WWingAwayWEEKENDSFly to lunchDestination guide 197
California · Couples · Two nights

Yosemite

Granite, waterfalls and giant sequoias.

Yosemite Valley is one of the most famous views on Earth: El Capitan, Half Dome and Yosemite Falls rising thousands of feet above the meadows. Land at Mariposa-Yosemite in the Sierra foothills, about an hour and a half from the valley, stay at the Ahwahnee or a foothill lodge, walk to the base of the falls, stand at Glacier Point at sunset and walk among the sequoias of Mariposa Grove.

National parkWaterfallsHistoric lodge
See the weekend itineraryFlight & arrival details
Snow-capped granite cliffs and a waterfall above the forest in Yosemite Valley
Yosemite Valley.
YOUR ROUTEKMYR to KMPI
STRAIGHT-LINE DISTANCE~2004 NM
ILLUSTRATIVE FLIGHT TIME~13 hr 37 min
WEEKEND STYLETwo nights · Rental car

Time illustration: direct distance at 150 KTAS plus 15 minutes for departure and arrival, matching the discovery page. Use ForeFlight for your actual flight plan.

01 / Aviation & getting around

Land in the Sierra foothills.

KMPI, Mariposa-Yosemite, is a non-towered county airport at 2,254 feet with a 3,305-foot runway. Self-serve fuel is available 24 hours with a credit card.

The FBO

Mariposa-Yosemite Airport (County of Mariposa)

Mariposa-Yosemite Airport, Mariposa, CA

209-966-5356

Short runway with mountains to the north and terrain dropping away beside Runway 8; the chart supplement reports cracking and loose debris on the runway. Arrange a rental car in advance. No live fuel price is shown.

Inland Central California: hot summer afternoons with high density altitude, haze and wildfire smoke some summers, winter valley fog (tule fog) and Sierra storms. About 2000 nm from Myrtle Beach: two long days each way with several fuel stops. Plan a week, or overnight on the way out and back.

02 / Where to stay

A grand park hotel or a foothill retreat.

Rates and availability need travel dates. Summer and spring waterfall season book months ahead.

03 / Where to eat

Park dining.

Reserve weekend dinners.

04 / Things to do

Valley, viewpoints and big trees.

Start before 8 a.m. to beat the traffic.

01

Yosemite Valley

Yosemite Falls, El Capitan, Half Dome and the Merced River.

NPS
02

Glacier Point

The classic view of Half Dome and the high country; road open in summer and fall.

NPS
03

Mariposa Grove

More than 500 giant sequoias near the south entrance.

NPS
05 / What’s happening

Sometimes the season is the reason to fly.

This prototype links to the local visitor site. It does not yet match events to your travel dates.

Concerts, festivals & local happenings

Check the local calendar when choosing a weekend, and confirm dates and tickets with the organizer.

Browse Yosemite events
06 / Suggested itinerary

Friday in. Sunday home.

A sample park weekend. This is a two-day flight each way; plan a week. No bookings or availability confirmed.

DAY 1

Arrive

  1. Arrival

    Land at KMPI, subject to weather and your actual flight plan.

  2. Afternoon

    Drive to the valley and walk to Lower Yosemite Fall.

  3. Evening

    Dinner at the Ahwahnee.

DAY 2

Explore

  1. Morning

    Tunnel View and the valley loop.

  2. Afternoon

    Mariposa Grove.

  3. Evening

    Sunset at Glacier Point.

DAY 3

Morning & home

  1. Morning

    A last walk in the meadows.

  2. Before leaving

    Return the car and allow time at the FBO.

  3. Fly home

    Hot, hazy summer afternoons; leave early.

07 / Good to know

Keep the weekend easy to change.

These details make the difference between an appealing list and a usable getaway.

Book in this order

Lodging, a car and any park entry reservation.

Very long flight

About 2,000 nm from Myrtle Beach: two long days each way.

Runway

Short county runway; check its condition and your performance.

Best seasons

May to October.

Reviewed · Destination 197

Reviewed November 5, 2026.

Picks and links reviewed by WingAway Weekends. Hours, prices, menus and availability change often, so confirm directly with each place before booking.

WingAway Weekends helps you discover the destination. Use ForeFlight and current official aviation information for route, performance, weather, NOTAMs and preflight decisions. Flight planning and PIC responsibility stay with the pilot.