Yosemite Winter Itinerary – Your Complete Guide
Yosemite National Park is the sixth most visited National Park in the United States, but nearly 90% of its visitors visit between spring and fall and most never explore beyond the Yosemite Valley (source). We admit that Yosemite Valley is the park’s star attraction, but it’s completely accessible throughout the year. Winter is, without a doubt, the best time to visit this area if you’re looking to beat the crowds.
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Yosemite National Park entrances
When to visit
November to March
Average winter weather
Yosemite has a Mediterranean climate, with mild, but wet, winters. Temperatures in the valley range from the high 20s to the high 40s, although the weather can change very quickly.
During our three days in the park, we experienced chilly mornings in the low 30s, with afternoons in the mid-50s. It’s best to be prepared for any weather conditions during your visit.
Snowy weather
Are you expecting snowy landscapes? We were, too! However, our unseasonably warm trip in late December lacked snow at lower elevations. If you’re hoping to participate in snow activities like skiing or tubing, visit later in the season to ensure a good snowpack.
Yosemite’s snowpack reaches its maximum depth in March, where you’ll find consistent snow above 6,000 feet. For reference, the Badger Pass Ski Area sits at 7,200 feet and Yosemite Valley is at 4,000 feet.
Dates to avoid in February
Various restrictions are put into effect in mid to late February each year revolving around the Firefall phenomenon. Firefall is when Horsetail Falls lights up with golden light at sunset, looking as if the waterfall is glowing orange.
The dates change annually, parking is restricted, and it’s such a popular event that entry reservations are required during this time to enter the park. Find more info on this year's dates and reservation requirements here.
As amazing as Firefall would be to photograph or see in person, we recommend avoiding the park during this time due to large crowds.
Getting to Yosemite
The Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) is the nearest airport to Yosemite – just an hour and a half away. The Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is the next closest airport at two hours and 45 minutes away, with the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) being the largest airport three hours away.
No matter where you fly in, you’ll need your own vehicle to get to and from the airport. If you plan on driving yourself into the park, we recommend renting an upgraded car with all-wheel drive and also renting tire chains so you’re prepared for any type of weather.
Yosemite National Park entrances
Yosemite National Park has five entrances, four of which are open year-round, depending on road conditions. You can find up-to-date road conditions here. Regardless of where you plan on driving in the park, you’ll need to carry tire chains with you and be comfortable driving in snowy, icy, and foggy conditions.
South Entrance:
Open year-round
Located on Highway 41 North of Fresno
Nearest to Mariposa Grove
Arch Rock Entrance:
Open year-round
Located on Highway 140 West from Merced and Mariposa
Nearest to Yosemite Valley and Badger Pass Ski Area
Big Oak Flat Entrance:
Open year-round
Located on Highway 120 from the west and Groveland
Nearest to the Crane Flat Snow Play area
Hetch Hetchy Entrance:
Open year-round, but can close due to snow
Nearest to the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir
Tioga Pass Entrance:
Closed between November and May
Find park rangers and road conditions at the Yosemite Valley Welcome Center
Yosemite shuttles
It's possible to drive yourself into and around the park, but there are also great public transportation options in and outside of the park.
YARTS (Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System)
The YARTS shuttle operates on Highway 140 year-round for a fee. It shuttles people into the park picking up in Merced, Mariposa, Midpines, and El Portal before ending the route near the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center. All other routes typically operate from May to September.
Since we brought our own car, we figured taking the shuttle from Mariposa was a great backup plan in case of inclement weather that we didn’t feel comfortable driving in.
Source: YARTS
Yosemite Valley Shuttle System
Once in the valley, you can choose to drive throughout the park or take the park shuttle for free. After 11 a.m., the valley is busy enough that taking the shuttle is a less stressful way to travel throughout the valley and visit popular stops.
The shuttle runs between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m., although only the green route shown in the map below runs throughout winter. Buses come every 12 to 22 minutes, and it takes 50 minutes to ride the entire route.
The buses were never too crowded during our trip, but we heard that you’d have to wait for two to three buses to come by before being able to get on one in the summer months.
Source: Yosemite National Park
Badger Pass Ski Area Shuttle
Yosemite provides a free shuttle service between Yosemite Valley and Badger Pass when the ski area is open – typically between mid-December through March. Find the shuttle schedule at the bottom of this page.
Yosemite Valley
The Yosemite Valley represents one percent of Yosemite National Park, but it’s where most visitors spend most of their time, if not their entire trip.
Granted, we visited over the holidays in December, but this area of the park was busy by 10 a.m. and crowded by 11 a.m. each day. We highly recommend getting into the valley at sunrise to have a few hours of peaceful exploration all to yourselves. After 11 a.m., choose a central location to park your car and explore by foot, bike, or shuttle (we’ve got suggestions for this in our Yosemite Valley itinerary here).
El Cap
This area of the park is a bit confusing to navigate at first. Have your driver and navigator go over the Yosemite Valley map together to get a better feel for the drive prior to entering the park. Nearly all the roads are one-way roads, and it can be stressful to navigate with mid-day traffic.
