RV route guide
Tioga Pass — CA-120 over the Sierra Nevada
9,945-ft Sierra crossing. Yosemite's eastern gateway. Annual seasonal closure mid-November through late May.
Tioga Pass on CA-120 is the highest highway pass in California at 9,945 feet and serves as Yosemite National Park's eastern entrance. The road is open roughly late May through mid-November depending on snowpack. For RV travelers, Tioga Pass has no formal length restriction and accommodates Class A motorhomes up to about 40 feet, though steep grades and tight curves between Tuolumne Meadows and Lee Vining favor smaller rigs.
- Tier
- Scenic byway
- State
- California
- Best season
- July through early October. May/June often delayed by snow. October crossings carry late-snow risk.
- Sources
- Cited official (.gov / .org)
Can I drive an RV over Tioga Pass?
Yes — Tioga Pass has no formal length restriction. Class A motorhomes up to 40 feet routinely cross. The road has sustained grades of 8-9% on the east side descent into Lee Vining; brake management is essential. The pass closes annually mid-November through late May for snow. Yosemite NP timed-entry reservations apply at the Tioga Pass entrance station May through September.
- No formal RV length limit
- 60 miles Crane Flat to Lee Vining
- 9,945 ft summit (highest CA highway pass)
- Open late May to mid-November typical
- 8-9% east-side grade — brake management essential
At a glance
Route facts worth checking before you roll out
Conservative, source-minded numbers for planning — always confirm against current conditions and state DOT 511 before you depart.
Distance
60 mi
Crane Flat to CA-395 at Lee Vining
Drive time
2–3 hr
Elevation
6,200–9,945 ft
RV compatibility
RV-friendly
Best season
July through early October. May/June often delayed by snow. October crossings carry late-snow risk.
Cell coverage. No reliable service Crane Flat to Lee Vining. Verizon spotty at Tuolumne Meadows.
Elevation profile
Climbs from 6,200 ft at Crane Flat to 9,945 ft at the pass; descends to 6,800 ft at Lee Vining.
Vehicle restrictions
- No posted length, width, or weight limits
- Sustained 8-9% grades on east-side descent
- Closed mid-November through late May for snow
- Yosemite NP entrance fee + timed-entry reservation may apply
Tioga Pass vs. Sonora Pass vs. Ebbetts Pass
Tioga Pass is the highest of California's Sierra crossings but also the gentlest in terms of road engineering. Sonora Pass on CA-108 (9,624 ft) has 26% grades and a 30-ft length limit. Ebbetts Pass on CA-4 (8,730 ft) is even narrower with hairpin turns.
For RV travelers crossing the Sierra east-west, Tioga is the recommended pass. Caltrans maintains it to federal-highway spec. Lane widths and shoulder grading exceed the older Sonora and Ebbetts engineering.
The trade-off is the Yosemite National Park entrance system. Approaching Tioga Pass from either direction during peak season requires a timed-entry reservation or pre-purchased park pass. Plan ahead.
Real warnings
Brake management on east-side descent
9% sustained for 12 miles down to Lee Vining. Use 2nd gear. Pull over at brake-cool turnouts.
dangerYosemite reservation enforced
Tioga Pass entrance station requires timed-entry reservation in season. Without one, you will be turned back.
cautionLimited services central section
Tuolumne Meadows has a campground and very limited services. Fuel only at Crane Flat or Lee Vining.
cautionSnow possible any month
Even in July, brief snow squalls at the summit happen. Carry chains September onward.
caution
What NPS Yosemite + Visit California doesn't tell you
NPS Yosemite emphasizes the reservation system for Tioga Pass during peak season but doesn't acknowledge how confusing the system is for RV travelers entering from the east. Many renters from Reno or Mammoth-area pickups arrive at the Tioga entrance unaware that they need a reservation.
What's also undercovered: the campgrounds along CA-120 between Tioga and CA-395. Mono Lake's Tioga Lake Campground (USFS, dispersed sites), Saddlebag Lake area, and Lee Vining Canyon offer RV camping outside the park reservation system. Bookable through Recreation.gov.
Finally, Lee Vining itself. The town at the east base of Tioga Pass is the gateway to Mono Lake (a Yosemite-rivaling natural feature) and to the June Lake Loop scenic drive. Many Tioga visitors miss Mono Lake entirely. Don't.
Frequently asked questions
- When does Tioga Pass open?
- Typically late May to mid-June depending on snowpack. Caltrans posts the opening date as it happens. Late-snow years can delay to early July.
- Do I need a Yosemite reservation?
- Yes during peak season (typically late May through early October). Check NPS Yosemite for current year requirements.
- Where can I camp?
- Tuolumne Meadows Campground (NPS, reserve via Recreation.gov), Tioga Lake (USFS), Saddlebag Lake area, and dispersed USFS sites east of the park.
Authoritative sources
Verify current conditions with state DOT 511 systems before departure. RV restrictions may change. Weather may close roads.
Planning an RV trip along Tioga Pass?
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