
Freshly fallen snow dusting towering redwoods. A waterfall that appears like lava. A Seventeenth century English feast?? Wait, are we nonetheless speaking about Yosemite Nationwide Park? Sure, y’all: Yosemite in winter is a complete new park! For those who’ve solely visited Yosemite within the hotter months, put together to be dazzled, as a result of it’s simply as lovely (arguably extra) within the winter. And like, a LOT much less crowded.
Guests who enterprise to the park between November and April can be handled to beautiful views of snow-capped mountains, a fraction of the crowds, and lengthy nights with epic stargazing.
We tapped Suzie Dundas, a northern California-based journey author and a frequent Yosemite customer, to present us the news on one of the best issues to do in Yosemite Nationwide Park within the winter. Take it away, Suzie!
Yosemite Nationwide Park At-a-Look ✍
Right here’s a bite-sized snapshot of the whole lot you want to know to plan your journey!
- When to Go: Summer season is hottest, and most crowded. Go to throughout fall and winter to see a quieter aspect of Yosemite!
- The place to Keep: Rush Creek Lodge is our suggestion for the place to remain close to Yosemite Nationwide Park, simply minutes from the Massive Oak Flat entrance.
- Easy methods to Get Round: You will get to and round Yosemite on public transit, however we suggest having your personal automotive within the winter, deliver chains). Use Kayak to snag rental car offers.
- High 3 Highlights: When it’s heat, watching the sundown at Glacier Level, mountain climbing across the perimeter of Yosemite Valley, and taking a dip in Mirror Lake – this guide has extra. When it’s snowy, ice skating in Curry Village, snow shoeing, and the Bracebridge dinner – go to our Yosemite in winter information for extra.This tour is a wonderful introduction to Yosemite, and this tour hits all the most important landmarks and departs from El Portal or Oakhurst.
- Earlier than You Go: Guide your lodging nicely upfront – our where to stay in Yosemite guide will assist. We additionally suggest selecting up a Annual Parks Pass. And should you’re low-key morbid, learn this e-book on Deaths in Yosemite to know what NOT to do throughout your journey!
Psst: Exploring Northern California? We’ve a ton of journey guides for our house! Browse them all or check out these guides to locations within the Sierra Nevada mountains:
Want some assist packing on your journey? Join beneath and we’ll ship a printable winter packing record straight to your inbox, plus our favourite journey ideas that can assist you plan your subsequent journey.
Printable Winter Packing Listing

This FREE 3-page printable packing record will assist ensure you do not forget something on your subsequent winter journey. We’ll additionally ship you our favourite journey ideas!
Yosemite Nationwide Park winter FAQs
Desirous about visiting Yosemite Nationwide Park within the winter? Right here’s what you want to know earlier than planning your low season journey.
When is winter in Yosemite Nationwide Park?
Snow within the higher areas of the park (like Tuolumne Meadows) often begins round October and may final into June, shutting off the thru-roads within the park and dusting the encircling peaks in glistening snow. However at decrease elevation, winter doesn’t actually hit the Valley Ground round early December. Snow within the Valley is feasible by April, although huge storms aren’t a each day prevalence.
The typical temperature in Yosemite within the winter ranges from highs within the 50s and lows within the 30s. This implies on a sunny time out it will probably truly really feel fairly heat, however as soon as the solar goes down it will probably get downright nippy – deliver heat layers!
Although the higher peaks of Yosemite are pushing 9,000 toes in elevation, Yosemite Valley – which stays open year-round – sits at a fairly low 4,000 toes above sea degree. So whereas it does snow and snow flurry within the Valley right here and there, it doesn’t often get the loopy blizzards related to greater elevation areas of the park like Tioga Move. And if it’s sunny, chances are you’ll discover valley flooring temperatures within the 50s F, making it very best climate for low season mountain climbing.
How do I get to Yosemite Nationwide Park within the winter?
Yosemite isn’t exhausting to succeed in – so long as you could have a automotive, and relying on the season (and the quantity of snow within the Sierra Nevadas). Yosemite is about 3 hours east of San Francisco and about 4.5 hours north of Los Angeles by automotive – assuming you don’t hit any site visitors.
One essential factor to notice when driving to Yosemite is to deliver snow chains on your automotive tires (until you could have all-wheel drive): they’re steadily required when driving within the Sierras within the winter! Verify the road conditions web page earlier than you begin driving to seek out out.
Yosemite has four primary entrances. For those who’re coming from San Francisco, the Massive Oak Flat entrance would be the closest. Guests coming from Los Angeles and Southern California will enter by way of the Southern entrance.
For those who’re coming to Yosemite from the east within the winter, nicely, suppose once more. Tioga Pass Road is the one entrance on the jap aspect and it closes all winter, which implies you may’t entry the park by way of that route. When it opens and closes depends on snowfall, but it surely’s often mid-November by Might.
Public transportation isn’t a lot of an choice within the winter. The one public transport into the park is the YARTS (Yosemite Space Regional Transportation Shuttle). The one route that runs year-round is the one between Merced and the Valley, and even then, it solely runs about three or 4 instances a day within the winter. Fortuitously, since winter crowds within the park are a lot smaller, it’s often comparatively simple to seek out parking close to wherever you’re going.
When you’re within the park, the Yosemite Valley free shuttle does function each day, although it makes fewer stops and runs much less steadily.

