From rushing waterfalls to dramatic granite domes etched in white, Yosemite National Park’s winter landscape differs wildly from its summertime style. But the snowscapes only enhance Yosemite's majestic beauty and make it a magical—and surprisingly accessible—winter getaway without the summer crowds. Click the "Visit Website" link for more.

Yosemite Valley

Yosemite Valley, California, United States

Yosemite is rife with fun-filled cold-weather activities fit for every adventurer. Bundle up, strap on snowshoes, and see redwoods draped in white. Or don cross-country skis and take in panoramic valley views from snowy Glacier Point. With more than 90 miles of marked cross-country skiing trails in the park and 25 miles of groomed track beginning at Badger Pass Ski Area, there’s a lot to explore. Click the "Visit Website" link for more.

Mariposa County, CA

Find California’s most affordable, family-friendly skiing at Badger Pass Ski Area, near the historic Wawona Hotel on the park's south side. Open from mid-December through March, the resort offers downhill skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing. Click the "Visit Website" link for more.

Northside Dr
TUOLUMNE MEADOWS, CA

Middle to late February often brings Firefall to the park—a natural phenomenon where Horsetail Falls turns a brilliant orange in the evening light. While this ephemeral experience isn’t guaranteed, crowds gather in the valley for a chance to take in this breathtaking, lava-like water vista. Reservations are required on February weekends, but if you can’t snag one, book a guided excursion with Evergreen Lodge or Rush Creek Lodge. Click the "Visit Website" link for more.

Ahwahnee Drive
Yosemite Valley, CA

Most lodging options in and around the park stay open year-round. The Ahwahnee, located in the Yosemite Valley, also hosts winter events such as the beloved Bracebridge Dinners. Yosemite Valley Lodge is located close to Yosemite Falls and offers family-friendly rooms with bunk beds. Click the "Visit Website" link for more.

24025 CA-120
Groveland, CA

When staying outside the park, you can find lodging options near every entrance, ranging from simple cabins to luxurious hotel suites. Stay just beyond the Big Oak Flat entrance at family-favorite Rush Creek Lodge, The Groveland, or the luxurious Firefall Ranch. If accessing the park from Mariposa County, book a stay under the oak trees at Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort. Click the "Visit Website" link for more.

Yosemite Valley

Yosemite Valley, California, United States

Drive year-round from four of Yosemite’s five entrances: Big Oak Flat, Arch Rock, South Entrance, and Hetch Hetchy. If visiting from the Bay Area, use Big Oak Flat. When coming from Los Angeles, enter from the south. Some high-country routes, such as Tioga Pass and Glacier Point Road, close seasonally from about November–June. Another option: Ditch the winter driving and catch the Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS) bus from Merced. Click the "Visit Website" link for more.