The road into Badger Pass — Glacier Point Road, branching off Highway 41/Wawona Road — is the only access. It also becomes one of California's premier groomed cross-country ski trails when it closes to vehicles past the resort. Both stories matter to anyone visiting in winter.
From Highway 41 (Wawona Road) at Chinquapin junction, Glacier Point Road runs east — climbing through forest for about 5 miles to reach Badger Pass Ski Area. The first 5 miles are plowed and maintained for vehicle access in winter; this is the part you drive.
The road continues another 10+ miles past Badger Pass to the Glacier Point overlook — but in winter, that section is closed to vehicles and groomed instead for cross-country skiing.
Glacier Point Road to Badger Pass is plowed by the National Park Service. In active snowstorms it may briefly close for plowing — typically reopening within a few hours. Major closures are rare but possible.
Check before you drive: Yosemite road conditions line at (209) 372-0200, updated daily and during active weather. Also visible at nps.gov/yose conditions page.
California Department of Transportation chain controls (R1, R2, R3) frequently apply on Highway 41 and Glacier Point Road during winter weather. The park strictly enforces — rangers and contracted chain installers monitor the road on bad-weather days.
Read our full tire chain guide for what to bring, how to install, and which type to buy.
Past the Badger Pass parking lot, Glacier Point Road is closed to vehicles for the winter and groomed as a cross-country ski track. This track is one of California's premier Nordic ski experiences:
Equipment from the Nordic Center; instruction available via Intro, Intermediate, or Advanced cross-country lessons.
Snowshoers can use the same Glacier Point Road but should stay off the groomed cross-country tracks (walk in the soft snow alongside, not on the grooming). All the same turnaround points work. The Dewey Point guided snowshoe uses this corridor for part of its route.