United States

How to Visit Yosemite in Winter: Roads Closed

The Great Captain in Yosemite Park
The Great Captain in Yosemite Park
Here's all the information you need to know about visiting Yosemite in winter, with the usual road opening and closing dates in the California national park, on the west coast of the United States.

If you are going to make a tourist trip along the west coast of the United Statess In a time other than summer, in some areas you may encounter difficulties or limitations when visiting due to the bad weather.

Specifically, one of the visits that is most limited at certain times of the year is the Yosemite National Park, riding a California,

Therefore, for your trip you will be interested in knowing which roads are closed and which areas you will not be able to visit. travel to Yosemite in winter.

How to visit Yosemite Park in winter

Yosemite It is a large natural area that combines valleys and high mountains, so snowfall occurs in much of the year and some of its areas are inaccessible due to the weather. road closures.

If we review the main tourist attractions of the Yosemite National Park, only the area known as Yosemite Valley It is accessible almost all year round, except when there are snow storms in winter.

However, other areas of great attraction for visitors can actually only be visit without problems from June to October.

That is the case of the high mountain road Tioga Road, from the viewpoint of Glacier point and the redwood forest Mariposa Grove.

All the roads access to these areas are closed to traffic during winter and they only open throughout the month of May, closing again during the month of November.

Giant sequoia in Mariposa Grove in Yosemite in California
Giant sequoia in Mariposa Grove in Yosemite in California

Road opening and closing dates in Yosemite

So that you take this into account when planning your trip, it will be useful for you to consult the Opening and closing dates for winter traffic on Yosemite roads during the last few years, which can serve as a reference for your possible visit Yosemite in winter.

In this regard, it should be noted that the area of ​​the Mariposa Grove Giant Sequoias It has remained open to traffic in recent winters, although historically it is common for it to remain closed.

We'll see what happens this winter.

About the Author

José Luis Sarralde

Journalist and traveler throughout his life, José Luis Sarralde is the founder of Guías Viajar, where since 2008 he has been capturing his travel experiences around the world, specializing in cultural and scenic destinations in Spain and Europe.

Comments

Click here to write a comment

  • Hello, I would like to know if September is a good date to go, I have vacations. And also some tips that you should know, thank you. Blessings.

  • Mr. José Luis, I plan to travel by car from Las Vegas to San Francisco in the second week of March of this year (2016), I do not plan to go through Yosemite, my question is if there is a possibility of finding snow on the road taking the route through Bakerfields . I thank you in advance for your answer

  • I would like to know if at this time of year, November 24, we can go visit the park and if we can see the snow, my children want to see it.

  • Hello, I am planning to go to Las Vegas at the end of March and go by land to San Francisco. It will be that on this date I can pass the national park, which will be the best and most beautiful route... THANK YOU

    • Hello Lourdes, at the end of March I plan to take the same trip, can you tell me if you did it and how you did it? Could you go on the most beautiful route? Beforehand thank you very much

  • thank you!
    How do you recommend this trip? we will do it on December 27, 2014
    Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Yosemite Grand Canyon, San Francisco

    Saint Louis bishops and the angels! I already have everything on your blog, but which of the two do you recommend the most? Knowing that it's winter!! And New Year's in Las Vegas is fine? Everything by car? Or from Las Vegas a plane to San Francisco and from San Francisco we go to Yosemite?
    Thank you

    • Liliana, I would tell you that I would go by car on the Los Angeles-Las Vegas-Grand Canyon-Las Vegas route, and from there I would fly to San Francisco.

      As you know, Yosemite in winter can be visited to a limited extent, but the visit would be done from San Francisco, by car or on an organized excursion.

      I hope my comment helps you 🙂

  • If I travel to the west coast in December, January, Yosemite Park is not open? according to !! I understand ?? What route do you recommend for this time of year?
    thank you !!!!

    • Liliana, in winter Yosemite Park is open; The problem is that several of the areas to visit, because they are at higher altitudes, are not accessible in winter.

      Specifically, you can tour Yosemite Valley, the main area where the Visitor Center is located, which will be open without problem to traffic unless your visit coincides with a snow storm. On the other hand, areas such as Tioga Road or Glacier Point will be closed to traffic.

      • Hello, we are going in February and I would like to know if we can go from Yosemite to Las Vegas without using chains for the car. We do San Francisco, Yosemite, Las Vegas and if you recommend any route. Thank you very much

Your language