Yosemite 2 Day Winter Itinerary: Guaranteed Fun in the Snow
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Are you looking into visiting Yosemite National Park in the winter months? Maybe you’re scoping out other things to do in the park while you’re visiting for Firefall? Or maybe you’re trying to decide if visiting Yosemite in the winter is worth it for your long holiday weekend?
No matter the reason, I’m here to tell you that Yosemite is definitely worth a visit in the winter, and I’ve got the perfect 2 day winter itinerary for you to have the best time in the park.
I’m going to assume in this itinerary recommendation that you have 2 full days in Yosemite, meaning you arrived in the evening on day 0.
And just so we’re on the same page: my travel style is a mix of comfort and go-go-go! I love being up early for sunrise and staying out all day until sunset. It’s how I make the most of days off! Be assured though, you can easily take away activities from this itinerary if you’d like a slower pace, or add in more if you have an extra afternoon or morning or are a super fast hiker!
My Yosemite 2 day winter itinerary is listed below in terms of “stops” with an activity for each one. I’ve intentionally picked this order of stops to optimize driving since the Valley mainly has one-way streets and it does take quite a bit of time to drive from one side to the other.
Day 1: Explore Yosemite Valley & Easy Hikes
Today is all about getting acquainted with the main area in Yosemite that is open in the winter time: Yosemite Valley.
Stop 1: Sunrise at Cathedral Beach and the Three Brothers
Approx time: 1.5 hours
This is one of my favorite spots in the winter in Yosemite and it’s not usually visited that often.
El Capitan and the Three Brothers have really lovely morning light. You’ll probably want to hang out here for 30 minutes to one hour after official sunrise to watch the light change on the rock.
The road to the Cathedral Beach Picnic Area will most likely be closed at this time, so park at the car pull-out right after the entrance to the picnic area. There are a few pull-outs after this one too along Southside Drive.
Stop 2: Cooks Meadow Stroll, Swinging Bridge, and Lower Yosemite Fall
Approx time: 2 – 2.5 hours depending on pace & stops for photos and possibly breakfast.
This is the perfect time to enjoy the meadows in the winter. The sun is continuing to rise behind Half Dome, casting light onto the northern walls of the valley.
If you’re lucky enough to have snow in the valley and a clear winter day, you might be treated to fog rising off of the melting snow and the Merced River, and maybe even crepuscular rays! Even if there isn’t snow in the valley, I still recommend this walk because you get views of Half Dome and Upper Yosemite Fall.
Park at the Swinging Bridge Picnic Area or on Southside Drive right before the Yosemite Chapel.
Feel free to walk counter-clockwise or clockwise, but your general loop is going to be: parking spot to Swinging Bridge (this bridge doesn’t actually swing!), then following the bike path through the Yosemite Lodge.
This would be a great time to pick up breakfast at the Starbucks in the Yosemite Valley Lodge or a more substantial bite in the dining area.
After your pit stop at the lodge, continue across the street to Lower Yosemite Fall. You can do the full loop (I recommend) or just walk out and back to the main viewpoint for the falls at the bridge.
I highly recommend visiting Lower Falls in the morning – I’ve had the majority of my wildlife sightings here in the morning hours (like a bobcat!)
After Lower Yosemite Fall, you’ll continue west, passing the shuttle stop. Here, you’ll want to turn south at Cooks Meadow and explore the boardwalks. You’ll have views of Half Dome, North Dome, and Upper Yosemite Fall here.
From Cook’s Meadow, you’ll cross the Superintendent’s Bridge and walk toward the Yosemite Chapel and return to your car.
As described, this meadow loop is 2.5 miles with minimal elevation gain.
Make it longer: Instead of crossing the Superintendent’s Bridge, walk across Cooks Meadow to Sentinel Bridge – the stone one that cars car drive over – and then walk west back towards the chapel. +0.5 miles.
Make it shorter: Skip Swinging Bridge and park on Southside Dr. near the chapel. Walk along the paved path to Cooks Meadow, then through the meadow and over to Lower Yosemite Fall. -0.5 miles.
Stop 3: Vernal Fall Footbridge Hike
Approx Time: 1 hour including car drop/ transport.
