Best Time to Visit Yosemite +Pro Tips for Each Month
Yosemite is one of the rare national parks that can be enjoyed any time of year, seriously, there is something truly magical about Yosemite in every season!
If it’s your first time visiting, the best time to see Yosemite is in May when the iconic waterfalls are in their most powerful form.
Another incredible time of year to visit Yosemite is in the Fall from late September to October when tourism has died down significantly and you can experience Yosemite Valley surrounded by the changing leaves in all shades of green, yellow, and rust.
Vernal Falls, Yosemite - May 2022
Visiting Yosemite
Here are the most popular things to do in Yosemite and we’ll include which month is the best time for you to visit based on these topics:
peak waterfall flow
camping season
hike Half Dome, Mist Trail, Clouds Rest
drive Glacier Point Road or Tioga Road
avoid wildfires
skiing and winter activites
Best Time to Visit Yosemite
Below you’ll find the best things to do in Yosemite during each month to help you decide which time of year is best to visit Yosemite based on your interests.
Yosemite in January
What to Expect: If you’ve ever dreamed of a magical winter wonderland, Yosemite will definitely deliver.
Weather: During winter Yosemite is covered in a blanket of snow as it receives 75% of its yearly precipitation from November to May. In January you can expect around 7 inches of snow in Yosemite Valley.
Expect highs around 48°F and lows at 29°F in Yosemite Valley.
Pros:
this is the least visited time of year in the park with only 3% of its annual visitors
lower rates for lodging and more availability
downhill ski at Badger Pass Ski Resort
ice skate at Curry Village
hike Yosemite Valley Trail or Lower Yosemite Falls (may require snow shoes)
cross-country ski to Glacier Point
snow-shoe to Mariposa Grove or at Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias
Cons:
need experience driving in snow and required to carry/use snow chains.
Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road past the ski resort are closed
limited hiking trails open
not ideal for camping
waterfalls are minimal, and some like Yosemite Falls completely dried up
not as many animals out and active
Horsetail Fall, Yosemite
Yosemite in February
What to Expect: When the beautiful Firefall occurs (reservations may be needed to enter the park during this week). Plan a ski trip and cozy up at one of the Yosemite Valley lodges as you marvel at Half Dome in a blanket of snow.
Weather: Winter lasts through May in Yosemite, so in February still expect around 6.5 inches of snow with temperatures slightly rising at a high of 51°F and a low of 30°F.
Pros:
Yosemite’s iconic Horsetail Fall event (Firefall)
less crowds (outside Horsetail Fall), more availability for lodging
ski, board or tube at Badger Pass Ski Resort
ice skate at Curry Village
hike Yosemite Valley Trail or Yosemite Falls (may require snow shoes)
cross-country ski to Glacier Point
snow-shoe to Mariposa Grove or at Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias
Cons:
need experience driving in snow and required to carry/use snow chains.
Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road past the ski resort are closed
limited hiking trails open
not ideal for camping
waterfalls aren’t as active yet
not as many animals out and active
Yosemite in March
What to Expect: Warmer winter days where you can enjoy the outdoor sports. More sun and the beginning of waterfalls starting to flow.
Weather: Winter conditions are present but with warmer days. An average daily high of 57°F and a low of 34°F with 5.5 inches of precipitation this month.
Pros:
not crowded as only ~153,000 visitors are expected (peak months have 500k+)
ski, board or tube at Badger Pass Ski Resort
hike Yosemite Valley Trail, Yosemite Falls or Hetch Hetchy Trail
visit the art and history exhibits at the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center
cross-country ski to Glacier Point
snow-shoe to Mariposa Grove or at Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias
Cons:
need experience driving in snow and required to carry/use snow chains.
Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road past the ski resort are closed
limited hiking trails open
not ideal for camping
waterfalls are just starting to become active
Giant Sequoia’s in the Mariposa Grove - Yosemite
Yosemite in April
What to Expect: There won’t be as much snow to trek through in the valley and temperatures are great during the day to hike and explore. Waterfalls are becoming very active.
Weather: Temperatures are warming up with average highs of 63°F and a low of 38°F, and very little precipitation at only 3.8 inches on average for the month.
