Are you planning a trip to Yosemite National Park in the winter? This guide is for you!! Seriously. A waterfall that looks like it’s on fire, breathtaking snow-covered sequoia trees, and fresh mountain air with fewer crowds make visiting Yosemite in the winter a must! It is refreshing to have a quieter trip to this magical place where the long nights mean extra time to stargaze and no one is mad about those views. We have always loved visiting Yosemite in the warmer months, but there is something so special about Yosemite in the wintertime. You should definitely add it to your bucket list!

Are you interested in other fall getaways and Yosemite? Read more here:

A few important things to know about winter in Yosemite

Snow can start in October and can sometimes still be seen into June! The peaks and higher elevation areas see more snow than the valley floors though.  

Dress in layers. It can get warmer during the day/in the sun, but then the temperatures can drop quite a bit after sunset.  

Get to the park early. Even in the winter, the lines can get long quickly. I know sometimes it’s hard to get going in the morning, but seriously, you want to plan ahead and arrive at the gates right when they open. Also, make sure you check which entrance is easiest to get to from the direction you are coming from. Once inside, you always have the option to use the free shuttle. You can see their schedule and plan your day by looking on Yosemite’s site. 

Pro Tip: It is a great idea to get the America the Beautiful Pass prior to your trip to Yosemite. 10% of the proceeds are donated to the National Parks Foundation. If you are planning to visit any other national park in the same year, then it is definitely worth it since fees can add up! 

Take a Scenic Drive!

Firstly, let’s talk about the easiest way of seeing/enjoying the beauty of Yosemite in the winter: traveling by car. These are a few of my favorite spots and most easily accessible places to visit if you want to spend a day driving around and making pit stops along the way. These are also great to know if you are just doing a day trip/driving through and want to see some awesome sights with limited time too!

Areas you can visit in Yosemite in the Winter by Car

  • Yosemite Valley – Luckily, most spots in the valley are easily driveable. It is also fairly easy to make pit stops to stretch your legs, take in the views, and snap a few pictures. (FYI- Cathedral Beach is usually closed in the wintertime.) 
  • Tuolomne Grove Parking Lot – It is easy to park for a snack break or to get out and play in the snow for a bit too!
  • Goat Meadow Snow Play Area – This is a super cool place to stop and spend a day if you have the time- see info below. 
  • Yosemite Falls – an iconic view that is easy to get to/drive by. 
  • Bridal Veil Falls – just breathtaking. 

Road Closures & Winter precautions

  • Tioga Road is usually closed by November- once it’s closed, vehicles are not permitted between Crane Flat and Tioga Pass (this includes the Tuolumne Meadows area and Cathedral Beach).
  • Glacier Point & Badger Pass Road get plowed around mid-December for skiers- but check before heading out. 
  • Mariposa Grove Road also shuts down during winter, but the Washburn Trail is an option to get to the Mariposa Grove.
  • Chains can be required on park roads regardless of the type of vehicle you drive. (Have them in your car just in case.)

Always check the Yosemite National Park Website for road closers prior to your visit. 

Snowball Time

Take a Hike!

You can basically take a hike anywhere in Yosemite and be absolutely amazed by the nature around you. Enjoying the views with everything coated in fresh white snow is just a whole different level of beauty. Whether you are an experienced hiker, or just enjoy getting out for a short walk there are plenty of options even in the winter.  

Areas you can visit in Yosemite in the Winter by Foot

  • All of the above (of course you can make an awesome trip out of visiting all of the above places and getting out of your car to explore.) We even brought our dog recently- who was more than excited to get out and play in the snow with us! 
  • Glacier Point – be prepared for the hike though!
  • Inspiration Point 

If you want to plan out some beautiful Yosemite hikes, then check out these awesome spots for Hiking in the winter. 

Snow Dog

Is that Waterfall on Fire?!

Check out the Horsetail Fall Event by car or foot!

