A Guide to Choosing When to Visit Yosemite

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Overall, the single best time to visit Yosemite is in the summer between June and September when the park experiences its warmest temperatures. Most of the hiking trails and roads are also free of snow and ice at this time.

Visiting Yosemite in the non-summer months is often too cold for most national park goers. Part of the park is closed from the first snowfall until May or late June, and campgrounds are frosted over. 

However, the off-season could be a good time to visit to experience Yosemite at a quieter time or to see the epic Yosemite Firefall.

Read on for a guide to choosing the ideal time for your visit. Then, when you’re reading to book, bookmark out our detailed guide to where to stay near Yosemite.

So When is the Absolute Best Time to Visit Yosemite?

Late spring, summer, and early fall are the most pleasant times to visit Yosemite National Park. These are the best times to hit the top Yosemite trails like Half Dome and Cloud’s Rest without unexpected chances of snow and rain.

Of course, when to visit Yosemite depends on a variety of circumstances. When to visit the park for hiking can differ from the best time to visit to avoid crowds. It all depends on what sort of experience you’re looking to get out of this popular national park.

Keep reading because I’ll break down when to visit Yosemite for good weather, to spot wildlife, to camp, for rock climbing, and more! 

When to Visit for Good Weather

June to September is the ideal time to visit for good weather. 

This is the dry season in the national park, with consistently warm weather averaging 85°F daytime temperatures. August can even reach as hot as 100°F in Yosemite Valley. Summer night temperatures can drop to as low as 50°F, however, so be sure to still pack some warm layers. 

Summertime is when the national park comes alive. All Yosemite entrances are open and campgrounds are operating in full swing. The park’s wildlife happily grazes on late spring and early summer blooms, waterfalls are roaring with spring melt, and the granite boulders are finally thawed out enough to rock climb on.

The summer months may bear the most pleasant weather for hiking and camping but the grandeur of the park can also be disrupted by innumerable crowds. Brace yourself to be stuck in a line at the top of Half Dome or huddled in a group of hundreds on the side of the road trying to photograph a Yosemite black bear.

We’ll get more into when to visit Yosemite to avoid crowds below.

When to Visit for Spotting Wildlife

You’re more likely to encounter wildlife in the summer because hiking is one of the best ways to see wildlife in Yosemite. Early summer is the ideal time for wildlife watching because most of the snow has melted and animals are actively grazing on the freshly defrosted greenery.

That said, active wildlife can be spotted year-round in Yosemite National Park. Contrary to popular belief, California black bears don’t always go into full hibernation in the winter. Depending on food availability, some black bears may skip hibernation altogether. You may see them year-round in the park.

Some of the Yosemite animals to look for include black bears, bighorn sheep, red foxes, mountain lions, deer, and bats.  

When to Visit for Families and Kids

Summer is a good time to visit for families and kids. The park activities are operating at full throttle in the summertime. Families can enjoy nature walks, ranger programs, and the Yosemite Theater in the summer.

Tunnel View is one of the best things to do with kids in this national park. The sweeping views of El Capitan and Half Dome at this vista point are the best in the park. 

Lower Yosemite Falls and Mirror Lake are among the top things to do in California with kids. Both hikes are on the easier side, so they’re particularly popular hiking trails for families. 

When to Visit to Avoid Crowds

May and September bring fewer crowds and comfortable park temperatures in the 60s and 70s. Both months are great times to visit Yosemite if avoiding crowds is your main priority. 

Yosemite National Park is big enough to drown out the voices of tourists, but you may want to avoid popular (and always crowded) places like Yosemite Valley and Glacier Point if crowds are your travel nemesis.

Winter is the ultimate quiet time in Yosemite. Just keep in mind that some roads like Tioga Pass and Glacier Point Road are closed and most backcountry trails can only be accessed via snowshoes or skis. 

For the best experience overall, I recommend visiting the park in May or September when schools are still in session and Americans have yet to use their vacation time for a Yosemite trip. 

When to Visit for Hiking

Lace up your trail runners or hiking boots and hit up Yosemite’s best hiking trails from June to September. Snow and ice on the trails melt to slush, which is then hardened by the hot summer sun, creating the perfect trail conditions.

Visiting with family? Stick to popular routes like the Wawona Meadow Loop which is excellent for all ages. Backpacking through less-traversed terrain like Tuolumne Meadows or along the Merced River is the best way to avoid the summer crowds. 

Serious hikers can tackle the famed John Muir Trail at this time. This epic California hike spans 211 miles through Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, Yosemite, and ends on Mount Whitney. You’ll definitely want to review the hiking essentials before embarking on such an adventure.

When to Visit for Camping

June to September is the best time to pack an overnight bag and spend the night camping in Yosemite. 