Pros:
only 225,000 monthly visitors are expected
more campgrounds are opening (still plan to book the 5 months in advance)
ski, board or tube at Badger Pass Ski Resort until early April
shuttle to Mariposa Grove opens April 1st
waterfalls are becoming very active with recent snowmelt
the moonbow at Yosemite Falls is present
fishing season in the Merced River starts
perfect time to go white water rafting down the Tuolumne River
Cons:
limited hiking trails open outside of Yosemite Valley, Wawona and Hetch Hetchy
Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road past the ski resort are closed
still too cold for backpacking without winter gear
Yosemite’s Waterfalls in May - Mist Trail
Yosemite in May
What to Expect: the waterfalls are at their peak! Plan to go before Memorial Day weekend to avoid peak season starts.
Weather: The weather becomes ideal for hikers and climbers with a daily high of 71°F and a low of 45°F, as well as very little precipitation at only 1.9 inches on average for the month.
Pros:
best time to see the waterfalls in Yosemite
most common trails are cleared enough to start hiking
time hiking Half Dome just right by going the day they put up the chains (just before Memorial Day)
great time for climbing in the valley
backpacking is more pleasant
shuttle to Mariposa Grove is running
wildflowers are abundant in Yosemite Valley and Wawona
the moonbow at Yosemite Falls is present
great time to go fishing in the Merced River
abundance of animals (very important to drive slow and be cautious of animals)
mosquitoes aren’t bad yet
perfect time to go white water rafting down the Tuolumne River
Cons:
reservation to enter the park is required starting mid to late May
Glacier Point Road and Tioga Pass are closed until late May (at the earliest)
campsites sell out quickly and must be reserved 5 months in advance
starts becoming crowded in the park from 9am-5pm
Sunrise at Glacier Point - Yosemite
Yosemite in June
What to Expect: Yosemite’s waterfalls are raging and the weather is perfect! Plan to sight-see early to avoid crowds and delays.
Weather: The weather is perfect in June with almost always sunny days and daily highs at 81°F and lows at 51°F. Precipitation is minimal with only 0.5 inches expected for the month.
Pros:
waterfalls are very active in Yosemite
ideal time to hike the Mist Trail and summit Half Dome
great time for camping and backpacking
shuttle to Mariposa Grove is running
last chance to catch the moonbow at Yosemite Falls
abundance of animals (very important to drive slow and be cautious of animals)
Glacier Point Road and Tioga Pass are usually open by early June
perfect time to catch a sunset at Yosemite’s best viewpoints
great time for fishing or kayaking the Merced River
wildflowers are abundant in Yosemite Valley and Wawona
good time to go white water rafting down the Tuolumne River
Cons:
reservation to enter the park is required
expect crowds in popular areas and all Yosemite Valley from 8am-6pm
very hard to book a campsite or any lodging
mosquitoes start getting bad around mid-June
camping in Yosemite backcountry
Yosemite in July
Best this time for: Backpacking, hiking, and climbing throughout all of Yosemite.
Weather: July and August are the hottest months of the year with daily highs of 89°F, but nights are still cool with lows near 57°F. Precipitation is minimal with only 0.3 inches expected for the month.
Pros:
waterfalls are still very active but not at their peak
most hiking trails in backcountry are cleared of snow
Half Dome cables are up
Glacier Point Road and Tioga Pass Road are open
great time for camping and backpacking
shuttle to Mariposa Grove is running
wildflowers are abundant in higher elevation areas like Tuolumne Meadows
abundance of animals (very important to drive slow and be cautious of animals)
great time for fishing or kayaking the Merced River
good time for white water rafting down the Tuolumne River
Cons:
reservation to enter the park is required
expect large crowds in popular areas and all Yosemite Valley from 8am-6pm
very hard to book a campsite or any lodging
likely to have wildfires leading to road or park closures
mosquitoes are very present
Yosemite in August
What to Expect: Peak season in Yosemite because all the hiking and backcountry trails are cleared from snow and adventures are endless.
Weather: Warm and sunny days continue with daily highs at 89°F and lows at 57°F. Precipitation is almost non-existent with only 0.2 inches all month.
