Scott Robarge Merced California is known as the gateway to Yosemite.  By travelling the original route along Highway 140, established in 1926, visitors can experience 1,170 miles of nature’s most awe-inspiring scenery in Yosemite National Park.  The route from Merced to Yosemite was the very first route bringing travelers from the valley along the Merced River Canyon.

Highlights of any visit to Yosemite National Park include Half Dome, El Capitan, Tuolumne Meadows, Bridalveil and Yosemite Falls.  If you love outdoor sports, you must try the amazing rock climbing, river rafting, bicycling, or snowshoeing or skiing in the winter at one of the most majestic destinations in the United States.

Yosemite National Park boasts a rich and colorful history.  The Ahwahneechee Indians lived there for centuries.   Later European settlers arrived in the mid-1800s. The rugged land made it hard for travelers to complete the arduous journey to Yosemite Valley by horseback or covered wagon.  President Abraham Lincoln signed a bill in 1864 bill that granted Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove to the California.  The naturalist and preservationist John Muir helped advocate for the creation of Yosemite National Park in 1890.  In 1907, construction was completed on the Yosemite Valley Railroad that went from Merced to El Portal and made it possible for tourists to experience the Valley.  Today, 3.5 million people enter Yosemite National Park every year to explore the beautiful scenery and picturesque landscape.

National Park Entrance Fees are $20.00 per car or you can purchase an individual pass for $10.00.