Escape LA for a spring road trip to Yosemite’s wildflowers and waterfalls

Josh SchukmanApril 12, 2023

Escape LA for a spring road trip to Yosemite’s wildflowers and waterfalls

Yosemite wildflowers will be superblooming awesome this year. Even though Father Winter has been hard on us – from bomb cyclones to snow where it doesn’t belong – supercyclones are about to give way to a superbloom. 

That’s because these historic winter snows will soon give way to spring, causing Yosemite’s wildflowers to bloom like never before.

And the park’s waterfalls will flow as they’ve never flowed in one of the most spectacular displays of natural beauty. Escaping Los Angeles in an Outdoorsy RV is a great way to experience some of the region’s natural wonders. 

The Outdoorsy Yosemite RV Resort is the perfect access point to Yosemite National Park and the superbloom. 

Check out this 4-day itinerary for your RV adventure, with Outdoorsy Yosemite as your basecamp.


RVs For Rent Near Los Angeles

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Day 1 – Escape LA toward Yosemite Wildflowers

Stop 1: Nature underground

After leaving Los Angeles, head towards Fresno and plan a stop off at the Forestiere Underground Gardens: these underground gardens were hand-built by a Sicilian immigrant over the course of 40 years. The gardens are a unique example of subterranean architecture and showcase a variety of fruit trees, grape vines, and exotic plants. 

We’re talking a full on underground superbloom for your viewing enjoyment. 

Stop 2: Lunch in Fresno

Keeping the Italian theme going, stop for lunch at The Annex Kitchen, located in the historic Tower District of Fresno where they offer a variety of house-made pastas, wood-fired pizzas, and other Italian specialties, all made with fresh and locally sourced ingredients.

Check out these RVs for rent near Fresno if you’d like to roll that way. 

Stop 3: Toward Bass Lake

After lunch, make your way to Bass Lake, a spectacular spot that gets you plenty of lake fun like paddleboarding, kayaking and more – all near Yosemite’s doorstep.

Set up your RV at Outdoorsy Yosemite Campground and take in the stunning views of the lake. Spend the afternoon exploring the area by hiking one of the many trails around the lake. The Willow Creek Trail is a great option that offers stunning views of the lake and surrounding mountains.

Kayaking at Bass Lake at Yosemite

Outdoorsy Yosemite RV and Glamping Campground brings lakeside fun to the footsteps of Yosemite NP

Stop 4: Sunset at Goat Mountain

End your day with a stunning sunset hike up to Goat Mountain. This short but steep hike offers incredible views of the surrounding mountains and the sunset over the lake. Pack a picnic dinner and enjoy the view before making your way back to your RV for the evening.

Day 2: Discover Yosemite’s wildflowers

Wake up early and head to Yosemite Valley (a 90-minute drive north), where you’ll be surrounded by the stunning beauty of the park’s waterfalls and wildflowers. The best way to take in Yoesmite’s superbloom is on the trail. 

One of the best things about Yosemite National Park is that it’s generally dog-friendly, meaning Fido can follow you along most trails. Plan ahead with this dog friendly Yosemite itinerary.

And here’s a hiking guide that will help you discover Yosemite’s wildflowers in this spring’s superbloom:

Valley Loop Trail – This trail is perfect for beginners and offers stunning views of Yosemite’s wildflowers. It’s a 13.7-mile loop trail that can be done in sections, so you can choose the distance that’s right for you. You’ll see wildflowers like lupine, poppies, and dogwood trees along the way.

Mist Trail – The Mist Trail is a moderate hike that leads to the iconic Vernal and Nevada Falls. The trail is approximately 3 miles round trip and is known for its stunning views of wildflowers in the spring, including Indian paintbrush, lupine, and shooting stars.

Tuolumne Meadows – This high-country meadow is a must-visit during the spring months. You can take the 1.5-mile round trip Dog Lake Trail or the 2.5-mile round trip Soda Springs Trail to see wildflowers like mariposa lilies, Indian paintbrush, and lupine.

