Yosemite Adventure Co - ATV Snow Track Tour in Sierra National Forest
Hi friends! Last week I set out on a late season snowy adventure with Visit Yosemite | Madera County and Yosemite Adventure Company. Imagine riding high into the snow-covered Sierra Nevada Mountains, where every turn reveals pristine white landscapes, towering pine trees dusted in snow, and jaw-dropping views that stretch all the way to Yosemite National Park. This week, I’m taking you behind the scenes of a unique and exhilarating winter adventure — a private Snow Track Tour with Yosemite Adventure Company!
Yosemite Adventure Co. Snow Track Tour in Sierra National Forest
Yosemite Adventure Company along Highway 41 in Oakhurst, CA
About Yosemite Adventure Company
Based in Oakhurst, California, this local company knows how to do outdoor fun right! Yosemite Adventure Co. is a year-round outfitter specializing in outdoor excursions that let you explore the Sierra like never before.
Yosemite Adventure Company’s home base is just north of downtown Oakhurst along Highway 41. It’s also just minutes from Bass Lake and a short drive from Yosemite’s southern entrance, making it the perfect hub for your mountain adventures. In the warmer months, they offer off-roading Jeep and UTV tours. But in winter? It’s all about snow tracks. Come along as we explore this incredible snowy journey through Yosemite’s breathtaking backyard.
Yosemite Adventure Co. ATV equipped with snow tracks
What is a Snow Track Tour?
Snow tours are designed for adventure-lovers of all kinds—whether you’re new to snow or have been exploring the mountains for years. Guests can set out on a guided journey into the Sierra National Forest on a 1-2 person ATV or 4 person UTV. Yosemite Adventure Co. focuses on local expertise, high-quality gear, guidance that helps you feel safe & confident while having a total blast along amazing mountain trails.
Snow tracks trail in Sierra National Forest
Yosemite Adventure Co. Snow Track Tour
Our ATV Snow Track Tour
On this tour, we started out with a short introductory video to prepare us for our adventure, and then we got sized up for our gear (helmet, goggles, gloves, etc). After a short drive up to the trailhead, we hit the snow in ATVs equipped with snow tracks. These rugged vehicles are built to glide across snow-covered trails and handle all kinds of terrain with ease. What started off as a green and brown landscape sprinkled with snow quickly transforms as we ascended 3,000 feet up into the Sierra over the span of 12 miles. The trees became snowcapped, the ground turned completely white, and before you know it, we were in a winter wonderland.
Our awesome guide, Robbie, made the experience even better. He led us through wintery forest paths that felt like something out of a fairytale. Majestic snow-draped trees towered overhead, untouched powder blanketed the ground, and golden sunlight reflected off the snow like a thousand tiny diamonds sparkling.
As we climbed higher, from 4,500 to 7,500 feet, the scenery just kept getting better. We made multiple stops to soak in the majestic views as we passed through open meadows, tight wooded trails, and sweeping ridge lines with panoramic vistas showcasing endless beauty that stretched all the way to Yosemite’s iconic granite peaks.
The weather can shift dramatically during the ride. On our tour, we experienced everything from snowy winter storm-like conditions to stunning clear skies with wide-open views. That unpredictability just adds to the magic of it all. Even if there isn’t much snow on the ground at first, don’t worry—that quickly changes! So be ready for cold, snowy conditions and make sure to dress in layers and wear waterproof outerwear—you’ll want to stay warm and dry to enjoy every moment. At the end of the path, I got off my ATV to admire the view and was met with thigh high snow...which was quite an experience to trudge through!
The calm silence of the snowy forest gives this tour a dreamy, magical feeling that’s unforgettable. It’s peaceful and exhilarating at the same time to zoom through the forest and stand on the edge of mountains. Whether it’s your first snow adventure or your fiftieth, it’s the kind of experience you’ll want to revisit over and over.
Standing in fresh powder in Sierra National Forest
Views at the end of the trail in Sierra National Forest
Know Before You Go
• Book Early: Tours can fill up, especially during the busy season or holiday weekends. I recommend booking online in advance at YosemiteAdventureCo.com.
• No Experience Needed: You don’t need any prior snow or ATV experience. The guides walk you through everything to prepare you for the ride.
• Gear Provided: Helmets, goggles, gloves, and all safety equipment are provided.
• Gear to Bring: Bring a couple of snacks and a water bottle, as well as your own winter outerwear, such as waterproof pants, snow jacket, gloves (if you want your own), and insulated boots — it can get cold and snowy as you zoom along the trail. I’d highly recommend bringing a waterproof bag for your belongings/camera gear. Visitors on Summer adventures should bring their own bandanas, as it can get dusty along the trails.
• Weather Shifts Fast: Conditions can change rapidly at high elevations, so bring extra layers, hand warmers, scarf, etc.
• Elevation & Cold: Expect temperatures to drop significantly as you climb into the mountains.
• Restrooms & Snacks: There are restrooms and snacks available at the main shop in Oakhurst, but once you’re on the trail, you’re off-grid...so plan accordingly.
• Photos & Video: You’ll definitely want to capture the experience. Bring a camera or Inata360 (just secure it safely in a water-proof bag as you ride).
• Safety: Ride within your own comfort zone and obey the tour guides instructions. Also beware of other adventurers along the trails. We encountered a few other snow-mobiles along the way, so be cautious around blind corners.
• Leave No Trace: Please remember to pack out everything you pack in. Familiarize yourself with the Leave No Trace principles before your trip. Please help leave this special place better than you found it so its natural beauty can be enjoyed for years to come.
• Current Conditions: The Travel Alerts page on YosemiteThisYear.com is a great resource to reference prior to any Yosemite trip. There you’ll find up-to-date park information, road conditions, and links to everything you might need while preparing for your trip.
Snowmobile seen in Sierra National Forest
In Summary & Post Sponsor
Thanks so much for joining this me this week just south of Yosemite National Park. For a virtual visit of my Yosemite Adventure Co. experience, make sure to watch my Behind the Blog video located at the top of this post, or watch it on YouTube here.
I’d like to give a special thank you to the sponsor of this post, Visit Yosemite | Madera County. Please consider stopping off to support the small businesses and local economies of the gateway communities surrounding the park. For great information on what to do inside Yosemite National Park and in Madera County directly to the south (along Highway 41), check out YosemiteThisYear.com and @yosemitemadera on Instagram. Until next time, I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go.
Fresh powder in Sierra National Forest
If you enjoyed this post, you might also like…
About Me
I’m Dawn Marie, a travel and lifestyle blogger based out of Southern California. With in-depth articles, travel guides, and reviews on hotels & products, I seek to share my journeys to help you plan for your own. My adventures take me all over California, the western United States, and around the globe...and every Monday I post new content here, including a comprehensive blog post and YouTube video.
Search the Blog
Featured Posts
Etsy Shop
Yosemite Adventure Company is a top rated tour company just south of Yosemite National Park. Located along Highway 41 in Oakhurst, CA, this outfitter takes adventure seekers up into the mountains to explore the Sierra National Forest on ATVs, UTVs & Jeeps year round. Today we're taking a guided ATV Snow Track Tour near Bass Lake for some fun in the snow thanks to Visit Yosemite Madera County.