How do I get round Yosemite Nationwide Park within the winter?
Your finest guess is to drive – the park is gigantic and the roads working by the park are extremely scenic. And the shuttle programs are rare within the winter.
On a non-snowy day, any car must be superb. However should you’re visiting when there’s any probability of snow within the forecast, you’ll have to have an AWD or 4WD car with snow tires and/or tire chains or cables. Lots of the small roads across the park are topic to chain management throughout storms, and to move by the staffed checkpoints, you’ll have to have snow tires in your AWD car or have chains/cables accurately mounted. Verify the California Road Conditions Map (and the forecast, naturally) to see what’s required throughout your go to.
When you’re within the park, the Yosemite Valley free shuttle is the one transportation open. There’s no transportation between the Valley and some other areas of the park. Along with the Tioga Move seasonal street closure, Glacier Point Road often closes across the identical time. Different roads within the park are topic to closure because of avalanche dangers and heavy snow.
Don’t be afraid to go to within the winter, although. You’ll know upfront what the climate goes to be like and most winter days within the Valley are sunny and within the 40 levels F. You ought to be ready for icy driving situations and street closures, however they’re precautions, not frequent occurrences. Apart from Tioga Move and Glacier Level Street, that are all the time closed within the winter.
For those who don’t have a automotive otherwise you solely have at some point within the park, a unbelievable choice is to take a guided tour from San Fransisco. You may sit again and loosen up as you’re pushed to many of the main websites in at some point, together with Tunnel View, Tuolumne Grove, and Yosemite Valley, plus lunch and mountain climbing.
You may also select to go to the park on a guided tour with transportation from Los Angeles. For those who’re involved about transportation, wanting so as to add Yosemite to an current California journey, or don’t wish to mess with the trouble of planning, these excursions are a unbelievable choice.
How lengthy ought to my winter journey to Yosemite be?
Within the winter, a two evening weekend journey is ideal. That offers you a day in your arrival day, a full second day, and the morning of your third day. This gives you a style of Yosemite within the winter, get a lay of the land, and get to discover a few of the trails.
Is Yosemite Nationwide Park crowded within the winter?
Within the winter, count on almost the whole lot within the park to be lined in snow, and – hooray! – a lot smaller crowds. (Which additionally means less expensive costs and extra availability for lodging! Head to our where to stay in Yosemite submit for extra particulars.)
December, January, and February are tied because the least fashionable months, collectively bringing in simply 9 % of the park’s annual visits. Within the final 15 years, August has averaged greater than 600,000 park company. The park is BUSY in the summertime! The typical for January? Simply 108,000. Good. So take pleasure in it – there’s one thing magical concerning the stillness of the park throughout this season, and it virtually looks as if a wholly totally different world.
It’s additionally arguably one of the best time for photographers, even should you can’t attain all of the park’s distant corners. In winter it’s simple to seek out parking close to trailheads, you don’t have to fret about having a bunch of hikers in your photographs, and you may make last-minute lodge and camp reservations fairly simply.

The rest I ought to know earlier than visiting Yosemite Nationwide Park within the winter?
Listed below are a number of key issues to know earlier than you propose your journey to Yosemite Nationwide Park:
- You’ll have much less room to roam (but it surely’s nonetheless rather a lot): Yosemite is slightly below 450,000 sq. acres, and about 98 % of that’s wilderness (which principally means undeveloped.) As a result of Tioga Move Street closes just some miles previous the Crane Flat intersection, almost the whole lot within the park’s huge jap aspect is inaccessible. You may entry elements of the park from exterior the park by way of Tioga Move Street, earlier than you get to the entry gate (topic to frequent chain control). Nonetheless, you’ll have to hike, snowshoe, or cross-country ski; all trails on this space can be lined in snow all winter. The overwhelming majority of winter guests keep within the Valley, although it’s potential to entry the Hetch Hetchy, Wawona, and Crane Flat areas of the park, too.
- The climate might be….variable: If there’s a storm within the forecast, count on the Valley to be chilly, windy, and have poor visibility. Nonetheless, if it’s not snowing, winter climate might be fairly darn good. Days are sometimes sunny and generally within the 50s F and even low 60s. Nonetheless, count on the nights to be fairly chilly (nicely into the 20s), and plan accordingly should you’re winter tenting.
- You may camp: Onerous-core guests can observe the fundamentals of tenting within the snow up round Tioga Move, however should you’re not eager on digging into the snow to pitch your tent, e-book a web site on the Upper Pines Campground. It’s the one campground within the park open-year spherical and often doesn’t have any snow on the bottom. You may also get backcountry travel permits in the winter, however you’ll have to journey by way of cross-country skis and be a talented winter backpacker and navigator. Or, you may glamp! Some websites even provide pay-by-temperature charges – so that you may even find yourself with a free keep! For those who’re staying in one of many park’s tents at Curry Village, you’ll have a small heater, however you’ll probably wish to deliver an additional blanket or sleeping bag all the identical.
- Keep on the paths: Heavy foot site visitors damages pure landscapes, so educated guests have to do their half. Yosemite even has a volunteer park-wide clean-up day every September. For those who see trash, choose it up. Don’t step on small crops off-trail. And all the time comply with Leave No Trace principles.
- By no means depart meals or something with a scent (even lip balm) in your automotive: Bears are smart and are greater than able to opening automotive doorways and smashing home windows. Bears that affiliate people with meals can develop into harmful to people, and bears which might be harmful to people are sometimes euthanized. It’s each guests’ duty to maintain wildlife wild. Each campground and parking zone could have dozens of metallic bear bins – out of doors lockers the place company can safely retailer their meals for the day as an alternative of leaving it of their automotive. They’re free and unlocked, so simply discover one with house and toss something with a scent inside moderately than leaving it in your automotive.
- Re-think that selfie: Yosemite has no scarcity of gorgeous vistas, however there are a number of deaths within the park every year from individuals getting too near cliffs to seize a photograph. Be extraordinarily cautious, particularly round fashionable lookout factors like Vernal Falls. They are often particularly treacherous within the winter, particularly when you may’t see that they’re lined in ice.
- Decelerate: All the pieces from bears to squirrels to deer and even the occasional mountain lion might run in entrance of your automotive with out warning. Don’t let your negligence trigger an animal’s loss of life.
Psst: For those who’re planning to go to a number of parks this yr, we suggest selecting up an America is Beautiful National Parks Pass. The move is legitimate at over 2,000 Nationwide Parks and 10% of the sale proceeds are donated to the Nationwide Park Basis, serving to to maintain our parks lovely! The typical price of admission to a Nationwide Park is $35, which signifies that the move shortly pays for itself after just some visits. AND you might be supporting the Nationwide Park Basis. Win/win! You may choose up a move online at REI or in particular person at any Nationwide Park.

