How to Visit Yosemite National Park in Winter
Located in California’s Eastern Sierras, Yosemite National Park is one of America’s oldest, most scenic, and favorite parks to visit. If you want to learn how to visit Yosemite National Park in winter, I’ve got all the tips and a full itinerary of fun snowy activities you can do in the park! In the winter months, much of the park is closed, but what remains open is truly a winter wonderland.
On my last solo winter trip to Yosemite, I visited the park at the end of December to hike, snowshoe, and explore the winter trails without the crowds of the summer months. I stayed at the historic Ahwahnee Lodge for my short 2-day trip. It was incredible, and I picked up a few tips along the way.
Read on to find out everything you need to know to plan the perfect quick getaway to Yosemite in winter, from things to know before you go to the best trails and places to check out in the less-crowded winter months.
As always, please follow park rules, keep your distance from wildlife, and commit to leaving no trace when you visit. While I talk about how to visit Yosemite National Park in winter, I may share a few affiliate links in the post. If you click and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for helping support my blog!
What to Know About Visiting Yosemite National Park in Winter
Weather, closures, packing, preparations, and accommodations are all things to consider when you’re visiting Yosemite National Park in winter.
Weather
Over 70% of the park’s precipitation falls between November and March as snow, and winter is absolutely magical in the park. The cold and snowy conditions are one of the most important things to factor into how to visit Yosemite National Park in winter.
- Temperature: Ranges from averages of 12°-53°F at varying elevations during winter; for example, Tuolumne Meadows is much colder than the valley floor.
- Weather: Conditions range from snowy to cold and sunny, depending on the day. Check the forecast before your trip. The first snowfall may occur in fall, but by November, snow starts accumulating in the park.
Make sure you can enjoy the park during Golden Hour while you’re here—it’s gorgeous at this time of day, especially in snow.
Closures
Much of the park is closed in the winter months (between November and March), but some of the best areas are still accessible with the right gear. These are approximate winter road and area closures in Yosemite to keep in mind (they differ with the level snowfall each year):
- Tioga Road (Hwy 120): Closed to vehicles from early November to late May
- Glacier Point Road: Closed to vehicles from early November to late May; plowed to Badger Pass Ski Area from mid-December to March
- Mariposa Grove Road: Closed to vehicles around November to April, but the grove can be reached with a short 2-mile hike on the Washburn Trail
- Half Dome: Cables are taken down in mid-October, and won’t be up again until Memorial Day in May
Packing and Prep
If you really want to know how to visit Yosemite National Park in winter, pay close attention to what you bring along with you on your trip. Even on the valley floor, snow accumulation can make some of the most popular trails challenging and require snowshoes, microspikes, or cross-country skis to manuever safely.
- Bring appropriate winter gear: Pack layers—on sunny days, you may need to shed layers to stay comfortable. Winter boots and tall socks, gloves, warm base layers, mid-layers, and a winter coat are essential.
- Bring microspikes or snowshoes: These are a must to hike icy or snow-covered trails. You’ll be glad you did and may see others slipping and sliding around while you’re sure-footed!
- Get snow chains for your tires: Many park roads require snow chains to traverse the icy or snowy terrain, so rent them or purchase them on your drive in to keep in your car. Know how to put them on when things get slippery!
- Food and water: Water filling stations are located around the park, so refill before hiking and be sure to bring extra food and water to keep you fueled up and hydrated in winter.
- Check current conditions: Before you go, check current park conditions to ensure you’re prepared for any closures or weather.
Accommodations
During my last trip, I had the pleasure of staying at the Ahwahnee Lodge (formerly the Majestic Yosemite Hotel). It’s a historic hotel on the Valley Floor and has been the destination of presidents, royalty, and some of the park’s first visitors when it opened about 100 years ago. Other options in the park include:
- Yosemite Valley Lodge
- Curry Village tents and cabins
- Glacier Point Ski Hut (closed for ‘24-’25 season)
How to Visit Yosemite National Park in Winter: Top 8 Things to Do
There are tons of winter activities in Yosemite. Figuring out an itinerary that works for you is one of the most crucial parts of determining how to visit Yosemite National Park in winter! From snowshoeing through a giant sequoia grove to enjoying hikes to Yosemite Falls in the snow, these are the best things to do in Yosemite during the winter months.
Take the Valley Loop Trail
This is one of my favorite walks in the park, and in winter, it’s even better. The Valley Loop Trail is 11 miles around the Valley Floor. The snow on the trail is pretty packed down, making it a great place to take in the many viewpoints of the valley when they’re at their winter wonderland best. Views of iconic places in the park, like Half Dome and El Capitan, combine with frosty meadows, snowy boulders, and peaceful river views that make it one of the most scenic and rewarding winter hikes in the park.
Snowshoeing in the Mariposa Grove
Walk among the giant sequoia grove at Mariposa Grove on a snowy hike or walk up the closed, unplowed road—with no vehicles allowed in winter, this becomes a place of complete serenity. This 1.9-mile trail gives you a look at another side of Yosemite. Once the giant trees are surrounding you, you’ll feel like you are safely tucked in the embrace of the forest, sleepy and blissfully uncrowded during the winter. It’s an even more intimate experience.
