Yosemite National Park: Tent cabins in January? At Curry Village, you stay free if it’s freezing

Yosemite is stunning in winter -- and this photo gallery and story by Los Angeles Times photographer Mark Boster chronicles the national park’s snowy beauty. For intrepid visitors, here’s a way to stay for free, but be prepared to chill way out. Those who book an unheated tent cabin in Curry Village on selected January nights pay a rate tied to the previous night’s low temperature as measured in degrees Celsius. So if it hits 32 degrees F, or 0 degrees C, you pay nothing.

The deal: You’ll need at least a winter-rated sleeping bag and thermals to take advantage of the Celsius Special. Temperatures are bound to be low, and the Celsius readings provide a big edge. For example, even if the low is 50 degrees F, that’s 10 C so you pay just $10 a night, plus tax. Can’t stand the cold but still want the deal? Add $25 to upgrade to a heated cabin. For those who’ve never stayed in a tent cabin, be prepared for cot-style beds and shared bathrooms.

When: The Celsius Special offer applies only on Jan. 7, 8, 21 and 22.

Tested: When making a reservation for this deal, you’ll be charged $39 a night for unheated tent cabins and $49 a night for heated cabins; prices don’t include tax. Your bill is then modified according to the temperature as recorded by the California Department of Water Resources. Here’s a list of recent temperatures. In an online check, I found availability on Jan. 7 and 8 for heated or unheated tent cabins. And with luck, the free-at-freezing rate will apply.

Contact: DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite, (801) 559-4884.