Yosemite Forum

I am planning an RV trip there this year during the Christmas Holidays with my wife and child. I will be renting an RV in Oakland and driving to Yosemite for Christmas,then on to Death Valley, then to San Diego. Where would you recommend, in the village, to stay in a 25' RV? Will I need chains, and or where can I rent them, or are the main roads usually cleared or passable this time of year? Should I make reservations to camp, or are spots usually available during Christmas? I plan on using the shuttle to get around in the park while I am there. Also if you had three or four days there during this time of year what activities and sights would I not want to miss? Thanks..

They do not take reservations in Dec. all the sites are first come first served. Only Upper Pines will be open and only the first 3 or 4 loops. That being said, I have had no problem getting a site in Dec. I can't remember exactly, but we arrived either on Christmas Eve or Christmas day several years ago with my 5th wheel and had no problems getting in.

You should take HWY 140, which is the all year highway and never (dare I say never?) closes for bad weather. However, if you arrive at the park and there is a fresh snow fall, you may need chains. As far as renting them, I have no idea. I purchase my own for my truck. If I was you, I would buy them at some place like Wal Mart where you can return them if you do not use them. Get them in Oakland, then return them in San Diego. Of course, ask for sure if you can return them if not used.

Take a day and go up to Badger Pass, you can ski, snow shoe or slide on tubes. There is a bus that will take you up there. Take a day and walk the valley floor trails, plenty to see and easily occupy an entire day. If you are ambitious, go to the top of Yosemite Falls, which is usually snow free because it faces south. You can ice skate at Curry Village as well.

Death Valley you MUST have reservations that time of year. It is their high season. They used to have 1000 sites at sunset campground and it wasn't usually a problem, but they revamped that campground and I think it is now just 250.