You may think that Yosemite National Park is easy to get to. Since it’s one of the most popular National Parks in the country and located in California, that would make sense! However, finding the best airport for Yosemite National park can be challenging. Some of the most popular airports in the state are a half-day’s drive away, even without the traffic. But don’t let that dissuade you-there are plenty of options to choose from, and if you are willing to drive a bit, you will be rewarded with some of the best scenery that California, if not the country, has to offer.
We hope this guide helps you figure out the best airport for you and your travel partners when visiting Yosemite National Park!
AIRPORTS NEAR YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK: OVERVIEW
Before you visit Yosemite, if you have flexibility, it’s a good idea to figure out what park entrance you want to use. The main entrances into the park include the Big Oak Flat Entrance and Arch Rock Entrances out to the west, the South Entrance (near Mariposa Grove) as well as the Tioga Pass Entrance to the east.
Most who visit the park want to visit the iconic Yosemite Valley, and most of the nearby airports get you to entrances that are close to Yosemite Valley. If you are coming in from Nevada, then you’ll want to come in the Tioga Pass entrance, which is off to the east and traverses through the amazing Tuolumne Meadows. Though that is not as direct a route into Yosemite Valley as the other entrances, it may be the prettiest and least crowded.
If you are visiting in the winter, keep in mind that the Tioga Pass entrance is closed, so you have to pick a different one (west or south). Whatever entrance you choose, you’ll fall in love with the scenery quickly!
One thing to note is that in the Bay Area there are 4 airports that are nearly equidistant from the park (within 20 miles of distance from Yosemite). So if that’s the case, you can select the airport that most closely suits your travel needs (or do it by cost like we do!).
Since there are so many choices, we put this graphic together to help you see what airports / entrances may be best for you!
Before you head out on your trip, pickup a copy of our itinerary for Yosemite National Park, which has a ton of information about how to best plan for your visit to the park. We include detailed maps, hiking trails (and maps), what to pack and what to do in the area. We also have recommended lodging!
THE CLOSEST AIRPORTS TO YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK
Fresno International Airport:
- Symbol: FAT
- Location: Fresno, CA
- Closest Park Entrance: South Entrance (64 miles)
- Operating Season: Year-round
Reno-Tahoe International Airport:
- Symbol: RNO
- Location: Reno, NV
- Closest Park Entrance: Tioga Pass Entrance (137 miles)
- Operating Season: Year-round
- Notes: Be advised that if you are going to the park in the winter months that the Tioga Pass entrance is closed. If that is the case, you will have to the Big Oak Flat entrance, which is 244 miles of driving.
Oakland International Airport:
- Symbol: OAK
- Location: Oakland, CA
- Closest Park Entrance: Big Oak Flat Entrance (150 miles)
- Operating Season: Year-round
Sacramento International Airport:
- Symbol: SMF
- Location: Sacramento, CA
- Closest Park Entrance: Big Oak Flat Entrance (151 miles)
- Operating Season: Year-round
San Jose International Airport:
- Symbol: SJC
- Location: San Jose, CA
- Closest Park Entrance: Big Oak Flat Entrance (162 miles)
- Operating Season: Year-round
San Francisco International Airport:
- Symbol: SFO
- Location: San Francisco, CA
- Closest Park Entrance: Big Oak Flat Entrance (169 miles)
- Operating Season: Year-round
Los Angeles International Airport:
- Symbol: LAX
- Location: Los Angeles, CA
- Closest Park Entrance: South Entrance (284 miles)
-
Operating Season: Year-round
Las Vegas International Airport:
- Symbol: LAS
- Location: Las Vegas, NV
- Closest Park Entrance: Tioga Pass Entrance (341 miles)
- Operating Season: Year-round
FURTHER INFORMATION ON YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK FROM JUST GO TRAVEL STUDIOS
- Ahead of your trip, pickup a copy of our itinerary for Yosemite National Park. We have all you need to know to help you plan out your trip!
- In addition to this article, you should check out our other articles on Yosemite National Park, including What to See and Do in Yosemite National Park, What to See and Do in Tuolumne Meadows, the Best Hikes in Tuolumne Meadows, the Bridalveil Fall Trail and Hiking the Sentinel Dome.
- After your trip, send us a photo so we can make a custom, vintage-style travel poster for you!