Issues to do in Yosemite Nationwide Park in Winter
For those who learn our different(learn: non-winter) guide to Yosemite National Park, you already know the park’s unimaginable story: it was house to Native Individuals, then ranchers (who generally violently infringed on the Indigenous Peoples’ rights), then protected as a nationwide park after naturalist John Muir made a private plea to President Teddy Roosevelt.
Roosevelt and Muir went tenting collectively for a number of days within the park and shortly thereafter, Roosevelt gave management of it to the Nationwide Park Service. (PS: Anticipate to see loads of “The Mountains Are Calling, And I Should Go” souvenirs within the park. John Muir might have a complicated legacy, however he’s an area hero when it comes to defending the park.)
Whereas a lot of the park is inaccessible within the winter, the Valley remains to be open, and that’s the place most of the park’s finest cultural websites are. You may stroll by the Indian Village of the Ahwahnee (Miwok Village) and take the roughly one-mile path by a native plant garden, or {photograph} the Yosemite Chapel, which dates again to 1879. The Yosemite History Museum can be open year-round.
For those who can’t already inform, I really like Yosemite Nationwide Park, and as a full-time out of doors and journey author within the Lake Tahoe space, I’m lucky sufficient to have the ability to make a number of pilgrimages to the park every year. Listed below are one of the best issues to do in Yosemite Nationwide Park within the winter (and sure, I extremely suggest it!)

Take a hike
Heck sure, you may hike within the winter! The colours of the distant mountains are changed with brilliant, white snow, and evergreens ship wafts of pine resin skirting the air. Your entire park is remodeled, and most trails off the Yosemite Valley trails are accessible, besides after unusually heavy snowfalls. Simply make sure to check the trail closures earlier than planning your day and bundle up on your hike!
Precisely which Valley hikes are accessible within the winter relies on snow and ice. A lot of the Valley trails are open by default, apart from after storms when they could be icy. At all times obey path closure indicators – full cease. You danger extreme harm to your self and anybody that tries to rescue you.
A number of the finest trails to take a look at in Yosemite within the winter are:
- Mist Trail: So named for the mist that blows onto the path from Nevada Falls and Vernal Falls, this hike options each waterfalls and countless photograph alternatives – it’s essentially the most iconic hike within the Valley, for a motive. The Mist Path has a safer “winter route” which avoids parts of the paths have overhanging rock the place massive icicles type and fall onto the path beneath (as a result of, you already know, loss of life by icicles) and usually slippery passage. You may entry this route on any day that isn’t exceptionally snowy, and Decrease Yosemite Falls is nearly all the time open and even occsionally the Higher Yosemite Falls is open.
- Valley Floor Loop: This comparatively light hike good points minimal elevation and might be executed as a 7.2-mile half-loop or a full loop at 11.5 miles. It passes most of the park’s highlights, like El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, the Merced River, and the Three Brothers rock formation. Take a break or flip round wherever you want. The path runs kind of alongside the perimeter of the valley, ducking into the woods right here and there and crossing a number of stone bridges over streams. Alongside the best way are a number of well-marked factors the place you may sit and picnic on the river, and also you’ll usually see plein air painters and photographers within the valley capturing or portray on sunny days. If there may be snow on the bottom, it will probably simply be snowshoed.
- Mirror Lake Loop Trail: This 2.4 or 4 mile is brief and largely flat and heads east, main by the woods and ultimately to Mirror Lake, a flat pool that completely displays the picture of close by Half Dome – therefore the identify. Relying on how chilly it’s, this lake may even be iced up! Additionally an incredible spot to snowshoe if it’s snowy out.
- Climbing Trails in Wawona: Exterior of the Valley, you may hike in Wawona (to the south of the park) because it has some moderately flat trails. The Wawona Swinging Bridge Trail is a straightforward hike to the bridge, solely about .75 miles spherical journey, after which you may watch the gorgeous waters of the Merced flowing beneath you. Who doesn’t love a swinging bridge? The Wawona Meadow Loop can be simply hikeable within the winter, and si an excellent probability to see extra bushes and grass.
- Hike in Hetch Hetchy: Hetch Hetchy is open within the winter, and one of the best ways to see the world is on the principle path, the five-mile hike to Wapama Falls, a pleasant half-day out-and-back trek alongside the shoreline that crosses the O’Shaughnessy Dam and passes by two waterfalls that spill from 1,400 toes above (in any case, it wouldn’t be a Yosemite hike with out some epic waterfalls). This path is tremendous fashionable and many of the path is uncovered to the solar, so going within the winter is a double bonus with fewer crowds and a few warming rays. Word that should you go to in early spring the water flowing from the falls might make the bridges impassible or on the very least a really moist expertise. Do bear in mind that the gates shut promptly at 5 p.m. every day within the winter, so begin early!
- Climbing among the many Big Seqouias: All three of the sequoia groves are open and accessible by automotive throughout the winter. The most important and hottest grove is the Mariposa Grove, close to the south entrance, with greater than 500 sequoias. It’s additionally the lowestest elevation grove, which implies it’s prone to have the least quantity of snow, although you’ll need to stroll two miles down a closed street from the parking space to succeed in the grove. However it’s undoubtedly an incredible approach to see some actually outdated, actually tall bushes with a lot much less crowds!

