Here’s our 2 day Yosemite Itinerary in the winter! We love exploring Yosemite with our family in the winter because there are less crowds, Yosemite National Park is spectacular when dusted in snow and there are so many fun winter activities. Check out our winter guide to Yosemite with the best places to stay and things to do! We’ve visited Yosemite for a weekend getaway in the winter for 3 years in a row now and there’s no doubt we are huge fans! You can easily experience Yosemite, have some fun and make some core memories!
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Family Friendly Places to Stay in Yosemite
There’s a variety of accommodations and places to stay in Yosemite. Here’s a blog post that includes our favorite family friendly hotels in the area.
Things to Do in Yosemite in the Winter
If you’re looking for a quick list of the best activities and things to do in Yosemite with kids in the winter, check out our Yosemite winter family guide, which includes winter hikes and the best snow play spots.
2 Day Yosemite Itinerary with Kids in the Winter
Day 1
Morning: Tunnel View and Yosemite Valley Floor
A must see when you visit Yosemite in any season is Tunnel View. In the winter, it is especially beautiful and magical with the dusting of snow on the trees and rocks. There’s a big parking lot and it’s usually pretty busy (which is why many come early in the morning). But people don’t usually stay too long, so you will typically find a spot within 5-10 minutes. If you’re coming from the south entrance, you will be able to go through the famous tunnel where when you come out, you will get a first peak of El Capitan, Half Dome and Sentinel Rock.
After enjoying the views from Tunnel View, head down to the Yosemite Valley and take a self-guided driving tour of the valley floor.
- Bridalveil Fall: you can do a quick walk on the trail to get a closer look of the falls
- Swinging Bridge: a beautiful viewpoint of Yosemite Falls and its reflection in the Merced River
- Yosemite Valley Chapel: a beautiful New England style building that looks extra magical in the snow
- Sentinel Bridge: amazing views of Half Dome and it’s reflection in the Merced River
- Lower Yosemite Falls: a popular, short and easy trail and viewpoint of the famous waterfalls
- Cook’s Meadow: opportunity for snow play and views of Half Dome
Afternoon: Hike to Mirror Lake
In the winter, you can access Mirror Lake at the end of the paved service road path where you will find a beautiful lake with a reflection of the surrounding granite peaks. It’s about 2 miles to get to the lake and back (5 miles roundtrip if you include walking around the lake). A definite must see if it’s your first time visiting Yosemite and super family-friendly.
Late Afternoon: Snow Play at Crane Flat Campground or Goat Meadow
We like to end the day with our kids playing in the snow. If you are heading towards the south entrance, Goat Meadow is an amazing spot for sledding. There’s also a trailhead as well if you want to go for a hike or play in the snow. If you are heading towards the Oak Flat entrance, you can stop by Crane Flat Campground, which is a designated snow play area in Yosemite National Park. There’s not an obvious sledding hill so we created our own, but the large space is fun for snow ball fights and building a snowman. We always bring our own sled (we’ve used this one for 3 seasons and it’s still going strong) and some snowball makers to amplify the fun!
Evening: Dinner and relax
After a long day of hiking and exploring, you deserve it! You will usually find us in the hot tub if our accommodation has one. We like Rush Creek Lodge (near the Oak Flat entrance) and Tenaya Lodge (near the south entrance) for family friendly amenities like pools, hot tubs, game rooms, s’mores etc.
Day 2
Morning: Hike to Tuolumne Grove
Start your morning with a hike to Tuolumne Grove, about a 2.5 mile roundtrip hike to explore giant sequoias, including a fun tree tunnel. The hike to the grove is initially downhill and easy and our kids had so much fun following the snow trail & playing with the snow. Coming back up can be a bit more challenging (440 feet elevation). Our 3 and 6 year old were on and off our shoulders on the way back up, but at the end, it was worth it!
Afternoon: Ice Skating at Curry Village
Ice skating in Yosemite Valley is an incredible and unique experience. How many people can say they went ice skating in Curry Village with views of Half Dome? If you aren’t into ice skating, you can also enjoy coffee or hot chocolate around the nearby cozy fire pits. More information on tickets here.
Evening: Sunset dinner at the Ahwahnee Dining Room
If you’re looking for a special meal in Yosemite National Park, try dinner at the Ahwahnee Hotel. The food itself is nothing to write home about, but the ambiance is magical, having your meal in a historical grand dining hall with large stain glassed windows and chandeliers. You can make reservations here.
Packing List for Yosemite in Winter
Adults
- Merino wool base layer
- Fleece zip up
- Down parka or jacket
- Fleece lined hiking pants
- Waterproof hiking boots
- Beanie or winter hat
Kids
- Snow bib (we really like this one! It’s well made and has kept our kids dry)
- Fleece sweater
- Best winter jacket for kids (fleece lined, water proof and windproof)
- Best winter boots (kids) (these worked well for our oldest; we also have these ones for our little one)
- Snow mittens or waterproof gloves (tip: get gloves in a bright color so it’s easier to spot and make sure to get gloves that are actually waterproof)
- Kid winter hat
- We also brought some of our usual kid travel essentials to keep our boys busy when they were in the car or when we ate at a restaurant
Also consider bringing:
- Sled (we invested in this one to take with us and it has served us for several winters… still going strong!)
- Snow chains for your tires (just in case)
- Snowball maker (for snow play)
- Hiking backpack (for snacks, water, layers etc.)
- Insulated water bottle (stay hydrated!)
- Sunscreen (just because this isn’t a beach vacation doesn’t mean you don’t need sun protection. I’ve tried a lot of sunscreen and this one is my favorite for the face)
- Optional: shoe crampons or snow grips and hiking poles
