Tioga Pass

Question

Hi. We will be in Yosemite for 3 full days the first week of October. Staying in an Airbnb near Fish Creek and then headed to Sequoia for 2 full days. Planning our itinerary and it seems that trying to drive to the eastern part of Yosemite and Tioga Pass may take an entire day (7 hours round trip). Even looking for lodging for one night on that day will still make for a very long drive to Sequioa the next day. Any suggestions how to fit Tioga pass in our itinerary with the least amount of driving (besides staying in the park)? Thanks

Answer

Visiting Tioga Pass from an Airbnb near Fish Camp while trying to maintain a sensible itinerary for Sequoia can be tricky, especially in early October when daylight hours are shorter and some roads may already be affected by seasonal closures. A round-trip from Fish Camp to Tioga Pass can indeed consume most of a day, so planning strategically is key.

Options for fitting Tioga Pass with minimal extra driving:

Full-day trip from Fish Camp: If you want to see Tioga Pass without changing lodging, depart very early (around sunrise) and plan a scenic drive with select stops. Key points to hit include Olmsted Point, Tenaya Lake, and Tuolumne Meadows. Focus on highlights rather than trying to cover everything. Expect 7–8 hours round trip, so plan for minimal stops in the valley to maximize time on the eastern side.
Split the day by heading northward first: Consider driving toward Groveland or Big Oak Flat early in the morning to shorten the eastern approach. While still a long drive, it saves some mileage compared to coming from Fish Camp in the south.
Alternative viewpoint stops: If the main goal is to see the high Sierra scenery without a full Tioga Pass drive, you could stop at Glacier Point Road or Sentinel Dome / Taft Point in the south, which offer panoramic views and less driving time from Fish Camp.

Considerations if you want to stay closer to Tioga Pass:

One-night lodging near Lee Vining or Mammoth Lakes would dramatically reduce driving time, allowing sunrise or sunset at Tioga Pass and easier exploration of Tuolumne Meadows. However, this adds cost and requires booking outside the park.
Check road closures: Tioga Pass can close in early October if snow arrives early. Verify conditions with Yosemite National Park before finalizing plans.
Timing for Sequoia: Staying near Tioga Pass may require an early departure the next day to reach Sequoia, which is another long drive. This may make the day after Tioga Pass tight and tiring.

Suggested compromise:

Use one full day from Fish Camp to do a highlight Tioga Pass drive. Focus on Olmsted Point, Tenaya Lake, and Tuolumne Meadows. Return to Fish Camp for the night.
On your next day, drive to Sequoia early. Skip other eastern Yosemite stops to make the drive manageable.
This allows you to experience Tioga Pass without additional overnight lodging or extra long consecutive driving days.

With this approach, you maximize your time at Tioga Pass while keeping the rest of your itinerary feasible. Departing early, limiting stops, and focusing on key viewpoints will help you fit this iconic high-Sierra drive into your 3-day Yosemite plan efficiently.