Yosemite in Winter: A Guide from the South Gate
Winter is Yosemite's quiet season, and the southern side of the park is one of the best places to enjoy it. From December through March, the giant sequoias of Mariposa Grove stand in fresh snow, Badger Pass opens for skiing and snowshoeing, and Yosemite Valley's granite walls are dusted white, with a fraction of the summer crowds.
Here's how to plan a winter trip to Yosemite from the South Gate.
Getting Into Yosemite in Winter
The South Entrance is open year-round, and so are the roads to Wawona and Yosemite Valley. A few things change once the snow arrives:
Highway 41 (Wawona Road) stays open all winter, linking Oakhurst to the South Entrance, Wawona and Yosemite Valley.
Glacier Point Road is open only for its first five miles, to the Badger Pass Ski Area, from about mid-December through March. Beyond Badger Pass, it becomes a groomed route for skiing and snowshoeing.
Mariposa Grove Road closes to cars from the end of November until at least April 1, and the grove shuttle doesn't run from December 1 through at least mid-April. You can still walk, snowshoe or ski in.
Tioga Road closes for the season, usually from November until late May or June.
Tire chains are often required from November through March, on roads both inside and outside the park. Carry chains that fit your car and know how to put them on before you leave.
There was no day-use reservation system to enter Yosemite in 2026, though the standard entrance fee still applies. Check the National Park Service website before your trip for any changes in 2027, and call 209-372-0200 for current road and chain conditions.
Things to Do in Yosemite in Winter
Snowshoe Among the Giant Sequoias
Mariposa Grove is just inside the South Entrance, about 17 miles from Lotus Falls. In winter, the road into the grove closes to cars, so you'll park at the Welcome Plaza and walk about two miles each way, with roughly 500 feet of climbing. All of the grove's trails stay open for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Seeing the Grizzly Giant and the rest of the sequoias in snow, with almost no one else around, is one of Yosemite's best winter experiences. The Welcome Plaza's 300 or so parking spaces can fill by late morning, so arrive early.
Ski and Snowshoe at Badger Pass
The Badger Pass Ski Area, now called Yosemite Ski & Snowboard Area, is one of California's oldest ski areas and one of its most relaxed. It's usually open from mid-December through March, conditions permitting, with gentle runs that suit families and beginners, plus lessons, rentals and a snow tubing hill. From Badger Pass, the closed Glacier Point Road becomes a groomed route for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, and longer routes lead to Dewey Point, an overlook with a view down into Yosemite Valley. Rangers may also lead free snowshoe walks from Badger Pass in season.
See Yosemite Valley in Snow
Yosemite Valley is about 40 miles from the estate along Highway 41. Stop at Tunnel View on the way in for the classic look at El Capitan, Half Dome and Bridalveil Fall, then spend the day exploring the valley floor. The outdoor ice rink at Curry Village is usually open from mid-November to mid-March, with Half Dome rising above it.
Watch for the Horsetail Fall “Firefall”
On clear evenings in mid- to late February, the setting sun can light up Horsetail Fall on El Capitan so it glows orange, as if on fire. It only happens when the waterfall is flowing and the sky is clear, and even light haze can stop it. Viewing comes with special parking and road restrictions in the valley, so check the National Park Service's Horsetail Fall page for this year's rules before you go.
A Winter Day from Lotus Falls
Here's one way to spend a winter day in Yosemite from the estate:
Morning: Drive about 13 miles to the South Entrance and park at the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza by mid-morning. Snowshoe two miles in to the Grizzly Giant and back.
Lunch: Pack a picnic from the estate's kitchen, or have our concierge arrange one, since many park restaurants close or cut back their hours in winter.
Afternoon: Continue to Badger Pass for a couple of hours of skiing or a snowshoe out along Glacier Point Road, or head on to Tunnel View and Yosemite Valley.
Evening: Back at Lotus Falls, move between the sauna and the hot tub, then gather around the fire pit by the creek, or let a private chef handle dinner while you settle in by the fireplace.
Winter Planning Tips
Check conditions every morning. Snow can close roads or bring chain controls with little notice. Call 209-372-0200 or check the park's road conditions page before you drive.
Start early. Winter days are short, and parking at the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza can fill by late morning.
Pack for snow and sun. Layers, waterproof boots, gloves, sunglasses and sunscreen. Snowshoes and ski gear can be rented at Badger Pass.
Fill up before you go. Get gas and supplies in Oakhurst before heading into the park.
Keep plans flexible. Badger Pass, the ice rink and the Firefall all depend on conditions, so have a backup idea for each day.
Stay at Lotus Falls This Winter
After a day in the snow, Lotus Falls Estate is a private place to warm up: a Fallingwater-inspired home on five acres along Lewis Creek, with a sauna, hot tub, fire pit and fireplace, and up to 14 guests with the guest villa. Our concierge can arrange snowshoe tours, ski lessons at Badger Pass, a private chef for the evening, or groceries stocked before you arrive.
Check winter availability or send us a message to start planning.
Lotus Falls Estate sits in Oakhurst, about 13 miles from Yosemite's South Gate on Highway 41, a road that stays open all year. That makes it an easy base for winter days in the park, and a warm place to come back to: a sauna, a hot tub and a fire pit beside Lewis Creek and the estate's private waterfall.
Winter Resources
Park details were checked against these pages on October 27, 2026. Seasonal dates depend on snow, so confirm details.
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