vegas to yosemite and back to zion

[4boys]

hi all we are a family of six looking for some ideas on the best route to take from las vegas to yosemite and back we would like to see death vally along the way and get the most out of yosemite in 3 days. should we enter yosemite from the south and exit east or enter east and exit south and cut over the sherman pass ,is 3 days enough time we have a flexible schedule we are arriving las vegas on july 4th and staying 2 nights we can head out on the 6th we dont have to be in zion until the 9th or 10th. any help would be appreciated

(Rest of their July road trip)

[Mark Sedenquist]

hi all we are a family of six looking for some ideas on the best route to take from las vegas to yosemite and back

Since you only have three days and you also want to see Death Valley on the way, you really need to enter from the east (over Tioga Pass).

Las Vegas to Death Valley via NV-160
I would spend 4-5 hours in Death Valley and then follow CA-190 to CA-136 to US-395 to either Bishop or Mammoth Lakes and stay overnight.

Get up early and take CA-120 into Yosemite NP and spend the next 1-2 nights in and around the park -- You should seek reservations now -- as this will be a holiday weekend!!!

For the return trip, I would take CA-108 or CA-4 (both gorgeous routes) over to US-395 and then east to US-95 (the Tonopah Mining Museum is worth a stop) and then the ET Highway (NV-375) to US-93 (Pioche is an interesting side trip) and then east to I-15 and Zion NP.

You will not have time for Sherman Pass on this trip (it is full day to cross the Sierras on that road) -- very scenic -- but not a fast route!

Mark

[4boys]

while in yosemite , what are the best places to swim in the rivers