YOSEMITE VALLEY SHUTTLE PLANNER
Map your stops, time your day, and beat the parking crunch — plan the free Yosemite Valley shuttle. Free, no sign-up.
Your shuttle day
Starting at 8:00 AM, this plan has you back around 1:12 PM. The Valley shuttle runs until about 10:00 PM this season.
About 8h 48m of buffer before service ends.
Your stops today
The Valleywide loop visits every stop in sequence — ride whichever direction gets you there faster.
- 1Yosemite Falls / Yosemite Lodge · ~45 min here
- 2Happy Isles (Mist Trail / Half Dome trailhead) · ~240 min here
Estimates only. NPS doesn't publish exact stop-to-stop ride times, so each stop budgets ~9 min of riding + waiting (every 12–22 min this season) — always verify current shuttle hours at nps.gov/yose.
Getting around Yosemite Valley
| Stop | Main trailheads / sights |
|---|---|
| Yosemite Village / Visitor Center | — |
| Yosemite Falls / Yosemite Lodge | — |
| The Ahwahnee | — |
| Camp 4 | — |
| Curry Village (meal / break) | — |
| El Capitan Meadow viewpoint | — |
| Happy Isles (Mist Trail / Half Dome trailhead) | Half Dome cables need a permit |
Heads up: the Valleywide loop is not the only shuttle in the park. The seasonal Tuolumne Meadows shuttle / hiker's bus (mid-June–early September, while Tioga Road is open) connects the Valley to high-country trailheads, and a separate seasonal shuttle serves the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias near the South Entrance. Neither runs in winter.
Yosemite Valley Shuttle FAQ
Do I need to use the Yosemite Valley shuttle?
Not strictly — unlike some parks, Yosemite Valley's roads stay open to private vehicles year-round. But Valley parking lots routinely fill by mid-to-late morning on peak-season weekends and holidays, so the free shuttle (no reservation needed) is how most visitors actually get around once they're parked. The planner above helps you budget a shuttle-based day.
What time does the Yosemite Valley shuttle stop running?
In the main season (roughly March through November) the Valley shuttle runs about 7 AM to 10 PM, with buses every 12–22 minutes. Winter hours are shorter and reduced — always confirm the current schedule at nps.gov/yose before you go.
Which shuttle stop is for the Mist Trail or Half Dome? Which is Yosemite Falls?
Happy Isles is the trailhead for the Mist Trail, Vernal and Nevada Falls, and the approach to Half Dome. Yosemite Falls is near the Yosemite Lodge stop. Curry Village and The Ahwahnee are both on the loop for a meal or break.
How long does the Yosemite Valley shuttle take end to end?
A full Valleywide loop runs about 1.5 hours round trip, with buses arriving every 12–22 minutes depending on the season. NPS doesn't publish exact stop-to-stop times, so budget roughly 9 minutes of riding and waiting between each stop you visit.
Is there a shuttle to Tuolumne Meadows or Glacier Point?
Yes, but they're separate, seasonal services — not part of the year-round Valley loop. The Tuolumne Meadows shuttle and hiker's bus run only from about mid-June to early September, while Tioga Road is open. A seasonal shuttle also serves the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias in spring through fall. Neither runs in winter.