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Where to stay between las Vegas and Yosemite?

Wakefield, United...
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194 posts
16 reviews
12 helpful votes
Where to stay between las Vegas and Yosemite?
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Myself and my fiance are coming to the us next year to get married in Vegas. We are traveling from Vegas to Yosemite then onto the California coast. We are wanting to stop over night between Vegas and Yosemite to break up the drive. We looked at Death Valley but would like somewhere closer to Yosemite.

We are considering Mommoth, but not too sure what is there.

Does anybody have any other suggestiosns please?

Napa, California
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9,057 posts
17 reviews
63 helpful votes
1. Re: Where to stay between las Vegas and Yosemite?
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Mammoth Lakes is a great choice. It has plenty of lodging and restaurants and stuff to do and see.

Tioga Pass in Yosemite is usually only open from June through October. When are you doing this trip?

Wakefield, United...
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194 posts
16 reviews
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2. Re: Where to stay between las Vegas and Yosemite?
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Hi, we're coming over in September next year and we were thinking of driving on the Tioga pass, looks like a nice drive.

Stoke-on-Trent...
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882 posts
75 reviews
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3. Re: Where to stay between las Vegas and Yosemite?
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We did the trip in June this year and are also going to Vegas in September 2011 for my daughters wedding. I would advise at least two nights on the way to Yosemite. It is such an amazing drive that you will miss a lot if you just stay over one night. Death Valley was one of our favourite stops in our three week trip this year and I would thoroughly recommend some time here. It is so pretty.

After that we drove up to Lee Vining for two nights before going over the Tioga Pass into Yosemite. We wished we had had one night in Lone Pine and just one in Lee Vining.

We didn't see Mammoth Lakes area but visited Mono Lake (spectacular and very unusual). There is a lot to see between Death Valley and Yosemite. Lone Pine has the Alabama Hills where a lot of western films were filmed. Bishop has a good museum, the Lawes museum I think which is a railroad museum. I could go on.

There is also the Joshua Tree National Park in the Bishop area. So you can probably see that there is a lot to miss if you rush the trip. A lot will depend on how much time you have and of course you need time for Yosemite which is something else! Make sure you go to Glacier Point.

Have a good trip

Menlo Park...
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86 reviews
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4. Re: Where to stay between las Vegas and Yosemite?
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Naturally you'll drive through Death Valley on the way. An alternate route is 95 to 266 to 168 to Big Pine, which takes you through some spectacular high desert scenery, but makes for tough driving. The lower Owens valley along 395 and the eastern Sierras are as pretty a drive as you will find in this country. I'd suggest staying in Bishop, still at a relatively low elevation (4000), which has incredible mountains surrounding it. There might be snow on the peaks by Sept. Mammoth may be too high (7000) for a comfortable night, if you are not used to the elevation. On the way out of Bishop you will want to see some of the east Sierra lakes, and perhaps there might be aspens in their fall color. Drive up Bishop Creek to look at Sabrina Lake or up to Convict lake, above the Mammoth airport. The climb up to Tioga Pass in Yosemite is very steep and a little intimidating but not all that scenic.

Maine
Destination Expert
for Ogunquit
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2,415 posts
100 reviews
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5. Re: Where to stay between las Vegas and Yosemite?
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We are planning on doing this in reverse next June. Our plan, after leaving Yosemite, is to stay one night in Mammoth Lakes and one night in Death Valley National Park, then onto Las Vegas.

Stoke-on-Trent...
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882 posts
75 reviews
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6. Re: Where to stay between las Vegas and Yosemite?
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What was I thinking! It is the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest not the Joshua Tree NP that is near Bishop. Sorry about that.

Uden, The...
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60,942 posts
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7. Re: Where to stay between las Vegas and Yosemite?
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Lone Pine will be half way. Also a great location. I agree with the previous poster to take at least 3 days for the drive. 266/168 and esp. 168 is a mountain drive and you'll miss the "unmissable" Death Valley NP.

Tet

Naples, Florida
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3,345 posts
65 reviews
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8. Re: Where to stay between las Vegas and Yosemite?
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If you are planning on staying in Yosemite NP reserve now for September. They book up early. http://www.yosemitepark.com/

9. Re: Where to stay between las Vegas and Yosemite?

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