The beauty and majesty of snow in the Valley makes the park very photography-friendly. It is truly a winter wonderland. The cables for Half Dome are taken off at the end of October. (Last Updated On: November 25, 2020) If you are visiting for the first time, you are probably wondering what to do and where to stay in Yosemite National Park in Winter.Winter is definitely a different time in the park because a lot of things are closed, but I can tell you December, January, and February are actually a fantastic time to visit. It will get warmer throughout the day, so bring a daypack where you can put your layers as you take them off. Visitors with their own skis or snowshoes can drive to Badger Pass and go cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. The snow in Yosemite is a double-edged sword, making it beautiful, but also closing many of the roads. When they are, you must carry and know how to use them, regardless of the type of vehicle you are driving. Winter is snow season especially in the high mountains, and it may rain in late fall or early spring. You can get up-to-the-minute updates on our Yosemite Road Conditions page here.. Also, visit our Winter FAQs page to learn about what’s open and the best ways to get around Yosemite in the winter. How about a travel guide, so as not to miss any highlights in Yosemite National Park, California? As conditions allow, Badger Pass Road will be open from approximately mid-December through March. Here is a selection of travel guides for Yosemite NP: Image copyright: Flickr CC 2.0 William Headings. Ski huts at Glacier Point, Ostrander, Snow Creek, and Tuolumne Meadows will be closed. Guided Yosemite treks are all-inclusive which covers permits; local transportation (excluded on certain tours); meals; equipment; safety systems and professional hiking/wilderness guides; all of which allows visitors to maximize their time in Yosemite and focus entirely on enjoying the Park. 4025 East Huntington, Suite 150 There are a plethora of winter activities at Yosemite National Park from cross-country skiing to ice skating to everything mentioned above, so you will definitely keep occupied and enjoy your visit to Yosemite in December (or any other winter month!). The average temperature in Yosemite Valley and Wawona in December is a high of 47, and a low of 28 degrees Fahrenheit (8/-2 degrees Celsius). Visiting the park in December has wonderful benefits, as well as some drawbacks. Highway 140 that runs through the Valley is open year-round, but may have snow chain restrictions. Even though it is cold out, make sure you are still drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Re: Yosemite in December. Special winter dinner events at the Ahwahnee and Wawona hotels include Renaissance-style Bracebridge dinners in mid-December, a special Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner, and a New Year celebration. Make sure you catch sunrise or sunset from Tunnel View, just outside the Valley. Another great winter hike is the short trail to Lower Yosemite Fall (easy: 1 mile, 30 minutes round trip). Just have a few questions and was wondering if anyone could help? Days are shorter but the sun still shines for 6 hours each day on average. Are you planning a holiday with hopefully nice weather in Yosemite National Park in December 2020? Winter is a magical time to visit Yosemite, with opportunities for hiking, playing in the snow, and quiet solitude. Visiting the Ansel Adams Gallery or the Yosemite Museum, both by the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center, are great options if the weather prevents you from spending time outside. Badger Pass Ski Area concessions, including downhill and Nordic rentals, will not be available during the 2020–2021 winter season. MODESTO, CA, (December 17, 2020) - A 43-year-old male pedestrian was fatally struck by an SUV on Modesto’s Yosemite Boulevard Thursday night, Modesto Police Department says. There are 12.5 inches of snow on average and temperatures can be anywhere from lows of 27°F to highs of 47°F. When they are, you must carry and know how to use them, regardless of the type of vehicle you are driving. Also, there are great hiking options in the Valley, Hetch Hetchy, Wawona and Mariposa Grove. Visiting Yosemite National Park in winter means picturesque snow-topped peaks, glistening frozen lakes and plenty of activities to enjoy before heading inside to relax by a roaring fire (not to mention cheaper rates and fewer crowds). While there are many trails that are closed for the winter, there are plenty that are still accessible. During the winter months, this is limited to stops along Highway 140 including stops in Merced, Catheys Valley, Mariposa, Midpines, El Portal and Yosemite … Whether you’re driving or taking a tour bus, it’s a smart idea to check the road conditions. CAMPING-BASED HIKING PACKAGES: camping-based hiking packages provide all-around hiking experiences of Yosemite on wonderful outdoor vacations. 