Time-travel at a basic vacation feast
The annual Bracebridge Dinner on the Ahwahnee Lodge in Yosemite is among the park’s most well-known traditions, and for good motive: the epic vacation feast, full with musical numbers accompanying every course, transports company to the lavish corridor of Washington Irving’s merry olde England, besides in California for some motive. It’s ridiculous and foolish and irreverant and over-the-top – very a lot a type of quirky must-be-Northern-California traditions.
Based mostly on Washington Irving‘s Bracebridge Hall, this luxury formal dinner optionsover-the-top characters in a stage present that features music, dance, merriment, 7 programs of traditionally correct connoisseur delicacies, and sufficient leisure that you just received’t notice the expertise lasts almost 4 hours. The elegant corridor, costumes, set and music will utterly transport you again in time right into a Seventeenth-century English feast.
The Bracebridge Dinner is a convention that has been going down each vacation season within the Ahwahnee’s luxurious eating room because the late Nineteen Twenties; in actual fact, photographer Ansel Adams was the present’s first director, and acted within the present himself because the pagaent jester for a few years!
As is custom, the occasion is formal, so make sure to pack a tux or night robe (or at least a dark suit or cocktail dress) in your bag. Don’t present up in costume: it’s simply not executed.
Whereas this dinner is an costly expertise (and tickets are exhausting to snag) it’s a type of once-in-a-lifetime issues. I imply, when else are you able to role-play as a personality from a Dickens novel in the midst of a snowy Nationwide Park?? To take part within the enjoyable, you’ll have to buy tickets nicely upfront, that are round $340 per particular person, together with dinner and gratuities.
If the Bracebridge Dinner is a little bit too steep, think about attending one of many Ahwahnee’s different vacation occasions, just like the seasonal choral concerts, that are utterly free to the general public.
Take a scenic drive
It virtually appears pointless to say “scenic drives” in Yosemite since you actually can’t keep away from them. Severely, each drive in and round Yosemite is a scenic journey by the guts of the Sierra Nevada, and majestic mountain surroundings greets you each which manner you look.
Keep in mind that Yosemite Nationwide Park is HUGE, so to see as a lot as you may, take a day to discover a few of the park’s attractive roads, even when they’re considerably restricted by the wintertime and the snow (bear in mind: Tioga Move and Glacier Level Street are all the time closed within the winter).
Despite the fact that you may occupy your self with numerous trails and websites within the valley, it’s value attending to see extra of the place your toes can’t take you. Plus, all of those drives move by trailheads, scenic turnouts, and basic Yosemite sights that you just received’t wish to miss.
- Yosemite Valley Loop: On this loop across the Valley flooring you’ll see lots of Yosemite’s iconic websites looming above you, together with El Capitan, Half Dome, Bridalveil Falls, and Yosemite Falls, glistening in pure white snow. When individuals consider Yosemite, this is what they’re picturing. One mile extensive by seven miles lengthy, this slender valley homes lots of Yosemite’s facilities – and due to this fact crowds – however fortunate for you, the wintertime sees manner fewer individuals. Plan to make a bunch of stops at fashionable turnouts, picnic spots, and trailheads. You may also take a guided, park-run bus tour – the heated trolley with clear plastic partitions is slow-moving so you could have loads of time to take photographs, and since they will benefit from the park’s bus-only lanes. A reside information will fill you in on the historical past of the park, together with Indigenous peoples, the primary non-Indigenous settlers, and the wildlife of the park alongside the best way.
- Hetch Hetchy Road: This scenic drive will take you away from the crowds, if any, within the wintertime. Within the park’s quiet northwest nook, Hetch Hetchy Valley is way much less traveled, however nonetheless boasts majestic Yosemite surroundings. From Evergreen Street (exterior of the Massive Oak Flat entrance station), Hetch Hetchy Street travels 16 miles earlier than ending on the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. With its decrease elevation, this space of the park has an extended mountain climbing season (you’re much less prone to see snow), so break up your drive with some adventures on foot. There are a number of waterfalls, canyons, and lakes that add to the attract of this scenic drive. Word that though Hetch Hetchy Street is open year-round, it generally closes because of snow.
Don’t wish to drive by yourself? For those who’re staying exterior of the park, one other unbelievable choice is to take a guided tour from San Fransisco. You may sit again and loosen up as you’re pushed to many of the main websites in at some point, together with Tunnel View, Tuolumne Grove, and Yosemite Valley, plus lunch and mountain climbing.
You may also select to go to the park on a guided tour with transportation from Los Angeles. For those who’re involved about transportation, wanting so as to add Yosemite to an current California journey, or don’t wish to mess with the trouble of planning, these excursions are a unbelievable choice.
Spend the evening on the Glacier Level Hut
The Glacier Point Ski Hut sits excessive on a mountain, with beautiful overviews of Half Dome, Yosemite Valley, and the Yosemite Excessive Nation. Staying up right here feels a bit like being on high of the world, the place there’s nothing however you, the sky, and the sprawling nature down beneath. You simply need to get right here!
For those who’re a cross-country skier, you should buy a day move and discover the 25 miles of groomed (flattened and maintained) cross-country ski trails that begin from the Yosemite Ski & Snowboard Area and go the ten.5 miles to Glacier Level Ski Hut by yourself.
Nonetheless, if in case you have a little bit expertise cross nation snowboarding however would really like some assist, you may go along with a information, who will maintain all the small print, together with the meals, snacks, and s’mores (the essential stuff). All you must do is deliver your personal items like heat gear and a sleeping bag, which you can even lease should you don’t have one, and ensure to get acclimated to the altitude earlier than your journey.
In your guided journey, you’ll begin off early in your first morning, and glide your manner the ten.5 miles to the high-altitude hut (3,200 toes), passing views like Clark Range and Washburn Point, providing you with epic views of snow-covered mountains and Half Dome. As soon as on the Hut, you’ll be handled to a scrumptious dinner and luxuriate in a roaring campfire.
Whilst you have the choice to do a one or two-night keep, Visit Yosemite recommends you keep two nights so you may take a look at close by, attractive trails like Taft Point and Sentinel Dome, with extra sweeping views of Yosemite. Whereas staying on the Hut is extra of a dormitory sort of sleeping expertise, you’ll have an opportunity to bond with fellow nature fanatics and unplug out of your telephone, as there isn’t any cell service.
As cozy because the roomy hut is, you’ll wish to get up early every day to look at the solar begin to peak over Half Dome. You should definitely deliver sun shades – the sunshine and morning fog usually casts heat shades of pink, orange, and gold on the snow.
In your last day, you’ll ski down after breakfast and undoubtedly depart your coronary heart behind on the hut. There’s all the time subsequent time!
You may e-book your journey in advance online here.

Go snowshoeing
For those who’ve by no means been snowshoeing earlier than, you’ll be spoiled when you’ve executed it in Yosemite. Snowshoeing in Yosemite might be a good way to discover trails in any other case lined in snow. It solely takes a little bit of observe (and a little bit of stability) earlier than you’re snowshoeing like a professional, and also you’d be shocked how a lot simpler it’s than making an attempt to stroll by the snow with simply boots.
Snowshoeing in Yosemite is a particularly peaceable expertise, and never simply because the footwear can transfer you silently by the woods. Snow muffles the sounds of civilization like street noise and voices, so being even only a mile previous a trailhead might be extremely quiet. You’ll have the ability to hear chicken songs, search for footprints from the whole lot from raccoons to – perhaps! – bighorn sheep, and expertise the wilderness the best way a winter explorer would have a century in the past.
All through the winter, the Yosemite rangers run a number of guided snowshoe hikes every day. Most depart from Badger Move (the ski space), since that’s the one shuttle-accessible a part of the park reliably lined in snow. After all, if in case you have your personal snowshoes, you may discover by yourself wherever within the park, together with any mountain climbing trails which might be open!
You’ll have to test the exercise information upfront for the season you’re visiting to see which lessons are occurring when. Rangers gives you a seasonal exercise information if you drive into the park, or you may test the website a month or so upfront of your journey to obtain essentially the most present information. Excursions run between one and two hours and snowshoes are supplied. Tickets are often between $15–$30 per particular person, relying on the situation and problem.