Pros:
hiking trails are open in the backcountry
Half Dome cables are up
Glacier Point Road and Tioga Pass Road are open
great time for camping and backpacking
shuttle to Mariposa Grove is running
waterfalls are active but not as massive as in May or June
abundance of animals (very important to drive slow and be cautious of animals)
great time for fishing, tubing or kayaking the Merced River
Cons:
reservation to enter the park is required
the largest amount of visitors are expected this month
very hard to book a campsite or any lodging
high probability to have wildfires leading to road or park closures
mosquitoes are present
Yosemite in September
Weather: Sunny days and daily highs at 81°F and lows at 51°F. Precipitation is minimal with only 0.5 inches expected for the month.
Best this time for: enjoying peak summer season in the park with fewer crowds than in July and August.
Pros:
nice weather for hiking and climbing
Half Dome cables are still up
Glacier Point Road and Tioga Pass Road are open
great time for camping and backpacking
shuttle to Mariposa Grove is running
Evergreen trees start changing colors at higher elevations in late September
abundance of animals (very important to drive slow and be cautious of animals)
great time for fishing, SUP or kayaking the Merced River
Cons:
reservation to enter the park is required
expect crowds until late September in Yosemite Valley, especially from 8am-6pm
high probability to have wildfires leading to road or park closures
waterfalls are less active, but Vernal, Nevada and Bridalveil Falls are still flowing
Fall colors in Yosemite during October
Yosemite in October
Weather: Temperatures start cooling down with daily highs at 71°F and lows at 41°F. Precipitation chances are low with only 1.6 inches expected for the month.
Best this time for: October is the ideal time to see the fall colors in Yosemite
Pros:
Evergreen trees start changing through the entire park from higher elevations to Yosemite Valley
half as many tourists as during summer months
nice weather for hiking, backpacking and climbing
Half Dome cables are up until mid-October
Glacier Point Road and Tioga Road are open
shuttle to Mariposa Grove is running
abundance of animals (very important to drive slow and be cautious of animals)
fishing is still present along the Merced River
no longer need a reservation to enter the park
Cons:
services in Tuolumne Meadows are closed for the season
waterfalls are flowing less, but Vernal, Nevada and Bridalveil Falls are still present
backpacking requires warmer gear
Yosemite in November
Weather: Days are cool with highs around 56°F and nights are colder at 33°F. Precipitation picks up between snow and rain with 4.1 inches expected for the month.
Best this time for: Avoiding crowds and visiting before winter goes into full effect.
Pros:
crowds seem non-existent with only 158,000 visitors expected for the month
most hiking trails are still open
Glacier Point Road to Glacier Point View is open until mid-November (or first big snowfall)
shuttle to Mariposa Grove runs until Nov. 30th
abundance of animals (very important to drive slow and be cautious of animals)
fishing is allowed on the Merced River until mid-November
Cons:
Tuolumne Meadows is closed and Tioga Road will close around mid-November
waterfalls are flowing less
camping and backpacking require warmer gear
Yosemite in December
Weather: This tends to be the coldest month in Yosemite with daily highs of 46°F and lows of 28°F in Yosemite Valley, although it’s not the snowiest month as it only gets 5.6 inches of precipitation this month.
What to Expect: Beautiful snowy days to cozy up by the fire after days spent skiing, tubing, ice skating and tranquil walks throughout The Valley’s snow-capped trees and granite giants.
Pros:
only 3% of Yosemite’s annual visitors during this month
ski, snowboard or tube at Badger Pass Ski Resort
ice skate at Curry Village starting ~Dec 10th
hike Yosemite Valley Trail or Lower Yosemite Falls (may require snow shoes)
cross-country ski to Glacier Point
snow-shoe to Mariposa Grove or at Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias
attend the iconic Bracebridge Dinner at The Ahwahnee Hotel
Cons:
need experience driving in snow and required to carry/use snow chains.
cannot access Glacier Point Road past the ski area
Tioga Road and Tuolumne Meadows are closed
shuttle bus to Mariposa Grove is closed until April
limited hiking trails open
not ideal for camping
waterfalls are smaller, and some like Yosemite Falls completely dried up
not as many animals out and active
