Yosemite Valley Winter Tour

Yosemite National Park

Trip Highlights:

Yosemite Valley

El Capitan

Half Dome

Yosemite in Winter

Come explore Yosemite's winter wonderland with us! This Yosemite winter hiking tour offers hours of exploration within the more level and easily accessible areas of the Yosemite Valley. In addition to providing you with natural and geological history, this tour will highlight some of the lesser known winter ‘gems’ around the valley. The Yosemite Valley Floor Loop is a customizable tour that is great for families with younger children and/or families looking for an easier hike, but can be customized to be more strenuous if desired. All tours are private.

Looking for a more daring Yosemite Winter Hiking Adventure? Check out our Badger Pass to Dewey Point Snowshoe Tour!

Check Availability

Availability:

December – April

Duration:

6-8 Hours

Mileage & Difficulty:

4-6 Miles

Easy-Moderate

Cost:

1-2 People: $600

3-4 People: $800

5+ People: $200-/Person

All Tours Are Private

Departs From:

Yosemite Valley Lodge

Meeting Time:

9:30 am

Check Availability

48-Hour Risk-Free Booking

You will receive a full refund if you cancel within 48 hours of the original booking date.

Lifetime Credit Policy

Book with confidence, knowing you can cancel for any reason 30 days before your trip date and receive a full, lifetime, transferable credit.

Free Date Changes

Not sure if your current trip dates work? Rest assured, you can change your trip date as many times as needed, provided you do so 30 days before both the current and the new trip dates, subject to our guide’s availability.

Yosemite Winter Hiking: Yosemite Valley Tour

ITINERARY

Meeting Location: Yosemite Valley Lodge
High Point: Various Valley Locations

This trip is fully customizable and offers a huge variety of activities to choose from including awesome sight-seeing around Yosemite Valley, as well as short hikes that are accessible to anyone and everyone, even during the winter. This trip can be customized to be more of a leisurely tour or pushed to a longer more moderate hike depending on interest and fitness level. You will plan the days itinerary upon meeting the guide in the morning.

Options for the Yosemite Valley Custom Adventure may include:

• Hike to the base of 2,425’ tall Yosemite Falls which, under certain weather conditions, features an enormous snow cone at the base. If lucky, clients may also get to watch as snow lightly drops hundreds of feet from the cliffs settling in a pile at the bottom.

• Frazil Ice is another amazing phenomenon that only occurs this time of year. If the conditions are just right, some of the rivers in Yosemite Valley fill with icy, undulating slush.

• A variety of museums offer terrific and informative history lessons about Yosemite National Park including the Ansel Adams Gallery, the Art Center and the Yosemite Village Indian Museum.

• Hike to the top of Vernal and/or Nevada Fall via the John Muir Trail. Great View!

• “Oh My Gosh Point” on the way up the Yosemite Falls Trail for an amazing view of Yosemite Valley.

• The famous 5-star Ahwahnee Hotel is always a site to see in the winter as well!

We try to make the most out of the day, so please let us know what you would like to see and experience, and we will try to fit all of your recommendations into one jam-packed day of excitement!

All day hikes are private and can be customized upon meeting the guide and throughout the day.
For a detailed packing list, please see our Day Hike Equipment List. If you have other items you would like to bring, but feel unsure, contact us at staff@lastingadventures.com to help you decide. Your guide will bring a first aid kit, water treatment supplies, toilet paper/trowel, sunscreen, bug spray, and a passion for adventure.
See here for our Frequently Asked Questions, Yosemite Weather, Yosemite Transportation Options, and/or Yosemite Lodging Options.
Should weather, fire, and/or delayed seasonal openings affect the chosen itinerary, a different itinerary will be offered. Lasting Adventures is recognized for its commitment to safety and risk management. In this regard, the summit of peaks will not be attempted when clouds are in close proximity.
Should reservations be necessary to enter Yosemite, your booking confirmation with us will serve as your entry reservation for the days booked with us.
You will need to pay the required entrance fee upon arrival. Additional fees may apply for international visitors. Entrance fees and additional fees are not included in your purchase.

While the valley floor is generally clear of snow in the winter, if there is a considerable amount of snow, LA will provide snowshoe gear and instruction. Should weather, fire, and/or delayed seasonal openings affect the chosen itinerary, a different itinerary will be offered. You will be kept in contact throughout this process. That being said, some of Yosemite most unique winter phenomena occur in less than ideal weather conditions!