At this point in the day, I’d recommend dropping your car back off at your lodging, or parking it in the large day use Village parking lot. From there, take the shuttle to stop #16 at Happy Isles.
Here you’ll hike to the footbridge over the Merced River that gives you a glimpse of the famous Vernal Fall. This is an easy hike at 1.6 miles and 400 ft elevation gain round trip.
Stop 4: Mirror Lake Hike
Approx time: 1 hour
After your hike to the Vernal Fall Footbridge, hop back on the shuttle (or walk approx. 0.6 miles along the road) to stop #17 for the trailhead to Mirror Lake. Here you’ll embark on another easy hike to the edge of Mirror Lake along a paved road.
I love the views here in the winter, especially looking right up the face of Half Dome.
Pro tip: Instead of these two easy hikes, you could opt for one over the other and do the longer versions of the hikes. The full Vernal – Nevada Fall Loop or the full Mirror Lake Loop.
Both are about 5 miles in length, but the waterfall loop is much more difficult. I’d budget at least 3 hours if you are going to do one of the longer versions of the hikes. Learn more about winter hiking in Yosemite.
Stop 5: Ansel Adams Gallery & Yosemite Village
Approx time: 2 – 2.5 hours including transport.
After your hikes on the east side of the valley, take the shuttle back to the center area and walk around the village.
Go right to Degnan’s Deli and grab some lunch to replenish your energy, then stroll over to the Ansel Adams Gallery. You’ll find all kinds of books, art prints, and education here not just about Ansel Adams, but all kinds of artists who were inspired by Yosemite.
You can also hang out at the Yosemite Exploration Center where you can learn all about the geology of Yosemite (and more!) and watch a short film about the park, or go over to the Yosemite Museum where you can see Native American cultural and art exhibits.
You might also want to check out the Village Store if you need snacks, firewood, or want to buy souvenirs.
This is a great stop to refresh after walking around so much in the morning!
Stop 6: West Side Drive
Approx time: 30 – 45 min
At this point in the day, it’s mid-late afternoon. I’d get back to my car and drive on Northside Dr., stopping at all of the major pull-outs for viewpoints.
These are some of my favorite stops for photography opportunities:
Stop 7: Sunset at Valley View
One of my all-time favorite spots for a winter sunset in Yosemite. Watch El Capitan glow pink as the sun sets!
I love how quiet the Merced River is here during the winter. Sometimes its so still you can capture a reflection. And during the winter the water is much lower, revealing lots of boulders in the river. In the winter, you have a chance of catching them covered in snow!
This is a popular spot and the parking lot is very small, so try to get here before the actual sunset.
Stop 8: Dinner at the Mountain Room Lounge
Drive back to the Valley Lodge and get some dinner in the lounge! Last call for food is early here: 7:30 pm. But, the food is much yummier here than the Base Camp Eatery and much cheaper than the Mountain Room Restaurant!
After dinner, turn in and sleep tight – tomorrow is a big day with more fun!
Day 2: Hiking Day & Beyond Yosemite Valley
Today you’re going to get a little exploring in outside of Yosemite Valley! Some of today’s options will really depend on the weather and what is open in the park during your visit because it is not the same every year – or even each month – in the winter!
Make sure you pack a lunch for today – no matter where you end up going, food is not available to purchase outside of the valley. My personal favorite is PB & J sandwiches. But there’s lots of ready-to-eat options at the the Village Store too. You might want to prep for this on day 1!
Stop 1: Sunrise at Tunnel View
Approx time: 1 hour
It never fails. Sunrise at Tunnel View in the winter is pretty special. I especially recommend doing this if there is snow in the valley because seeing all of the main views and trees covered in snow pre-sunrise and watching the light hit during sunrise is simply amazing.
Even though it’s sunrise, this area sees a lot of traffic. Make sure you get to the parking area at least 15-20 minutes before actual sunrise. If the lots on both sides of the street are full, unfortunately you’ll just have to keep circling until someone leaves.
I have never had to wait to see sunrise at Tunnel View in the winter though.
