When to Visit Yosemite: Best Times, Weather, and Seasons

By Jocelyn Pion · Data: National Park Service · ← Complete guide Yosemite

Yosemite is open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. But an August trip and an early October visit offer completely different experiences. Our straightforward recommendation: May–June and September offer the best of the park, with spectacular waterfalls, comfortable temperatures, and manageable crowds. July and August are still an option, as long as you book lodging and an entry reservation several months ahead. Winter brings a snowy, almost intimate Yosemite, along with a few road closures.

Yosemite Climate Month by Month

The park covers nearly 1,200 square miles in the Sierra Nevada of California, with elevations ranging from 1,970 feet at the entrance near the Merced River to 13,100 feet at the summits. The data below applies to Yosemite Valley, at about 3,940 feet, where you'll find the lodging, campgrounds, and main overlooks.

Key fact: 95% of precipitation falls between October and May. Summers are dry and sunny; winters are wet and snowy.

For 14-day forecasts, snowfall reports, and precipitation totals, see our Yosemite Weather page.

Yosemite Season by Season

Winter (December–February): The Park Without the Crowds

Snow covers the valley, the cliffs of El Capitan and Half Dome take on a white sheen, and the low winter light on the granite is breathtaking. Temperatures drop below freezing at night but stay above freezing on most days in the valley. Tioga Road (eastbound Highway 120 toward Lee Vining) is closed from November through about late May, making Tuolumne Meadows and the high-elevation areas inaccessible. Tire chains may be required on Highways 140 and 41, even during the day.

Winter activities include cross-country skiing and snowshoeing at Badger Pass, the park's only ski area, easy valley hikes, and snowy views of Mirror Lake and Yosemite Falls, which flows year-round. Hetch Hetchy remains accessible but closes at sunset.

This is the least busy time of year, and no timed entry reservation is required. Some lodges and restaurants close for the season, so check availability in our Yosemite Lodging Guide.

Spring (March–May): Waterfalls at Their Peak

The Sierra snowmelt feeds Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Fall, and Vernal Fall at a flow you won't see again until the following year. When we visited in May, you could hear Vernal Fall from the parking lot, long before the waterfall came into view. This is the park's most photogenic season, with meadows turning green again and the cliffs still partly covered in snow.

Valley temperatures become comfortable as early as April, ranging from 39 to 64 °F during the day. Tioga Road generally opens in late May or early June, depending on the winter's snowfall; until then, the high-elevation areas remain cut off. May weekends are already busy, especially around Memorial Day, the last Monday in May.

As for wildlife, black bears emerge from hibernation in spring, and mule deer return to graze in the valley. Our Yosemite Wildlife page lists the best viewing areas for each season.

Summer (June–August): Full Access, Peak Crowds

With Tioga Road open, all 1,200 square miles of the park become accessible. Tuolumne Meadows, at 8,530 feet, offers alpine hikes away from the crowds in the valley. Valley temperatures can climb above 86 °F in July and August; at Tuolumne Meadows, expect temperatures about 18 °F lower.

Summer is also Half Dome permit season. The cables used to reach the summit, at 8,840 feet, go up in late May and come down in the fall. You need a permit awarded by lottery to use the cables. The full process is covered on our Yosemite Hiking page.

The main catch is that the park uses a timed entry reservation system during the summer months. Without an advance reservation, you may be turned away during the applicable hours. You'll find the details in the “Reservations & Access” section below.

Summer is also wildfire season in California, and fires can occasionally affect air quality in the park.

Fall (September–October): The Comfortable Window

Crowds drop sharply after Labor Day, the first Monday in September. Valley temperatures remain mild, ranging from 50 to 81 °F in September, and skies are clear. The late-day light on the granite cliffs is especially beautiful at this time of year.

Waterfalls are less powerful than in spring, but the trails regain a welcome sense of quiet. Tioga Road closes after the first significant snowfall, between late October and early November depending on the year. If you plan to reach Tuolumne Meadows in the fall, schedule your visit before late October. The first rains return in October, so a lightweight rain jacket is essential.

Crowds: When to Avoid the Crowds in Yosemite

Yosemite welcomes several million visitors a year, concentrated in a short summer window. Yosemite Valley is only 7 miles long, yet it absorbs most of that traffic.

July and August are the busiest months. Parking lots fill up by 8 or 9 a.m., free shuttles run packed, and popular trails like Lower Yosemite Fall and Mirror Lake resemble subway corridors on weekends. If you're visiting in summer, arrive before 7 a.m. or plan your outings for the evening so you can reach the main overlooks without waiting.

September remains busy through Labor Day, then the pressure drops noticeably. It's the most comfortable stretch of the entire warm season.

May–June: crowds are growing but still manageable, and waterfalls are at their peak. Weekends around Memorial Day, in late May, are especially busy.

November, December, and January–February: low to very low crowds. The trade-off is winter weather and closed high-elevation roads.

Reservations & Access by Season

Yosemite uses a timed entry reservation system during peak periods, generally from late May through early September. Exact conditions vary from year to year, so always check the NPS website before you leave. Without a valid reservation, you may be turned away during the applicable hours.

Reservations are made through Recreation.gov, often several weeks in advance. Entry times go quickly, so lock in your dates as soon as your trip is confirmed.

For road access, the Tioga Pass Entrance on eastbound Highway 120 closes from November through about late May. The three western entrances, on Highways 41, 140, and 120, stay open year-round, weather permitting. Hetch Hetchy is accessible only from sunrise to sunset.

Our Yosemite Access & Transportation page covers fees ($35 per vehicle, $20 per person on foot or by bike in 2025), shuttle options from San Francisco and Fresno, and winter driving conditions.

Best Time to Visit on a Budget

The cost of a Yosemite trip closely follows the crowd curve. In-park lodging, including Ahwahnee, Yosemite Valley Lodge, and Curry Village, reaches its highest rates in July and August; options outside the park, such as El Portal, Mariposa, and Groveland, follow the same pattern.

Winter (December–February): lowest rates and more availability. A few properties close for the season, but plenty of lodging remains available outside the park.

May and September–October: good value. Prices rise from winter levels without reaching the summer peak.

July–August: book in-park lodging 6 to 12 months ahead. Campgrounds also fill through a lottery several months in advance. Our Yosemite Camping Guide and Yosemite Lodging Guide cover options for every budget, from backcountry camping to Ahwahnee suites.

Which Season Fits Your Travel Style

Waterfalls. May and early June. Sierra snowmelt feeds Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Fall, Nevada Fall, and Vernal Fall at full flow. By mid-July, several waterfalls have dwindled to a trickle.

Big hikes. June through September, while Tioga Road is open. For Half Dome, plan on entering the permit lottery; see our Yosemite Hiking page. September and October are ideal for valley trails without the summer crowds.

Photography. Three distinct windows: winter for snow and cool light on El Capitan; May for waterfalls and the contrast between snow and granite; fall for warm colors and smoke-free skies.

Families. June works especially well: Tioga Road has recently opened, temperatures are comfortable, and it isn't yet as hot as July. The park shuttle is running, too. Our Yosemite with Kids page lists activities for all ages.

Tight budget. November or January–February, on weekdays. Pair lodging outside the park with free shuttles to save on parking and in-park nights.

Wildlife. Spring, from April through May, for bears and fawns in the valley, and fall for rutting deer and coyotes active at dawn. Our Yosemite Wildlife page lists the species and safest viewing spots for each season.

In Summary: The Best Time for Your Travel Style

To plan your trip from A to Z, our Complete Yosemite Guide answers all your practical questions.

Frequently Asked Questions