Why you should visit Yosemite in winter?

Yosemite National Park, California, is a magical place irrespective of when you visit. I have been there multiple times in summer and fall but this Christmas was my first winter visit and I have to say am already looking for a chance to go back.

So, here is why you should visit Yosemite in winter (too):

Enjoy the charm of snow covered peaks – The amount of snow varies from year to year. This year, during Christmas, there was not much snow in the valley but the mountain peaks were covered in snow. We also saw a lot of it while driving through Hwy 120. Snow was fresh, perfect for playing with it 🙂 The pictures below can tell you how gorgeous the park looked with the white flurries on it!

Park is way less crowded than summer – Navigating through the park is so much easier because there are not that many people. Parking is available everywhere. Hiking trails are less crowded. And most importantly you don’t waste hours standing in the traffic to go from one side of the valley to the other side.

You can actually find availability in the lodge or campsite you have always wanted to stay in – Most of the campsites and lodges in the valley have openings during winter. We booked a heated cabin in Curry Village and a campsite in Upper Pines campground. Curry Village does not allow any kind of fire so we went to our campsite in Upper Pines to do a campfire and cook our dinner and came back to our heated cabin for a good sleep. Well, this is a luxury that you can only experience in winter. In summer, you need to make reservations months in advance and good luck with finding two spots to yourself.

Winter Sports options are available too – There is a ice skating rink at Curry Village but if you are willing to venture further out then there are options for skiing, snowshoeing and tubing too. Check out Badger Pass Ski Area.

Business stays as usual – If you are concerned that things will be closed during Christmas and you will starve for food then don’t worry there are plenty for restaurants and grocery stores open. Check out the dining options here. Some of the hotels also have special Christmas dinner but you need to reserve in advance. The shuttle runs as usual. Visitor centre stays open. Some of the trails might be closed or not safe enough to hike due to the snow so make sure to check with visitor centre before heading out for a hike.

So, did we manage to get you excited to visit this beautiful park in winter? If so, let us know how your experience was. Also, feel free to reach out to us with any questions.