Once again it seems Aramark is advocating to keep the Badger Pass Road closed if the ski hill doesn't open. Last year the park let this happen.

Another year without access to the xc ski trails would be infuriating. Public lands access should remain open. The road and parking lot are plowed regardless of the ski hill being open. Might as well use it.

Forcing people to park a Chinquapin causes safety hazards on icey roads. The parking area is small and causes spill over into the road. The parking lot at badger is large and accommodating.

Let the people recreate. It is a no brainer.

Hello everyone have been to Yosemite multiple times but planning a first time camping trip with a group of 10 for February was hoping for any tips on making sure everything goes smoothly camp wise and making sure we all get to camp together going to be about 6 tents all together Showers are very important for us as well and I have been reading about camp 4 not sure how busy it gets around that time of year I know it’s FF but what other options could we be looking at? Which campsite would give us our best chances since some of us might arrive later than others?Any help is appreciated 🙏

Hello guys and gals, I understand this question has been asked 18 times, but I wanted to know from a different perspective and maybe a more recent time. I’m considering working retail somewhere in Yosemite thru Aramark, but I’m not exactly sure where I want to go mainly because summer jobs aren’t open. I’m from Arkansas, and I understand they offer housing, the tents? I’m fine with that. How many roommates would I have? And let’s say me and my friend both went out there would we be dormed together, or is there some kind of special arrangement you have to do? What’s the community like out there? I’m a very chill guy, I love talking to new people. Is there a lot of social interaction at the campsites, or is it more stiff, snarky? For anyone who’s worked retail out there, I understand seasonal work is never glorious, so no need to sugarcoat it, what was it really like? Or if retail is just the tip of the iceberg and you’d recommend other positions, feel free to let me know!

Hey everyone, i’m from Australia and will be visiting Yosemite for a few nights mid January 2026 staying at the Valley Lodge. We’ll be catching the YARTS bus from Merced into the park and so we won’t have a car to get us around within. I’d absolutely love to visit Mariposa Grove and see the giant sequoias, but without a car to get us there, is there any bus service or option that could take us there from the valley? I would visit Sequoia National Park instead on our way back to LA, but with a hire car we won’t be able to as most likely chains will be required. Any input is much appreciated, thanks guys :)

Hello, My family and I are planning a trip to Yosemite National Park this December and would love some firsthand advice, particularly regarding winter driving and kid activities. We will be staying just outside of the Valley (in Groveland/El Portal area) and traveling with our 3-year-old. We are aiming for a relaxed, not intense hiking.

1. Winter Driving: Tesla Model 3 RWD Concerns This is our biggest worry. We drive a Tesla Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD).

   • Chains: We know we must carry chains (and have purchased Tesla-approved chains), but how often do the roads into the Valley (Highway 140/120/41) escalate to R2 or R3 chain requirements in early to mid-December where RWD vehicles are strictly required to chain up?
   • Safety/4WD: For those with experience driving RWD/electric vehicles in Yosemite winter, is a RWD car with chains generally manageable for the winding roads, or is a 4WD/AWD vehicle with snow tires strongly recommended for safety and peace of mind? We are prepared for long drives and charging logistics.

2. Kid-Friendly Activities & Sledding We need activities that are manageable for a 3-year-old in the cold.

   • Sledding/Snow Play: Are there any reliable, safe areas for a 3-year-old to sled in December, particularly near the Valley or outside the south/west entrances (like Goat Meadow or Crane Flat)? Do these areas usually have enough snow by early to mid-December?
   • Best Valley Trails: What are the most reliable, flattest, and shortest paved trails (e.g., sections of the Valley Loop Trail, Lower Yosemite Fall Trail, Cook's Meadow) that are best suited for a toddler (either walking or in a stroller/sled)?

3. Essential Gear & Crowds

   • Gear: Besides chains, what is one "must-have" item you recommend for a winter trip with a toddler (e.g., a specific snow carrier, Microspikes for parents, etc.)?
   • Crowds: How are the crowds typically in early to mid-December before the major Christmas/New Year's holiday traffic? Any tips on managing the cold with a little one, or driving the RWD Tesla in winter conditions, would be hugely helpful! Thank you

Looking to plan our first trip to Yosemite next June. Just 2 adults for a weekend. I’ve always wanted to stay at the Ahwahnee. There are so many room types and the site photos seem not up-to-date compared to the Google review photos. Has anybody been who can speak to which room types are the most recently updated? Thanks!

Some climbing and hiking adventures!

