Las Vegas, Yosemite and Pomona

Question

Hi. We are looking at a week long road trip leaving Vegas Thurs Jul 31. Need to be back in Vegas the following Thurs. We would like to drive over Tioga Pass and spend two full days in Yosemite (preferably Sun and Mon 8/3-8/4 and then drive to Pomona on Tues 8/5. We don't mind long drive times, and just looking for the best way to stay outside the park and see the highlights. Thanks in advance

Answer

Your plan for a one-week loop from Las Vegas → Yosemite → Pomona → back to Vegas is absolutely doable, and late July/early August is a great time to cross Tioga Pass. Tioga Road (Highway 120 through the park) is almost always fully open by then, giving you a beautiful high-country drive right into Yosemite.

Below is a detailed recommended itinerary plus the best places to stay outside the park, how long each drive takes, and which Yosemite highlights you can realistically see in two full days.

1. OVERVIEW OF YOUR TRIP

Thu July 31: Leave Las Vegas → drive toward Yosemite’s east side.
Fri Aug 1 & Sat Aug 2: Stay near Lee Vining / June Lake / Mammoth.
Sun Aug 3 & Mon Aug 4: Full days inside Yosemite (Valley + Glacier Point + Tioga High Country).
Tue Aug 5: Drive Yosemite → Pomona.
Wed Aug 6 or Thu Aug 7: Explore LA/Pomona → drive back to Vegas.

This pacing gives you a relaxed arrival, two full sightseeing days, and a scenic loop without rushing.

2. DRIVING FROM LAS VEGAS TO THE EASTERN SIERRA (THU 7/31)

The most common and scenic route is:

Las Vegas → Pahrump → Death Valley (optional detour) → Lone Pine → Bishop → Mammoth → Lee Vining

Driving time depends on whether you detour through Death Valley:

Direct to Lee Vining: ~5 hours
Via Death Valley: ~6.5–7 hours with stops

This is a beautiful approach with wide desert vistas, the Eastern Sierra rising in front of you, and plenty of stops for food or scenery.

3. BEST PLACES TO STAY OUTSIDE YOSEMITE (EAST SIDE)

Staying near the Tioga Pass entrance is ideal. These areas are closest to the park and very scenic.

Lee Vining (closest to Tioga Pass, 12 miles from the entrance)
June Lake (beautiful alpine lakes, nicer lodging, ~25–30 minutes to Tioga)
Mammoth Lakes (full resort town, best amenities, ~40–45 minutes to Tioga)

Why the east side is ideal:

Short drive into Tuolumne Meadows each morning.
Cooler pleasant nights vs the Central Valley heat.
Easy to line up your departure to Pomona since you can exit Yosemite via the south entrance afterward.

4. HOW TO USE YOUR TWO FULL DAYS IN YOSEMITE (SUN 8/3 & MON 8/4)

DAY 1 (SUNDAY): TIOGA ROAD & HIGH COUNTRY

Since you’re staying on the east side, start with Yosemite’s alpine scenery—the least crowded and most relaxing part of the park.

Tioga Pass Overlook – gorgeous morning lighting
Tuolumne Meadows – walk the flat meadow, enjoy rivers and granite domes
Lembert Dome – moderate 2.8-mile hike with stunning summit views
Tenaya Lake – picnic, short shoreline walk, or a swim
Olmsted Point – iconic viewpoint of Half Dome

If you still feel energetic, you can add:

Gaylor Lakes – a short but steep trail to alpine lakes (1–2 hours)

End your day by driving down toward Yosemite Valley. If parking is tough, just enjoy Tunnel View before heading back to the east side or staying overnight in the valley region if you move lodgings.

DAY 2 (MONDAY): YOSEMITE VALLEY + GLACIER POINT

This day covers Yosemite’s classic highlights. Start early for best parking.

Tunnel View – sunrise or early morning stop
Yosemite Valley Loop – see El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall, Cathedral Rocks
Yosemite Falls – short walk to Lower Falls
Cooks Meadow / Sentinel Bridge – Half Dome reflection photos

After lunch, drive up Glacier Point Road (about 1 hour from the Valley):

Glacier Point – one of the best viewpoints in North America
Taft Point (2.2 miles RT) – dramatic cliffs and fissures
Sentinel Dome (2.2 miles RT) – 360° panorama

If you prefer not to rush, you can do just Glacier Point + Taft or Sentinel Dome and then enjoy a relaxing evening before driving to Pomona the next day.

5. TUESDAY 8/5: DRIVE YOSEMITE → POMONA

The easiest route is via the South Entrance (Highway 41) past Wawona and Oakhurst.

Driving time: ~5 hours

You can add short scenic stops on your way out:

Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias (2–3 hour stop if desired)
Wawona Meadow / Chilnualna Falls area for a quiet morning walk

Pomona has easy freeway access and is well positioned for your next travel segment back to Vegas.

6. WEDNESDAY 8/6 – THURSDAY 8/7: RETURN TO LAS VEGAS

From Pomona to Las Vegas, the drive is:

~3.5 to 4 hours via I-15

You can do this in one morning or spend a half-day exploring LA or Palm Springs before returning to Vegas.

7. SUMMARY — BEST WAY TO BUILD THIS TRIP

Stay on the east side (Mammoth, June Lake, or Lee Vining) for best access to Tioga Pass.
Use Day 1 for the high country (Tuolumne Meadows, Tenaya Lake, domes).
Use Day 2 for Yosemite Valley + Glacier Point highlights.
Exit the park via Highway 41 to reach Pomona easily.
Your loop is scenic, efficient, and fits comfortably into a 1-week schedule.

Las Vegas, Yosemite and Pomona

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