Tioga Pass opens for 2026 at 8 a.m. Friday, May 15, marking the earliest start to the season at Yosemite National Park’s eastern gateway in 11 years and completing the full slate of High Sierra passes for the summer season.
The pass, which carries Highway 120 through the park at 9,945 feet above sea level, is the highest paved route across the 400-mile Sierra Nevada range. Tioga Pass connects Mono County to Yosemite National Park’s only east entrance. Typically closed during the winter months, from roughly November through May each year, Mono County locals and visitors alike celebrate the reopening, which provides access to the stunning and lesser-known attractions of Yosemite’s east side, including Tuolumne Meadows, Tenaya Lake, and Olmsted Point.
Tioga Pass Opens 2026 to Cyclists One Day Early
The last time the National Park Service opened Tioga Pass before mid-May was May 4, 2015. The next earliest opening after that came on May 18, 2016, and the latest opening in recorded history was July 22, 2023. Last year, the road did not open until May 26. Tioga Road gave cyclists a head start, opening to bikes on Thursday, May 14.
Tioga Pass is the last of the region’s major alpine crossings to open this spring. Ebbetts Pass has been open for the season, as has Sonora Pass on State Highway 108. Motorists on Ebbetts Pass should remain alert to icy patches and snowmelt water on the road surface.
Tioga Pass Opens 2026: What Visitors Need to Know
No advance reservation is required to enter Yosemite this year, though visitors can pre-pay their entrance fee at Recreation.gov to speed up entry at the gate.
Glacier Point Road opened to vehicles on May 9, and all front-country campgrounds in the park will be available this summer. Most High Sierra Camps are also returning to operation after remaining closed last summer. A section of the Valley Loop Trail near Royal Arches and several climbing routes previously shut for safety monitoring have also reopened. The Ice Cut section of the John Muir Trail is expected to reopen in July following trail improvements.
Permits, Half Dome, and Wilderness Planning
Park Superintendent Ray McPadden urged visitors to plan ahead, noting that weekend traffic, especially Saturday mornings, can be significant. Authorities recommend arriving early or late in the day, visiting midweek, and exploring areas beyond Yosemite Valley to avoid the heaviest congestion.
Overnight wilderness permits are required for backcountry trips and can be reserved through Recreation.gov. The Half Dome cables lottery, which opened Wednesday, operates on a two-day advance application window.
For the latest road conditions and planning information,
Plan Ahead Before You Go
Yosemite authorities urge visitors to take the following steps to avoid delays and congestion, particularly on summer weekends:
- Pre-pay your entrance fee at Recreation.gov to move through the gate faster — no reservation is required this year, but pre-payment speeds up entry.
- Go midweek. Weekend traffic, especially Saturday mornings, can be significant across the park.
- Time your arrival. Early morning and late afternoon visits help avoid the heaviest congestion at trailheads and parking areas.
- Explore beyond Yosemite Valley. The newly reopened Tioga Road gives direct access to Tuolumne Meadows, Tenaya Lake, and Olmsted Point — all far less crowded than the Valley floor.
- Watch for administrative vehicles on Tioga Road, particularly in the days immediately following opening.
- Check conditions before you leave. Icy patches and snowmelt runoff remain possible on high-elevation roads, including Ebbetts Pass. Visit nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/tioga.htm for the latest updates.
