A New Degree of Grandeur - Yosemite in Wintertime
Bundle up, and take in the magnificence of the valley floor on foot during the wintertime via the Valley Loop Trail. This trail will bring you by stunning meadows, and iconic monoliths.
One famous vista, Yosemite Falls has world-wide curb appeal in any season. See first-hand the “snow cone” that accumulates at the base of the upper falls and truly understand the meaning of winter wonder.
If you love photography and natural wonders, Horsetail Falls is famous for appearing to be on fire mid-February. If the conditions are just right, you can see Frazil ice, which is a dramatic natural event that occurs in Yosemite Valley during March and April.
If snow skiing, downhill or cross-country, and snow boarding is your cup-of-tea, visit the Yosemite Ski and Snowboard Area.
Learn More About Tenaya Lodge
Visiting Yosemite National Park
- The park is 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but the Hetch Hetchy Entrance Station is only open during daylight hours.
- Reservations ARE NOT required to visit.
- Permits are required seven days per week to hike to the top of Half Dome
- Yosemite Valley is seven miles long and nearly a mile wide. It's home to Bridalveil, Vernal and Ribbon Falls, Mirror Lake, Inspiration Point, 400 species of vertebrates, 12 hiking trails, shops and restaurants.
- Fishing, rafting, skiing, hiking, biking, rock climbing, bird watching, horseback riding and scenic drives are all available in the park.
- Popular museums and galleries include the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center, Yosemite Museum, Nature Center at Happy Isles, Ansel Adams Gallery, The Yosemite Majestic Hotel, Parsons Memorial Lodge, Wawona Visitor Center, Pioneer Yosemite History Center, and Mariposa Grove Museum.
Yosemite Valley Weather
- Yosemite receives most of its precipitation from January through March.
- Yosemite Park's winters are snowy and cold, but can be sunny. In Yosemite Valley, average temperatures typically range from 28ºF to 53ºF.
- Springtime in the park can be unpredictable, with sunny and relatively warem days followed by chilly winter storms. In Yosemite Valley, average temperatures range from 39ºF to 69ºF.
- Summers are generally warm to hot with occasional afternoon thunderstorms. During this season, temperatures in Yosemite Valley usually range from 51ºF to 87ºF.
- Much like spring, fall is highly variable, with temperatures ranging from hot to tald and dry to rainy or snowy - sometimes all within the same week. Average low temperatures in the fall are 35ºF and average high temperatures are 54ºF
For current weather at Tenaya Lodge, see
A New Degree of Grandeur — Yosemite in Wintertime
Bundle up, and take in the magnificence of the valley floor on foot during the wintertime via the Valley Loop Trail. This trail will bring you by stunning meadows, and iconic monoliths.
One famous vista, Yosemite Falls has world-wide appeal in any season. See first-hand the “snow cone” that accumulates at the base of Upper Yosemite Fall and truly understand the meaning of winter wonder.
If you love photography and natural wonders, Horsetail Fall is famous for appearing to be on fire mid-February. If the conditions are just right, you can see frazil ice, which is a dramatic natural event where the runoff from Yosemite Falls turns into a giant "slushy" and piles up in the creek.
If snow skiing, downhill or cross-country, and snow boarding is your cup-of-tea, visit the Yosemite Ski and Snowboard Area.