Hit the slopes
On the Badger Pass Ski Area, you may hit the slopes and shred throughout your Yosemite winter getaway. Effectively, kinda: with gently rolling hills by snow-dusted evergreens, it’s truly an incredible spot for newbies! The longest run solely has a drop of about 800 toes, making every lap up the chairlift (of which there are 5) fairly fast.
For those who’re not into snowboarding or snowboarding, you can even go snow tubing – or simply cozy up on the deck whereas watching the motion!
There are ten complete downhill ski and snowboard trails, and charges are fairly affordable by ski resort requirements.
For those who’re exterior the park on the jap aspect (by Mono Lake and June Lake), you may drive to Yosemite Ski & Snowboard, although parking is proscribed. For those who’re wherever else within the park, you’ll have to take the free ski resort shuttle from the Valley. When there’s lots of snow on the bottom, the timing of the shuttle stops might be extra of an estimate than a assure.
Go ice skating at Curry Village
For those who’re in search of one thing lively however don’t really feel like lacing up your winter mountain climbing boots, lace up your skates as an alternative! The ice skating rink at Curry Village (also called Camp Curry and Half Dome Village) opens in December, climate pending.
The massive rink has jaw-dropping views of Half Dome to at least one aspect and brilliant evergreens to the opposite sides, making a merely iconic winter expertise – it seems like one thing out of a Nineteen Thirties Christmas film. And that’s sort of acceptable, contemplating the rink has been an annual prevalence within the park since 1928.
You may’t purchase tickets upfront, however contemplating the small crowds and enormous dimension of the rink, you’re unlikely to have a lot of a wait.
Non-skaters can hang around exterior the rink, warming by the hearth pits and having fun with drinks from the close by Camp Curry Pizza deck and cafeteria. PS: they promote whiskey on the Curry Village guests middle and scorching chocolate within the cafeteria (simply sayin’!).

Go on a free winter digicam stroll
For those who thought Yosemite was lovely in the summertime, wait till you see it with a glistening of snow on high. And even when it’s not snowing, the dew and fog lifting out of the Valley within the mornings might be completely beautiful. That’s in all probability why the Ansel Adams Gallery runs all their images walks within the mornings all winter.
You’ll have to join the stroll as much as three days beforehand on the Ansel Adams Gallery. The precise schedule adjustments each winter, however there’s often one or two lessons a day within the Valley.
Your information gives you recommendations on utilizing your digicam throughout the class and present you one of the best vantage factors and angles of the park’s hottest websites. They even provide lessons for smartphone cameras in case you don’t have a DSLR. Fundamental digicam walks are free, although extra superior lessons might have a price and require advanced registration online.
This can be a nice time to deliver the widest-angle lens you could have so you may seize the sunny valley and snow-covered peaks within the distance!
For inspiration, make sure to cease and discover the Ansel Adams Gallery. Ansel Adams was a famed nature photographer, whose black-and-white photographs of Yosemite have been a few of the first revealed in nationwide newspapers and magazines. He first totally realized work is his {photograph} “Monolith, The Face of Half Dome” which he took in 1927 at simply 25 years outdated. (At age 25 I truly took a really comparable photograph known as “Selfie, the face of me in entrance of Half Dome” however one way or the other it didn’t catch on.)
Ansel Adams is finest remembered for giving Yosemite a face and serving to to preserve the great thing about Yosemite. The Ansel Adams Gallery in Yosemite Village has a variety of Adams’ most well-known Yosemite images.

