A few highways grant visitors access to Yosemite National Park, but only one is open all year round.
Highway 140, also known as the “All-Year Highway,” runs about 100 miles from Interstate 5 near Gustine to the western entrance of California’s most popular national park.
Now the scenic roadway is celebrating its 100th anniversary.
Built along the Merced River, Highway 140 “ushered in a new era of travel” and helped open up new opportunities for tourism and hospitality, the Yosemite Mariposa County Tourism Bureau said in a Sept. 17 news release.
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“It’s essentially a lifeline in Yosemite National Park,” Kim Lawson, the bureau’s director of communications, told The Fresno Bee.
Here’s your guide to Highway 140, from scenic views and top times to drive to top dining and lodging options:
What is Highway 140?
Before Highway 140 became a popular scenic route into the Yosemite Valley, the Merced River corridor served as a passageway through the Sierra Nevada foothills.
The future highway began life as a humble wagon road in 1895, according to Visit California.
“ In 1924, construction began on a new route designed for more practical, year-round automobile access,” the Yosemite Mariposa County Tourism Bureau said.
Highway 140 opened on July 31, 1926, “transforming travel to Yosemite with a reliable connection between the Central Valley, Mariposa and the national park,” the tourism bureau said.
It also made Yosemite fully accessible for winter sports enthusiasts, paving the way for the opening of Badger Pass Ski Area in 1935.
How did ‘All-Year Highway’ get its name?
Highway 140 is known as the “All-Year Highway” because it’s “one of the most accessible year-round highways going into Yosemite National Park,” Lawson said.
“Thanks to its relatively low elevation, it’s typically the only route into Yosemite Valley that stays open through the winter when snow closes the park’s higher passes,” Visit California said.
The Tioga Pass Entrance to Yosemite National Park, accessible via Highway 120 from the east, closes from November through late May or June due to weather, park officials said.
“Hetch Hetchy is open all year but may close intermittently due to snow,” Yosemite National Park said.
What are the best times of year to drive Highway 140?
While Highway 140 offers distinct experiences throughout the year, fall and spring are top times to travel, experts said
“I encourage people to go and explore a fall road trip,” Lawson said. ““That is a wonderful time to visit.”
In October and November, colorful fall foliage begins to emerge along the corridor.
Springtime is another popular season to visit, offering blooming wildflowers including redbuds and California poppies as well as rushing rivers, creeks and waterfalls.
“You’ll pass through all these wildflowers and into Yosemite to see those waterfalls,” Lawson said.
If you prefer not to drive, the Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System offers a “really good option” for travelers along Highway 140, Lawson said. “It’s the only highway that YARTS operates year round on.”
Where can I find the best views on Highway 140?
According to experts, attractions along Highway 140 range from wineries to rock climbing and whitewater rafting.
“Start in the foothills and watch the landscape transform as you travel east” from the rolling ranchland and rich farmland of the Central Valley to the Gold Rush-era town of Mariposa, the Yosemite Mariposa County Tourism Bureau said.
Visiting Mariposa with its historic brick storefonts and circa-1850s courthouse, is “like stepping back in time,” Lawson said.
From Mariposa, the highway winds through the Merced River Canyon.
“This drive is so beautiful that people should definitely plan to be making stops along the way,” Lawson said, perhaps for a picnic by the river. “That’s a lovely thing to do.”
Highway 140 follows the river toward El Portal and Yosemite National Park, entering through the historic Arch Rock entrance.
“As the road curves through the corridor, the first iconic sight is El Capitan, rising dramatically to the left, while nearby Bridalveil Fall comes into view through the forest to the right,” the tourism bureau said.
Where can I eat and stay along Highway 140?
According to Lawson, the town of Mariposa offers diverse dining options, including 1850 Restaurant and Brewery.
She also suggested visiting The Grove House, a local food and music venue.
In Midpines, travelers can visit the June Bug Cafe at Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2026.
Another highlight along the corridor is the River Rock Inn, which is marking its 135th anniversary, according to Lawson. The property houses Sticks Coffee, offering local food and coffee options.
Yosemite E-Bikes in Mariposa offers guided tours and recommended routes throughout the area.
