Yosemite National Park is a wonderful place for people of all ages and in all seasons. Kids are amazed by the greenery and thundering waterfalls in the spring. In the summer, people go hiking, camping, on picnics, and rock climbing. Fall is a great time to visit the park because the black oaks, bigleaf maples, and dogwoods all turn different shades of yellow. Winter is a great time to ski and sled because there is so much snow.
During busy times, though, it can feel more like a city with lots of people than a peaceful place to relax. We went to Yosemite with our family in early May of that year and stayed at one of the few hotels in the valley. It took us thirty minutes of frustratingly bad luck to find a parking place. It wasn’t easy to park outside our own hotel for the first time. Even though it can be hard, winter in Yosemite is wonderful for both kids and adults.
The park had 430,038 people in August 2021, but only 67,284 in January 2021, according to the National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics report. There will be fewer people there in the winter, making it a great time for families. A naturalist named John Muir said more than one hundred years ago, “One can only really get into the heart of the wilderness by going along in silence and without any heavy things.”
In January 2022, our family went to Yosemite over Martin Luther King Jr. weekend and enjoyed the park without all the other people there. In the winter, take your time and enjoy the views as you drive to Yosemite.
Enjoying Yosemite with Your Family in the Winter
It’s fun to drive to Yosemite in the winter because there is less traffic and lots of places to stop and enjoy the view. Because there is no smoke and the air is cool, it is easy to see and take pictures. Many of Yosemite’s trails are good for kids and can be used in the winter.
You could take the 7.2- or 11.5-mile Yosemite Valley Loop Trail, the 2-mile Mirror Lake Trail, or the Wapama Falls Trail. As it got dark, we tried the Chilnaulna Falls Trail and saw a sign that said a mountain cat had been seen recently. It made the walk even more exciting! The kids really liked Wawona Field, which is the park’s biggest field. The snow-covered area, which didn’t have any people in it, was a winter wonderland where kids could make snow angels and castles. Badger Pass Ski Area is a great place for families who like to ski, snowboard, or tube.
Since 1928, the ski school has been teaching people how to ski. Because we got there early, we got the last two spots in the ski school. We treated ourselves to burgers at the cafe by the hill after a morning of skiing. You can sled and make snowmen at Goat Meadow Snow Play Area, which is right outside the park. The kids had fun playing in the snow among the trees even though there weren’t any facilities. The Mariposa Past Museum is a great spot for kids to learn about the past of the area.
Exploring Yosemite with Kids in the Winter
It takes 42 miles to drive to the historic town of Mariposa, which was founded in 1849, from Yosemite’s south gate. Native American history and the Gold Rush were shown in interesting ways at the Mariposa Museum and History Center.
The kids had a great time with the research book. The blacksmithing practice wasn’t going to happen, but the curators showed us around the vault that was full of old records in private.
One must-see place is the new Yosemite Climbing Museum, which is up the hill. It has information about female hikers in the area, climbing gear, and pictures of people who have climbed the rocks in the valley.
Things to Remember When Going to Yosemite in the Winter
Weather will be between 28 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit from December to February. When it snows, roads may close and parking may be hard to find.
The key is being flexible. Still, even in other seasons, wildfires can make it hard to move. National events can bring a lot of people, even in the winter. There was a line at the entry gate on New Year’s Day, so the couple we met had to turn around. And in February, a lot of photographers go to Horsetail Fall to catch the “Firefall” effect.
Where to Spend the Winter in Yosemite
Rental houses are often a good choice for families. We stayed in a house with three bedrooms at The Redwoods at Yosemite in Wawona, which is in the park. It was warm and cozy, with oak and cedar trees all around. Tenaya Lodge is close to the south gate and has Explorer Cabins with two bedrooms that are great for families.
Our visit, however, did not include all of the restaurants and spas that we would have liked. In Yosemite Valley, the Ahwahnee is a high-end hotel with history, design, and modern conveniences. Keep in mind that it will be closed from January to March 2023 for repairs. The Yosemite Valley Lodge is a cheaper option close to Yosemite Falls, which is the tallest waterfall in the United States. It has a number of eating options.