If the lot is full and you don’t feel like waiting for an opening, go back down to Southside Dr. and park along the road here and watch the sun rise on El Capitan from the valley floor instead, and then do the short walk to Bridalveil Fall.
If you want to get a short hike in while you are parked at Tunnel View or just get a vantage point away from the crowds, walk across the street to the secondary parking lot. You’ll see a set of steps which is the trailhead for the Pohono Trail.
You can hike up this trail all the way to the top of the valley, but you’ll probably just want to hike up a little bit to Artist Point.
Be aware: this isn’t an easy hike to this point and if the trail has snow on it, you’ll want to wear microspikes because it will be icy in the morning.
Stop 2: Snowshoeing at Badger Pass
Approx time: 5-6.5 hours, including drive time depending on hiking speed.
If you’re visiting Yosemite in the winter, you can’t miss the opportunity to snowshoe in the park! This is something that can really only be done in the winter – so take advantage of it!
My favorite route is Badger Pass to Dewey Point. It’s a 7.3 mile adventure with 1,000 feet of elevation gain. Even if you’ve never snowshoed before, as long as you are moderately fit, you should be able to complete this trail.
The views of Dewey Point can be spectacular if the weather is good. You can see El Capitan, Half Dome, Cathedral Rocks, and more.
Reminder to all snowshoers: do not hike in the path of groomed XC trails on Glacier Point Road!
I highly recommend driving here right after your sunrise adventure, especially if you are visiting over the weekend. This spot can get super busy!
You have 2 options for getting to Badger Pass:
- Drive yourself. The road is usually in R2 status, meaning you must have AWD/4WD AND M+S rated tires. If you don’t have AWD/4WD, you must use tire chains/cables if the road is in R2 status.
- Take the Badger Pass shuttle bus. You can learn more about the pick-up spots and times here.
If Badger Pass Road is closed during your visit, do one of these adventures:
Mariposa Grove
Drive to the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza and snowshoe to Mariposa Grove. This hike is 4 miles round trip, 400 ft elevation gain.
Once at Mariposa Grove, you can extend your hike through this enchanting grove of giant sequoias. It’s about 1.5 miles from the main Mariposa Grove entrance to the Grizzly Giant and back.
If you do all of that, your total hike will be ~5.5 miles with 700 ft elevation gain.
Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias
Instead of going south, you’ll drive to Crane Flat on CA-120. The round trip hike is 3 miles with 600 ft of elevation gain.
There will most likely be enough snow that you’ll be snowshoeing here, but in warm winters or early or late in the season, this trail could be dry.
Upper Yosemite Falls Hike
This trail is not for the faint of heart, but it’s the one I’d recommend most for a winter visit in Yosemite! It’s 7.2 miles and 3,300 feet of elevation gain.
You get a ton of bang for your buck in terms of views, plus, the sun spends the most time on the northern walls in the winter, so even if it’s a cold day, you’re more likely to have some warmer sun on you and the trail is less likely to be totally iced over. You’ll still want to bring winter safety gear like microspikes though, just in case!
You could also hike the same trail to Columbia Rock or a little bit beyond Columbia Rock to get views of Half Dome, the Valley, and Upper Yosemite Fall. It’s a much shorter hike!
Read next: This post summarizes the best winter hikes in Yosemite National Park. You’ll be able to find a hike for any activity level!
Stop 3: Bridalveil Fall
Approx time: 30 min
After your adventures outside of the valley, be sure to stop at Bridalveil Fall on your way back. You can park on Southside Drive or in the Bridalveil parking lot.
This is a super short walk, but you get a few different views of the waterfall. Make sure you bring a rain jacket on this walk – Bridalveil is super powerful and projects a lot of mist!
Stop 4: Stoneman Meadow
Approx time: 1 hour
Park in the large lot near Curry Village and Happy Isles Loop Rd. The meadow across the street is Stoneman Meadow. You can walk on the barricaded road freely: it used to be for car but has been permanently converted into pedestrian and bike traffic.
Walk to Stoneman Bridge and admire the view of Half Dome from the riverside. Walk back the way you came and enjoy the sun setting on Half Dome from the boardwalk in Stoneman Meadow.
