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Tioga is an Iroquois name translated to mean “where it forks,” “at the fork,” “swift current,” or “a gate.” The road, once known as The Great Sierra Wagon Road, was built between 1882 and 1883.

Can I Get Married in Tuolumne Meadows Along Tioga Road?

Yes, there are many spots, some adventurous, that you can choose along Tioga Road and in the Tuolumne Meadows area of Yosemite. Additionally, by going over Tioga Pass and leaving the park, heading east, there are trails and lakes you can access that have incredible views. 

Tioga Road travels in an east-west direction and connects Yosemite National Park to the Eastern Sierra’s. Along this 47-mile scenic drive from Crane Flat to Tioga Pass you will travel through forests and past meadows, lakes, and granite domes. Many turnouts offer broad and beautiful vistas. The Tioga Road is open approximately late May or June through October or November.

Common locations within Yosemite along Tioga Road include the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias, Olmsted Point, Tenaya Lake, Galen’s Dome, Pothole Dome, Puppy Dome, and Dana Meadows. After you exit the park, Tioga Lake and Ellery Lake offer relatively easy access with dramatic views. Some spots just outside of Yosemite’s eastern entrance at Tioga Pass there is Tioga Lake, Ellery Lake, and Saddlebag Lake. 

Pros:

  • Incredible views.
  • Plenty of parking opportunities depending on where you would like to have the ceremony.
  • Different options for locations to get away from the crowds.
  • Easy access to the Tuolumne River.

Cons:

  • The National Park Service is undertaking multiple road construction projects that will last several years resulting in delays and limiting parking in certain areas until work is complete.
  • The drive from Yosemite Valley can be slow depending on traffic.
  • If entering from the East Side, the line to get through the entrance gate can be long and slow.
  • The season is short and the road is only accessible for five to six months out of the year.
  • Bugs, specifically mosquitos, can be menacing.