Can you see Yosemite Falls in winter?

Yosemite Falls flows strongest in the Spring from the snow melt, but there is still typically a good flow in the Winter and seeing the rest of Yosemite Valley covered in snow makes the Upper Yosemite Falls trail more magical and worth it in the wintertime.



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The Yosemite Falls Trail is open year-round; conditions vary depending on the season. In spring, when the waterfall is at its peak, this hike is stunning, and you may even get wet from the spray of the waterfall during a section of the hike.

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The Yosemite Falls Trail is open year-round, including December 31st! It's a great place to do some winter hiking in Yosemite National Park!

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Bridalveil Falls and Lower Yosemite Falls typically freeze in winter, creating gorgeous stalagmites even Queen Elsa would be proud of. Yosemite Falls is the highest waterfall in North America.

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Yosemite is home to countless waterfalls. The best time to see waterfalls is during spring, when most of the snowmelt occurs. Peak runoff typically occurs in May or June, with some waterfalls (including Yosemite Falls) often only a trickle or completely dry by August.

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December in Yosemite is typically cold and snowy, although sunny and warmer days are not uncommon. 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). On average, it snows seven days in December.

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The winner: The opportunities for wilderness adventure in Yellowstone are many, but Yosemite has it all, from gentle trails along the floor of the valley to spine-tingling ascents of its rock faces. Plus, Yosemite remains open to many activities through the winter, while Yellowstone goes into bear-like hibernation.

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Top 5 Winter Hikes in Yosemite
  • 1) Lower Yosemite Fall. The classic Lower Yosemite Fall trail is a great winter hike for families as it is a short and easy trail to Lower Yosemite fall. ...
  • 2) Yosemite Valley Loop. ...
  • 3) Mirror Lake. ...
  • 4) Yosemite Falls to Columbia Rock Trail. ...
  • 5) Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias.


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Yosemite may be very busy during winter holidays, especially in late December and early January, with traffic congestion and limited parking possible.

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The cool season lasts for 3.1 months, from November 21 to February 25, with an average daily high temperature below 61°F. The coldest month of the year in Yosemite Lakes is December, with an average low of 38°F and high of 54°F.

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At 620 feet, Bridalveil Fall is often the first waterfall visitors see when entering Yosemite Valley. As one of the easier hikes in the Valley, Bridalveil Fall is the perfect attraction for visitors looking for minimal effort in return for maximum views.

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You can see Ribbon Fall from the road as you drive into Yosemite Valley, just beyond the turn for Bridalveil Fall (parking is available in turnouts). Flows: approximately December through April. Horsetail Fall is famous for appearing to be on fire when it reflects the orange glow of sunset in mid- to late-February.

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In Yosemite Valley, the area around Sentinel Meadow and the Yosemite Chapel is a favorite place to stop to look at Yosemite Falls. In Yosemite Valley, Sentinel Bridge is famous for its views of both Half Dome reflected in the Merced River. You can also see Yosemite Falls nearby.

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