Yosemite National Park is one of the most beautiful locations in the United States. From the world-renowned waterfalls to the stunning granite monoliths which jut out of the ground, the scenery at Yosemite National Park is unmatched.
With all that it has on offer, it makes sense for you to be interested in visiting the park.
However, organizing a trip to Yosemite National Park is one that requires a lot of planning to make sure you will see everything you desire to see throughout your time there.
One of the biggest questions people have when it comes to seeing national parks is when is the best time to go as the landscape changes seasonally. The best time to visit Yosemite National Park is one such question, and the answer can vary for everyone.
There is so much to see and do at Yosemite, so it is a trip that can be done multiple times throughout the year if you are looking for a complete experience. Located just an hour north of Fresno and around three hours from both San Francisco and Sacramento, this national park is fairly accessible, meaning a trip could be around the corner for you.
To ensure that you have the best experience at Yosemite and see everything you desire to experience, you need to know when the best time to visit is.
In this guide, we are going to share the seasonal experiences you can expect at Yosemite National Park so you can decide when is the best time for you to visit.
Factors To Consider Before Visiting Yosemite
The best time to visit Yosemite will vary based on each individual and what their desires for the trip are. As well as considering the sights you want to see and the activities you are interested in, you must also consider how accessible this national park will be during the time you travel.
Yosemite National Park is located in California and compared to other sites of a similar nature, it is fairly accessible. Whether you are based in San Francisco or Sacramento, it may only take a couple of hours to enter Yosemite National Park and experience all the natural beauty for yourself.
The accessibility of the park is something to consider when planning your trip as it may influence when the best time to visit is.
For example, while it is a fairly accessible national park with main roads leading close by, these are not open all year. Both Glacier Point Road and Tioga Road are typically closed during the late fall and early summer, which may make it more difficult to access the park during October, November, May, and June from your starting point.
The roads through Yosemite Valley are open all year round, but their accessibility will vary if there are snow chain restrictions in place following heavy snowfall at the higher elevations during the winter season.
The weather is another factor to consider when visiting Yosemite National Park, as all of your time will be spent outdoors. Depending on what you want to do in this location, whether you are interested in hiking, rock climbing, or camping, the weather may influence when the best time to visit the park is. We will address the specific weather conditions per season later in this guide.
The last thing to consider before planning your trip to Yosemite National Park is the crowds.
As a popular national park, it is very unlikely that you will be the only hikers there at any one time. However, some times of the year are busier than others, and this is something to consider before planning your trip as it can impact what you can do.
A Seasonal Guide To Yosemite National Park
With these factors in mind, it is important to note that the experience of Yosemite National Park will change along with the seasons.
Not only does the season affect the weather, and therefore the activities you can do at Yosemite, but also the number of people that will also be visiting the same location.
The time of year that you choose to visit Yosemite National Park is incredibly important, and to help you make this decision, we have created a seasonal guide to the park.
Spring
For most people, spring is the best time to visit Yosemite National Park.
During this season, the wildflowers across Yosemite Valley have just started to bloom, and the waterfalls are at their peak. Spring is a great season to visit because it allows you to avoid the summer crowds and experience some of the best sights within the valley.
The daytime temperatures during the spring tend to be warm and comfortable, making hiking and rock climbing comfortable, but they do drop significantly at night. Campers should be prepared for the cold night temperatures when visiting during the spring.
It is important to note that during early spring (March and April), both Glacier Point Road and Tioga Road are still closed for the winter, which may impact how accessible the park is to you. These roads tend to open up again in May.
Summer
Summer is the most popular time of year for Yosemite National Park, which means it will be incredibly busy at peak times.
The famous scenery and amazing summer weather are a great attraction to vacationing families as it is a great time to camp in the valley. However, this can make it crowded and difficult to experience the natural wonders for yourself.
If you do plan to visit Yosemite during the summer, it is recommended to avoid weekends as this tends to be the busiest time for the valley. It can become too crowded during this time which makes it difficult to partake in the activities you want.
The daytime temperatures in peak summer can be incredibly uncomfortable, reaching the high 90s, and by mid-summer, the waterfalls have run dry.
This is why many people who visit Yosemite in the summer opt to access the famous hiking trails through Tuolumne Meadows, which is refreshing and peaceful compared to the center of the valley. These meadows provide easy access to the hiking trails in Yosemite’s High Sierra.
Fall
Fall is another great time to visit Yosemite National Park, not only for the amazing scenery as the colors change but also because the crowds have thinned out since the summer.
As long as you book your trip following Labor Day, there will be drastically fewer crowds throughout the park in fall compared to the summer making for a more pleasurable experience.
September is one of the best months for hiking and rock climbing in Yosemite Valley. The crisp autumn air and fall colors make for a beautiful experience, although it will be significantly colder as the evenings come in closer.
By mid-September, services on Tioga Road will have shut down in preparation for the winter.
Winter
In terms of visitation, winter is perhaps the least popular season for Yosemite National Park, but this does not mean it should be ignored.
While the crowds may be drastically smaller, the incredible sights of the first snowfall along the valley are breathtaking and make for an unforgettable experience. There is also a good range of events organized for Yosemite Valley during this season, including wine tasting, Chef’s Holiday, and the famous Christmas Bracebridge Dinner making for a unique and fun experience.
Tioga Road has completely closed down for the winter, which cuts off access to Tuolomne Meadows, but the High Sierra through Glacier Point Road should have been plowed to the Yosemite Ski and Snowboard Area.
