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Yosemite, the Eastern Sierra & Death Valley: Route Guide

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Yosemite Valley's granite walls from Tunnel View
Photo: Diliff · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Begin in Yosemite Valley, cross the Sierra on Tioga Road when it is open, follow the Eastern Sierra through Mammoth, Bishop and Lone Pine, and finish among Death Valley's paved desert overlooks. The changing landscape is the journey, with high-country and desert conditions worth checking before each leg.

Yosemite, the Eastern Sierra & Death Valley is a 500 km one-way journey (self-drive). It works best as a 6-day trip; the plan below is the 6-day version for September, built from 332 verified places, with planned transit times, opening hours and daylight checked.

6
days
500km
distance
6
Stops
332
curated stops

View ready-made plans 6-day plan · best time to go

The route

Yosemite Valley public circuit day→ 90 kmTioga Road and Tuolumne public corridor day→ 95 kmMammoth Lakes public landscape day→ 70 kmBishop and Owens Valley public day→ 75 kmLone Pine and Alabama Hills public day→ 170 kmDeath Valley paved-overlooks day
Eroded cream-coloured badlands below dark ridges, seen from Zabriskie Point

Death Valley · Day 6

Zabriskie Point

Panoramic views of weathered canyons stretch before you under vast skies.

6-day plan →

Photo: Christian David · CC BY-SA 4.0

What you'll see

El Capitan
Stand in awe of the towering granite cliff that dominates the valley view.
Yosemite Valley public circuit day
Lembert Dome
Enjoy sweeping views of Tuolumne Meadows and distant peaks from the dome's summit.
Tioga Road and Tuolumne public corridor day
Hot Creek Geological Area
Feel the warmth of natural steam nearby.
Mammoth Lakes public landscape day
Laws Railroad Museum and Historic Site
Explore preserved trains and buildings from the Owens Valley's past.
Bishop and Owens Valley public day
Owens Lake
Observe the stark beauty of the dry lakebed under the vast desert sky.
Lone Pine and Alabama Hills public day
Badwater Basin
Walk on vast salt flats at North America's lowest point, surrounded by surreal stillness.
Death Valley paved-overlooks day

Choose your length

6-day plan13 stops · 13.4 h transit2.2 stops/day · 2.2 h transit/daySee the full plan →

When to go

Best months: June, September, October

Tioga Road and the Eastern Sierra crossing are normally in season, while Death Valley requires a paved-road, vehicle-based heat plan. Exact pass, fire, flood and temperature conditions can invalidate the route and must be rechecked.

See the month-by-month breakdown →

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View ready-made plans