You’ll likely choose the wrong turn lane and go in a different direction than you intended once or twice, but you can loop around and get back to your destination easily. By our second day in the park, we felt confident navigating the valley.
Source: Yosemite National Park
Is visiting Yosemite National Park expensive?
Yosemite is a somewhat expensive destination, but lodging around Yosemite National Park in the winter months is half the price of what it costs to stay between spring and fall. Park lodging and campsites are also more available during these times as well.
We found eating out to be pricey, with meals costing between $50 and $100 for the two of us at most places. Groceries, however, were on the cheaper side. We spent $65 to make four breakfasts and one dinner.
Where to stay
The itinerary we’ve outlined below is based on staying in Mariposa. Staying on Highway 140 is the most central location to the Yosemite Valley, and Mariposa has easy access to restaurants, shops, and groceries.
For lodging recommendations in Mariposa, as well as the other towns along Highway 140 and the other park entrances, check out this blog here.
While you’re considering where to stay, keep in mind your daily schedule. If you follow our advice and enter the park early, you’ll want lodging with a kitchen. Cooking our own breakfasts was imperative to helping us get into the park long before the crowds arrived.
Where to camp
We were happily surprised to see many campgrounds and most of the park’s lodging operating during our visit. All campground reservations are first-come, first-served, although the park’s canvas tents (heated and unheated options) can be reserved in advance. Check out what campsites are open throughout winter here.
Bridalveil Falls
Is Yosemite pet-friendly?
Yes, Yosemite is a pet-friendly national park, but it has strict rules. Check here for the most up-to-date regulations. In general, pets are allowed on leashes no more than six feet long on paved roads, sidewalks, and bike paths (except when signs are posted not allowing pets), as well as some campgrounds.
Pets are not allowed on trails, wilderness and undeveloped areas, on meadows, beaches, and waterways, in buildings, or on the shuttle buses.
Please follow B.A.R.K. rules and help protect pets and wildlife in the park.
B: Bag your poop
A: Always wear a leash
R: Respect Wildlife
K: Know where to go
Service dogs are permitted anywhere that visitors can go, however, emotional support, therapy, and companion animals –as well as service animals in training – must abide by all pet regulations.
Best hikes
There are some trail closures throughout the park during the winter months. However, there are enough beautiful sites and trails still accessible to keep you busy – so many that we had to create a separate blog to fill you in on all the details.
We’ve got the best way to experience them all outlined in our itinerary, although you’ll find some helpful trail shortcuts and parking information in the linked blog above.
Some trails see occasional closures or detours due to rock falls and other dangerous conditions. Please read signs and respect trail closures to keep you and potential rescue parties safe.
Mirror Lake
Biking the Yosemite Valley
Biking throughout Yosemite Valley is a great way to work around the crowded parking areas. Since the park’s bike rentals are seasonal (unavailable during the winter), you’ll have to bring your own bikes into the park by car or the YART shuttle (which allows bikes in the storage compartments under the bus).
Once inside the park you’ll find bike racks at most popular trailheads and shops, although bikes are not allowed on the Yosemite Valley Shuttle System.
With large shuttles and lots of traffic on the roads, it’s best to stay on the bike trails located throughout the park. Bikes are not allowed on dirt trails (mountain biking is not allowed) and e-bikes have a speed limit of 15 mph.
Source: Yosemite National Park
Best activities
Guided tours
There are a variety of tours offered throughout the park, including photography walks held by the Ansel Adams Gallery, naturalist programs (including stargazing walks), bus tours, guided snowshoes, and more.
Snow activities
Seek out snow at the Crane Flat Snow Play Area where you’ll find ungroomed cross-country ski trails, snowshoe routes, and a tubing hill or the Badger Pass Ski Area. There, you’ll have access to groomed trails, lift tickets, and gear rentals.
Crane Flat Snow Play Area
Source: Yosemite National Park
Badger Pass Ski Area
Source: Yosemite National Park
Yosemite Valley
If you have extra time in Yosemite Valley, ice skate at Curry Village or check out the Ahwahnee Lodge – “the crown jewel of national park lodges”.
In the Yosemite Village, check out the Ansel Adams Gallery, the Indian Village of Ahwahnee, the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center (we loved this educational exhibit), and the Yosemite Valley Museum.
1-to-4-day itinerary
With unpredictable winter weather, we’d suggest planning to spend two to four days in the park. This timeframe allows you to be flexible, choosing what activities to do based on the weather forecast. This was critical for our own trip – a severe winter storm was forecasted on day two of our own trip, but knowing we had alternative activities and multiple days in the park helped keep the trip stress free.
This itinerary can be done in any order; however, we did notice that the crowds were significantly higher on the days with sunny forecasts. Take advantage of cloudy, less crowded days in the valley!
Itinerary breakdown
Day 1: Arriving in Mariposa
Day 2: Yosemite Valley
Day 3: Mariposa Grove
Day 4: Take a scenic drive or play in the snow
Day 1: Arriving in Mariposa
If you’ll be arriving in Mariposa mid-day, it’s not worth the drive time to enter the park with peak crowds. Instead, spend time in town grocery shopping for breakfast supplies at the Pioneer Market and explore the shops in town.