This is a small ski resort that offers both downhill and cross country skiing.
At the end of the season, crowds may pick up again as many people want to witness a glimpse of the Fireball, which is one of the most amazing natural spectacles in Yosemite. This takes place at the end of the winter season, in February.
When Is The Best Time To Visit Yosemite National Park?
Now that you know what to expect with each season, you may have a better idea of when you want to visit Yosemite National Park.
As we have mentioned, each season brings with it new weather, new sights, and new levels of crowding, which are all factors to consider. If you are going to Yosemite Valley for a specific experience, then we can recommend the best time for your visit based on what is happening in the area.
The best time to visit Yosemite will differ based on what you want to see and what you want to do. Such as:
The Best Time For Wildflowers
Wildflowers can be spotted most of the year in Yosemite National Park due to the varying elevation of the valley, but this does not mean all seasons offer the same experience.
The spring is a great time to see the emerging colors of the wildflowers throughout Yosemite National Park, particularly in the lower elevations. Hiking through Cook’s Meadow Loop in Yosemite Valley, Wawona Meadow Loop in Wawona, and Wapama Falls in Hetch Hetchy is your chance to see the first colorful signs of spring in the national park.
It may also be possible to see the first signs of life popping through the snow at higher elevations during this time, but the lower areas are best for these sights.
While spring brings the first signs of life, summer is rich in color. Hiking through Tuolumne Meadows during this season will bring you face to face with incredible colors and various wildflowers like pink shooting stars in the early months and columbine, firewood, and dog violets in late summer.
The Best Time For Good Weather
As Yosemite National Park is such a vast area, spanning nearly 1,200 miles with highs of nearly 13,000 feet and lows of 2,000 feet, the best weather will differ based on where you spend your time.
If you want to avoid the rain when visiting Yosemite National Park so you can hike and rock climb safely, then the best time to visit is between June and September.
For warm and comfortable temperatures during the day, spring may be your best option. Mid-summer brings with it high and sometimes uncomfortable temperatures within the 90s at Yosemite, making hiking difficult, but spring is cooler.
The temperatures at night during spring will drop significantly, which is something to be aware of if you are camping.
The Best Time For Easy Access
Tioga Road is the only road that covers the entire park making it one of the most accessible ways into Yosemite. This road is ideal for travelers who want to see as much of Yosemite National Park as possible on their trip, and this can be done in a short amount of time.
To see all of Yosemite from this road, take the scenic route, which begins at Crane Flat, and follow the road until it ends at Tioga Pass. This is a 47-mile road that offers some incredible views and constant access to the park.
If this is how you want to see Yosemite National Park, then the best time to visit is between May and mid-October, when the road is open.
Typically, Tioga Road shuts for the winter in mid-October and November depending on the winter conditions and will not open again until May. The opening of the road is sometimes delayed until June if there has been heavy snowfall during the winter.
The Best Time For Camping
Camping in Yosemite National Park is incredibly popular and something a lot of families want to experience.
It is possible to camp all year round at Yosemite, as there are typically four campsites open throughout this time. The Wawona, Hodgdon Meadow, Yosemite Valley’s Upper Pines, and Camp 4 campgrounds are typically open all year long.
However, if you do not want to have to worry about the freezing winter temperatures or finding a place deep in the park, then the summer is the best time for camping.
There are seasonal campsites at Yosemite, which begin to open from May and will stay open as late as August. Reservations are required for these campsites, and they become full quickly, so it is best to book as early as possible to secure a place.
The Best Time To Avoid Crowds
You are inevitably going to have to share your time in Yosemite National Park with other hikers and campers, but the time of year you visit can impact how much sharing you have to do.
While the park is open all year round, a vast majority of the visitation to Yosemite Valley comes during the middle of the year. Between May and October sees the most visitors to Yosemite, but the summer months in the middle of this period of the busiest.
The quietest time to visit Yosemite National Park is between November and April, when you can witness the incredible winter sights and go for snow hikes through the higher elevations.
Dealing With The Crowds At Yosemite
As we have mentioned, summer is the busiest time for Yosemite National Park as it is the time of year when most people are free for a vacation.
If summer is the only time that you can book a trip to Yosemite, do not be disheartened. It is possible to still have a great experience and to get the most out of the natural landscapes even while there are crowds of people around.
The following tips will help you make the most out of your summer trip to Yosemite and prevent you from getting pilled in by the crowds:
Go For A Hike
This is one of the best things to do in Yosemite at all times of the year, and in summer, you can avoid the crowds by seeking out trails that are far away from the main roads.
Check Out Other Areas Outside The Valley
This is a great idea if you are spending multiple days at Yosemite and want to see as much as possible.
While a trip to Yosemite Valley is a must, this is the most popular spot, so you avoid the crowds by checking out other areas like Hetch Hetchy or Wawona, both of which are beautiful but less crowded.
Head Out Early
To avoid as much of the crowds as possible, head out for your hike early into the day.
Perhaps you could aim to see the sunrise from Yosemite Falls, as the earlier you rise, the more of the park you will be able to see without crowds.
Take A Picnic
Instead of relying on the busy eateries within the park, take a picnic and find a quiet spot to refresh with the family. With your own food, you can take in the sights quietly and refuel away from the crowds of tourists in the café.
Yosemite National Park is one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in California, so it is worth a visit whenever you get the chance.