1. A unique experience in Yosemite at the end of December is cross-country skiing, downhill skiing and snowboarding or snowshoeing at Yosemite Ski and Snowboard Area. Yosemite’s Chefs' Holidays at the Ahwahnee, held each year in January and February, feature some of the country's most innovative and acclaimed chefs. GUIDED BACKPACKING ADVENTURES: these are for people interested in an authentic Yosemite hiking adventure away from the roads and crowds. The trail is wheel-chair accessible, pet friendly, and great for visitors of all ages! Glacier Point Road will be groomed from Badger Pass to Bridalveil Creek Campground, but not all the way to Glacier Point. The biggest benefit to visiting Yosemite in December is the lack of crowds. This is a great way to see areas of the park that are closed to cars and only accessible by cross country skis or snowshoes. However from mid-December though early April, the Glacier Point/Badger Pass Road is plowed to the Badger Pass Ski Area, where both downhill and cross-country skiing are popular. Winter is a season of peace and quiet. You can read NPS’ current conditions before heading out for the day. November is a great time to visit Yosemite National Park with the crowds gone and mostly pleasant temperatures. (December through March) Wildland Trekking offers trips with the best of Yosemite: waterfalls, views, wildlife, solitude, adventure and fascinating natural and cultural interpretation. Simply put, most any traveler who spends time in Yosemite during the winter months spends the rest of the year dreaming about returning. Mariposa Grove Road usually opens by sometime in April, allowing for access to vehicles displaying a disability placard, with free shuttle service between the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza (near South Entrance) and the Mariposa Grove. The biggest drawback to visiting in December is the closures of Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road typically closing in November, and opening in late-May. It’d be a pity to go all the way there and not stay for a bit. There probably won't be snow, and if there is it will be a light layer. Yosemite Valley & Wawona (4,000 ft / 1,200 m): 53°F (12°C) / 28°F (-2°C) Fire & Smoke The beauty and majesty of snow in the Valley makes the park very photography-friendly. Ice Skating. December is a great time to explore Yosemite without the crowds. It should be noted a worsening from the previous month since in november there is an average of 4.6in of rainfall over 7 days. Most of the park is covered in snow during winter, but some trails in Yosemite Valley are often accessible. There are normally 6 hours of bright sunshine each day in Yosemite in December - that's 62% of daylight hours . . Yosemite Area Regional Transportation (YARTS) provides access to Yosemite Valley on a fixed schedule along several convenient routes. Water levels tend to be low, but once some snow and rain have fallen, Yosemite Falls begins flowing again (though not at springtime levels). A moderate to difficult trail hike of just over seven miles provides you with great views of the Yosemite Valley, Half Dome and Upper Yosemite Fall. Yosemite Day Trip Itinerary - Lodging 07 December 2020 Beware "National Park Reservations" - this site is a SCAM 06 December 2020 Yosemite Determining How Stay-At-Home Order Impacts Park 06 December … Yosemite Conservancy offers some fun winter programs that may include a full moon snowshoe hike or winter photography. where both downhill and cross-country skiing are popular. Don't forget read our quick tips for your winter visit below the November/December section. All that and more is what makes Yosemite one of the most iconic destinations in the USA. However, Hetch Hetchy and Wawona remain open all year, and their trails will be snow-covered, but they will be open. DAY HIKE TOURS: maximize your day in Yosemite on a fully guided, award-winning hiking tour on one of the Park’s best trails. Even in November and May, if you want to avoid snow, you're likely to be limited to trailheads in Yosemite Valley, Wawona, and Hetch Hetchy , and, even then, you'll have a difficult time finding multi-night, snow-free trips. There probably won't be snow, and if there is it will be a light layer. Flagstaff, Arizona 86004, All Content & Photos Copyrighted by WTC © 2021, Current Operating Guidelines & New Booking Terms →. While Yosemite Valley and Wawona remain accessible by car all year, the Tioga Road is closed (usually by sometime in November). In December it gets a little colder but it's still worth visiting. To get an idea of what the monthly average highs, lows, and rainfall are, use our guide to Yosemite weather. (Permits obtained at Badger Pass are only valid for Glacier Point Road trailheads.) Many of the lower trails in the Valley, such as Bridalveil Fall, Mirror Lake, Lower Yosemite Falls and the Vernal Falls footbridge on the Mist Trail stay open through the winter. At 4,000 feet in the Yosemite Valley, park temperatures can fluctuate 30 degrees in one day, going from 51 F during the night to 87 F during the day. The trail may be snowy or icy (skis or snowshoes may be appropriate). Yosemite Valley weather is seldom unbearably warm or cold. On average, it snows 7 days in December. Weather. While most visitors come during the summer months, winter is a special time of year in Yosemite National Park. The other two are the Wawona Campground, near the Wawona Hotel in southern Yosemite, and Hodgdon Meadow Campground, near the Big Oak Flat entrance (Yosemite's northwest entrance) on Highway 120. Summer is typically free from precipitation. INN-BASED PACKAGES: these tours are all-inclusive packages with lodging, amazing daily hikes, expert guides, meals, transportation and more! How sunny is it in Yosemite in December? Learn what to expect when visiting Yosemite National Park in December. All facilities and services at Badger Pass will be closed. If you do the visit, yosemite valley is the section of the park you will focus your visit on, in all likelihood. Sign up to receive