Updated September 2026
Don't let a rainy forecast talk you out of your Yosemite trip. Some of the park's best moments — mist rising off the granite, waterfalls running at full power, empty trails you'd normally share with a crowd — only happen when the weather turns. And when you do want to come in out of the weather, Groveland and the surrounding Highway 120 corridor have plenty to keep you busy. Here are 10 rainy-day activities in and around Yosemite National Park, all verified current as of this update.
1. Take a Guided Bus or Tram Tour of the Valley
Yosemite's Valley Floor Tour runs year-round, rain or shine — in an open-air tram during warm months and a heated motor coach in the colder, wetter season, so you'll stay dry while a park naturalist points out landmarks, wildlife, and the geologic history that shaped the valley. It runs about 2 hours and currently costs $41.25 for adults and $28.25 for kids ages 2–12. If you're visiting between May and October, the full-day Grand Tour (Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point, and Mariposa Grove, with lunch included) and the shorter Glacier Point Tour are also worth checking, though both are seasonal and weather-dependent at higher elevations. Book through Travel Yosemite before you go, since tours can sell out.
2. Warm Up at a Visitor or Nature Center
The Valley Visitor Center and ranger-staffed nature programs are a reliable, free way to spend a rainy hour — exhibits cover the park's geology, wildlife, and human history, and rangers can point you toward that day's indoor talks or interpretive programs. It's also simply one of the best places to ask a ranger what's actually open and accessible given current conditions, since road and trail closures can shift quickly in wet weather. Check the NPS ranger programs page for the current schedule before you arrive.
3. Browse the Ansel Adams Gallery
Located right in Yosemite Village, The Ansel Adams Gallery is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and houses an extraordinary collection of Ansel Adams' original photography alongside work from contemporary landscape photographers, fine art prints, and handcrafted books. If you're visiting on a Tuesday or Thursday, ask about their free photo walks — a great way to learn a few new tricks for shooting Yosemite in moody, post-storm light.
4. Take a Hike Anyway
Rain doesn't close Yosemite's trails — it just changes them. The Mist Trail (0.8 to 5.4 miles depending on how far you go) earns its name for a reason: Vernal and Nevada Falls run harder and mistier after rain, and a poncho is honestly part of the experience. Mirror Lake (2 to 5 miles round trip) is a gentler option with dramatic reflections of Half Dome when the clouds break. For something quieter and away from the crowds, the old-growth sequoias at Merced Grove feel especially atmospheric under a light rain, and the trail is short enough to keep the risk low if conditions turn. Bring real rain gear and check current trail conditions before you head out — the Blackberry Inn front desk is always happy to point you toward the best option for that day's weather.
5. Have a Meal With a View
The Ahwahnee Dining Room, inside the historic Ahwahnee Hotel, is one of the most memorable places to eat near the park — 34-foot ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows facing the valley walls, and a dining room built to feel grand even (especially) when it's storming outside. Reservations are recommended and fill up fast, particularly during peak season, so book ahead through Travel Yosemite.
6. Go Wine Tasting in Murphys
About an hour from Groveland, the small town of Murphys is one of the Sierra foothills' best-kept wine secrets, and tasting rooms are an ideal way to spend a wet afternoon. Milliaire Winery (276 Main St.) is open daily 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and pours small-batch, family-made wines in a relaxed, unpretentious tasting room. Ironstone Vineyards is worth the detour on its own — beyond the tasting room, it has a cave tour, a jewelry shop built around an enormous gold nugget, and grounds that are gorgeous even in the rain. Black Sheep Winery, right on Main Street, rounds out a walkable afternoon of tasting rooms if you want to make a day of it without much driving. Hours can shift seasonally, so it's worth a quick call ahead.
7. Visit a Local Museum
Three museums in the area make for an easy, mostly-indoor rainy-day loop. The California State Mining and Mineral Museum in Mariposa (open Thursday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. in winter and 10 a.m.–5 p.m. in summer, $4 admission) holds one of the finest mineral and gold specimen collections in the country. The Groveland Yosemite Gateway Museum, right on Main Street in Groveland and open Thursday–Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., is free and covers the area's Gold Rush and Yosemite-gateway history across three floors — a great way to spend 30–45 minutes without leaving town. And Columbia State Historic Park, a restored 1850s Gold Rush town about an hour away, is open daily (10–4 in winter, 10–5 in summer) with gold panning through the Matelot Gulch Mining Company, stagecoach rides, and costumed interpreters keeping the whole town in character.
8. Cozy Up at Blackberry Inn
Sometimes the best rainy-day plan is not going anywhere at all. Every room at Blackberry Inn has its own electric fireplace and sitting area — perfect for a slow morning with coffee, a good book, or a board game from our lending shelf. Draw a bath, pour a glass of wine, and let the rain on the roof do the rest. If you want something on screen, we're partial to nature documentaries like The Dawn Wall or a classic adventure film like Indiana Jones — ask your innkeeper for a recommendation when you check in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Yosemite worth visiting when it's raining? Yes — rain often means fewer crowds, dramatically fuller waterfalls, and some of the moodiest, most photogenic light you'll see in the park. Most trails, tours, and viewpoints stay open in the rain; only the highest-elevation areas and a handful of activities are weather-dependent.
What should I pack for a rainy day in Yosemite? A real rain jacket (ponchos work in a pinch, especially near the Mist Trail), waterproof or quick-drying shoes, a dry bag or cover for your camera, and layers — Yosemite's temperature can swing quickly once the weather moves in.
Are Yosemite's roads and trails affected by rain? Sometimes — heavy storms can occasionally affect road conditions on approach roads or close specific trails. Check the NPS current conditions page or you can call the Caltrans Road Conditions hotline at 1-800-427-7623 the morning of your visit, or ask at the Blackberry Inn front desk; we keep an eye on conditions for our guests daily.
Don't let a little rain talk you out of a Yosemite getaway — book your stay at Blackberry Inn, a bed and breakfast just outside the park's Big Oak Flat entrance, and let us help you build a rain-or-shine itinerary. Browse our rooms or check current offers to plan your visit.