosemite from nearby communities. Greyhound provides bus service to Merced, where you can transfer to YARTS to continue to Yosemite Valley. YARTS also offers limited service to Crane Flat, White Wolf, and Tuolumne Meadows daily during July and August, which is especially helpful during peak visitation when parking fills up quickly.
Inside the park, Yosemite’s free shuttles keep everything connected. Running frequently through Yosemite Valley, they allow you to move easily between trailheads, meadows, waterfalls, and scenic overlooks, all while reducing traffic and helping preserve the park for future generations.
Which Yosemite Entrance is Best?
Yosemite National Park is a large park covering nearly 1,200 square miles (about the size of Rhode Island) and has five entrances, each with a different approach. For exploring Yosemite Valley, which is home to many of the park’s most iconic landscapes, the Big Oak Flat Entrance is often the best choice.
Located on the park’s western side, this entrance provides easy access to highlights like Tunnel View, Yosemite Falls, Glacier Point, and the scenic Tioga Road. It’s also one of the most convenient gateways for visitors arriving from the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern California.
Under Canvas Yosemite is located just 10 minutes from the Big Oak Flat Entrance and sits directly across from a YARTS shuttle stop, making it easy to enter the park without a car and begin exploring Yosemite with ease.
Where to Stay in Yosemite
Where you stay plays an important role in how you get to Yosemite and how deeply you experience it.
Set on 85 acres of forested land, Under Canvas Yosemite offers safari-inspired glamping accommodations designed to immerse guests in nature without sacrificing comfort. A central lobby tent features café-style dining and lounge spaces furnished by West Elm, creating a place to gather after days spent exploring the park.
Here, mornings begin beneath towering California Black Oak and Ponderosa Pine trees. Evenings end under dark, star-filled skies with s’mores around the firepit. And the journey – whether by bus, train, or car – feels worthwhile for the landscape you came to experience.
At Under Canvas Yosemite, your stay is part of an upscale, outdoor adventure. Guests can enjoy daily programming, from guided morning yoga sessions to paint nights and live acoustic music beneath the stars in the evenings.