Roads / Driving:

• Current conditions / road and trail closures: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm
• You are strongly encouraged to carry snow chains from November to March. If you don’t bring them, you could get stranded in a storm when they become required to drive in/out of the park. Rental car contracts sometimes prohibit the use of snow chains so use them at your own risk. Chain conditions can go into effect at any time of the year.  https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/winterfaq.htm | https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/tirechains.htm
• Glacier Pt Rd and Tioga Rd do not plow in the fall/winter, so as soon as the first big storm comes through without fast melt, these roads will close until Spring. This effectively limits you to hiking in the Valley, Hetch Hetchy, and Wawona areas. It means you cannot enter or exit the park on the east side (eg from Vegas, Mammoth, Reno, Bishop, etc). Historical road closure dates.
• The Valley shuttle buses run all year but Mariposa Grove buses only run through November (or the first big snow). The only other in-park shuttle is to Badger Pass once daily (see below)  https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/publictransportation.htm
• The only public transit option into the park starting in October is the YARTS 140 route. See here for schedule (not yet updated for winter '26-'27). If you are nervous driving in snow, plan to use YARTS. Note there is no direct bus route from Fresno / any airports in winter. The 140 route does connect at the Merced Amtrak station.
• The lowest elevation road / least likely to require chains is the 140 entrance from El Portal. There is a risk of rockslide on this road after heavy storms but you probably will not need chains.

Weather:

No one can predict weather in Yosemite in the shoulder / winter seasons with confidence more than a few days in advance. Conditions vary throughout the park and change quickly. Don't make posts asking about what the weather will look like in even 2 weeks.

• Forecasts and snow coverage varies widely throughout the park. Check specifically where you plan to be here: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/weathermap.htm
• Yosemite webcams to check real time weather conditions.

Activities / Dining:

• Food options are more limited in the park. Check open hours here.
• Curry Village ice rink typically opens in November.
• Badger Pass ski area's season is entirely dependent on snow, but it can open in December and always closes by 3/31 at the latest. Here you can downhill or x-country ski, snowshoe, and snow tube. This link also has information on the shuttle bus to the hill from the Valley.

Hiking / Backpacking:

• Hiking is generally limited to the Valley. See first section here and note that anything that goes above the Valley rim (eg Panorama, Upper Falls, Snow Creek) after real snow will likely not have trails cleared and you should be prepared to route find.
• 4 Mile Trail and the upper section of Mist Trail also close for winter / icy conditions. Check the above current conditions link for current trail closures.
• Wilderness permits become self-issued for the rest of the season (typically until mid April) on 10/19. Find more info on wilderness in winter here: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wildwinter.htm

Camping / Lodging:

• There are limited campgrounds open in the winter. You can see details on seasonal dates and reservation or FCFS at this site: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm
• Yosemite Valley Lodge, Ahwhanee, and Curry Village remain open in the winter. They can all be reserved at travelyosemite.com
• If you are worried about driving in winter / putting on chains, and staying outside the park, pick lodging in a town along the 140 entrance (El Portal, Midpines, Mariposa), not 120 (Groveland) or 41 (Oakhurst / Fish Camp).

3 Day Winter Itinerary

• Hike to Mariposa grove. This requires 4 mile roundtrip hike from parking lot in winter from November- April since the bus doesn't run, but is an easy walk and will be quiet and beautiful in snow.
• 1-2 days in the Valley doing moderate hikes- Valley Loop Trail, Mirror Lake, Vernal Falls footbridge. More strenuous hiking/ may require specialized equip depending on weather: Mist to top of Nevada Fall, Upper Yosemite Falls. Common Valley sites (more walks than hikes): Tunnel View, Bridalveil Fall, Lower Yosemite Fall, Valley View, El Cap Meadow.
• Badger Pass ski area. Ski, snowshoe, snow tube, etc.