Study concerning the park’s Indigenous neighborhood
The Miwok Tribe inhabited the Yosemite Valley – known as Ahwahnee – and low-lying ridgelines within the space for 1000’s of years earlier than homesteaders moved in and encroached (usually violently) on their land and sources throughout the white encroachment in the 1850s.
For the subsequent 100 years, the Miwok Folks took a stand for his or her native lands. They inhabited the park till the Sixties, however have been in the end completely pushed out by the mid-Twentieth century. Whereas Yosemite’s Indigenous neighborhood now not lives on their unique land, there are nonetheless about 3,500 individuals across the western U.S. from varied tribes who’re descendants of the Miwok individuals.
The Yosemite Museum, which celebrates its a centesimal anniversary in 2022, is the cultural gateway to the park and one of the best place to find out about Yosemite’s unique residents. The museum has a rotating assortment of reveals, however there’s all the time a big part devoted to the crafts, language, arts, and traditions of the Miwok Tribe.
Simply behind the museum is a simple strolling path by the recreated Miwok Village of Ahwahnee, which has interpretive signage alongside the best way about life for the tribe within the 1870s. The Miwok Village has a number of buildings, a number of of that are nonetheless sometimes utilized by Native Individuals.
The most important constructing is the assembly home, which was used as a ceremony web site. Different buildings embrace kitchens, houses, recreated examples of summer time and winter houses, and native gardens. Contained in the museum, there’ll generally be descendants of the Yosemite Miwok making and displaying conventional crafts and expertise like beadwork or basket-making.
Stroll by the historic Ahwahnee Resort
The Ahwahnee Hotel is the epitome of a historic nationwide park lodge. It first opened in 1927 and was designed to be the American equal of Europe’s grand summer time lodges. Arriving on the park was fairly the journey within the early Twentieth century, requiring an extended practice journey adopted by a chronic (and really bumpy) carriage journey from Merced. Visitors would keep for weeks at a time because the journey was so lengthy, and the Ahwahnee was designed to be their luxurious house within the Sierra Nevada.
Immediately, the Ahwahnee is open to the general public, so you may benefit from the majesty (and eerie vibes) at your personal leisure. You may take a free self-guided lodge tour, which is accessible on the concierge desk, so you may be taught concerning the historical past and building of the lodge.
In your self-guided tour, you’ll see varied sitting and “card rooms,” as soon as divided for women and men to socialize however now open to the general public. Two stone fireplaces massive sufficient to stroll into function bookends to the principle salon, and historic photographs and artifacts line the partitions.
You’ll additionally discover that the Ahwahnee doesn’t match into anyone explicit architectural model (until “fabulous” and “for wealthy individuals” counts as an architectural model, and should you’ve ever visited Hearst Castle on Highway One, you already know what I imply). Fairly, it’s an amalgamation of a number of ideas: stone columns to assist the huge fireplaces, massive home windows and picturesque shutters as a nod to its European inspirations, and sharp roofs and turret-type options to maintain heavy winter snow from weighing down the roof.
Through the years the Ahwahnee has had its fair proportion of famous guests, from Walt Disney to Lucille Ball, Charlie Chaplin, Judy Garland, Queen Elizabeth II, and most not too long ago President Barack Obama.
The lodge additionally has a visitor which will have by no means checked out. The ghost of Mary Curry Tressider, who grew up in Yosemite Valley and lived there till her loss of life in 1970, purportedly nonetheless lives on the sixth flooring, the place her house was situated. Shortly after her loss of life sightings of her apparition turned a traditional prevalence, and folks see unusual issues on that flooring till at the present time. (Learn more about Mary Curry and her household, who based Camp Curry.)
The Ahwahnee’s inside, with its Native American patterns and pink elevator doorways, served because the inspiration for the inside of The Stanley Resort in Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining. Whereas the Stanley Resort in Estes Park, Colorado was the inspiration for Stephen King’s novel, and the exteriors of the movie have been shot on the Timberline Lodge in Mount Hood, Oregon, the pink and luxurious, barely sinister-feeling exteriors have been pulled straight from the Ahwahnee. Eerie, no?
Once you’re executed exploring, seize an area beer on the Ahwahnee Bar, or have dinner within the opulent mountain view Dining Room, with huge log beams working the size of the big room. The menu gives American dishes with a world twist; suppose garlic-crusted lamb with mint yogurt sauce and contemporary fish with a miso glaze.
Throughout the winter, the Eating Room is remodeled into an 18th century English manor for the annual Bracebridge Dinner, a wonderful and enjoyable 7-course meal and costumed Christmas pageant by candlelight full with vacation splendor and reside theatre. The dinner has been working since 1927, when Ansel Adams performed the a part of the pageant jester (and I assume El Capitan appeared as itself).
READ THIS POST
The 32 Best Pacific Coast Highway Stops: California Towns, Landmarks, and Restaurants
See Horsetail Falls and the well-known “firefall”
Horsetail Falls is certainly one of six waterfalls within the valley (Yosemite Falls, Nevada Falls, Vernal Falls, Ribbon Falls, and Sentinel Falls are the others) and it’s often neglected by summer time company. That’s in all probability as a result of it largely flows throughout winter, beginning in round January, when there’s sufficient each day snowmelt.
Nonetheless, for 2 weeks yearly, Horsetail Falls is the star of Yosemite because it’s the location of the well-known “Firefall.” It often occurs in mid-February, and the reflection of the sundown makes it look brilliant orange – like fireplace flowing over the cliff.
If you wish to see it, you’ll have to do some superior planning. Along with ensuring you could have a park entry ticket, you’ll have to park at Yosemite Falls and stroll roughly 1.5 miles to the picnic space at El Capitan, which gives one of the best views. You’ll find extra particulars concerning the restriction and dates here.
Will probably be fairly chilly as soon as the solar goes down, so deliver gloves and beanies. Depart your self sufficient time for the stroll and provides your self a minimum of two nights to see it because it’s not seen on overcast days.
The street working previous Horsetail Falls (Northside Drive) can get sluggish and busy near sundown, so attempt to be within the park a minimum of an hour or two earlier than the Firefall is anticipated to start out. If there may be one place that’s busy in winter, it’s to see the Firefall!

Discover the park after darkish
For those who can courageous the chilly, lengthy nights, you’ll be rewarded with unbelievable winter stargazing in Yosemite. Not solely do smaller crowds imply much less gentle air pollution, however earlier sunsets imply you received’t have to remain up as late to review the skies.
From round December to April, it’s extraordinarily simple to identify one of the crucial recognizable constellations within the galaxy: Orion’s belt (and truly the entire cancellation Orion, the hunter). You’ll even be simply in a position to spot constellations like Gemini and Taurus, plus “Sirius,” known as the “canine star.” (Trace: it’s the brightest star within the winter sky.)
You may generally see galaxies unaided on very clear nights (which additionally are typically the coldest, so bundle up). All of those might be found with the star apps recommended within the ideas beneath!
You may also take part in a group stargazing class. They run most evenings, apart from when there’s a full moon (as that makes the sky too brilliant to identify most stars). Throughout winter, lessons are held within the Valley (the precise location adjustments each day) and you may join at any exercise desk within the park. An hour-long stargazing lecture is often about $10 per particular person.
If you wish to stargaze by yourself, strive the valley throughout the road from the Camp Curry parking lot or throughout from the Little Yosemite Chapel. However realistically, wherever within the park will do so long as you’re a number of hundred toes or so from a light-weight supply. Visitors are allowed to stroll wherever they need within the park day or evening. You may also discover a few of the finest stargazing spots here.
Ideas for stargazing in Yosemite Nationwide Park:
- Don’t cease or stand within the street: All the lights in Yosemite are shut off throughout the evening, which signifies that the park is pitch black and oncoming vehicles received’t have the ability to see you.
- Convey a headlamp or a pink flashlight: A headlamp is certainly one of my private favourite camping essentials, but it surely’s essential should you’re stargazing away out of your automotive. Headlamps are one of the best as a result of they’re hands-free and you may level the sunshine downward to keep away from extra gentle air pollution, which additionally helps you keep away from shining gentle in your eyes (it will probably take 20 minutes on your eyes to readapt to the darkish – not very best for stargazing!). A red flashlight additionally works extraordinarily nicely and can take much less time on your eyes to re-adjust to the darkish.
- Obtain a stargazing app or deliver a chart: Convey a star chart or app that can assist you discover constellations and perhaps even planets! Apps like Sky Guide and Night Sky are tremendous useful in which you can face your telephone in the direction of a specific star or constellation and it’ll let you know what it’s, and also will have tons of knowledge in-built about what you’re looking at. Simply be sure that to show your display brightness manner down.
- Photographers will wish to deliver alongside a camera tripod (and a phone mount to make use of your telephone). To take starry evening photographs, you want to preserve your telephone extraordinarily nonetheless and take a really lengthy publicity, which permits a ton of sunshine – and ideally, there’s no different gentle however the stars, so that you’ll get that good starry evening shot!
The place to Keep in Yosemite Nationwide Park in Winter
The excellent news about visiting Yosemite in winter is that it’s MUCH cheaper, and you’ve got much more choices! That is just about the one time we’re ever in a position to snag affordable rooms inside the park correct. Yosemite additionally has loads of lodging choices surrounding the park, and costs are a lot decrease throughout the winter than the remainder of the yr.
That stated, although they have a tendency to replenish much less shortly in winter, it by no means hurts to make your reservations as early as you may – you may all the time cancel them later in case your plans change!
- Keep within the Park: The Ahwahnee is the park’s grandest lodge, on the western aspect of the Valley. The Yosemite Valley Lodge is the closest to Yosemite Falls and is clear and cozy, however not as fancy because the Ahwahnee. There are additionally trip leases situated INSIDE Yosemite Nationwide Park close to the South Entrance within the small neighborhood of Yosemite West.
- Keep Close to the Park: Our private choose for one of the best place to remain close to Yosemite is Rush Creek Lodge close to the Massive Oak Flat entrance of Yosemite Nationwide Park, on the west aspect. We love its nightly free s’mores, guided hikes and actions, and superb spa & massages. Plus, the lodge is a Social Enterprise and licensed B-Company with a social mission and a program that gives jobs to city youth! We’ve acquired a full evaluate (and a LOT extra ideas) in our full information to where to stay near Yosemite. Different choices are AutoCam, Yosemite Cedar Lodge, and Yosemite View Lodge close to the El Portal entrance.
For those who’re feeling rugged and outdoorsy, you can even glamp in a canvas tent at Curry Village Yosemite contained in the park! Simply deliver some very heat blankets.
For extra ideas, head over to our information on where to stay near Yosemite.