Yosemite Gifts was our favorite shop, and there is a climbing museum and Mariposa Museum and History Center if you have extra time to spare.
Day 2: Yosemite Valley
If you follow our advice, you’ll be making your own hearty breakfast every morning to get into the park at sunrise. When we visited in late December, this meant leaving Mariposa around 5:45 a.m. and getting into the park around 6:45 a.m. We know it’s early, but get on an early-to-rise, early-to-bed schedule and stick with it for the duration of your trip.
Once inside the park, you’re going to want to follow this Yosemite Valley itinerary we have outlined. Don’t worry if you miss a stop – the road loops around, so you’ll be able to catch it on another loop or another day.
Day 3: Mariposa Grove
Again, head into the park at sunrise and explore any spots you missed in Yosemite Valley the previous day. We loved the view from Tunnel View so much that we visited it each morning.
Tunnel View
Once you’ve had your fill of the valley, head past Tunnel View to the Mariposa Grove if you're up for 5+ miles of hiking through Yosemite’s largest grove of Sequoia trees.
In the summer months, a shuttle runs between the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza and the Grove Arrival Area, but in the winter, you must hike or snowshoe the two miles between the two each way. Once you reach the grove, it’s another half mile of easy walking to see the best Sequoia trees.
Grizzly Giant
Tunnel Tree
We hiked to the California Tunnel Tree and chose to hike the Grizzly Giant Loop Trail back to the Grove Arrival Area. Although this trail is only 0.7 miles longer than taking the same route on the Mariposa Grove Trail back, we were the only ones on it. This section of the trail doesn’t have any named sequoia trees on the map, but it was certainly worth the tad bit of extra effort to see more of trees.
Day 4: Take a scenic drive or play in the snow
Scenic drive
With inclement, but not terrible weather, we opted to drive to the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir to explore as much of the park as possible. Even with fog and rain the drive was scenic.
Once you reach the dam, brave whatever weather you’re faced with to walk across the dam. From there, you’ll see a beautiful view of Wapama Falls and Kolana Rock on one side of the dam and into the valley below on the other.
At the end of the dam is a tunnel. Walk through it to hike to Tueeulala Falls (the trail continues onto Wapama Falls, but it was closed past Tueelulala Falls while we were there), or just to seek a dry refuge as we did.
Play in the snow
If you have better weather, consider a snowshoe, ski, or tubing adventure at the Badger Pass Ski Area. They have rentals and lessons available onsite, as well as guided snowshoe tours. To ski, lift tickets must be purchased in addition to your entry into the park.
If you’re experienced with cross-country skiing, we’d recommend skiing to the Ski Hut at Glacier Point. If you’d like a less strenuous cross-country ski route or have experience snowshoeing, try the Dewey Point Loop.
What to pack
With a winter storm advisory in the forecast the week leading up to our trip, we went a bit overboard packing. Check out this blog to see everything we packed to stay warm on the trails and safe of the road.
Park tips
Cell service
Cell service is limited throughout the park, especially outside of Yosemite Valley. Load GPS maps in advance.
Food storage
Not all of Yosemite’s bears hibernate throughout winter so it’s imperative to store food and smelly items (including chapstick, sanitizer, sunscreen, wrappers, etc.) properly to help keep them safe.
Since bears can get into vehicles, you’ll need to store food in the bear vaults near most day parking or take all your smelly items with you when you wander out of your vehicle for extended periods of time.
Brush up on what to do if you see a bear here.
Gas stations
Like most national parks, Yosemite does not have a gas station inside the park. Fill your tank up the night before going into the park to help you get off to an early start.
Crowds
You’ll notice we emphasize going into the park early multiple times. We found this to be crucial to creating an enjoyable experience. Get into the park at sunrise to have a few hours to yourselves and you’ll have the bonus of getting back into town early for dinner as well. You’ll miss most of the crowds in the park and long waits for tables at restaurants in town later in the evening, too.
Leave no trace
Yosemite National Park has a highly sensitive ecosystem with mass amounts of traffic, so it’s important to follow the Leave No Trace Principles throughout your visit. While hiking, stay on the trails, pack out anything you pack in, and do not feed the wildlife.
Where to go next
San Francisco
This is a great location to fly in and out of, as well as do additional sightseeing. We highly recommend taking a tour of Alcatraz Island and walking on Baker Beach for a beautiful view of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Pinnacles National Park
Just under a three-hour drive from Mariposa, Pinnacles National Park is another great addition to this trip. The winter climate offers mild days, cold nights, and some snow at higher elevations.
Pfieffer Big Sur State Park
Located three and a half hours away from Mariposa, Big Sur is a renowned destination known for its dramatic cliffs and bright beaches. Unfortunately, winter is also when landslides are most likely to occur here, meaning road shutdowns are common. If you hope to visit Big Sur during this time, be flexible with your plans.
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Just over two hours away from Fresno, Sequoia and Kings Canyon makes for a great winter getaway. You’ll find great cross-country skiing, snowshoe trails, and beautiful drives here, although winter driving experience is necessary.
Search the blog for more adventures! Try searching for topics such as “backpacking”, “waterfalls”, or “national parks”.
