Hello, there… Greetings from Yosemite National Park!
Yosemite National Park’s beauty and charm are difficult to match. And if you are considering visiting Yosemite National Park but aren’t sure the best time to visit Yosemite?
Don’t worry!
Here, I’m looking forward to assisting you in determining the best time to go to Yosemite for your upcoming holiday!
You can travel whenever it is most convenient for you, based on your personal preferences, if you have flexible travel plans.
The beauty of Yosemite is that the weather is pleasant throughout the year. It shows that a vacation here is a great choice no matter what time of the year it is. Another good news is that Yosemite offers a wide range of exciting activities and breathtaking sights at any time of year.
So, deciding when is the best time to visit Yosemite National Park, consider the weather, what’s open, and the people’s presence, read the blog.
ALERT
Vaccinate Yourself. Get a Boost. Put on a Mask. Take a Test. And Travel Well!
Before planning any trip during the times of COVID-19, please check the most updated travel restrictions, and always observe Visiting Yosemite’s COVID-19 guidelines. Things could change.
Review our travel guide “best time to visit Yosemite” and select the ones that are most relevant to you when selecting when is the best time of year to visit Yosemite.
Okey…Dokey!!
Yosemite National Park is exceptional in that it has beautiful weather throughout the year. The following summary explains why coming here at any time of year is a good idea. Another excellent thing about this national park is that there is always something to do and see.
Here is a summary of Yosemite’s best time to visit.
Best Time Of Year To Visit Yosemite (A Year in Review) | |
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The Best Time Of Year To Visit Yosemite | May and September are the best months to visit Yosemite since the park is accessible yet not too busy. |
The Best Time Of Year To Visit Yosemite - Ideal Weather | June and September |
Best Time to Visit Yosemite for Hike or Backpack | July and August |
Best Time to Visit Yosemite for Skiing & Natural Firefall | Winters |
Cheapest Time To Visit Yosemite | October |
Best Time to Visit Yosemite for Unique Adventure | February |
Best Time To See Waterfalls In Yosemite | May and June |
Best Times To Go To Yosemite For Avoiding Crowds | September is an excellent month to visit because the weather is pleasant and there are fewer tourists. |
Best Times To Go To Yosemite For camping | Seasonal campgrounds in Yosemite normally open in late May and close in August. |
Yosemite National Park in California showcases the majesty of the Sierra Nevada Mountains that’s why it is a stunning sight to visit at any time of year.
Yosemite is not merely a large valley, but a shrine to human foresight, granite’s strength, glaciers’ force, life’s persistence, and the High Sierra’s quiet.
Yosemite National Park was established in 1864 and is most renowned for its waterfalls, but it also contains deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient gigantic sequoias, a wide wilderness region, and much more.
Every year, about a million and a half people visit the park in the months of June, July, and August.
Yosemite National Park provides the following activities.
Yosemite National Park is a beautiful year-round destination with a wide range of activities. Every season brings something fresh to learn about. Here’s a seasonal summary of when the best time to visit Yosemite is, based on your priorities.
There are four seasons in Yosemite.
Fall (September To November) As the busy summer visitors begin to disperse, a peaceful calm falls over the Yosemite landscape. And animals and plants begin to prepare for winter. |
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Winter (December To March) Yosemite National Park in the winter can be truly magical! Winter is Yosemite's least popular season in terms of visitors, but the park is stunning with a fresh blanket of snow. In winters, you'll still be able to enjoy spectacular mountain views and a peaceful winter wonderland. |
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Spring (April & May) The best time of year to travel to Yosemite national park is in the spring. However, It's a gamble to visit Yosemite in the spring since you never know whether routes will be open. In the park, spring is a period of transition. As the long winter begins to fade away, wildlife emerges, trees begin to bud, and roads and campgrounds begin to open in preparation for the busy summer season. |
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Summer (June to August) Everything is open in Yosemite during the summer, which is fantastic! During the summer, your options are effectively limitless, but they come at a cost and with crowds. |
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Check out this month-by-month guide to the ideal time to visit Yosemite to get the most out of this city best explored on foot.
July | The Hottest Month |
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December | The coolest Month |
February | The Rainiest Month |
August | The Driest Month |
Month | Hours |
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January | 9.9 |
February | 10.9 |
March | 12.0 |
April | 13.2 |
May | 14.2 |
June | 14.7 |
July | 14.4 |
August | 13.5 |
September | 12.4 |
October | 11.2 |
November | 10.2 |
December | 9.6 |
Visiting the park in January has a lot of advantages. If you can visit Yosemite in January, you will have a fantastic time and leave with a new respect for the park’s snow and solitude. In Yosemite, popular winter activities include ice skating, downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, and tubing.
January, like December, is a chilly winter month at Yosemite National Park, California.
Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) |
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-2 | 9 | 29 | 48 |
Because of the popularity of the Firefall, February is the busiest winter month in the park. Horsetail Fall appears to be on fire as a result of this natural phenomena, and visitors come from all over the world to witness it.
Typically, the Firefall occurs in the latter two weeks of February. Be prepared for heavy crowds, traffic, and more expensive hotels if you visit the park during this period.
Yosemite’s winters are often chilly and snowy, however bright and pleasant days may occur. The following table shows the average temperature in Yosemite Valley.
Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) |
---|---|---|---|
-1 | 11 | 30 | 57 |
The splendor of snow falling on the Valley domes or the enormous sequoias of Mariposa Grove is a major advantage of visiting in March. Yosemite is a photographer’s paradise because of the low, winter lighting. It’s a snowy wonderland, to be sure.
Winter in Yosemite Valley (Tuolumne and the high country are closed) is often cold, snowy, or rainy, however, there are some sunny and mild days. The following table shows the average temperature in Yosemite Valley.
Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) |
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1 | 14 | 34 | 57 |
April in Yosemite is notoriously unreliable, making it one of my least favorite months to visit the park. Temperatures and snow levels aren’t normally conducive to winter activities, but it won’t be warm enough to open the Tioga or Glacier Point Roads or climb many of the park’s lengthier trails until later this month.
The following table shows the average temperature in Yosemite Valley in April.
Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) |
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3 | 17 | 38 | 63 |
The most significant advantage of visiting in May is witnessing the park’s rebirth after a very long winter. Wildflowers begin blossoming in lower elevation meadows around mid-May.
Yosemite’s wildflowers include evening primrose, western azalea, and seep-spring monkeyflower, to name a few. In mid-to late May, redbud and dogwood trees bloom as well. It’s an especially lovely and hopeful time to be in the park.
The following table shows the average temperature in Yosemite Valley in May.
Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) |
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7 | 21 | 45 | 71 |
Yosemite in June is very stunning. The waterfalls are gushing and the flowers are in full bloom. The best reason to visit in June is that much of the snow has gone, making numerous trails accessible.
Another advantage of visiting at this time of year is that Tioga Road and Glacier Point are open to vehicle traffic.
The most significant disadvantage of visiting in June is the crowds. From April to June, park attendance doubles, and the throngs only get bigger as the summer continues.
The following table shows the average temperature in Yosemite Valley in June.
Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) |
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11 | 27 | 51 | 81 |
Yosemite in July is extremely stunning. July is often Yosemite’s busiest month, so make sure you have a strategy for managing the crowds and finding parking! For the summer season, visitor centers, ranger programs, shuttles, restaurants, stores, and activities should all be open.
The park is filled with flora and species, and wildlife is out frolicking and enjoying the warm weather.
The following table shows the average temperature in Yosemite Valley in July.
Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) |
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14 | 32 | 57 | 89 |
August is another incredibly busy month in Yosemite, so make sure you have a strategy in place for locating parking and navigating the crowds.
Large thunderstorms are prevalent in the mountains during the summer, so keep an eye on the weather forecast and start trekking early if you’re visiting during this time.
Another advantage of going at this time of year
Is that all of the trails are open, allowing you to choose from hundreds of miles of the route.
The following table shows the average temperature in Yosemite Valley in August.
Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) |
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14 | 32 | 57 | 89 |
Yosemite National Park does not see a significant slowdown in September, as many other national parks do. The park is alive with flora and fauna, as wildlife is out and about enjoying the last of the warm weather.
In terms of what’s available and traffic levels, September in Yosemite is still considered part of the summer, so plan ahead and expect excellent weather for exploring.
Another advantage of going at this time of year
is that all of the trails are open, allowing you to choose from hundreds of miles of the route.
The following table shows the average temperature in Yosemite Valley in September.
Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) |
---|---|---|---|
11 | 28 | 51 | 83 |
As the park prepares for the oncoming winter, October signals the start of another transition season. Snowstorms are possible, which could result in road closures.
While the majority of the trees in Yosemite are evergreen, the maples, oaks, and dogwoods put on a spectacular show in mid-October.
The campgrounds and lodges along the Tioga and Glacier Point roads begin to close, and Yosemite Valley becomes the area to visit in the Autumn once more.
The following table shows the average temperature in Yosemite Valley in October.
Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) |
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5 | 22 | 41 | 71 |
Is November a good time to visit Yosemite? There will be plenty of chances to enjoy the park without having to share it with anyone else.
November in Yosemite is notoriously unreliable, making it one of my least favorite months to visit the park.
Another advantage is that many trails in Hetch Hetchy and Wawona are still available, as are many routes in the Valley at lower elevations.
The following table shows the average temperature in Yosemite Valley in
Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) |
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0 | 13 | 33 | 56 |
December in Yosemite is a fantastic way to spend the holiday season if you’re searching for a pleasant Christmas break.
The splendor of snow falling on the Valley domes or the enormous sequoias of Mariposa Grove is another major advantage of visiting in December.
Expect snow, stunning views, and a plethora of exciting winter activities!
It’s a snowy wonderland, to be sure. In addition, the dim illumination of winter allows for excellent photographs.
Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) |
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-2 | 8 | 28 | 46 |
There is no worse time to visit Yosemite. It depends on your preference. And If you don’t like crowds, avoid going during the summer months of July and August, when the number of visitors can be five or six times higher than during the tranquil winter months (except for the holidays, when numbers spike). The park’s busiest months will be June and September.
Winter is considered by many photographers to be the greatest time to photograph Yosemite. Fresh snow, dramatic light, waterfalls, and fewer tourists are all possibilities in January and March.
Throughout the year, Yosemite National Park offers a diverse range of activities and weather. When it comes to picking the best time to visit Yosemite, you have complete control.
On the other hand, each season has its special combination of attractions. In this travel guide, we’ve explained each season, month, and event. As a consequence, deciding on the best option and carefully organizing your vacation will be straightforward.