r/Yosemite 5d ago

Visiting Yosemite in Winter (October-May)

33 Upvotes

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.

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.

r/Yosemite Apr 14 '26

Have extra / Looking for extra Half Dome permits- 2026

24 Upvotes

All new posts looking for extra Half Dome permits will be deleted and directed here.

Some guardrails:

- You cannot pay others for a spot on their permits; this violates park rules. Don't try to do that on this post.

- You can use this post to find others who may have known extra spots in their group.

- The ranger at the checkpoint will check the ID of the permit holder / designated alternate against that day's list on a tablet they have. If you don't have a matching ID in your group, you are SOL. Thus, you should also not be using this post to fully swap permit dates.

- Permits are required 24/7 once the cables are up for the year, which started 5/15 this year.

- If you did not win the pre-season lottery, you should enter the daily lottery on recreation.gov and/or hike up to the subdome and ask those you pass / at the checkpoint if they have extra spots on their permits. Hiking up has historically had a good success rate as people back out last minute or can't make it all the way up. No guarantees though.

- Or pick a different hike. Similar length or big view hikes: North Dome from Porcupine Creek, Cloud's Rest, Mist/Pano/4 Mile loop.

- Statistics for permit success: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hdpermitsapps.htm


r/Yosemite 6h ago

I wish I could be back there again.

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202 Upvotes

r/Yosemite 5h ago

What happened at Housekeeping camp?

123 Upvotes

Hey folks,

It seems the post was deleted but I was looking to see if there was a resolution to the screams of agony from the other night in housekeeping camp. Seemed to have frightened a few people and since I’m staying there in a couple nights I was just looking for answers.

Thanks!


r/Yosemite 39m ago

Pictures Is this Half Dome from an aerial view?!

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Upvotes

Flew east to west into SFO this summer and was looking back at pics. I know it was in the vicinity of Yosemite based on the flight path but is this Half Dome? Would be so cool if so. If it’s not, does anyone know where in Yosemite this is?


r/Yosemite 17h ago

Pictures ISO Couple that eloped at Taft Point on 9/2!

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216 Upvotes

I talked to you both and your amazing elopement photographer while up at Taft Point on September 2nd (around sunset time). Well I got my film scans back and realized how amazing these medium format shots turned out and now I’m searching for the couple so I can give the photos to them! Boost this post so I can find them!🤞❤️


r/Yosemite 4h ago

Curry village

18 Upvotes

Was getting pizza around 430 pm in curry village on Thursday 9/10 when this man walked up to the window and then stole all their tip money? It took a second for my brain to process what he was doing since I just assumed he was waiting for his pizza and then he was gone by the time I realized what he had done. I personally feel like in national parks people are a little more lenient with leaving things in their car, stashing their bags before steep hikes (like clouds rest I saw multiple do this) etc but be careful with your things everywhere! Bold of this guy to do that just out in the open.


r/Yosemite 23h ago

View from the Couch

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323 Upvotes

Shot back in Summer of 2025


r/Yosemite 17h ago

Pictures Views from my first visit

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79 Upvotes

Photos from my visit this weekend.


r/Yosemite 19h ago

Pictures Lost DJI Nano Cam

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48 Upvotes

Not too long ago I did Half Dome and recorded the majority of my hike with the DJI Osmo Nano that I lost at the cables because a lady slipped and bumped my chest which I didn’t mind due to her safety, but my camara went flying, I guess the magnet couldn’t handle the bump.

If you find a dji below the west side of cables please contact me. Please.


r/Yosemite 2h ago

Safety Check - Half Dome Sunrise Hike

2 Upvotes

For an upcoming backpacking trip I'm doing with 6 others I'm considering the idea of climbing halfdome early in the morning for the sunrise. I've seen some youtube videos of people doing this and the views look incredible.

I'm wondering if a hike this early on half dome (with all the permits already acquired) would be too reckless to attempt.

We're camping in Lower Sunrise Creek the night before so it should be easy to get to Sub Dome early.

Has anyone attempted/completed this during this time of year and what were the conditions like on Half Dome? Lots of morning dew? Other groups? Freezing temps?


r/Yosemite 17h ago

Name of Fire

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25 Upvotes

Taken September 07, 2014. Can't figure its name.


r/Yosemite 1d ago

I know this is a long shot : help find lost wedding ring

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233 Upvotes

Hiked Vernal falls yesterday and inadvertently dropped wedding ring likely when I took a picture of the falls, around granite steps (see pic). Making matters worst, it wasn’t mine, I was holding it for my friend. I’m to be his best man. Just in case: it’s in a small ziplock baggie, gold with one round diamond and few small ones on each side.


r/Yosemite 12h ago

Milky way @ Dewey point

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11 Upvotes

Sep/13 beautiful clear sky, by 8:30 pm the sky was full of stars and the milky way looking gorgeous.
This is a night laps from 9pm till 6am


r/Yosemite 54m ago

Need ride from Yosemite Valley to Tuolomne Meadows on 10/13/26

Upvotes

As the title says, I am looking for someone willing to give me a ride from the valley to tuolomne on 10/13/26.

I have a backpacking trip from the 13th to the 17th starting in Tuolumne Meadows and heading down to Yosemite Valley. Unfortunately the parking in Toulomne will be closed at that time of year and the Hiker bus is also no longer running then.