Mariposa Grove is busy in summer, but in winter, it’s quiet and enchanting. Note that the shuttle bus is closed during the winter. Bring your snowshoes, pop on microspikes, (you might like this list of winter essentials) or at the very least, bring trekking poles if you’ll be wearing regular shoes—parts of the trail are very slippery and there may be lots of snow and ice. Snow melts a bit on the grove trail during the day but re-freezes, making it slippery.
Ice Skating at Curry Village
Curry Village is one of the more popular parts of the park. Home to some really cool winter accommodations (like heated tents and cabins), the Village also features an outdoor ice skating rink from mid-November to March. It’s been operating since 1928, so enjoy some icy escapades just like some of the park’s early visitors did!
There’s a fire pit where you can warm up after hitting the ice, and you can purchase your tickets to go ice skating online ahead of time to get your trip all planned out. If you’d rather purchase onsite, head to the Curry Village Tour & Activity Desk to grab them 15 minutes before your planned skating session. Daily session times differ on weekdays, weekends, and holidays. You can visit the website or call 209-372-8210 with any questions.
Snowy Mirror Lake Photography Hike
If you want to catch some winter photos of your reflection with the stunning snowy backdrop of the park, head to Mirror Lake! On my last trip, this was my final hike of the day (around 3:00 p.m.) and the timing was just perfect. It’s a short walk from Yosemite Village to reach the still, reflective lake. It’s easy to see where it gets its name!
Your winter experience at Mirror Lake will be nothing short of magical, and once you’re here, it’s the perfect place to take photos. Set up your camera to get the perfect shot, or if you’re hiking with a friend, have them stand ready while you go around to get photos from across the lake!
Sip Hot Chocolate at the Awahnee Hotel
I highly recommend checking out the Awhanee Hotel in winter while you’re here. A majestic, historic national park lodge, it’s been open for nearly 100 years. You don’t have to be a guest to visit the Ahwahnee Bar for some hot chocolate or coffee, and it’ll give you a chance to see the hotel’s beautiful interior while you warm up.
It’s on the pricey side to stay here, but if you can afford to do so, I had an incredible experience. When you walk in, it’s like stepping back in time. During winter, you may get to see the hotel decked out for Christmas! The grand halls, fireplaces, and dining room (there’s a dress code) serving delicious meals make it a must-visit in the park.
Snow Tubing or Skiing at Badger Pass
From December to late March, the Badger Pass Ski Area is operating full-swing with all kinds of trails and paths for skiing and sledding in the winter wonderland of the park. The Badger Pass Ski Area has been open since 1935 and offers a range of winter sports, like sledding, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, and snowshoeing.
You can take the free shuttle bus from different areas in Yosemite Valley, or drive the plowed section of road to reach the ski area. It’s a good idea to get here early because it can get crowded later in the day. There’s a ski school where you can learn the ropes for skiing. Choose from ski trips to different parts of the park, downhill skiing, or cross-country skiing with equipment rentals onsite.
Catch Golden Hour from Tunnel View
Tunnel View is one of the best places to be at Golden Hour—this is when the soft, orange glow of the fading sun hits the valley, bathing the scenery and snow in a beautiful golden color that makes the area even more stunning. Tunnel View is located right off Highway 41, just outside the Wawona Tunnel. You might recognize this view from the famous Ansel Adams shot Thunderstorm, Yosemite Valley.
Snap an iconic shot of your own when you get here around sunset. Winter and the Golden Hour create an unforgettable setting.
Hike Lower Yosemite Falls Trail
The hike to North America’s tallest waterfall starts at Camp 4, located across the street from Yosemite Valley Lodge. You’ll heads up a series of switchbacks on the way to Columbia Rock, passing snow-covered boulders, and winding Merced River views along the way. The scenic views you’ll enjoy on this winter hike are breathtaking. As Upper Yosemite Falls comes into view, you’ll soon approach Lower Yosemite Falls to watch the water stream down in ribbons.
On my hike, I spotted bears and foxes foraging in the winter! This side of the park gets lots of morning sunshine, so it’s a little warmer. Wear layers so you can shed them if needed! Bring snowshoes or microspikes for this hike—while some areas may be melted on the hike, the area near the falls can be icy and slippery this time of year.
Get More Info on How to Visit Yosemite National Park in Winter
I’ve shared some useful tips on how to visit Yosemite National Park in winter, from being mindful of the weather and park conditions to the best activities to do when the park transforms into a snowscape out of a fairytale. There’s no doubt that Yosemite offers plenty of things to do during the quiet, reflective months of winter. In fact, I’ll say it’s one of the best times of year to visit because the park is so much less crowded!
If this sounds like the perfect trip for you, watch my video on visiting Yosemite in winter to learn more, or visit the NPS website here.
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