Sunrise light on a grove of tufa towers emerging from the water of Mono Lake with soft green and dusty-red wild grasses in the foreground, Canada geese in the shallow water with reflections of the rocky towers, and desert hills in the distance.

Lee Vining to Tuolumne Meadows: Let YARTS do the driving for you

This post was written by John Warneke, 2016 Information Center & Bookstore Assistant.

Heading to Tuolumne Meadows from Lee Vining this summer? Have you heard about YARTS?

YARTS-bus-cropped

Providing public transit, YARTS (Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System) offers a great alternative during the busy summer months.

Park your car or RV, bring your bicycle along, and catch a comfortable, air-conditioned bus to your destination.
• Spend less time driving and more time enjoying the sights of Yosemite
• Avoid congestion and the hassle of searching for parking
• Save on the cost of gas and entrance fees

There are three spots where YARTS picks up in Lee Vining:
• Mono Basin Visitor Center: 7:17am, 9:27am, 12:32pm
• Lake View Lodge: 7:20am, 9:30am, 12:35pm
• Tioga Mobile Gas Mart: 7:30am, 9:40am, 12:45pm

Once in Tuolumne Meadows, there are YARTS stops at the Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center and Tuolumne Meadows Store.

Returning to Lee Vining from Tuolumne Meadows? Catch the bus at the:
• Visitor Center: 8:15am, 4:10pm, 6:45pm
• Store: 8:20am, 4:15pm, 6:50pm

Travel time to and from Tuolumne Meadows is approximately 35 minutes; delays of up to 15 minutes may occur due to traffic or weather conditions. Tickets may be purchased on the bus or online here. Prices are $3 for one-way and $6 round-trip. Seniors (62+), children (12 and younger), and persons with disabilities may purchase tickets at a discount rate.

For more information, stop by the Mono Lake Committee Information Center & Bookstore in Lee Vining, visit YARTS online or call (209) 388-9589 or (877) 989-2787.