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favorite things to do in yosemite in winter
winter hikes and sites in yosemite national park
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visiting yosemite in winter is an absolute dream. our first trip to yosemite national park was in the middle of winter and the snow and ice added to the overwhelming magic. though some roads, trails and areas of the park close during wintry months, there’s still plenty to do in yosemite in winter. here are our favorite winter activities to add to your yosemite itinerary, including winter hikes.
favorite winter hikes in yosemite
mirror lake
2 miles out and back or 5 miles around the lake
while mirror lake does take some extra effort to get to in winter (due to closure of parking areas), we found the trip to be well worth it!
tip - be sure to pack micro spikes (or these for kids) if you’re visiting mirror lake in winter. much of the path is an ice rink unless you’re treading on freshly fallen snow.
lower yosemite fall
1 mile loop
yosemite falls are an iconic must-see landmark in yosemite national park. while the upper fall trail remains open, not all of us are up for a 7 mile, difficult trek in the snow. the lower fall trail is a gentle loop with a whole lot of magic. this is a do not miss!
favorite no-hike winter activities in yosemite
tunnel view
tunnel view is a must-visit for any yosemite itinerary! while tunnel view is stunning at any time, we went to tunnel view at sunset. sunset was gorgeous, but it was blue hour at tunnel view that stole my heart.
swinging bridge
the swinging bridge picnic area (not to be confused with the wawona swinging bridge) provides a gorgeous waterfall view and a place to just relax. we spent some time strolling and playing in the snow. there’s an option to follow intersecting trails or just enjoy the picnic area. (note the swinging bridge is not actually a swinging bridge!)
sledding
snow means sledding! sledding in yosemite national park is its own special kind of fun. we went to the crane flat campground, where the snow was deep enough to cover the bathroomw and we could sled right over picnic tables without even realizing it!
i hope this list of our favorite things to do in yosemite national park in winter inspires a cold weather trip to this special place.