Traveling Along Hwy 120 | Big Oak Flat to Yosemite National Park

Your Highway 120 Adventure
Along your way to Yosemite National Park

After cresting the grade, you arrive at Big Oak Flat. Your first stop for a bite to eat is Old Priest Station. Make sure to fill up your gas tank or auto repair is available too.

Your next stop on Highway 120 will be Groveland. Here you can enjoy a picnic in the garden next to the historic Jail House. Yes, you can charge your electric car there too. Groveland has two charging stations. There is a community park in the center of town next to the Museum & Library. Well known in town are several restaurants, lodging, and B&B's, and a lot of unique retail shops. The community of Pine Mountain Lake with public golf and riding stables, and a general aviation airport is just down the road.

See Rural Airport News for more information on Pine Mountain Lake airport). Several businesses offer shopping and dining.

The small town of Buck Meadows is surrounded by the Stanislaus National Forest and is close by to a favorite swimming hole called Rainbow Pool. Far below is the main Tuolumne River with its “Wild and Scenic Waterway” designation and Class III, IV, and V whitewater rafting and kayaking.

The Big Oak Flat entrance to Yosemite National Park is at an elevation of 4,872 feet and is known as the north gateway to Yosemite.

Yosemite is the first land in the USA set aside for public enjoyment by President Lincoln. The Lincoln Administration was the founding legislation for the National Park Service. So much has been written about Yosemite, so allow time to enjoy the glacial beauty, hiking, picnicking, and sparkling rivers and lakes.