See here for our full Terms & Conditions and Cancellation Policies.

Your participation helps sustain our non-profit mission of supporting youth, families, and disadvantaged communities with positive experiences in America’s National Parks and natural spaces.

Are your Day Hikes private, and/or is there an option to join a group?

Yes, we book all of our Day Hikes as private and do not have an option to join a group. The only exception is our Half Dome in a Day hike in Yosemite, which allows up to 5 guests and 1 guide per trip.

Do you do half-day tours?

Unfortunately, no, we do not schedule half-day tours. However, as every Day Hike is private, you can modify and customize your day with the guide as needed upon meeting and/or throughout the tour. For example, if you need (or prefer) to end at a specific time, just let the guide know when you meet, and they can make that happen.

I am booking as a solo participant. Is that okay?

Yes, and lucky you, as you will have a private guide for that day.

Is there a recommended Equipment List?

Yes, see here for our Day Hike Equipment List.

What gear is provided by the guide?

Our Guides will supply trekking poles, the gloves for Half Dome cables, and will also carry first-aid supplies and water purification devices for water along the way. They also carry bathroom supplies (toilet paper, trowel, hand sanitizer), bug repellent, suntan lotion, and they are always armed with fun, natural facts and stories from the park.

Is lunch provided on Day Hikes?

No, and we suggest you bring your own trail lunch, snacks, and full water bottles.

Will there be parking available?

Yes, parking is always available at our meeting point, and your vehicle can remain there throughout the day.

Are there public transportation options available?

Although past clients have said they were glad they rented a vehicle, there are limited public transportation options for most of the trips we offer in Yosemite. See here for additional information: Yosemite Transportation Options.

What's your cancellation policy?

See our Day Hike Cancellation Policy on our Terms and Conditions Page, which is summarized below:

More than 30 days before the trip date, we will grant a full refund, minus $25/person, and a 2.7% processing fee for credit card transactions.
With 72 hours’ notice, we will retain 50% of the total trip cost.
Within 72 hours, no refunds or credits will be issued.

See here for additional Frequently Asked Questions.

Join Us For A Guided Tour

Availability

December – April

Check Availability

What Our Clients Say

					Sarah was amazing! An expert in the field, thank you for showing us great views of the valley!
- Read Moreread less
Kerry R.
2/02/2025
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Kerry R.
2/02/2025

						Sarah was amazing! An expert in the field, thank you for showing us great views of the valley!
					
					Highly recommended! We booked a Lasting Adventures guided winter hike in Yosemite National Park. The booking process through Viator went very smoothly and we made email contact with the company in the days before our hike, requesting trekking poles to use.Our guide, August, met us right on time in the front office of Yosemite Valley Lodge and we discussed our hiking options. Deciding to hike to to the top of Nevada Falls, we set off together. August was knowledgeable and looked after us very well. He had a thorough knowledge of Yosemite Valley trails and was able to steer us clear of the ones that were closed. While we were hiking he gave us some of the history of the valley and told us about the ecology of the forests.When one of the trails we wanted to take was unexpectedly closed, August was able to offer other suggestions and we set off for Clark’s Point on the Muir Trail instead. Even though we’re quite experienced hikers, was great to have a knowledgeable guide with us to tell us about the area and share his personal stories. We were lucky enough to encounter a coyote on the descent, which is apparently very rare in the valley. Without a guide with us, we wouldn’t have known just how rare it was. I wish we’d organised ourselves a bit better and booked Lasting Adventures to take us to the Sequoia groves as well. Oh well, maybe next time.Would thoroughly recommend Lasting Adventures to enhance your hiking experience in Yosemite. So glad we booked them.
- Read Moreread less
Monique620
1/05/2020
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Monique620
1/05/2020

						Highly recommended! We booked a Lasting Adventures guided winter hike in Yosemite National Park. The booking process through Viator went very smoothly and we made email contact with the company in the days before our hike, requesting trekking poles to use.Our guide, August, met us right on time in the front office of Yosemite Valley Lodge and we discussed our hiking options. Deciding to hike to to the top of Nevada Falls, we set off together. August was knowledgeable and looked after us very well. He had a thorough knowledge of Yosemite Valley trails and was able to steer us clear of the ones that were closed. While we were hiking he gave us some of the history of the valley and told us about the ecology of the forests.When one of the trails we wanted to take was unexpectedly closed, August was able to offer other suggestions and we set off for Clark’s Point on the Muir Trail instead. Even though we’re quite experienced hikers, was great to have a knowledgeable guide with us to tell us about the area and share his personal stories. We were lucky enough to encounter a coyote on the descent, which is apparently very rare in the valley. Without a guide with us, we wouldn’t have known just how rare it was. I wish we’d organised ourselves a bit better and booked Lasting Adventures to take us to the Sequoia groves as well. Oh well, maybe next time.Would thoroughly recommend Lasting Adventures to enhance your hiking experience in Yosemite. So glad we booked them.
					