The Horsetail Fall Event is a rare natural occurrence that should definitely be on your list of things to do if possible. Each year, it is predicted to occur around the middle to end of February. Reservations are not required, but masks are. The phenomenon occurs around sunset (in perfect conditions). It is a unique lighting effect that happens during sunset at the Horsetail Falls on the eastern side of El Capitan in Yosemite Valley. The falls glow orange when backlit by the setting sun on clear days. It is one of those totally awesome bucket list experiences where all the right things have to line up at the right time, but when they do…. It is breathtaking.

*Just FYI, although this is sometimes referred to as the Firefall Event, the actual Firefalls occurred years ago when the park bulldozed fire embers, trees, and ash off of Glacier Pt. Yikes! Now, it is called the Horsetail Fall Event. I do like Firefall better though! 

In more recent years, this has become an increasingly popular spot to visit during clear days in February. There are restrictions on parking and places that pedestrians are allowed to view. This is to protect the vegetation and keep people safe. Also, it is possible to see the ‘Firefall’ driving by (that’s what we were trying to do because we were way too late to walk the 1.5-mile hike to make it on time). You just have to time it right. Start driving when the fire falls are about to start (it generally lasts around 15 min). It is about 45 minutes before sunset time on that particular date. It starts out slowly, but ends pretty abruptly when the sun goes behind one of the big mountains, so it’s better to catch some of it in the beginning than wait until the end. When you get to the park, ask what time the Firefall is that day. I found that most rangers knew a good time. If you are walking, get there as early as possible to plan for that 1.5-mile flat walk. Having chairs will be nice if you have some that are easy to carry. Pack snacks, lights (for walking in the dark afterward, but there will be plenty of people to walk with), and warm clothes! 

The park keeps one lane open, so you can drive by for a peek. You just can’t really stop – so that’s definitely a downside, but not a bad option if you have little kids and don’t want to do the hike (or you couldn’t get them off the ice skating rink fast enough and you missed your chance of walking like us)! 

Be sure to know where facilities, trash bins, and parking options are prior to your endeavors by checking the Yosemite website for maps. 

Take advantage of Yosemite’s Winter Wonderland!

 

Ski and Snowshoe Areas in Yosemite

  • Tuolomne Grove Parking Lot – A good and fairly easy snowshoe trail. It descends 500 feet to the giant sequoias and can be a bit of a trek back up in the snow. It’s around 2.5 miles round trip. 
  • Mariposa Grove Trail – These trail options are some of the best. These start at the south entrance and offer unparalleled views of some of the iconic giant sequoias. 
  • Badger Pass Ski Area– This is the perfect place for all your winter sports! They offer Backcountry skiing, Cross Country Skiing, Downhill skiing & snowboarding, Snow Tubing, and Snowshoeing. It is fairly affordable and great for all experience levels. You can rent equipment, find an instructor, check out the ski shop, or enjoy views and hot cocoa while in the lounge (that’s the best part anyway, right?) Plus, Ski school & lessons are available.
  • Dewey Point and Glacier Point Road are a little more difficult but have amazing views. This awesome guide to Glacier Point Road Winter Trails can help you figure out how to prepare, plan, and explore for your snowshoe adventures. 

Snowshoe Time

Ice Skating in Yosemite

  • Curry Village Ice Skating Rink – This is an outdoor skating rink that is perfect for the whole family to check out. It is in the heart of Yosemite Valley and has cozy fire pits and beautiful views too. The rink is generally open from early/mid-December through February. You can purchase tickets at the Curry Villiage Tour & Activity Desk. Advanced tickets are not available. 

Take a Tour! 

Do you want someone else to do all the planning and driving so you get the most out of sightseeing? Another great option for exploring Yosemite in the winter is by booking a tour! Tenaya Lodge is offering bus tours that take you all around Yosemite! Check out their site for reservations! 

There are several ways to go about setting up a guided snowshoe tour as well. We have never tried them, but hear good things about YExplore Yosemite Adventures. 

Places to Stay in & around Yosemite in the Winter

If you want to stay inside the park, Yosemite West is an area with a cluster of Airbnbs. The only downside to that area is that there’s no cell signal, so you would have to rent cabins with good wifi so you can communicate with your other guests (if you are planning a group trip). Sharing cabins or booking a couple next to each other is another option if you have a large group! Yosemite West is located 30 min from Yosemite Valley and 30 min from Glacier Point/Taft Point – which is basically as close as you can get to both places. You will have to plan ahead and bring all of your food as there aren’t that many (or no) food options in that area. It’s easy to make a Costco trip beforehand and make it work though! That is probably the most “affordable” place inside the park. 

