Is it hard to drive to Yosemite in winter?

Yosemite Valley roads normally remain open, making driving to Yosemite in winter relatively easy to view Yosemite's major icons, like Half Dome, El Capitan and Yosemite Falls. However snow fun is close at hand. Enjoy world-class snowshoeing and cross country skiing at Badger Pass Ski Area.



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All vehicles entering Yosemite National Park during winter conditions must carry snow chains. Call (209) 372-0200, 1, 1, for the most up-to-date road info. See Tire Chains below for more information.

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Chains are often required on roads both inside and outside of Yosemite from November through March, less often in October and April, and rarely in September or May.

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As others have said, there are no places in Yosemite to go off-roading so a 4x4 is not required. In winter when its snowing there may be times where a 4x4 would be useful as you would not be required to put chains on your tires, but I don't think that raises to the level of 'need'.

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All of the incredible and iconic viewpoints in Yosemite Valley are open year-round. After the first storms of the season, the waterfalls reappear and begin flowing again, and if you're lucky enough to be there during a cold snap, you might even have a chance to see Frazil Ice.

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Tioga Road (Highway 120 through the park, from Crane Flat to Tioga Pass) is usually closed from November through late May or early June. (View a list of opening and closing dates.) When Tioga Road is closed, alternate routes are available to get to various destinations.

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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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May through September is the most popular time in Yosemite These months correspond with the best weather and are also when all the roads, trails, lodging, shuttles and attractions in the park are open. That includes its most famous drive, Tioga Rd, a 64-mile-long scenic byway that closes when the snow begins to fall.

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Most of the park is covered in snow during winter, but some trails in Yosemite Valley are often accessible. Backpacking options are very limited.

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Within Yosemite National Park, you may not sleep in your car or RV except in a campsite that you're registered to stay in (except at Camp 4, where sleeping in cars is not allowed because it's a walk-in campground). Sleeping in your car along the side of the road is not allowed.

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