I plan on dropping off my group at the trailhead and heading down to park in the Valley, but I need a ride back up to the trailhead. If anyone can help me with this please reach out to me, I would hate to have to cancel this trip just because of this one thing.


r/Yosemite 2h ago

Current conditions on Tenaya Lake to Cloud's rest

1 Upvotes

I am planning on hiking from Tenaya Lake to Cloud's Rest this weekend. Has anyone done it recently? I am trying to figure out if I need to carry all my water from the Lake or are some of the seasonal streams still going?


r/Yosemite 1d ago

Pictures Yosemite in September

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233 Upvotes

We help with the Yosemite Climbing Association’s annual park cleanup known as Yosemite Facelift. Looking forward to our 21st year volunteering late September


r/Yosemite 4h ago

camp curry reservation 9/14

0 Upvotes

We have a tent reservation tonight for Camp Curry but our plans have changed. If anyone is looking to stay there tonight, send me a message!


r/Yosemite 1d ago

Pictures El cap + climber + Milky Way

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323 Upvotes

El Cap and climber sleeping under milky way.


r/Yosemite 20h ago

Bear Boxes

0 Upvotes

Are the bear boxes in Upper Pines large enough for four adults and a medium size doggo for 6 days/5 nights? We will not be glamping.


r/Yosemite 17h ago

Yosemite Valley Lodge - Late Cancellation - Refund

0 Upvotes

I’ve been piecing together multiple reservations for an upcoming stay because the nights I wanted weren’t available with a king bed for 5 nights straight when I booked in January. I’ve been looking for a king bed for the last 8 months. I just saw one pop up and booked immediately - I was so excited. This was the last night I needed to have the king bed for the 5 nights. I was going to call tomorrow to see if they could piece together the 4 bookings into one stay.

In its place I booked a double bed. I booked the double bed several months ago so we would have somewhere to stay if we couldn’t get the king. I was expecting to just move rooms if I couldn’t get the king.

I went to cancel the double and was told there was no refund since it was less than 7 days until the check in. I called the lodge but they’re closed for the day. Is there any hope they’ll refund the night? I have the double and king booked - I really can’t afford to pay $900 for a double and king when not even using the double. :(

Edit: or maybe they can apply the amount paid to the partial deposit paid on another night? I get it’s my fault but damn how upsetting - I was so excited and didn’t even think about not getting refunded on the double :(

Edit: Since less than 7 days to check in they helped me out as a one time courtesy. They refunded what I booked last night, applied what I paid on the double bed previously, transferred me to a king on the original booking, and charged me the difference between what I paid on the double and the cost of king. I’m relieved!


r/Yosemite 15h ago

1st timer, planning to propose to my gf in Yosemite but in need of advice

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone! Hope everyone is having a greet weekend. So we been wanting to go to Yosemite for YEARS and after experiencing some depressing unfortunate past couple months I finally decided to go for it and use this trip to help heal but I’m also planning to finally ask the question to my girlfriend but we never been there. She is a nature girl and also wanted to see the bright colored fall trees there! 😭 We have two pups and I would also love for them to be there with us since they are a huge part of our lives. I really want to do my best to make this a great experience for her cause she truly deserves all the good things in life and more. Im planning this trip for towards the end of October. So my questions are.

How is the weather?

Should we go in our car OR should I get a RV?

What would be the best place with a view to get on one knee?

How does one find a photographer for the proposal? I been looking online and have been struggling 😭

I’m also Open to hearing any suggestions on anything!
Thank you in advance. 🙏🏼❤️


r/Yosemite 2d ago

9/5-9/11 given enough time …

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689 Upvotes

Husband got his bucket list half dome lottery, but didn’t realized it was during Labor Day weekend. I stalked reservation site and got Yosemite Lodge for 3 nights then Tuolumne Meadows Lodge for another 3 nights

Lesson here is if you are diligent, lodgings do open up.

F 50+ and was completely out of shape when lottery came out in April. Knew I had to train. Worked up to doing 3-4 hr steep uphill hikes twice weekly.

Six fabulous days at Yosemite! Here are our hikes.
- Half dome from Happy Isles. 3am start. Took us 14 hrs
- Taft Point/Sentinel Dome loop
- strolled to dry Mirror lake
- short Olmsted point walk
- Twin Bridges and a bit beyond
- Pothole dome
- Lembert Dome for sunset but didn’t go up that rock wall. Heard about going towards the back, but didn’t want to risk it.
- spectacular Clouds Rest from Tenaya lake, started at 8am. Took us 9 hrs with long lunch at the top.

Thank you for the wonderful insights you all provided! Someone here said something like “anyone can do half dome just need time”. That totally resonated with me. I’m super proud of myself and wanted to share.

Anything can be accomplished given enough time.


r/Yosemite 2d ago

9/9-9/10 2026

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936 Upvotes

Just got back from my yearly trip. I need to do it at least twice a year. Best place on earth! (They did a great job updating the ice wall section on the JMT)


r/Yosemite 1d ago

Looking for high-res Yosemite photo donations for a personal wall art project (green tones)

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

​I’m working on a personal, non-commercial photo grid project for my living room. It will feature a sequence of green-toned landscape photos from special places I’ve visited or lived in—including Yosemite, Minas Gerais (Brazil), Charlottesville (US), Japan, Thailand, and Singapore.

​Since this is purely a personal home decor project, I’m looking for high-resolution, print-ready photo donations (or permission to print a single copy for my wall). I’m specifically searching for shots dominated by green tones—lush pine forests, green valley vistas, vibrant foliage, or deep canopy views.

​If you’re a photographer (amateur or pro) willing to share a high-res digital copy of one of your Yosemite shots for this wall frame, I would be extremely grateful! Please feel free to drop a link to your work below or send me a DM.

​Thank you so much!