5 Reasons to Grab The Kids & Bring them to Yosemite in Winter - Yosemite National Park, Dry California Style. Outdoorsy Families.

Empty trails - very few hikers heading to the base of Yosemite Falls last week, Yosemite National Park.

Ok, I agree, a little more snow might be nice. But we’re taking advantage of this California winter dry-spell and dry-trails to experience Yosemite in a whole different way in Winter. So let’s throw the kids in the car and cruise on over to one of the world’s most breathtaking parks. This is one in a series of Yosemite National Park postings that will follow.

Why go to Yosemite now in the Winter? 5 reasons:

1 - It’s Less Crowded by a Zillion

Let’s face it.  As much as we love the grandeur of America’s national parks, there’s nothing less lovely than being sandwiched like sweaty sardines as we take in the parks in say, August. Some stranger’s elbow or camera in your ear as you gaze up at El Capitan or Half Dome... The kids will THANK US as they’ll have more space to run loose and enjoy the fresh air. And we'll feel that sense of s-p-a-c-e that nourishes us from inside out. Yosemite National Park 

Allissa from Yosemite Mountaineering School showing us the Ahwahnechee grinding holes.

2 - Cool Mountain Guides Like Allissa to Climb Steep Rocks & Hike With

Allissa and her team from Yosemite Mountaineering School and Guide Service will take us and our kids out for a beginners run up "Swan Slab", the massive, well-known, beginners rock formation near Camp 4. Or she can take the fam on the Panoramic Hike that loops down from Glacier Point, through Yosemite back-country and down the Mist Trail for a little waterfall action. Want something a little less massive, she’ll customize any hike that will work for the age of our crew. Even little nature walks to see some historic Native American sites. And, major bonus, she’s just darn COOL and your kids will flip to hang with a real live mountain guide. Yosemite Mountaineering School & Guides 

Yo has bikes to rent or bring your own. Breathtaking flat trail system great for the fam.

3 - Family Biking

Cram your bikes onto your bike-rack or rent them up here at Yosemite Lodge, the biking trails are WIDE OPEN with so few people to run into. Even the wobbly little ones can ride more safely without as many tourists to dodge. There is freedom in biking, and the kids feel it too. Biking the flat Yosemite Valley trails while gazing and gasping at Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, El Capitan is a once in a lifetime experience. Yosemite Bike Rentals

Curry Village Ice Skating Rink. Skates to rent. Bonfire & S'Mores.

4 - Ice Skating

The skating rink is snuggled into the heart of Curry Village and is open around November through early March. Rent skates, show off your half-axle-gainer-spins and stay warm by the roaring bonfire just outside the rink. S’Mores makings to purchase on site make this a family favorite! Note: Check the dates of the rink - it CLOSES early March, no exact dates posted as of yet. Curry Village Ice Skating Rink

5 - It’s YOSEMITE

Come now with the kids because It’s Yosemite.  It’s John Muir. It’s Ansel Adams. It’s the Dawn Wall on El Capitan with cracks so tiny yet will hold the weight of a spider-man man named Tommy and Kevin. It’s the Ahwahnechee. It’s American history, the birthplace of the national park system. It’s getting the special chance to do summer activities in winter temperatures, a little dash of DIFFERENT, unique. It’s celebrating it’s 150^th Birthday this year. 

Let’s grab our kids and go NOW – see you there! 

-OutdoorsyMama

For more information on Yosemite, Park Partners & the surrounding areas:

Yosemite Park 

Yosemite This Year

Yosemite Experience
Yosemite Hikes - Hiking to the Top of Vernal Falls. The Mist Trail

Disclaimer: #YosemiteSocial by Yosemite, Delaware North, hosted an influencer event and goods were provided at discounted rates for attendees. All opinions in all posts are always my own and i write with my own free will. Cheers!