You can also stay outside of the park – Yosemite View Lodge is probably the closest and most affordable out of the hotels right outside. This place is 15 min to Yosemite Valley, and 45 min from Glacier Point/Taft Point. It is a hotel with a pizza place on location (it also serves breakfast), so you have some food options. The closest town (Mariposa) is about 30 minutes out if you’re looking for restaurant options.  The other closer resort is Rush Creek, but I wouldn’t call that place affordable. It’s not terribly expensive, but Yosemite View Lodge is more affordable. 

If you are ok going a little further out, Groveland, Mariposa, and Oakhurst have more options for Airbnbs. I’ve listed these in the order of “closest” to Yosemite Valley. They are all about 1 hr and 15-30min (so around 75-90 min) from Glacier Point/Taft Point. Groveland is where I usually stay as I have a house there and I’m used to the ride, but it could feel long if you aren’t used to it! Groveland has a brewery, wine bar, oldest Saloon in California, golf course, its own lake (if you stay in Pine Mountain Lake, which is where most of the Airbnbs are). So. there is a lot to do there even on days when you don’t go into the park. Mariposa is also a cute town with similar restaurants, etc. but it does not have the lake features (golf course, etc.). Oakhurst is mainly chain hotels and restaurants, so it’s not my favorite, but it’s the most advertised (probably because of so many chain hotels and restaurants lol) so I feel like it’s more of a tourist trap, and it is (slightly) the furthest out from Yosemite Valley. 

Best places to stay in an Airbnb:

Check out how cute our AirBnb is in Groveland!

Hotels/Resorts

  • Yosemite View Lodge
  • Rush Creek Lodge
  • Evergreen Lodge – This place was built in the 1920s (and updated) and has a warm feel with a ton of things to do on-site. Everything here is pretty convenient from getting rentals and planning activities to dining and playing. 
  • Blackberry Inn (B&B) – A quaint little inn that offers a unique feel. Someplace worth looking into if you like that sort of vibe. 
  • The Ahwahnee– A nice hotel on the valley floor with options for dining.
  • Curry Village– one of the most popular ‘camping’ locations in the park.
  • Tenaya Lodge– we wrote a whole separate post on this place!

Packing for your trip to Yosemite in the Winter

Time to make some snowballs!

I’m sure you have a great list already started… but double-check it to make sure that these important things are on it! These things are super helpful when taking a trip to Yosemite in the winter!

  • Layers! Base layers are helpful for when it is cold and great for when it gets a bit warm and you need to remove some pieces. 
  • Waterproof jacket and pants
  • Wool Socks …for real- you will want these!
  • Winter Hiking boots
  • Gloves
  • Scarves
  • All the kids’ snow gear that can fit in your car (kidding- kind of… )
  • Winter Fun Gear- snowshoes, skis, sleds, etc.
  • Snow toys- we loved the snowball makers!
  • Reusable Water Bottle
  • Headlamp or flashlight
  • Reusable storage bins– great for storing cold weather gear without getting the car soaking wet too. 
  • Tablecloth– this is useful for roadside stops to avoid splinters on picnic tables or to set down on the ground for little ones to sit on too!
  • Plastic bags- always a useful thing to keep on you when out in nature. You never know when you’ll have trash but no trashcan nearby, protection against water for a phone, etc.
  • First Aid Kit

There you have it!

You might think that Yosemite is better to visit in the summer, but that isn’t necessarily true! Yosemite has things to offer during every season. We always have a blast exploring Yosemite in the winter. You should definitely make the trip! It is more than worth it.

Are you interested in other Fall getaways? Read more here:

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Yosemite National Park in the Winter - A Guide to Visiting

 

Have you been to any of these amazing locations in Yosemite in the Winter? Share any thoughts you have in the comments or contact us!