Wawona Meadow Loop Trail – This easy 3.5-mile loop trail in the southern part of the park offers stunning views of wildflowers like lupine, Indian paintbrush, and mariposa lilies. It’s a great option for families or those looking for a shorter hike.

Glacier Point – This iconic viewpoint offers stunning views of Yosemite Valley and its surrounding mountains. In the spring, you can see Yosemite wildflowers like shooting stars, Indian paintbrush, and lupine on this 1-mile round trip.

Day 3: Stand among giants

Sequoia trees at Yosemite National Park

Start day 3 by driving to the South Entrance of Yosemite National Park, which is about 30 miles from Bass Lake. This entrance is less crowded than the more popular entrances, such as Yosemite Valley.

Beyond Yosemite wildflowers and waterfalls, you’ll find some of the largest Sequoia groves in the world in this section of the park. 

Stop 1: The Giants of Yosemite

Once you enter the park, take the Wawona Road (CA-41) and drive towards the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. This grove is home to over 500 mature giant sequoia trees and is one of the lesser-known attractions in Yosemite. You can take a leisurely walk among the towering trees and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

Stop 2: Get a new perspective

After visiting the Mariposa Grove, continue driving on Wawona Road and take a left onto Glacier Point Road. This road offers some of the most spectacular views of the Yosemite Valley and surrounding mountains, and is often less crowded than other viewpoints in the park.

Once you reach Glacier Point, you can take a short hike to Sentinel Dome, which offers a 360-degree panoramic view of the surrounding landscape. This hike is less crowded than the popular Half Dome trail and offers similar views.

After enjoying the views from Sentinel Dome, head back down Glacier Point Road and take a left onto the Bridalveil Fall Road. This road takes you to Bridalveil Fall, one of the most iconic waterfalls in Yosemite. While this attraction can get crowded during peak season, spring is a perfect opportunity to experience the wonders of these falls.

As a bonus, the superbloom will likely create fields of Yosemite wildflowers for you to enjoy as you watch the waters rage.

Stop 3: Dining in nature

Finally, head back to the South Entrance and exit the park. On your way back to Bass Lake, you can stop at the Tenaya Lodge for dinner. This lodge offers a range of dining options, from casual to upscale, and is a great place to relax after a day of exploring Yosemite.

Day 4:  Can’t get enough of them Sequoias

You stood among giants at Yosemite, so why not check out more as you roll back to Los Angeles?

These gentle giants have been inspiring people for millennia – with the oldest one dating back over 3,200 years ago. Don’t miss the chance to tread where so much of humanity’s history has trodden.  

Stop 1- Explore Sequoia National Forest

Arrive at Sequoia National Forest and explore the stunning scenery. Take a scenic drive through the forest or go for a hike to see the giant sequoia trees. Don’t miss the General Sherman Tree, which is the largest tree in the world by volume.

1:00 PM – Lunch at The Gateway Restaurant and Lodge

After exploring the forest, stop for lunch at The Gateway Restaurant and Lodge, which is located at the entrance to Sequoia National Park. The restaurant serves a variety of dishes, including burgers, sandwiches, and salads.

On nicer days (which happen often at Sequoia this time of year!) you can enjoy your meal outside along the stream that runs through the restaurant. 

2:30 PM – Drive to Los Angeles

After lunch, continue your journey to Los Angeles. The drive takes about 4 hours, so sit back, relax, and let your new memories marinate as you plot your next adventure. 

If you’re wondering where and when to see Yosemite’s wildflowers, there may be no better time than now. The superbloom is a monumental event that’ll see these lands getting a historic amount of moisture as the snows melt. Take the short trip from LA to enjoy a natural event that might not happen again in our lifetime.


RVs For Rent Near Los Angeles

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Josh and his wife traveled around the country in an '88 Airstream for 4+ years of full-time RVing. They made an unexpected pitstop in Montana in 2020 and haven't left since. That's because they got hooked on the glamping resort they run by Glacier National Park. Fittingly, they keep up their RVing love by renting out vintage Airstreams and other retro RVs to travelers hitting Montana.


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