Mariposa to Yosemite by Bus: YARTS Winter Route Runs Through May 2027

MARIPOSA, Calif. — Residents and visitors traveling between Mariposa and Yosemite National Park have a year-round public transit option on the Highway 140 corridor, but the timetable changes with the seasons.

The Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System, known as YARTS, lists its winter 2026–2027 Highway 140 schedule as operating from October 1, 2026 through May 28, 2027. The route connects Merced, Catheys Valley, Mariposa, Midpines, El Portal and Yosemite Valley.

What Mariposa passengers should know

The timetable lists stops at Midtown Mariposa and Mariposa Park & Ride, along with other communities along Highway 140. Not every trip uses the same timing or stop pattern. Passengers should choose their actual boarding stop, direction and travel date on the official schedule rather than relying on a screenshot shared months earlier.

YARTS says the winter service operates seven days a week, with no service on some holidays. Its posted exceptions include Thanksgiving on November 26, 2026, Christmas on December 25, 2026 and New Year’s Day on January 1, 2027. Travelers arranging accommodation or a return trip should verify service in both directions.

Do visitors need a Yosemite entrance reservation in 2026?

According to the National Park Service’s 2026 entrance reservation guidance, no timed vehicle reservation is required to enter Yosemite in 2026. Park entrance fees still apply, and separate bookings may be necessary for camping, overnight lodging or certain permitted activities.

YARTS is an option for travelers who would prefer not to park in Yosemite Valley, including visitors arriving by Amtrak or other transit services in Merced. Bus trips can also be affected by weather, wildfires and road controls, so a published seasonal schedule should not be mistaken for an uninterrupted promise of service.

How to verify a trip before leaving

Consult the YARTS Highway 140 schedule for the date and boarding stop.
Check the YARTS home page for service alerts and ticket information, or call 877-989-2787.
Review Yosemite National Park trip-planning notices and current road conditions before entering the park.
Leave extra time for possible Highway 140 lane controls, traffic and winter weather.

For Mariposa businesses, guests and residents, a reliable transit connection can provide another way to reach park jobs, services and recreation without a private car for every trip. Travelers should still calculate their total journey, including local transportation before and after the bus.

Featured photograph: Aniket Deole / Unsplash. Yosemite Valley, illustrative landscape; not a photograph of the bus service or road conditions.

Sources: YARTS Highway 140 winter timetable and National Park Service 2026 entrance guidance. Schedules and road conditions may change.

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