					A Must-Do hike of Yosemite National Park! Our family, two adults and two teens (ages 16 and 15) had one day to explore Yosemite. This tour was the perfect way to do it! Matt, our guide, was excellent, laid back and full of information. It seemed like we were a group of friends wandering the trails, past the granite faces and rushing rivers and waterfalls instead of two families from different countries meeting for the first time. We made our way through Camp Four, past Yosemite Falls and out to Half Dome and Mirror Lake over the course of the day. We had a leisurely lunch by Mirror Lake, with Matt sharing the history of the area, the history of climbing and us sharing more about ourselves. Such an easy-going beautiful spring day, but we still hiked over eight miles! We have enjoyed many tours with our teens, allowing us to learn about the area while exploring a new place together and this tour did not disappoint! Be sure to take time for this one, especially if you are limited on time at Yosemite! And be sure to watch the movie Valley Uprising for more history of the area! Thank you, Matt and Lasting Adventures!
- Read Moreread less
kmcknight36
4/09/2018
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kmcknight36
4/09/2018

						A Must-Do hike of Yosemite National Park! Our family, two adults and two teens (ages 16 and 15) had one day to explore Yosemite. This tour was the perfect way to do it! Matt, our guide, was excellent, laid back and full of information. It seemed like we were a group of friends wandering the trails, past the granite faces and rushing rivers and waterfalls instead of two families from different countries meeting for the first time. We made our way through Camp Four, past Yosemite Falls and out to Half Dome and Mirror Lake over the course of the day. We had a leisurely lunch by Mirror Lake, with Matt sharing the history of the area, the history of climbing and us sharing more about ourselves. Such an easy-going beautiful spring day, but we still hiked over eight miles! We have enjoyed many tours with our teens, allowing us to learn about the area while exploring a new place together and this tour did not disappoint! Be sure to take time for this one, especially if you are limited on time at Yosemite! And be sure to watch the movie Valley Uprising for more history of the area! Thank you, Matt and Lasting Adventures!
					
					Lasting Adventures - Best Way to Experience Yosemite Given our Limited Time in the Park! My sister and I (retirees) and her 11 year old grandson booked the one day Winter Valley tour with Lasting Adventures and it was the highlight of our recent California trip. The morning of our tour was cold and icy. Matt, our tour leader, was on time and eager to provide an experience that would maximize our time and was in line with our fitness levels. Even though the weather wasn't optimal, we experienced all the major highlights - Yosemite Falls, El Capitan, Half Dome, Tunnel View and more. Matt was informative, flexible and we all liked his engaging manner. Perhaps the best aspect of the tour was how easily he established a rapport with our 11 year old who enjoyed relating to a young man so knowledgeable about the Park and its features. We would encourage everyone with limited time at Yosemite to book this tour and if you're lucky to have Matt as your guide, it's sure to be a memorable experience.
- Read Moreread less
twinmom1994
2/28/2018
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twinmom1994
2/28/2018

						Lasting Adventures - Best Way to Experience Yosemite Given our Limited Time in the Park! My sister and I (retirees) and her 11 year old grandson booked the one day Winter Valley tour with Lasting Adventures and it was the highlight of our recent California trip. The morning of our tour was cold and icy. Matt, our tour leader, was on time and eager to provide an experience that would maximize our time and was in line with our fitness levels. Even though the weather wasn't optimal, we experienced all the major highlights - Yosemite Falls, El Capitan, Half Dome, Tunnel View and more. Matt was informative, flexible and we all liked his engaging manner. Perhaps the best aspect of the tour was how easily he established a rapport with our 11 year old who enjoyed relating to a young man so knowledgeable about the Park and its features. We would encourage everyone with limited time at Yosemite to book this tour and if you're lucky to have Matt as your guide, it's sure to be a memorable experience.
					