Things to Do
Yosemite is a magical place to ring in the new year. From festive parties and fireside s’mores to snowshoeing and spa treatments, this stunning destination delivers. Find everything you need to plan your trip and enjoy the best of Yosemite at New Years with this guide from YosemiteHotels.com.
New Year’s Eve 2024 Events in Yosemite
There are a number of exciting ways to celebrate New Year’s 2024 in Yosemite. Local resorts host gatherings that range from elegant multi-course dinners to casual family-friendly celebrations. Make a reservation now to save your seat at one of these Yosemite New Year’s Eve celebrations:
- New Year’s Eve at Curry Village – featuring a live DJ, cash bar, appetizers all night, and a midnight champagne toast
- New Year’s Eve at Yosemite Valley Lodge – featuring live reggae music, food all night, a cash bar, and midnight champagne toast
Outdoor Winter Activities in Yosemite
Perfect for outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds, winter activities in Yosemite can mean anything from gliding down the trails at Badger Pass to snowshoeing through a tranquil forest – whatever your heart desires!
- Yosemite winter hiking – Yosemite resorts like Rush Creek Lodge and Evergreen Lodge offer winter hiking experiences led by seasoned experts, or head out on your own with proper preparation
- Snowshoeing in Yosemite – Explore Yosemite this winter with a snowshoe tour provided by Rush Creek Lodge, or easily rent your equipment from the lodge and hit the trails at your own pace
- Cross-country skiing at Badger Pass – A scenic drive to Badger Pass Ski Area rewards guests with well-maintained trails that make it easy to explore the great outdoors
Other Yosemite Activities
If you’re looking for a more relaxed experience, you can enjoy Yosemite in the winter without strapping on a pair of skis. Visit the Ansel Adams Gallery in Yosemite Valley to see Adams’ famous photos of Yosemite, or even take a photography workshop yourself. The spa at Rush Creek Lodge is another popular choice for winter fun in Yosemite, offering nature-inspired spa services like the Himalayan Salt Block Sauna and heated river stone massages. As the night winds down, ruminate on your New Year’s resolutions and enjoy winter stargazing from the saltwater hot tub at Evergreen Lodge.
Whether you visit a gallery, indulge in a spa treatment, enjoy a delicious meal, or cozy up beside a fire, the magic of ringing in the new year in such a beautiful place is all around!
Planning Your New Year’s Eve Trip to Yosemite
Yosemite Lodging for New Year’s Eve
Yosemite’s lodges are in high demand during the holiday season. It’s important to make reservations as far in advance as possible, including accommodations and excursions, to avoid missing out on the magic of the season in Yosemite.
Rush Creek Lodge
Rush Creek Lodge is a family-friendly Yosemite lodge just outside of Yosemite’s Big Oak Flat Entrance. Enjoy stargazing from the heated saltwater pool, manifest a sweet new year with melty s’mores around the campfire, and more at this cozy Yosemite lodge.
Evergreen Lodge
For those seeking the perfect balance between rustic and modern, Evergreen Lodge offers the experience of a historic mountain resort with modern comforts.
Firefall Ranch
Yosemite’s newest accommodations, Firefall Ranch offers private cabins for a peaceful, intimate experience near Yosemite. These luxurious cabins feature in-room fireplaces, heated bathroom floors, and more convenient touches to elevate your Yosemite New Year’s Eve.
Transportation
Winter travel in Yosemite requires planning, especially in terms of transportation. Depending on how you’re getting to Yosemite, you can drive your own vehicle, take a shuttle, or use the Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS) to get around. If you drive your own car, be aware that road conditions can be icy and snow chains might be required – check the NPS current conditions page for the latest updates. You can avoid driving in winter conditions entirely by leaving it to the experts who drive shuttles and operate the YARTS!
What to Pack for Yosemite New Year’s Eve
Yosemite in the winter can be unpredictable, so it’s important to pack appropriately for cold and snowy conditions and be prepared. Here’s a basic list of what to bring on a trip to Yosemite in the winter:
- Warm layers – thermal tops and bottoms, fleece layers, insulated jackets
- Waterproof outerwear – jacket, pants, and boots
- Sturdy, waterproof footwear – hiking boots that are already broken in are best
- Hats, gloves, and scarves for added warmth and comfort
- More socks than you think you need – you don’t want wet socks on the trail!
- Navigation tools
- First aid kit
- A fancy outfit (and shoes to match) for attending a New Year’s Eve celebration in Yosemite
Tips for a Memorable New Year’s Eve in Yosemite
As such a popular winter destination, one of the most important tips to remember for a New Year’s trip to Yosemite is to book as far in advance as possible! This means booking your lodging, making dinner reservations, booking tours and excursions, scheduling spa services, and more to avoid missing out on pieces of your perfect Yosemite getaway.
Another important element of a great trip to Yosemite is being prepared for the weather – and that means checking the conditions in addition to bringing the right gear. If you forget something, the General Store has you covered for sundries and other things that might not have made it into your suitcase. Even in the cold weather, you can get dehydrated. Make sure you have enough water and other provisions to last you on your trip, and pick up extras at the General Store if you need more.
While exploring Yosemite National Park, always practice Leave No Trace Principles:
Plan Ahead and Prepare – Know your route, check the weather, and bring the right gear
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces – Minimize our impacts on the natural landscape by traveling and camping on more durable surfaces
Dispose of Waste Properly – Disposing of waste properly often means packing it out when a receptacle isn’t available…yes, even your toilet paper!
Leave What You Find – The nature in the park is beautiful and interesting, including cultural and historical structures and artifacts, but they cannot go home with you and shouldn’t be touched
Minimize Campfire Impacts – Keep fires small and only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand, and always use WATER to fully extinguish your campfire, even if it looks like it has gone out
Respect Wildlife – Be especially mindful of wildlife during sensitive times like mating and raising young, and keep a constant lookout for animals as you visit their natural habitats
Be Considerate of Others – Keep your noise to a minimum, move to the side for other trail users, and ask riders which side of the trail they’d like you to move to when encountering pack stock
Yosemite at New Year’s is an exclusive opportunity to ring in the new year surrounded by the beauty of one of the most stunning places in the world. Whether you’re yearning for outdoor adventures, festive parties, or stargazing from the hot tub, Yosemite has it all. Start planning your unforgettable New Year’s Eve trip to Yosemite today with YosemiteHotels.com!