Stop 5: Dinner at Curry Village Pizza Deck
Note: Curry Village dining is only open on select dates in the winter. See operating dates of Curry Village here.
The pizza deck is my favorite food in Yosemite! I love the Firefall and Half Dome flavors. Grab pizza and reminisce about the memories you made in the park this weekend.
Not feeling pizza? Bar 1899 right next door serves some other eats like burgers and ribs.
Stop 6: Ice Skating at the Curry Village Ice Rink
Skate after dinner in the moonlight and underneath Half Dome from 7:00 – 9:30 pm!
Adult tickets cost $16 for 2 hours of skating and a skate rental is and additional $15.25 in 2024-25. There’s also a fire pit to cozy up to near the rink. Make sure you buy your tickets at the activity kiosk in Curry Village before walking over to the rink a little ways away.
Have an Extra Half Day in Yosemite?
I have a full guide to visiting Yosemite in the winter months with over 25 winter-specific activities for you to explore! So check out that post if you’re looking for more things to do with a little extra time.
I’ve also summarized the best winter hikes in Yosemite for you so if you’re looking for a hike to do on your last day, be sure to check out that post!
These are my recommendations based on your exit route from the park:
- CA-41 (South Entrance – Wawona): Hike to Mariposa Grove via the Washburn Trail (moderate), or if you just need a quick leg break, the Swinging Bridge Trail is what you want.
- CA-120 (Big Oak Flat Entrance): Hike to see sequoia trees at either the Tuolumne or Merced groves.
- CA-140 (Arch Rock Entrance): Check out Hites Cove right outside the park if you’re visiting in March, otherwise, the short but steep hike up to Columbia Rock is a worthwhile option.
Itinerary Changes for Horsetail Fall Firefall
If you are specifically visiting in February to see the “Firefall” event, I would change a few things in this itinerary.
Horsetail Fall glows red with the sunset, so you’ll need to be in the viewing area before sunset if you want a chance to see it! If you are specifically looking to photograph the phenomenon, you need to be in the area well before sunset since you’ll probably want to scope out the right composition based on the flow of the fall.
If you are just interested in looking at the falls, you’ll be fine arriving just a few minutes before sunset.
Alter this itinerary by removing stops 6 & 7 on day 1 and stops 4 & 6 on day 2. Since sunset is pretty early in the evening, you’ll want to eat dinner after viewing Horsetail Fall. Just be aware that the shuttles, restaurants, and roads are incredibly busy right after sunset, and it will be a long wait to eat and get back to your lodging.
Visiting Yosemite in November
Even though November is still technically fall, winter moves in during this month. Tioga Road in the high country usually closes for the season in the middle of November after the first major snowfall.
If you’re lucky, you might get to visit Yosemite when “snowliage” is happening. This refers to fall colors in the leaves in the trees mixed with a fresh snowfall. Most of the fall colors will have disappeared by mid-November.
There’s a chance that Glacier Point Road could still be open in November. If so, you can drive to Glacier Point and hike the trails from Glacier Point Road.
Visiting Yosemite in December
Most of December is a time of quiet for Yosemite. Upper Pines campground is rarely booked to capacity, and it is cold in Yosemite Valley. The exception: the week between Christmas and New Years.
If you are visiting in December, you should be prepared for snow and below freezing temperatures.
California has finnicky winters, and it is possible for more things to be open if too much snow and ice haven’t accumulated.
This means hikes like the Mist Trail could be fully open, and the possibility of the 4 Mile Trail to be open all the way to Glacier Point. If that’s the case, I would highly recommend hiking the 4 Mile Trail to Glacier Point. It is so rare to be at Glacier Point without hoards of people, and getting to visit without doing a 20 mile snowshoe is pretty awesome.
The park concessionaire tries to open Badger Pass by mid-December, but if there isn’t sufficient snowfall, they can’t open the facilities. This means that the road to Badger Pass could be closed in December, meaning no snowshoeing to Dewey Point and no skiing. It’s luck of the weather draw, to be honest!
Always check the current conditions page on the National Park Service website for up to date trail and road information.
Visiting Yosemite in January
Like December, January is very cold in Yosemite! Usually there is sufficient snow by this time to open the road to Badger Pass and for snow activities to begin.
