If there’s one thing you explore before going to Yosemite, make it TRANSPORTATION.

With the spectacular vistas and many activities available in Yosemite and Tuolumne Meadows, it’s hard to imagine you can have a bad time. But fighting through the cars and pedestrians makes any camper crabby. Familiarizing yourself with the shuttles and buses available puts the responsibility in the hands of experienced drivers.

Tuolumne Shuttle hits many of the trail heads from Tuolumne Lodge to Olmstead Point.

Transportation around Yosemite Valley

Park as far away from Yosemite and Curry Villages as you can and bus it in. The bus takes you to many trail heads and all the important stops in the villages. As of this writing, the web page was down, but they answered the phone (209) 372-1240!

• Phone: (209) 372-1240
• Website: http://www.yosemitepark.com/html/tours.html

Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System

“We like to say, ‘You Could Drive, But Why?,’ but it is so much more than just that. Get out from behind the wheel and you will see Yosemite in a whole new way.”

— YARTS brochure

I agree with the above.  I would have liked to have been able to peel my eyes from the asphalt’s edge while driving down Tioga Pass Road (highway 120) from Tuolumne Meadows to Yosemite Valley. These guys will do it for you, but just June through September. Other than that, they stick to the western side of the park.

While their schedule’s web page was down at this writing, you can call them at (877) 989-2787 or email them at yarts@yosemite.com.