As of December 7, 2020 Park visitation is limited to day-use activities only in response and coordination with the new California Regional Stay-at-home Order.  More information regarding the change can be found here.

Note - some restrictions are still in place and some services are not available. Please also see the FAQ page for more information about visiting the park - https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/covid19.htm.

Experience the beauty of Winter in Yosemite!

Many things awaken in Yosemite in the winter months as the waterfalls and Merced River come alive again.  While Tioga Pass and Glacier Point roads are closed, there are many roads and trails open throughout Yosemite. Make sure you carry tire chains, as they are required during snowy times in and around the Park.  Check here for Tire Chain Requirements.

Here are a just few of our favorite things…

1. Wandering around Yosemite Valley during a snowy day. Make sure to take the short hike to the base of Yosemite Falls and be amazed as the water forms a snow cone as the mist freezes on the falls. Check out our piece The "Natural" Events Of A Yosemite Winter for more natural sites to explore that are unique to Yosemite's Winter experience.
2. Snowshoeing around Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias – Mariposa Grove Road closes during wintertime so the only access into the grove is by hiking, skiing and snowshoeing the 2-mile road from the south entrance to the Grove.  Make sure to bring your camera, the Grove is truly spectacular blanketed in snow.
3. Hiking to Mirror Lake during wintertime is another way to see how Yosemite changes in each season.  The trail is open year-round, and can be icy and snowy during wintertime.  It’s an easy to moderate two mile round trip to the lake or five mile loop around the lake.  Go to Shuttle Stop #17 for the trailhead.

More information to help you make the most of your visit to Yosemite National Park:

There is so much to explore in Yosemite National Park! We have put together several suggestions of things to do in Yosemite to jump start your planning:

• Yosemite in a Day: The can’t miss sites of Yosemite through the seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter.
• Yosemite Hikes: Tony Krizan gives an insider’s guide to Sentinel Dome & Taft Point Hikes.
• Fossils to Falls: A 4-day tour of history, Bass Lake, and Yosemite waterfalls.

We would be remiss if we didn’t mention that one of the best ways to see the park is with a little help from a knowledgeable Yosemite tour guide. You get the best Yosemite Park information, without someone having to miss out on the beauty because they're driving. Guided tour companies and adventure tours specialize in making your Yosemite Trip memorable.  

YARTS (Yosemite Area Regional Transit System) is another way to get to and from Yosemite from the gateway towns.  YARTS operates in the southern gateway towns of Fresno, Coarsegold, Oakhurst, Bass Lake & Fish Camp along Highway 41 from mid-May through mid-September.   Note:  YARTS service has ended along the Highway 41 for the 2020 season.

FREE VALLEY SHUTTLE:  To help with find your favorite icons in Yosemite Valley, you can view and download the Yosemite Valley Shuttle Map.  Note: The Yosemite Valley Shuttle will not be running in 2020 due to Covid restrictions.  

Finally, here are a couple outside sources that we recommend incorporating into your planning arsenal:

• Yosemite National Park Services: For current conditions, special alerts and more information inside Yosemite National Park.
• Yosemite Gateways: More information on the Park's 4 major entrances.
• Hike Smart Yosemite: Plan and prepare for a safe and enjoyable hiking trip in the park.
• Google Street View: Check out Yosemite's iconic spots!
• Yosemite Bears: Learn more about the bears of Yosemite National Park  

Okay - so you've figured out where to go and what to do.  Now it's time to determine where to stay during your visit. There's a wide variety of options available through the region; from hotels, bed & breakfasts, vacation rentals, campgrounds and RV sites, and much more!  Click below to explore the options here.