Yosemite mid April

Question

Travelling by rental car (SUV) back from Las Vegas to San Francisco following my sons wedding . Leave Las Vegas on the monday 14 April early and wanted to spend 2 full days in Yosemite en route to SF. Flight back from SF on the Friday end of that week. Thought of going west side of Yosemite , drive in one day from LV seems too far. Achievable on east side, but where to stay ? Access to park a bit limited in mid April. We were hoping to rent bikes (noice easy shortish routes ) .

Any advise appreciated.

Getting to LV from San Fran already planned seeing pacific coast route

thanks Mark

Answer

Visiting Yosemite in mid-April is a beautiful choice, with waterfalls running strong and fewer crowds than summer, but you do need to consider snow at higher elevations and some road closures. Given your plan to leave Las Vegas early on Monday, driving all the way to the Yosemite Valley via the west side is indeed a long day (roughly 7-8 hours), so the east side approach is more practical.

Here’s a detailed suggestion for your itinerary and logistics:

East Side Approach: Entering via Tioga Pass (Highway 120 east) may be limited in mid-April due to snow, as Tioga Pass often opens late May. A safer option is the Highway 395 route to Lee Vining, then Tioga Road as far as accessible (likely Tuolumne Meadows area may still be closed), or continue south to access Yosemite via Big Oak Flat Road (Highway 120 west).
Driving from Las Vegas: Leaving early Monday, you can drive through Bishop along US-395. Overnight options before entering the park include:
- Bishop or Mammoth Lakes (more choices, especially Mammoth with mountain lodging)
- Lee Vining (closest to eastern entrance, small hotels/inns, limited options)
Yosemite Stay: For mid-April, inside-the-park lodging is limited and may require reservations far in advance. Options include:
- Tenaya Lodge (just outside south entrance, good for families and comfortable accommodations)
- Yosemite Valley Lodge or The Ahwahnee (check availability, some may open mid-April depending on snow clearance)
- Campgrounds on east side like North Pines may be closed, so a hotel or lodge is more realistic for mid-April

For biking in Yosemite Valley:

Yosemite Valley has a paved bike path network (~12 miles loop around Yosemite Valley), perfect for easy rides with scenic views of waterfalls and meadows.
Bike rentals are available at Yosemite Valley Lodge and Curry Village; mid-April, they should be open.
Short loops like the Bridalveil Fall to Yosemite Village paths are ideal for a relaxed ride.

Access within the park in mid-April:

Some higher elevation trails and Tioga Pass will likely be closed due to snow.
Most Yosemite Valley highlights are open (Lower Yosemite Fall, Bridalveil Fall, El Capitan Meadow, and Mirror Lake if accessible).
Consider shuttle buses within the valley if you want to reduce driving inside the park.

Suggested itinerary:

Monday: Early drive Las Vegas → Bishop (or Mammoth Lakes) overnight.
Tuesday: Continue to Yosemite, check in at Tenaya Lodge or lodge in the Valley.
Wednesday: Full day Yosemite Valley, bike rentals, short hikes to waterfalls and viewpoints.
Thursday: Optional half day in Yosemite, then drive west to San Francisco area (overnight near SF if needed).
Friday: Depart from San Francisco.

Tips:

Check road conditions via the official Yosemite National Park website before travel.
Reserve lodging as early as possible since mid-April is spring break season for some schools.
Pack layers—April can be chilly, especially on east side and early mornings.

Following this plan, you’ll avoid excessively long drives in a single day, enjoy Yosemite Valley’s highlights, and have access to easy bike rides suitable for a relaxed experience after your son’s wedding celebrations.

Yosemite mid April

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