Summer nights are chilly in the park but that’s nothing a crackling campfire can’t fix. Upper Pines, Lower Pines, Yosemite Creek, and White Wolf are popular summer campgrounds in the park. Upper Pines in particular even made my list of the best campgrounds in California!

Some campgrounds like Camp 4, Wawona, and Hodgdon Meadow are open as first-come, first-serve in the winter. Temperatures are ultimately too uncomfortable to recommend camping at this time, however.

Most campsites come complete with a picnic table, a fire ring with a grill, and a bear box to store your smelly perishables in. Make sure you review this camping essentials checklist before heading out so you don’t forget anything on your big adventure.

When to Visit for Rock Climbing

Yosemite has some of the top rock climbing routes in California, if not the entire United States. Climbing professionals from around the world aspire to put up a record speed in Yosemite, most preferably on the famous El Capitan.

Summer is the best time to rock climb in Yosemite due to warmer rock temperatures. Yosemite may be famous for sport and ‘trad’ climbing styles, but there are plenty of bouldering opportunities as well.

There are many rock climbing spots near Camp 4 like Initial Friction, Tendons Give, and Blue Suede Shoes.

What Each Season is Like in Yosemite

Summer

🥾 Hiking – Summer is the ideal time for hiking in Yosemite National Park. When it’s 80° or more in Yosemite Valley, the top of Cloud’s Rest or El Capitan offers 10-20° of cooler temps. 

🏕️ Camping – Summer is the most comfortable time to camp in the national park. Camp 4, Upper Pines, and Lower Pines campgrounds are the closest campgrounds to top Yosemite attractions.

🤠 Ranger Programs – Kiddos are sure to love the Yosemite summer ranger programs. Go on a guided nature walk or listen to a ranger talk at the Yosemite Valley Amphitheater.

Fall

🌲 Yosemite Valley – Watch the valley transform under an autumn spell each September to November. A sea of vibrant fall hues takes precedence in Yosemite Valley, best viewed from Tunnel View.

🚴 Bicycling – Biking through the changing fall colors is one of my favorite fall activities. Bike through the valley for an unforgettable Yosemite fall experience.

📷 Photography – Fall is the best time to practice landscape photography in the park. There are fewer crowds at this time and the wildlife is still active.

Winter

🌊 Horsetail Falls – One of the most magical seasonal events, watch Horsetail Falls set ablaze during February each year. The sun hits the waterfall just right and gives off the illusion of a fire waterfall. Make sure you check out Abigail’s article on this beautiful Yosemite Firefall for more information!

❄️ Snowshoeing Glacier Point – Experience ultimate Yosemite solitude by snowshoeing in the backcountry during an alpine winter.

🎿 Badger Pass Ski Area – This ski area opens in mid-December and offers family-friendly ski slopes.

👉 Pro Tip: Winter in Yosemite is no joke if you’re trying to hit the trails! Make sure you bring the winter hiking essentials for a trip to Yosemite during this season.

Spring

🚰 Vernal & Nevada Falls – Waterfalls are roaring come springtime in Yosemite. Vernal & Nevada Falls are among the most popular and easily accessible via the Mist Trail.

🏞️ Merced River Rafting – Rafting down the Merced in the spring is sure to bring empty views like never before. Layer up – the water will be chilly at this time, but the remoteness will be worth it.

🐟 Fishing – Try your luck fishing in the heart of Yosemite Valley starting the last week in April.

Yosemite’s Weather and Climate

Yosemite has a Mediterranean climate with a mild winter and three dry seasons. Elevations in Yosemite National Park range from 2,000 feet to 13,000 feet. 

95% of the national park’s precipitation occurs between October and May and the park transforms into a winter wonderland from November through May (sometimes extending well into June).

My Tips for Visiting Yosemite

Store Food in a Bear Box

Yosemite black bears are active year-round. Store your food in a bear box when hiking and camping in the park to avoid an unwarranted rendezvous with the local bear population.

All Yosemite campsites provide bear lockers. Store all foodstuffs in these metal cubbies each night without exception. It’s necessary to bring your own bear box if camping in the backcountry.

Spend One Night in the Park

Camp under Yosemite’s Sequoias to experience the national park after hours. The entire park is illuminated by millions of stars. It’s a sight you won’t see in nearby cities like San Francisco or Fresno.

Not into camping? I still recommend booking an overnight in a lodge or another place near Yosemite. This way, you can get to the park as early as possible to tackle the trails before the crowds descend. 

Go on at Least One Hike

Yosemite National Park is the land of classic alpine hiking trails. Go on at least one hike to get the full Yosemite experience. I recommend either Cloud’s Rest, Half Dome, Vernal & Nevada Falls, or North Dome.

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Ready to book your Yosemite trip? Read our guide to where to stay near Yosemite.

Still trying to decide which California national park to visit? Check out my guide comparing Yosemite vs Sequoia to help you narrow down your choices.