The basics
Badger Pass is reached via Highway 41 / Wawona Road, the main park road from the south entrance. From Highway 41, turn east onto Glacier Point Road at Chinquapin junction and continue 8 miles to the Badger Pass parking lot. The final 8 miles climb from about 6,000 ft to 7,200 ft elevation through forested terrain.
Drive times from major hubs
| From | Distance | Typical winter drive |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco / Bay Area | 200 miles | 4½–5 hours |
| Sacramento | 185 miles | 4 hours |
| Fresno | 90 miles | 2–2½ hours |
| Los Angeles | 320 miles | 5½–6½ hours |
| Yosemite Valley (in-park) | 21 miles | 45–50 min |
| Wawona | 17 miles | 25–30 min |
| Yosemite West (in-park) | 8 miles | 15–20 min |
| Oakhurst | 40 miles | 60–75 min |
| Fish Camp | 30 miles | 45 min |
Recommended route from the Bay Area
From the Bay Area, the standard winter route is I-580 east to I-205 east to Highway 120 east through Manteca and Oakdale, then Highway 49 south to Mariposa, then Highway 140 east to El Portal — but in winter, the higher-elevation Highway 120 (Big Oak Flat Road) is the worst option, and parts of it close. The reliable winter route is:
- I-580 east to I-205 east to I-5 south
- Highway 152 east through Los Banos and Pacheco Pass
- Highway 99 south to Madera
- Highway 145 east toward Oakhurst
- Highway 41 north through the south entrance of Yosemite National Park
- Continue past Wawona, climb Wawona Road to Chinquapin junction
- Turn east on Glacier Point Road, continue 8 miles to Badger Pass
This route avoids the higher-elevation roads that often require chains.
Recommended route from Southern California
From LA, the fastest winter route is I-5 north to Highway 99 north through Bakersfield and Fresno, then take Highway 41 north through Oakhurst into the park. This is the most reliable winter approach — minimum elevation gain, well-plowed throughout.
Park entrance fees
Yosemite National Park requires an entrance fee for all vehicles, regardless of your purpose for visiting. As of the most recent rates, the standard private vehicle fee is around $35 and covers entry for 7 days. The America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) or any senior/access/military pass also covers entry. There's no separate fee for skiing — just the park entrance fee.
Winter driving essentials
- Tire chains. California requires chains in winter weather, even on all-wheel-drive vehicles, depending on the conditions. Full chain requirements →
- Half tank minimum. Fill up in Oakhurst or Mariposa — there's no gas at Badger Pass and the nearest stations are 30+ miles away.
- Daylight is limited. Plan to arrive before dark. Glacier Point Road is forested and winding — much harder to drive after dark in winter.
- Check road status. Call the snow phone (209-372-8430) or the park road conditions line (209-372-0200) the morning of your drive.
If you're flying in
The closest commercial airports are Fresno Yosemite International (about 90 miles, 2 hours) and Mammoth Yosemite Airport (closed in winter — east side, not accessible). For more flight options, San Francisco (SFO) and San Jose (SJC) are reasonable, though both add 2+ hours of driving. Rent an AWD or 4WD vehicle if you can. Chain rentals are also available at most car rental counters during winter months.