Camping in Yosemite is already an incredible experience, but when you add the magic of a winter wonderland, it becomes truly unforgettable. Make sure to add this National Park to your winter bucket list ASAP!
Camping in Yosemite has been at the top of my list for so long and yet for some reason it took us years to finally visit.
The spontaneity struct us last week when we needed a bit of a break from Petaluma and decided to head to Yosemite for this first time.
I went online to try and see if I could get a last minute reservation at one of the most popular national parks in America, and after patiently checking the reservation website for about 3 hours, I was able to snag a camp site.
Here is my recommendations to spend a perfect winter weekend camping in Yosemite.
This post is all about Camping in Yosemite & Why You Should Visit During Winter.
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Yosemite National Park
Yosemite is one of America’s most iconic national parks, and for good reason. Its towering granite walls, breathtaking waterfalls cascading down massive cliffs, and the lush forest covering Yosemite Valley create a stunning landscape.
Established in October 1890, Yosemite is the third oldest national park in the United States. Last year, it welcomed over three million visitors, and after experiencing it firsthand, it’s easy to see why it’s so popular.
Visiting during the winter offers not only a bit more solitude but also the enchanting sight of Yosemite covered in snow, an absolute dream.
Where is Yosemite Located
Yosemite is located in eastern central California with nearly 1,200 square miles in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
Major cities to the West include San Francisco and Sacramento. Southeast to the park is Las Vegas, Nevada and South to Yosemite is Los Angeles and San Diego, California.
From San Fransisco: Drive Time 4-5 hours
Take I-580 east to I-205 east to Highway 120 east (Manteca) or Highway 140 east (Merced) into Yosemite National Park.
From Sacramento: Drive Time 4 hours
Take Highway 99 south to Highway 120 east (Manteca) or Highway 140 east (Merced) into Yosemite National Park.
From Las Vegas, Nevada: Drive Time 8-10 hours
Take I-15 south to Barstow; Highway 58 west to Bakersfield; take Highway 99 north to Fresno. In Fresno, take Highway 41 north into Yosemite National Park.
From Los Angeles: Drive Time 6 hours
Take I-5 north (or I-405 north to I-5) to Highway 99 north to Highway 41 north (Fresno) into Yosemite National Park.
From San Diego: Drive Time 8 hours
Take I-5 north to Highway 99 to Highway 41 north (Fresno) into Yosemite National Park.
Winter Camping in Yosemite
Thirteen campgrounds are spread across the park, including Yosemite Valley, Wawona, and Tuolumne Meadows, but only 4 remain open during the winter.
Camp 4, Upper Pines Campground, Wawona Campground, and Hogdon Meadow Campgrounds. Campgrounds offer tent, RV and Camper sites.
Snagging a reservation for a Yosemite Campground is no easy task, but if you are patient I can almost guarantee you will be able to secure a campsite.
If you log onto RECREATION.gov and don’t see any sites left check back about every hour or so until a camp site pops up. Eventually a camp site will become available. Also try and avoid holidays and weekends. You will have a much higher chance at a successful reservation if you book during the week and avoid holidays.
Use RECREATION.gov to make your camping reservation. Reservations can be made 5 months in advance on the 15th of each month.
We stayed at Upper Pines Campground and both Mathew and I agree that it’s one of favorite campgrounds now. Not only are the campsites spacious but the campground is within walking distance of many trailhead’s.
Each campsite is set up with a picnic table, food locker and a fire pit with a grill.
Campgrounds are equipped with toilets, showers and potable water.
Camping Fee is $36 per night with a max group size of 6 and includes 2 vehicles.
Be Respectful to other guests and hikers. Especially at campgrounds, please follow designated quiet times for both generators and music.
What to do in Yosemite
- Travel down Tunnel view for Yosemites most iconic view and take in the famous sights of Half Dome, Bridalveil Falls, El Capitan, and the entire Yosemite Valley.
- Take a scenic drive through the valley on the loop road, stopping at all of the amazing viewpoints along the way.
- Hike Mist Trail Winter Route. Visiting Vernal and Nevada Falls. This hike is approximately 8 miles round-trip. Highly recommend.
- Take a leisure walk to Mirror Lake, 2.4 miles round-trip
Tips for Winter Travel to Yosemite
Visitors are required to carry tire chains from November 1 through April 1.
Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road close during the winter due to snowfall usually around November, check the Yosemite current conditions page for the latest update.
I highly recommend a pair of MicroSpikes for hiking. We didn’t t have them and we regretted it almost instantly. These are the ones we just recently ordered.
Also if you’re new to hiking and need a little more support or are like me and kinda clumsy I also recommend pair of trekking poles.
I (Alejandra) use the Alpine Carbon Cork Trekking Poles listed below.
While Mathew, prefers these.
Drive Slowly. If you see a red bear sign sadly that means that a bear has recently been killed by a vehicle. Please be super mindful of wildlife, you’re in their home.
Gas is available at Wawona, Crane Flat, and El Portal 24 hours per day with a credit card.
On your way out of Yosemite make sure to stop at Priest Station Cafe & Store for breakfast. It has a stunning view and the food is quite delicious. It’s approximately 1.5 hours from Upper Pines Campground.
Dogs at Yosemite
Dogs are allowed:
- On fully paved roads, sidewalks, and bicycle paths (except when signed as not allowing pets)
- In all campgrounds except walk-in campgrounds (e.g., Camp 4) and in group campsites.
There are a few additional (very obscure and unsigned) places where dogs ARE allowed:
- Wawona: Wawona Meadow Loop, Chowchilla Mountain Road, and Four Mile and Eleven Mile fire roads (but not the Four Mile Trail in Yosemite Valley).
- Hodgdon Meadow: Carlon Road from the trailhead to Hodgdon Meadow and on the Old Big Oak Flat Road from Hodgdon Meadow to Tuolumne Grove parking lot.
Leave No Trace Principles
If you love to be outdoors whether it’s hiking, backpacking, kayaking or camping please follow these guidelines. Leave No Trace Principles helps minimize our impact and aids in preserving our earth as much as possible. If you would like additional information please read this article The 7 Principles.
The 7 Principles:
- Plan Ahead & Prepare
- Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Dispose of Waste Properly
- Leave What You Find
- Minimize Campfire Impacts
- Respect Wildlife
- Be Considerate of Others
Take Nothing but Pictures; Leave Nothing but Footprints
That wraps up this post, Camping in Yosemite & Why You Should Visit During Winter.
BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE:
- 27 Must-Have Tent Camping Essentials Every Camper Should Have
- Camping at McArthur Burney Falls Memorial State Park
- Sonoma Zipline Adventures: An Unforgettable Escape into Nature
Travel Resources
Here you can find all the travel site links that we personally use and recommend.
CAMPSITES/CAMPGROUNDS We like to use a couple apps for last minute campsite bookings. Our favorites are HipCamp, The Dyrt and Campendium.
ACCOMMODATION: We find the best deals with BOOKING.COM. The more you book the better the perks like free breakfast with your stay, room upgrades and even higher discounted room rates.
CAR RENTALS: We have always used RentalCars.com and find them to have the best deals, customer service and selection of locations.
FLIGHTS: Our go to for looking up flights is SKYSCANNER, but we try to always book directly with the airline.
TOURS/EXCURSIONS: GET YOUR GUIDE and VIATOR are two very reputable sites with easy and hassle free bookings.
TRAVEL INSURANCE: It’s so important to travel with insurance and for this we use SafetyWing. We are currently using them for our 1 year trip.
TRANSPORTATION: For all our bus, ferry and train transfer needs in Asia we use 12go.asia.
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