Snowshoeing Yosemite: Badger Pass to Dewey Point

Walk into the backcountry on snowshoes and reach an overlook above the valley.

A private snowshoeing activity in Yosemite National Park that starts at Badger Pass Ski Resort and follows a route through snow-covered forest and meadows to Dewey Point, an outcropping with expansive views of Yosemite Valley and El Capitan. A professional guide meets you at the parking area, provides snowshoes and trekking poles, and teaches proper technique and safe winter backcountry travel. The route passes through a winter landscape most visitors never see, ending at the high-country overlook.

The experience

How do you get into Yosemite's winter backcountry without skis or mountaineering gear? Snowshoes let you walk into terrain that is closed to regular hiking, and the route from Badger Pass to Dewey Point is built around that access. Your guide meets you at the Badger Pass parking area, fits you with snowshoes and trekking poles, and walks you through the technique before you head into the high country. The trail passes through snow-covered trees and meadows: the parts of Yosemite most people never reach in winter.

Dewey Point sits at the end of the route as an outcropping with views across Yosemite Valley, including the face of El Capitan. The guide handles the route and the pacing, and you move through the winter landscape at a steady pace. The activity takes most of a day, and the guide teaches you safe backcountry winter travel as you go, so you're not just walking but learning how to move through snow on foot.

What’s included

• Professional guide leading the route.
• snowshoes and trekking poles provided.
• instruction on snowshoeing technique and safe backcountry winter travel.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00Last departure this season: 31 Oct

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (8 to 75 years) · Under 8: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Paid on siteUS$ 35

Good to know

Physically demandingPets welcomeNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Lasting Adventures

Is this one for you?The route is eight hours of steady walking in snow at elevation, so it demands a high level of physical fitness and good cardiovascular health. If you're comfortable with a full day of winter hiking and want to reach the high-country overlooks that most visitors miss, this is the way to do it.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What do I need to bring for a snowshoeing trip to Dewey Point?

Bring warm clothing, insulated footwear, and a water bottle. The operator provides snowshoes, trekking poles and professional instruction. Lunch and snacks are your responsibility, so pack food that travels well in a backpack.

How long does the snowshoeing route from Badger Pass to Dewey Point take?

The activity runs for eight hours, starting at the Badger Pass parking area and ending at the Dewey Point overlook. That time includes instruction on technique and safe winter travel, so the pace is steady rather than rushed.

What makes Dewey Point worth the snowshoe hike?

Dewey Point is a high-country outcropping that opens views across Yosemite Valley, including the towering face of El Capitan and the surrounding peaks. It's a vantage most winter visitors never reach because the route requires snowshoes and a guide.

Is this a private activity or do I join other groups?

All tours are private, so you book the guide and the route for your group alone. The guide meets you at Badger Pass and leads only your party through the backcountry to Dewey Point.

What if the weather is bad or the road to Badger Pass is closed?

If weather, fire, or delayed seasonal openings affect the route, the operator will offer a different itinerary and keep you in contact throughout the process. Some of Yosemite's unique winter phenomena happen in less-than-ideal weather, so conditions may shift the exact route but not the activity itself.