Overview

A Yosemite National Park tunnel and viewpoint you simply can’t miss when you are in the park is the Wawona Tunnel with its breathtaking vistas at the eastern end as you enter Yosemite Valley. You’ll see such famous sights as El Capitan, Half Dome and Bridalveil Fall.

Location & Information

This popular Yosemite Park tunnel is on Highway 41, just outside Yosemite Valley, where it joins with Southside Drive, which takes you to Yosemite Village.

The Wawona Tunnel and Viewpoint is accessible all year.

Contact Information:
Yosemite National Park
Public Information Office
P.O. Box 577
Yosemite, CA 95389
209-372-0200

Activities

• Viewing Yosemite Wonders
  Searching for a place with fantastic vistas that will inspire? This Yosemite tunnel California wonder is one of the main attractions of the park, with awesome views of Half Dome and El Capitan to your left and Bridalveil Fall to the right. You can also see Sentinel and Cathedral Rocks.
• Hiking
  From Wawona Tunnel, you can take a hike to Inspiration Point. It is only 2.6 miles roundtrip, with 990 feet of elevation gain. It’s moderately strenuous, the first half quite steep. You get some great views, and without the crowds. Take your camera with you to get some picturesque photos of the valley. If you are feeling energetic, you can continue from Inspiration Point and go all the way to Glacier Point, an additional 11.7 miles.
• Visiting Yosemite Village
  Drive another 30 minutes and you are in Yosemite Village, with a museum, visitor center and many conveniences for the traveler.

Fun Facts

The Yosemite tunnel is unique in that it is the longest highway tunnel in California, at 4,233 feet. It was constructed in 1933, taking workers 275 tons of blasting power and two years to create this engineering marvel.