our exclusive Wildland Wire emails and stay up to date with Wildland Trekking's promotions, discounts, contests, outdoor tips and tricks, trip reports and more! (2:53). Get the monthly weather forecast for Yosemite National Park, CA, including daily high/low, historical averages, to help you plan ahead. Winter in Yosemite is snowy and cold, though sunny and chilly days are not uncommon. Hazy or smoky conditions may occur even during winter. Yosemite is amazing in the winter and so beautiful and there’s much more to see than the trees, which are amazing, of course. Chains will completely depend on the current road conditions, so take a look at CalTrans info before you go. Yosemite National Park is home to some of the most epic and amazing hiking vacations in the world. The climate of Yosemite National Park in december is very bad the weather in Yosemite National Park in december is relatively wet (with 6.5in of precipitation over 10 days). Ask anyone who's been to Yosemite National Park in the winter if they could imagine a place with more stunning beauty, greater solitude, more things to do—or a better way to spend their winter vacation—and we’re confident they'll tell you no. PORTERED TRIPS: on these innovative trips, guests hike with light day packs and camp near in stunning backcountry locations. But, trails that take you higher in elevation, like Upper Yosemite Falls and 4-mile Trail are closed. Winter is a magical time in Yosemite National Park. You can also camp in the wilderness in the winter; as in the summer, a wilderness permit is required - see the park service's winter wilderness page for more details. Tire chains are often required on park roads. The road to Glacier Point is also closed (usually sometime in November). Yosemite National Park in December is a paradise for anyone who likes winter scenery and/or winter sports! Explore Yosemite with Award Winning Guides. December is a great time to explore Yosemite without the crowds. There is nothing like watching snow blanket the granite domes and lodgepole pines. The silence and beauty of Yosemite in winter is an unforgettable experience. Yosemite Ski and Snowboard Area opens for the season on December 20th, and closes March 31st. Summer is the busiest time of the year, and spring and fall are also bustling—although not nearly as busy as summer. We are planning to visit Yosemite during the Christmas period for 2 days. A unique experience in Yosemite at the end of December is cross-country skiing, downhill skiing and snowboarding or snowshoeing at Yosemite Ski and Snowboard Area. Winter Events at Yosemite . The other main benefit to visiting in December is the beauty of the snow falling covering the domes of the Valley or the giant sequoias of Mariposa Grove. weather in december. If you do the visit, yosemite valley is the section of the park you will focus your visit on, in all likelihood. Winter in Yosemite it typically cold and snowy, although sunny and warm days are not too uncommon. Backpacking options are very limited. Re: Yosemite in December. Given the amount of time you'll have, as well as the time of year, the Valley is your best bet. Yosemite may be very busy during winter holidays, especially in late December and early January, with traffic congestion and limited parking possible. Yosemite may be very busy during winter holidays, especially in late December and early January, with traffic congestion and limited parking possible. Once closed for the season, vehicles are not permitted between Crane Flat and Tioga Pass, including in the Tuolumne Meadows area. Answer 1 of 12: This would be my first time travelling to Yosemite, and would be in Mid-December. Tire chains are often required on park roads. When the road is closed, the Washburn Trail provides a two-mile route (500 feet of elevation gain) to the Mariposa Grove. You'll love it! Yosemite Valley & Wawona (4,000 ft / 1,200 m): 53°F (12°C) / 28°F (-2°C). Given the amount of time you'll have, as well as the time of year, the Valley is your best bet. Answer 1 of 14: Hi! As the day winds down, head to the iconic Curry Village Ice Rink (shuttle … Early mornings will be chilly, so be prepared with hats, gloves and warm layers. A season of snow & solitude. The average temperature in Yosemite Valley and Wawona in December is a high of 47, and a low of 28 degrees Fahrenheit (8/-2 degrees Celsius). Be sure to pack light layers for daytime and others that will keep you warm in the evenings, including a winter hat, when the sun sets and cooler air moves in. On average, it snows 7 days in December. The Yosemite Falls Trail is open all year long — including December 31 — which makes it an ideal trail to include on your route through the park. 43-year-old man killed after getting hit by vehicle on Thursday night. In some areas, the park may have prescribed fires to mimic natural fires to promote forest health and reduce the risk of larger fires as conditions allow. Winter in Yosemite it typically cold and snowy, although sunny and warm days are not too uncommon. And, the low lighting in winter makes for great photography. We will be at Mariposa and will take the YARTs in. Plan on starting your hike around 7 or 8, and make sure you can finish it within 6-8 hours due to the shorter days of winter. If you can make it to Yosemite in December, you will have an amazing trip, and leave with an appreciation for the snow and solitude of winter in the park. Portable toilets will be available. 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