Yosemite is one of America’s most beloved National Parks. It’s also a very popular destination for Californians looking for a break from nearby cities like San Fransisco and Sacramento. But what is the best time to visit Yosemite, California? Well, there’s no one right answer to that question.
Before deciding when to visit Yosemite National Park you need to ask yourself what are your priorities and preferences? Do you prefer warm weather activities or snowy pursuits? Are you a hiker or a waterfall chaser? Are you ok sharing space with lots of other visitors or do you try to avoid crowds as much as possible? What will your Yosemite itinerary look like?
Answering questions like these will help determine your best time to go to Yosemite. Keep reading and we’ll give you some advice on how to pick the best season to visit based on your answers. However, if you’re like us you’ll probably decide you need to visit Yosemite in every season!
Whatever time of year you choose to go there are plenty of options for accommodations in and around Yosemite and Mammoth Lakes. If it’s your first time visiting Yosemite National Park you’ll probably want to stay in the park itself so that everything is right on your doorstep.
Here you can find everything from basic hotels to rustic lodges and charming inns. Mammoth Lakes is also a good spot to base yourself when visiting Yosemite with a big variety of accommodations. Just keep in mind that the Tioga Pass between Yosemite and Mammoth Lakes is closed in the winter.
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How to Decide the Best Time to Visit Yosemite
Spring in Yosemite (late-March to mid-June)
Spring is often a favorite season for a California getaway especially for nature lovers as everything is bursting with new life. Flowers are blooming, leaves are sprouting, temperatures are milder and wildlife is awakening.
This is also the best season for viewing the Yosemite waterfalls. In May and June, the warming temperatures melt the snow in the mountains which then flows down into Yosemite Valley creating fully cascading falls. With more than 20 major waterfalls in Yosemite, you can chase them all day long.
Hiking at moderate elevations is also a great activity in the spring as temperatures are usually pleasant and not yet too hot for a long trek. Add to all this the fact that the masses don’t start arriving until July and spring in Yosemite National Park may become your favorite time to explore.
Considerations: Temperatures can still be pretty variable in the spring and drop intensely with the sun so be sure to layer up. Hiking at higher elevations may not be possible or will require snowshoes. Also, the Tioga Pass and Glacier Point roads generally remain closed until late May or even June and Mariposa Grove Road, where the Giant Sequoias are, doesn’t open until some time in April.
Summer in Yosemite (mid-June to early-September)
As you would expect, summer is peak season for Yosemite as it is for many other National Parks like Glacier and Yellowstone. The sun is shining, the temperatures are rising and everywhere in the park becomes accessible.
Early summer is bursting with color from thousands of wildflowers and there are endless trails to explore without the masses of visitors that arrive in July and August.
Summer can also be the only time you can hike the Half Dome Trail and the High Sierra. Even once the height of summer hits you can still escape the crowds on some of the less popular trails.
The summer months also bring festivals and activities like horse riding and gold panning which are not as available outside of high season.
Another bonus of the summer months is that the Tioga Pass is open so you can add a visit to Mammoth Lakes or the ghost town of Bodie into your itinerary. Just be sure to book accommodations in Yosemite or Mammoth Lakes far in advance at this time of year.
Considerations: The crowds are the biggest downside to visiting Yosemite in the summer with an average of 600,000 visitors over July and August. This creates crowding and long line-ups at the entrances to the park. If you choose to visit Yosemite in the summer definitely try to avoid the weekends. It can also get very hot during the day and the waterfalls lose their luster as the water flow slows. You can find cooler temperatures and more flowing waterfalls in the Tuolumne Meadows, however.
Autumn in Yosemite (mid-September to mid-November)
Although predominantly full of evergreens, Yosemite still gets some gorgeous fall colors. Combine that with the cooler, but often still pleasant temperatures, and fewer crowds and autumn may be the perfect time of year for your trip to Yosemite.
The cooler temperatures and fewer people make September and October perfect for hiking, climbing, and cycling. Early fall is also a great time to climb the popular Half Dome but plan to do it by mid-October when the trail usually closes.
Although events and festivals wind down many of the trails and sites stay open through October including the Yosemite Theater which offers live performances.
Considerations: Weather starts to become unpredictable in late autumn and as the snow starts to fall many of the trails, sites, facilities, and roads will close.
Winter in Yosemite (mid-November to mid-March)
Visitors drop to about 6,000 per day in the winter months so if you want the park almost to yourself this is the time to go to Yosemite.
If the snow and colder temperatures aren’t a deterrent you’ll be rewarded with some spectacular scenery and an array of winter activities. Downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and ice skating are all fun winter options in Yosemite.
The waterfalls that all but dried up in the summer and fall should be full-flowing again by December and make for a winter wonderland scene with a fresh layer of snow. Plus Yosemite during Christmas is truly magical.
You may even be able to see a sparkling frozen fall and if you’re really lucky you’ll see the amazing Yosemite Firefall. This is a natural occurrence that happens in mid-late February when the setting sun is at just the right angle to light up Horsetail Fall in a fiery orange glow.
Considerations: Most of the hiking trails, facilities and some roads like Tioga Pass are closed. You are also required to carry chains and have snow tires on your vehicle. Here’s a great list of things to consider when visiting Yosemite in the winter.
Born in England, Sarah developed her wanderlust at a young age as she traveled around Europe with her parents. As a young adult she spent every penny she could on experiences as opposed to possessions. Eventually she found a way to earn a living doing what she loved: traveling, writing and capturing images of the wondrous world we live in. When not on the go Sarah enjoys time in her “sometimes home” of Vancouver.