Be prepared for snow at any time during January.
There is one fee-free entry day for Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday, which is honored on the third Monday of the month. This three-day weekend is usually very busy in the park.
Visiting Yosemite in February
February brings a bit of madness to Yosemite due to the famed Horsetail Falls “Firefall” event. Reservations are required to enter the park on select dates and lodging fills up super fast for the weekends in February.
Most California schools also have some kind of mid-winter break in February, and there’s a federal holiday – President’s Day – on the third Monday of the month.
Both of these reasons mean Yosemite is very busy in the month of February.
As far as weather goes, it can be a mixed bag. Temperatures are slightly warmer in Yosemite Valley, but storms are frequent. The last time I camped in the valley in February, it snowed 4 inches overnight on me!
Visiting Yosemite in March
March sounds like it shouldn’t be winter anymore, but don’t let the promise of spring fool you: Yosemite is still in the mountains and California mountains are notorious for dumping snow in March and April.
One of my favorite Yosemite trips ever was in early March after a storm dumped a foot of snow over two days. On the valley floor!
If California is having a heavy winter like 2016-17 or 2022-23, March is likely to feel like mid-winter.
But even after a “mild” winter in California like the 2023-24 winter, late season storms could dump enough snow for the state to have an “average” or even above average snow year!
Moral of the story, March is still winter in Yosemite, and you should be prepared for adverse weather conditions in this month!
Yosemite Winter Itinerary FAQs
Is Yosemite worth going to in winter?
Yosemite is so worth a visit in the winter months. You may not get lucky enough to see the valley covered in snow, but the reduced crowds and overall quiet of the park are really special to experience.
Is 2 days long enough for a winter visit?
2 days is long enough in the winter to get a good feel for the park and get at least 1-2 longer hikes in. I would recommend 3 full days though if you’re able to swing it! You’ll be able to see more of the park and possibly a better weather window if you’re trying to see Horsetail Falls, for example.
Should I stay overnight in the park in the winter months?
I always recommend staying inside the park for any visit to Yosemite. I’m sure the nearby hotels are great, but I prefer to wake up in the park. It prevents needing to drive in the dark so much.
That being said, the winter months are probably the best time to stay outside of the park because you don’t need a reservation to visit the park for a day trip in the winter (except for select dates in February!), unlike the summer months.
Why do I see people visit Glacier Point in the winter? Isn’t it closed?
Glacier Point Road closes in the winter. However, in some years the 4 Mile Trail is still open after the road closes. This allows you to hike 4.5 miles and 3,000 feet of gain up to Glacier Point and enjoy the views without the usual driving traffic.
It’s pretty rare this occurs though, and your best chances of this happening are in late November and early December.
More Tips for Visiting Yosemite in the Winter
Know the road conditions
Always stay up to date on the road conditions in Yosemite, know what the chain control levels are, and carry cables/chains for your car, no matter the conditions!
You should bookmark the current conditions webpage.
Buy an America the Beautiful Pass
For only $80, you get access to all National Parks, Monuments, BLM land, and USFS sites for a full calendar year. It’s the best deal in the world – you basically only need to visit any park 3 times in a year to make the pass “worth it”.
You can buy one at the park entrance station, visitor center, or get it ahead of time at REI.
Otherwise, just know that the car fee for Yosemite is $35/car for 3 days of access.
Check operating hours
Yosemite National Park is open 24 hours/day, 365 days a year. BUT, the concessionaire that runs some of the amenities in the park is not. Some lodging and dining facilities are not open in the winter. You can learn more about Aramark here.
Dress for winter conditions
Layering is so important during the winter, especially if you are out and about in the rain and snow on your trip. Avoid wearing cotton as it absorbs sweat and water and takes a long time to dry, which can lead to hypothermia in winter.
I generally recommend everyone wear a polyester or merino top, a fleece or wool sweater/jacket, an insulated puffy jacket, and a rain jacket on top and hiking pants with base layer bottoms underneath if it’s cold on bottom.
Check out my favorite winter hiking gear here.
Have any questions, comments, or memories about Yosemite that you’d like to share? Let me know in the comments below!
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