Each year curious tourists eagerly await Yosemiteâ??s Tioga Road to be opened so that they can do a bit of exploring. If you are one of them then you may be happy to find out that it recently opened for the season and will remain so until towards the end of the year. Here is what you should see if you have the chance to take a drive down Tioga Road in the next several months.

Olmstead Point

When you get to Olmsted Point you should pullover so that you can see the view. If you have binoculars itâ??s quite interesting to see all of the hikers and climbers. You can also get a glimpse of the face of Clouds Rest or even take a quick .2 mile hike that allows you to see Mount Conness, Tenaya Lake and Peak. Now if you are feeling particularly adventurous you can also hike your way over to Yosemite Valley which is a 9.6 mile hike. Just remember that it can be a difficult hike, especially on a hot, sunny day.

Tenaya Lake

This lake holds the title of being Yosemiteâ??s biggest natural lake. It is only a few steps from the road and is a popular spot to kayak, sail and canoe. Visitors can also swim in the lake if they wish, but it tends to be quite cold.

Lembert Dome

This large dome features white granite and a low incline around the base on the backside of it. If you want to explore some of it, you can walk around the 2.8 mile hiking path thatâ??s located to the east of the parking lot. This hike is challenging though as it is steep and can get slippery on rainy days.

If you do plan on visiting Tioga Road, just remember that the campgrounds are closed as well as the Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center and the Tuolumne Meadows Store. There is also no gas station located along the road so make sure you car has plenty of gasoline ahead of time. Crane Flat has the closest gas station to Tioga Road Yosemite. Usually the road is open through the end of October, but that can vary based on the conditions. In general the summer tends to be the best time to visit it as the weather is good and the wildflowers are in full bloom.