What to Pack for Yosemite within the Winter
Ever heard that saying, “there’s no such factor as dangerous climate, simply dangerous clothes?” Along with retaining you heat as you discover, weatherproof clothes is very essential should you’re going to do out of doors actions. So, make sure to bundle up in your favourite cozy sweaters, a heat coat, and waterproof winter boots! We’ve acquired all the small print you want.
We suggest sporting a base layer beneath your clothes on chilly days throughout your winter journey – that signifies that the layer closest to your pores and skin ought to all be constituted of merino wool. Merino wool is tremendous heat, extremely gentle (nope, it’s not itchy) and way more light-weight than artificial materials, in addition to being naturally antibacterial, which implies you may re-wear it with out the re-wear funk. If wool isn’t your factor, put on an equally insulating textile like hemp or silk. Keep away from non-insulating materials like cotton, and do not forget that pure fibers are just about all the time higher than artifical textiles like polyester.
After your base layer, you’ll want so as to add on a minimum of 1 further layer earlier than your outerwear, like a pair of pants and a sweater. On REALLY chilly days, the place the temperatures are beneath 10 levels, we suggest including on one other base layer earlier than your clothes layer & outerwear. And should you’re doing winter actions, add a water-resistant layer as nicely, like lined snow pants. For extra winter journey packing ideas, head over to our Cold Weather Packing Guide.
Listed below are our tried and true journey necessities for winter journey.
- Merino Wool Base Layer Leggings: These tremendous cozy 100% wool leggings perform similar to lengthy underwear. They’re made of sentimental, super-luxurious wool and make your legs really feel like they’re being hugged by a particularly gentle sheep. Jeremy has this pair. You’ll wish to put on these beneath your pants on chilly days throughout your journey.
- Merino Wool Base Layer Undershirt: Laying is essential when it’s this chilly, and also you’ll want to start out with a layer of insulation on high and backside. If it’s not terribly chilly that day, I can generally get away with a short sleeved and even sleeveless wool base layer. I additionally defintey simply put on my lengthy sleeved base layer as a shirt somtimes! This is mine and this is Jeremy’s.
- Wool Socks: Be sure to don’t simply have run-of-the-mill acrylic socks on your journey – they received’t preserve your toes heat when you’re out within the snow! As an alternative, deliver socks which might be primarily made of sentimental, heat-regulating wool, like these or these.
- Warm Walking Boots: We suggest boots that may stand up to ice or snow, are weatherproof and waterproof, and are snug sufficient to stroll in for HOURS. Sounds darn close to not possible, proper? Effectively, it’s not. We’ve discovered one of the best boots for winter, and we’re OBSESSED with them (and sure, we each have the identical ones. As a result of we’re kinda gross like that). They’re cute, they’re insanely snug, they’re waterproof leather-based with heat thermal insoles, they usually’re extraordinarily light-weight and foldable so you may stuff them in your bag if you journey. We are able to’t suggest these boots sufficient, they usually’re the one footwear we deliver on chilly climate journeys. They’re made to final they usually’re value each cent. Listed below are my boots and Jeremy’s boots. You may learn extra about them in our round-up of our favourite travel shoes for women or for men.
- Travel Jeans: My favourite journey denims have 6 POCKETS. 6!! And a couple of of them are zipped and hidden inside different pockets, for additional pickpocket safety. They’re tremendous stretchy and buttery gentle, dry shortly even after strolling by the snow, and roomy sufficient to layer over an insulating base layer (or two). They’re cozy sufficient to put on on a airplane, stretchy sufficient to accommodate that 5 additional kilos of vacation weight I all the time appear to deliver again house with me, they usually’re tremendous cute! We’re each obsessed. You will get a pair of males’s or girls’s denims on the Aviator USA website.
- Warm Flannel Shirt: I’m in LOVE with the MerinoLux flannel button-down from Royal Robbins. It’s stretchy, it’s cozy, it’s blended with merino wool (yassss) and most significantly, it’s heat AF and tremendous breathable. It’s additionally wrinkle-resistant, odor-resistant, and moisture-wicking, and has a hidden zip pocket – so principally the whole lot you could possibly ever ask for in a flannel shirt. I’ve been trying to find the right flannel for YEARS (you already know, like one which didn’t give me that annoying button-down boob hole and allowed me to truly cross my arms) and that is The One. I adore it! Right here’s mine and Jeremy’s.

