When you’re planning your trip to Yosemite National Park, one of the things you’ll need to decide is where to fly into.
In this guide, we’ll look at the nearest airport to Yosemite National Park.
‼️ It’s worth noting that although this is the closest airport to Yosemite National Park, it may not be the best place to fly to Yosemite for your particular trip. Another airport near Yosemite National Park might be more convenient. For more detailed information about other nearby airports, read my Guide to all the Airports Near Yosemite National Park. ‼️
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Table of Contents
What is the closest airport to Yosemite National Park?
Merced Yosemite Regional Airport (MCE)
Merced Yosemite Regional Airport is small, but offers commercial flights on Advanced Air from/ to Las Vegas International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport.
This is the airport closest to Yosemite, with easy access to three of the four park entrances in less than two hours. You can rent a car through Hertz and Enterprise. From CA-59 N/N State Hwy 59, drive to Merced Falls Road going to CA-132 E, then head to Greeley Hill Road until you reach Big Oak Flat Road.
Merced Yosemite is connected to YARTS bus system that takes you inside the park. Greyhound bus service is also available. Amtrak also offers daily stops to Merced and is directly connected to cities like Sacramento, Oakland, and Bakersfield.
Location
Merced Regional Airport is located two miles southwest of Merced, in Merced County, California.
Distance from Merced to Yosemite National Park
🔰 Distance from Merced, CA to Yosemite National Park, Big Oak Flat Entrance: 69 miles
🔰 Distance to Arch Rock Entrance: 72 miles
🔰 Distance to South Entrance: 81 miles
🔰 Distance to Tioga Pass Entrance: 135 miles
Travel time to Yosemite National Park
⌚ Travel Time to Big Oak Flat Entrance: 1 hour and 25 minutes
⌚ Travel Time to Arch Rock Entrance: 1 hour 40 minutes
⌚ Travel Time to South Entrance: 1 hour and 50 minutes
⌚ Travel Time to Tioga Pass Entrance: 3 hours and 15 minutes
What airlines fly out of Merced Yosemite Regional Airport? Which airports connect to there?
✈️ Advanced Air: Las Vegas International Airport (LAS) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
➡️ Find Yosemite National Park flights on Skyscanner
Rental car options:
🚘 Onsite: Hertz and Enterprise
➡️ Book a car through Discover Cars
Getting from Merced Yosemite Regional Airport to Yosemite National Park
🚘 Car rental service
🚍 YARTS
🚍 The Bus (Merced County Bus Transit)
Pros
- Nearest access to the park’s Arch Rock Entrance
- Connecting flights to Las Vegas International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport
- Options for ground transportation services like bus shuttles, public buses, taxis, and train and car rentals.
Cons
- Limited airline service options
- Limited options for car rental services
- Airfare can be more expensive
Map of Airports Near Yosemite National Park
Travel Insurance for Yosemite National Park
When you’re flying to Yosemite National Park, consider getting travel insurance too. Make sure it includes trip cancellation, in case you need to cancel your flight before your travel, so that you can get a refund.
➡️ A great insurance option is Travelex. It has coverage for all you’ll need. You choose the best travel insurance plan for your trip here or get a quote right now:
Have a great trip to Yosemite! I hope this guide helped you discover the best airport for Yosemite National Park.
More Planning Resources for Yosemite National Park
⭐ Yosemite National Park Guide
⭐ Planning A Trip to Yosemite National Park: 7 Mistakes to Avoid
⭐ Guide to Yosemite National Park Ticketed Entry
⭐ How To Get To Yosemite National Park
⭐ The Airports Closest To Yosemite National Park
⭐ 10 Tips For Visiting Yosemite National Park
⭐ When is The Best Time To Visit Yosemite National Park?
⭐ Visiting Yosemite National Park: What To Expect Throughout the Year
⭐ 10 Fun Facts About Yosemite National Park
⭐ Vacation Rentals Near Yosemite National Park
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‼️ Are you looking for helpful tips for visiting US national parks? Read articles that share useful tips on a range of national-park related issues
💻 Are you starting to plan a trip to Yosemite National Park? Read my Guide to Yosemite National Park
🛏️ Are you looking for a place to stay near Yosemite National Park? Find a vacation rental near Yosemite National Park
💲 Are you ready to book your trip? Use these Planning and Booking Resources
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About the Author
James Ian is a national park, camping and hiking expert.
He has dedicated his life to travel, visiting more than 80 countries, all 7 continents and most of the national parks in the United States. With over 35 years experience in the travel industry, James has worked on cruise ships, at resorts and hotels, and as a travel planner who’s helped hundreds of people plan successful trips to US national parks.
Based on his experience visiting our national parks multiple times, in-depth research and expertise as a travel planner, James has published detailed itineraries for many of the major national parks in the US. These itineraries, as well as in-depth park guides, and other resources will help you have your own incredible trip to US national parks without stress and hassle.
As a national park expert, James has contributed to many publications, including USA Today, Newsweek, Time Business News, Savoteur, Best Trip, and Wired.
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