Yosemite in winter — RV camping at Wawona + Upper Pines December-February
PickRV Editorial
The small team behind PickRV
winter warmth
26°–55°F
Highlights
5
RV advisories
4
Permits
2
Winter strips Yosemite to its essentials. The valley empties. Snow drapes Half Dome and El Capitan. Yosemite Falls begins flowing again from early winter rains. Cottonwoods stand bare against granite. Four valley campgrounds stay open (Upper Pines, Wawona, Hodgdon Meadow, Camp 4). Tioga and Glacier Point roads are closed; access is the valley + Wawona + Hetch Hetchy only. Tire chains are routinely required. The Horsetail Fall "firefall" phenomenon (mid-to-late February) draws photographers from around the world. Reservations for those exact dates open in December — book the moment Recreation.gov releases them.
Same park, other seasons
Pack for this
Typical weather, month by month
December
Snow possible · valley waterfalls reviving from rain
January
Snowiest month · chains required often
February
Firefall window mid-late month · still wintery
What's special now
Highlights this season
Snowy Tunnel View
The classic Yosemite viewpoint with snow draping Half Dome. Late afternoon light is best. Bring a tripod for blue-hour shots.
Horsetail Fall firefall (mid-late Feb)
Sunset light hits Horsetail Fall on the east side of El Capitan, creating a glowing 'lava' effect. Two-week window. Reserve viewing spot months ahead.
Badger Pass Ski Area
California's oldest ski area (1935). Family-friendly, lower-key than Tahoe. Park RV in main lot for the day.
Cross-country ski to Glacier Point
The Glacier Point Road becomes a 21-mile cross-country ski route in winter. Backcountry overnight at Glacier Point Ski Hut (advance reservation, lottery).
Crane Flat snow play
Easy snowshoe + sledding area, family-friendly. RV-accessible parking.
Time it right
When to go
Best window to plan
Mid-February for the firefall window. December-January for snowy valley scenery and minimum crowds. Avoid the week between Christmas and New Year — gateway towns book out and chains are stricter.
Before you tow in
RV-specific considerations
Open campgrounds
Upper Pines (year-round, 35 ft max), Wawona (year-round, 35 ft max), Hodgdon Meadow (year-round, 35 ft max). Camp 4 is walk-in tents only.
Chain requirements
California chain controls (R1/R2/R3) are routine on Hwy 41 (Wawona), Hwy 120 (Big Oak Flat), and Hwy 140 (El Portal). Carry chains; know how to install them.
NPS sourceNo high-country access
Tioga + Glacier Point + Mariposa Grove roads closed. Plan a valley-only experience.
Winterized rig needed
Nightly lows in the 20s. Use heated water hose, RV skirting, propane heat. Insulate exposed plumbing.
Reserve ahead
Permits + reservations
Horsetail Fall viewing permit
During the firefall window (typically Feb 8-24), entry-time + parking-area permits are required. Check NPS site for current year's policy.
Official sourceStay safe out there
Safety considerations
- Black ice on roads is the leading winter danger. Drive slowly; don't trust sunny mornings.
- Hypothermia risk on hikes — pack winter clothes always.
- Snowpack on granite slabs makes them deceptively dangerous. Stay on plowed trails.
- Avalanche risk in backcountry — check forecast on sierraavalanchecenter.org before any off-trail snowshoeing.
- Cell service remains poor. Have backup communication.
No surprises
Honest pricing reality
What it actually costs
Upper Pines + Wawona + Hodgdon: $36/night. Outside the park, private RV parks in El Portal, Mariposa, Groveland run $40-80/night winter rates. Lee Vining is essentially closed in winter.
Quick answers
Frequently asked
Can I camp in Yosemite Valley in winter?
Yes — Upper Pines is open year-round (RVs to 35 ft, $36/night, no hookups). Wawona and Hodgdon Meadow also open year-round. Reservations through Recreation.gov.
When is the Yosemite firefall?
Mid-to-late February. The phenomenon is sunset light hitting Horsetail Fall on the east side of El Capitan, creating a glowing 'lava' effect. Two-week window, typically Feb 8-24.
Do I need chains for Yosemite in winter?
Yes, frequently. California chain controls apply to all routes into the park during storms. Carry chains and know how to install them. Rental RVs often don't include chains — bring your own.
Is Tioga Road open in winter?
No — Tioga Road typically closes by mid-November and reopens late May or June. There's no winter access across the Sierra through the park.
What the NPS site won't tell you
The NPS won't tell you this, but: during the firefall window, the secondary viewing locations along Northside Drive often have less competition than the main El Capitan Picnic Area. Bring a wide-angle lens; the 'firefall' is just minutes long, and the El Cap-side compositions are more dramatic than they look in Instagram crops.
Sources we checked
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