While this bucket-list destination gets 75% of its visitors from May through October, Yosemite National Park is open during the winter, and it’s well worth checking out during the year’s coldest months. The best places to see when visiting Yosemite in winter include Yosemite Valley and Hetch Hetchy, and top activities include skiing, hiking, and snowshoeing.
Yosemite’s Winter Weather
The winter weather in Yosemite is typically cold, and snow is common during the season, so you’ll want to pack accordingly. In January and February, the average temperatures (in Fahrenheit) in Yosemite Valley range from the mid 20s at night to the low 50s during the day. But chilly days with sunshine are also a regular occurrence, presenting opportunities for those visiting Yosemite in winter to take in the park’s serene, often snow-covered landscape without the summertime crowds.
Getting to Yosemite in the Winter
An important thing to note is that while the best Yosemite entrance in winter will depend on what you plan to do in the park, many prefer the Highway 140 entrance (the Arch Rock Entrance) because of its scenic route and easy access to top sights in Yosemite Valley. Other entrances open in the winter include the Highway 120 West entrance (the Big Oak Flat Entrance), the Highway 41 entrance (the Wawona Entrance), and the Hetch Hetchy entrance.
Yosemite National Park Winter Activities
Many of Yosemite’s higher-elevation roads close for most of the winter, depending on snowfall amounts. The roads in Yosemite Valley and Wawona remain open year-round, allowing visitors to enjoy a range of fun winter activities in Yosemite National Park.
Here are some of the most popular things to do in winter in Yosemite:
Skiing and Snowboarding
Badger Pass Ski Area, California’s oldest ski resort, is located inside Yosemite National Park. Despite its high elevation, the ski area is accessible via Glacier Point/Badger Pass Road during the winter thanks to regular plowing. Badger Pass is a great destination for:
- Downhill skiing and snowboarding
- Cross-country skiing
- Snow tubing
- Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing
Another great option for your Yosemite winter itinerary is snowshoeing, which allows you to venture off the beaten path and into some of the most stunning and serene areas of the park. Popular snowshoeing destinations when visiting Yosemite in winter include:
- Glacier Point Road, which is closed to vehicle traffic during the winter and groomed for snowshoers and cross-country skiers
- Dewey Point, which can be accessed via a trail starting from Glacier Point Road near the Badger Pass Ski Area and provides great views of Yosemite Valley and El Capitan
- The Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, where you can trek through a grouping of more than 500 mature giant sequoia trees
For those who would prefer, guided snowshoeing tours to Dewey Point, Mariposa Grove, and other popular areas are also available from local tour operators.
Winter Hiking
Even without snowshoes, many visitor-favorite trails in the Yosemite Valley and Wawona are accessible in winter. Some of the best winter hikes in Yosemite include:
- The Lower Yosemite Fall Trail, a 1-mile loop leading to up-close views of the lowest part of North America’s tallest waterfall
- The Mirror Lake Trail, a 2-mile, out-and-back trail to Mirror Lake, with the option to hike an additional 3-mile loop around the lake
- The Yosemite Valley Loop Trail, an 11.5-mile, mostly level trail that can be accessed from many points throughout the Yosemite Valley
- The Chilnualna Falls Trail, an 8-plus-mile trail in the park’s Wawona area offering views of the Chilnualna Falls cascades
- The Wapama Fall Trail, a 5-mile round-trip route along the northern edge of Hetch Hetchy Reservoir that leads hikers to the base of Wapama Fall
Yosemite Winter Tours
Bus tours highlighting some of the park’s top sights are available from Yosemite Hospitality throughout the year, with select options available in the winter. Various local tour operators also provide guided guided hiking tours and driving and hiking tours spotlighting some of the park’s most iconic sights.
A self-guided tour is a great way to see the park when visiting Yosemite in winter. With the roads open in Yosemite Valley and Wawona throughout the season, visitors can mount their own driving tours to see landmarks including:
- El Capitan
- Half Dome
- Yosemite Falls
- Tunnel View
- Bridalveil Fall
- Valley View
Firefall Viewing
Those visiting Yosemite at just the right time in the winter can witness the breathtaking natural phenomenon known as Firefall. This spectacle takes place each year for only a few weeks in mid to late February and when the conditions are just right. Park visitors lucky enough to catch Firefall are wowed as the setting sun illuminates El Capitan’s Horsetail Fall in a fiery orange and red glow reminiscent of molten lava streaming down the famed rock formation’s granite face.
Where To Stay in Yosemite in the Winter
When choosing where to stay in Yosemite in the winter, look for cozy cottages and cabins at resorts with seasonally appropriate amenities including fireplaces, year-round outdoor activities, and access to heated pools and hot tubs. Prioritize accommodations that meet the needs of your travel party and put you close to the top activities and attractions on your Yosemite winter itinerary.
A number of lodging options are available within the park during the winter, but they tend to fill up fast. Well-reviewed options just outside Yosemite include Evergreen Lodge , Rush Creek Lodge & Spa, and Firefall Ranch, each conveniently located within easy driving distance of the park.
Keep in mind: Evergreen Lodge “hibernates” for the first six weeks of the year. For winter stays outside this window, the lodge reopens to offer cozy cabins, onsite dining, and guided adventures perfect for snowy getaways.
When you’re ready to plan your winter visit to Yosemite, start your lodging search by checking out the range of comfortable accommodation options and seasonal packages at Evergreen Lodge. Once you’ve found the perfect option for you and your winter vacation crew, book your stay in Yosemite’s backyard!