- Lined Leggings: On very chilly days, I add an additional layer of insulating heat by throwing a pair of lined leggings on over my base layer and beneath my denims (I’ve additionally worn them with out additional pants on high of my base layer as a result of leggings are actual pants, battle me). I’ve two pairs of heat lined winter leggings, one lined with merino wool and one lined with fleece.
- Warm Hat: A heat hat is an absolute necessity. It additionally doubles as an excellent cute accent! Did I simply rhyme? You need a hat that may keep in your head when it’s windy wind and preserve your ears good and heat – bonus factors if it’s lined. Personally I’m a fan of those with poofs on high, like this or this. Jeremy is extra of a purist, and likes to put on beanies like this one, which is constituted of earth-friendly recycled wool and nylon.
- Warm Coat: Your jacket is arguably crucial factor you’ll deliver on a winter journey apart from your footwear. It has an enormous job – specifically, retaining you heat however not sweaty, permitting you to truly transfer your arms, and letting you probe for hours with out feeling heavy or restrictive. Plus, it’s gonna be in virtually your whole photographs. I deliver this this cozy fleece-lined coat with me, and Jeremy wears a wool-blend coat just like this one and this one.
- Packable Down Jacket: Jeremy and I every deliver two jackets every on our winter journeys: our heavy/cumbersome coats, and a light-weight, travel-friendly packable down jacket. It’s good for these days once I need the liberty of not sporting an enormous heavy coat, and it’s additionally a unbelievable added layer of heat on tremendous chilly days. For this journey, I introduced this down jacket and Jeremy introduced this down jacket.
- Gloves: Don’t go exterior within the winter with out gloves on! Jeremy and I each have these wool gloves that work with touchscreens, as a result of let’s face it, I’ve a tough sufficient time utilizing my telephone with out sporting gloves. Over these gloves we layer on a thicker pair that enables us to do issues like throw snowballs at one another.
- Scarves: I LOVE a chunky scarf. They’re my favourite accent! I really like this super soft scarf from Royal Robbins, which is mixed with wool and turns right into a cute scarf or infinity scarf with a number of well-placed buttons. I’m additionally an enormous fan of scarves which might be large enough to double as blankets, like this one or this one.
- Winter Sports activities Gear: For those who’re planning to go snowboarding or snowboarding in your journey, bringing a number of issues can simply be packed in your suitcase will prevent money on leases. We suggest these goggles and these gloves for snowboarding, and these travel-friendly crampons for snowshoeing.
Whew! That ought to preserve you heat and toasty. Oh hey, need a printable model? Simply join beneath and we’ll ship a guidelines straight to your inbox.
Printable Winter Packing Listing

This FREE 3-page printable packing record will assist ensure you do not forget something on your subsequent winter journey. We’ll additionally ship you our favourite journey ideas!
About the Writer: Suzie Dundas is a contract author and editor with bylines in Forbes, the SF Chronicle, Exterior, TripSavvy, Playboy, Lonely Planet, Insider, Frommers, and lots of extra. Based mostly in northern California, she’s an enormous fan of the out of doors way of life and is the writer of a historical past and path information to the Sierra Nevada. You may comply with her on Instagram at @hikeupyourskirt or be taught extra at SuzieDundas.com.
Are you planning a Yosemite winter journey? Which a part of Yosemite Nationwide Park within the winter do you wish to discover first? Tell us within the feedback beneath.
Psst: Exploring Northern California? We’ve a ton of journey guides for our house! Browse them all or check out these guides to locations within the Sierra Nevada mountains:
We even have a number of USA Nationwide Parks journey guides! Browse them all or check out these:

FOLLOW US!
Psst: Save this submit for afterward Pinterest!

Our High Journey Ideas & Assets
- Reserving Flights: To attain flight offers, search on Google Flights or Kayak. Cash-saving ideas: fly mid-week or on the weekend; fly carry-on solely on a finances airline; and take red-eyes or early morning flights.
- Lodging: We often keep in budget-friendly trip leases, boutique inns or non-public rooms in hostels. We use Booking.com to e-book inns (we love their versatile cancellation coverage) and Hostelworld to e-book hostels (low deposit, simple change/cancellation, and glorious evaluations). For trip leases, we choose to e-book utilizing VRBO as a result of they have decrease charges and higher assist than Airbnb, and we’re not followers of Airbnb’s unethical observe file. You may also e-book trip leases on Expedia and Hotels.com. We additionally use TrustedHousesitters as each hosts (for our house and our fur-child) and vacationers!
- Journey Insurance coverage: We all the time, all the time, ALWAYS purchase journey insurance coverage for worldwide journeys, and we STRONGLY counsel it – go to our Travel Insurance Guide to seek out out why. We suggest both World Nomads or SafetyWing for worldwide journey insurance coverage. SafetyWing is among the few insurance policies that covers Covid-19, they usually have glorious month-to-month insurance policies which might be good for Digital Nomads and long run vacationers!
- Journey Credit score Card: We e-book all of our journeys on our favourite journey bank card. Not solely can we earn money again that we will spend on extra journey, however the card gives unbelievable journey perks like journey insurance coverage, journey delay and cancellation protection, misplaced baggage reimbursement, and rental automotive protection, which helps defend us on our travels. Learn more here.
- Vaccines & Meds: We use the journey guides on the CDC website to analysis really helpful drugs and vaccines for worldwide journeys. We all the time suggest getting each vaccine really helpful by the CDC! You will get them at your major care physician’s workplace or a walk-in pharmacy.
- Excursions: We love reserving guided excursions, particularly meals excursions and strolling excursions, to get an area’s perspective and a historical past lesson whereas sight-seeing! We e-book our excursions utilizing Viator and GetYourGuide.
- Transportation: We use Rome2Rio to determine get from place to put utilizing public transit, and e-book native transportation on-line utilizing Bookaway wherever we will. Once we e-book a rental automotive, we use Kayak to match rental firms and discover one of the best deal.
- Baggage Storage: At any time when we’re testing early or profiting from an extended layover, we use LuggageHero to securely retailer our baggage whereas we’re working round. Use the code PRACTICALW for two hours of free baggage storage on us.
- What to Pack: Here are the travel essentials that we deliver on each journey. We even have packing lists for hot weather, cold weather, and lots of extra. Check out all of our packing guides!
Recent Comments