Stretching from the farmland of the San Joaquin Valley to the granite walls of Yosemite Valley, Highway 140 is one of California's most scenic—and most reliable—gateways into the Sierra Nevada. Officially known as the "All-Year Highway," it earns that nickname honestly: thanks to its relatively low elevation, it's typically the only route into Yosemite Valley that stays open through the winter when snow closes the park's higher passes. Along the way, the road threads through Gold Rush towns, hugs the Merced River for miles, and delivers some of the most dramatic canyon scenery in the state.
Where Is Highway 140?
Highway 140, officially State Route 140, runs about 100 miles between Interstate 5 near Gustine and the western entrance of Yosemite National Park. It passes through Merced, where it connects to Highway 99, before climbing into the Sierra foothills through Mariposa, where it briefly overlaps with Highway 49. From there, the highway winds through the small community of Midpines, descends into the Merced River Canyon near Briceburg, and follows the river—part of the federally designated Wild and Scenic Rivers System—for roughly 20 miles before reaching El Portal and, finally, Yosemite's Arch Rock entrance.
MORE: Yosemite’s Gateway Towns
Highway 140 History
The route's wagon-road origins date back to 1895, but construction of the modern highway that came to be known as the “All-Year Highway” was completed in 1926, making 2026 its 100th anniversary, or centennial year. The finished road entered the park through Arch Rock, a natural tunnel blasted through massive boulders that still marks the park entrance today. Its completion made Yosemite accessible in every season for the first time, paving the way for the park's early winter sports scene, including the opening of the Badger Pass Ski Area in 1935.
What Are the Main Attractions Along Highway 140?
Beyond its role as a Yosemite gateway, Highway 140 is a destination in its own right thanks to all it offers within a relatively short distance. Follow it from Merced through rich Central Valley farmlands on your way to the wineries of the Sierra Foothill appellation. Sample the region’s rich, chocolate-y Zinfandels before continuing to the authentic Gold Rush town of Mariposa.
Mariposa, the county seat, retains its Gold Rush–era charm with historic brick storefronts; stroll past 19th-century buildings, including the 1854 courthouse (still in use) and see a nearly 14-pound hunk of crystalline gold at the California State Mining and Mineral Museum.
Just outside town, the Merced River Canyon draws whitewater rafters and anglers to its churning rapids each spring, while Briceburg serves as a popular put-in point for guided rafting trips. Closer to the park, El Portal offers a last chance to stock up before entering Yosemite, and the surrounding canyon walls make for some of the most photogenic driving in the Sierra, with the entire stretch officially designated a State Scenic Highway.
MORE: California River Rafting Adventures
Best Places to Eat Along Highway 140
Mariposa has the widest range of dining options along the route. Savoury's serves elevated comfort food, from house-made pasta to a New York steak with mushroom-brandy sauce, while the historic Charles Street Dinner House offers a more formal steakhouse experience in a century-old building. For a casual bite, 1850 Brewing Company serves up towering burgers, and Don Ruben’s Mexican Restaurant is a local favorite for those craving something spicier. Closer to the park, El Portal's options are more limited but convenient: Yosemite View Restaurant & Lounge and the riverside Cedar House Restaurant both offer sit-down meals with views of the Merced River, making them solid final stops before—or first stops after—a day in Yosemite Valley.
MORE: 5 Amazing Things to Do in Yosemite’s Gateways
Where to Stay Along Highway 140
Lodging along Highway 140 ranges from rustic mountain retreats to riverside comfort, most of it clustered near El Portal and Midpines, just outside Yosemite's Arch Rock entrance. Stay in rooms overlooking the Merced's tumbling waters at Yosemite View Lodge, or at the Arts and Crafts–style Yosemite Blue Butterfly along the riverfront.
Nearby, Cedar Lodge sits directly across the highway along the river, with access to a private beach that's especially welcome on hot summer days, while budget-minded travelers and backpackers often head a bit farther down the canyon to the Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort in Midpines, a hillside property with everything from hostel bunks to private cabins, plus an onsite restaurant and small spa. Whichever option you choose, booking ahead is essential, particularly in summer, when rooms this close to the park fill up fast.