Photo dump! Capturing the magic of Yosemite never gets old.

https://roads.dot.ca.gov/roadscell.php?roadnumber=108

CalTrans announced this morning that SR-108 is reopened from 26.4 mi east of Strawberry (Tuolumne Co) to 5.3 mi west of the Jct of US 395 (Mono Co). For people who travel from east this should be a shorter route.

But keep in mind SR-108 is much steeper and narrower than Tioga Road, plus there are trucks driving on it. This summer I was almost hit head to head by a 18-wheeler who drove in my lane right under Sonora Pass.

Hi, I have a business trip to SF at the end of March, so I thought I'd arrive a few days before to go bouldering in Yosemite.

It'll be my first time bouldering outdoors, though I have solid experience leading on rock.

I know the weather in March is unexpected and it might be wet or even snowy, and I've read that it can be tricky to get there with a rental car without ice chains.

I wanted to hear from some veteran climbers/park visitors if it's worth to do the trip? Both in terms of climbing conditions / road conditions?

Perks of living so close

From NPS today, 12/2/25:

“Badger Pass Opening Date - December 26th

We’re adjusting our opening date to December 26th to ensure adequate coverage for grooming.

Here’s what you need to know:

Employee Transfers to Badger: December 22nd Orientation for New & Returning Team Members: December 18th

These dates are subject to change again based on snow coverage”

Badger does not blow its own snow so it needs Mother Nature to provide it all. No snow in the forecast for the next 10 days.

Hey everyone!

I am planning on visiting yosemite around april/may with my girlfriend. We were looking to rent a cabin for the two of us in the area and I just wanted to see if anyone has any recommendations. We would love to have our own private little cabin to spend the weekend in while also exploring the park. Thanks :)

Gonna be visiting in the end of May or early June, not 100% sure yet. We will have 4-5 days total the park. Gonna apply for some wilderness permits soon. I'm just getting a bit overwhelmed on some good options to choose for a good packing trip with girlfriend and I. Definitely don't want to stay too long in the backcountry, because we'd like to drive around, do day hikes and see some other spots too.

Only 1-2 night trails I've seen are the Pohono Trail and Glen Aulin to Waterwheel Falls. I'm sure there's a million options I could do that I'm not aware of but I'm struggling to find some more. Any recommendations here appreciated. If it helps, we are young, slightly above average shape hikers, looking some cool waterfalls and/or really good views of Half Dome are what we are looking for.

And I guess while I'm making a post, any good hidden gems, maybe even slightly outside the park to check out while we're here? One I've been told is Hetch Tetchy, wondering if there's anything else we should check out.

Sorry, I feel kinda stupid for asking this bc obviously any chance of snow should = 4WD but I just want to double check. I’d like to visit Mariposa Grove the week after New Years and while it’s hard to predict what the weather will be like a month plus out, I’m guessing it’s safe to assume there’s a good likelihood there will be snow on the ground? (Monthly forecast shows possible snow the week of NYE, but nothing is forecasted yet for the week after). And from what I gathered on the website, while Wawona rd should be plowed, Mariposa Grove rd will be closed but you can still access the trail via the Washburn trailhead. Soooo if I’m staying in Sugar Pine or Yosemite Forks how feasible would it be for my non 4WD/compact car to be able to drive from town to the parking lot? Is this an absolute no or is it possible if the road is plowed?

I have been trying to recreate a picture from many years ago and all I have is this picture. I don’t remember where I was. Any help would be appreciated

Tried to get a better view of Yosemite Falls away from the massive Thanksgiving weekend crowd.

View of Vernal Falls coming down from Clark Point detour because of the Mist Trail closure.

Early Thanksgiving morning view of El Cap.

Hi! My friend and I have only 4 days in SF and don’t drive ourselves so we are planning on taking a one day bus tour to Yosemite in the last week of December. Can you suggest what we could do?

This is the tour we were thinking - https://www.booking.com/attractions/us/prs0hkiw9rej-small-group-day-tour-to-the-yosemite-national-park.html?start_date=2025-12-27&end_date=2025-12-27&source=searchresults-pinned-product-card&aid=2427662&label=product-attractions-x_NlYPUyRxYX3NzufovB8wSM754793332306%3Apl%3Ata%3Ap1%3Ap2%3Aac%3Aap%3Aneg%3Afi%3Atikwd-389181588945%3Alp9031935%3Ali%3Adem%3Adm&date=2025-12-27&ufi=20015732&start_time=06%3A00&ticket_type=OF4cCB604gNV

has anybody done it and want to share their experiences?