In winter there is no way into Yosemite from the east side. Tioga Road, the only route over the Sierra into the park from this side, is closed from the first big snow, usually around November, until it is plowed open in late spring, most often late May or June.
What closes, and when
Tioga Road is not maintained in winter. When the first heavy snow arrives, usually in November, the National Park Service closes it for the season. It stays closed until crews plow it open in spring, a job that starts around April 15 and usually takes one to two months. Most years it reopens in late May or June. See our Tioga Pass guide for recent dates.
While the road is closed, Tuolumne Meadows and the whole high country along Tioga Road are buried under snow and reachable only on skis.
Getting to Yosemite Valley in winter
Yosemite Valley stays open all winter, but it is reached from the west, by Highways 41, 140 and 120 from the Central Valley. From the Eastern Sierra, that means driving around the range. The nearer passes, including Sonora Pass and Ebbetts Pass, are also closed for the winter, so the usual routes run north over a year-round highway such as US 50 or I-80, or south around the end of the Sierra. Either way it takes most of a day. The National Park Service publishes routes for when Tioga Road is closed, and Caltrans QuickMap has current chain controls.
If seeing the Valley in snow is the goal, plan that as its own trip from the west. If you want deep snow, skiing and empty mountains, stay on the east side.
What to do instead
Ski June Mountain. A mile from the chalet, with 2,580 vertical feet, short lines and lift-assisted access to excellent backcountry. With a guide, strong skiers can ski from the top all the way to the chalet’s hot tub.
Ski Mammoth Mountain. About thirty minutes south, one of the biggest ski mountains in North America, with a season that often runs into late spring.
Snowshoe from the door. Rent snowshoes in the village and walk from the house to the Fern and Yost Lakes trail, about a mile down-canyon.
Climb ice. Beginners learn above Silver Lake, and Lee Vining Canyon has some of the best ice in the West.
Soak. The hot springs near Mammoth and Travertine near Bridgeport are at their best with snow on the ground. See spa and hot springs.
See Mono Lake in winter. The tufa towers under snow, with steam on the water on cold mornings, are a sight most visitors never see.
Spring: the shoulder season
From April to the Tioga opening, the east side is in between. Lower trails melt out, fishing season opens, Mammoth may still be skiing, and the high country waits. Some of the best backcountry skiing of the year comes in the weeks right after Tioga Road opens.
Driving the Eastern Sierra in winter
- Carry chains or drive a vehicle with four-wheel drive and snow tires. Chain controls on US 395 are common during storms.
- Check Caltrans QuickMap before you leave and again before crossing any summit.
- Fill your tank in Lee Vining, June Lake or Mammoth. Services are far apart.
- The chalet roof sheds snow. Park well away from the house.
Winter at the chalet
The fire is lit, the tub is hot, and June Mountain is a mile away. Read about winter at June Lake.
Common questions
Can you get to Yosemite from Highway 395 in winter?
Not directly. Tioga Road (Highway 120) is closed in winter, and the other nearby passes over the Sierra are also closed for snow. Reaching Yosemite Valley from the Eastern Sierra in winter means a long drive around the range by a northern or southern route, which takes most of a day.
When does Tioga Road close?
It closes for the season when significant snow arrives, usually sometime in November and occasionally in late October. The National Park Service announces closures on its conditions page.
Is June Lake worth visiting in winter if Yosemite is closed from that side?
Yes, for a different trip. June Mountain is a mile from the chalet and Mammoth Mountain about 30 minutes away, with backcountry skiing, snowshoeing, ice climbing and hot springs close by.