Yosemite National Park sees an incredible 3.5 million visitors passing through its gates each year. With its 1,200 square miles of gushing waterfalls, ancient sequoias, and rugged landscapes, it’s totally unsurprising. But if you’re a first-timer, you might be trying to figure out the best time to visit Yosemite National Park.
I’ll say that the best time to visit Yosemite National Park depends on a few things. You’ll need to consider your family unit, your traveling style, your budget, and what you actually want to see! So, you’ll need to carefully think about the type of trip you want to have.
Now, I remember feeling overwhelmed the first time I headed to this park. So, I’ve put together this complete guide that breaks down the best time to visit Yosemite National Park. I’ll cover the park season by season and even list a few things you want to consider before you press “BOOK“!
Table of Contents
When Are the High and Low Seasons at Yosemite?
Before I dive into this post, I thought I’d quickly cover when high season and low season is at Yosemite.
High season: late May to early September
Low season: between November and March
Shoulder season: April to early May and late September to the end of October
The Best Time to Visit Yosemite National Park: OVERALL
Overall, I’d say that the best time to visit Yosemite National Park is between May and early June or during September (if you can get the kids off school!). These periods will give you decent weather but they’re outside of the major peak seasons.
There isn’t any BAD time to visit Yosemite, but wintertime sees mass closures and the cold can be too much for some people.
On the other hand, the height of summer is just so busy and prices go through the roof. When you’re bringing a family, the cost of a trip can quickly spiral out of control.
But let’s delve into things in slightly more detail, shall we?
Things to Consider When Figuring Out the Best Time to Visit Yosemite National Park
Crowd levels
One of the major things you’ll want to think about before visiting Yosemite National Park are the crowds. The peak season’s summer crowds (between May and September) account for over 75% of the park’s entire annual visitor numbers. So, lodges, restaurants, and camping spots are going to be busy.
You’ll also need to think way more about reservations in the peak season as there’s simply so many people around.
School vacation periods and seasonal closures
If you’re figuring out the best time to visit Yosemite National Park, you’ll also need to consider availability. You might want to take advantage of lower crowd levels and quieter trails. But if the kids are in school and you’re planning a family trip, it just won’t be practical.
On the other side of the coin, there’s seasonal closures to think about. While crowds are higher in July and August, everything is open. If you’re around between November and April, quite a lot of access roads (like Tioga Road) will be closed for the season.
Shuttles may also run on a limited schedule – or not at all! So, the money you’re saving simply may not be worth it if you’re juggling the entire family.
What sights you want to see or activities you want to do
If you’re visiting Yosemite National Park to ski through the winter snow, the summer months just won’t work out. Equally, if you’re interested in hiking trails, wildlife viewing, or seeing fall foliage, you’ll need to plan accordingly!
What kind of weather you’re looking for
If you’re not bothered about constant sunny days, you can save a pretty penny by visiting in late September or late spring. The average temperature will be colder, but you’ll save a decent amount of money and have relatively easy access to the entire park. If you’re looking for wall-to-wall sunshine, summer is always going to be an ideal time to visit.
Whether you want to camp or stay in lodges
While it’s safe to camp in Yosemite during the wintertime, it’s not going to be suitable for families (it’s just too cold!). So, camping fanatics will want to book during the summer months to take advantage of the sunny weather and longer daylight hours.
Check out this article with my top Yosemite lodging recommendations.
Overall budget
Any family heading on vacation will need to keep budget in mind. While summer is a great time to cover the best hikes in the area, it’s expensive. Not only will you pay a premium for accommodation, but car rentals, flights, and everything in between will sneak up too!
A Seasonal Rundown on the Best Time to Visit Yosemite National Park
As I’ve outlined further up in this post, the best time to visit Yosemite National Park depends on what you’re looking for! So, the ideal time is entirely down to your personal preference, the temperatures you can handle, and whether you’re willing to deal with peak season crowds.
Oh, and whether you can get the kids out of school, of course!
To help you pick the best time to visit Yosemite National Park for your family, let’s cover things season by season. This should help you to figure out which activities (and weather!) is most suitable for YOU!
Whether you’re interested in fewer crowds, cross-country skiing, or the right weather conditions for hikes – I’ve got you.
The winter season: December to February
Crowd levels: Low, but see an uptick the week before Christmas and through to the first week of January.
Average temperatures: Temperatures tend to range between 26 and 56 degrees Fahrenheit (wrap up warm!).
Rainfall: A fair amount, with average precipitation being at 6.2 cm across each of the three months.
Price: Excellent prices across all accommodation options (and travel TO the parks should be cheaper too!).
The winter months can be a beautiful time to see Yosemite National Park as the crowds are largely gone. And that’s because this is the park’s least popular season.
So, if you’ve been looking to stay in gorgeous spots like the Ahwahnee Hotel and Yosemite Valley Lodge, this is your chance (at reduced rates, too – you can save up to $60 a NIGHT during winter at many lodges!).
Winter DOES mean seasonal road closures, and this can be a huge bummer. For example, Tioga Road will be totally closed off to cars. This means you’ll lose access to popular spots like the High Sierra, Tioga Pass, and Tuolumne Meadows. It’s also worth mentioning that Glacier Point Road is usually closed between mid-December and March.
This isn’t a deal-breaker for repeat visitors, but first-timers may want to see the impressive views at the higher elevations around the Sierra Camps. But if you’re largely here to hit the Badger Pass Ski Area, this shouldn’t bother you. Plus, children under 6 can head on the Badger Pass FREE (which can save you even more!).
If you’re traveling with kids, be warned that days are far shorter and the temperatures can be brutal. There’s also a lot of rain to contend with, and this can limit you to indoor-only activities at times. So, I highly recommend booking a lodge or hotel with a games room or regular activities – it’s best to be prepared! If you want the best of both worlds, Curry Village has great wintertime accommodation and an ice rink.
You can technically camp year-round as there are 4 campsites open to book in winter. These are Hodgdon Meadow, and Yosemite Valley’s Upper Pines and Camp 4. But personally, I just think it’s too cold!
Visit Yosemite in winter if:
- You’re on a tight budget.
- You want to go skiing, snowshoeing, or winter hiking.
- You don’t mind cooler temperatures and prefer fewer crowds.
- You’re interested in seeing a snow-capped El Capitan!
The spring season: March to May
Crowd levels: Relatively low from March to April, with a major uptick in May.
Average temperatures: You can expect highs of around 57 – 71 degrees Fahrenheit between March and May. The lows can range from 34 to 45 (so you’ll still want a jacket!).
Rainfall: There’s around 5.2 cm of rain in March and this drops significantly to 3 cm in April and just 0.7 cm by June!
Price: The cost of a trip will start to ramp up after the winter season, hitting a peak in May and early June for the spring months.
Crowd levels start picking up during early spring and usually peak by the end of May and early June.
In my book, springtime is one of the best times to visit Yosemite with younger children (if they’re not school-age). Not only will you beat the summer crowds, but most roads will be open, the waterfalls will be flowing with the melted ice from winter, and the temperatures aren’t too low.
You’ll still need a coat, but the winter chill will be gone by April. It’s also worth mentioning that camping is still tricky, but the covered tents at Curry Village are great at this time of year. Just be sure to pack plenty of layers and warmer linens if you’re worried about little ones.
If you hold on until May or early June to visit, you’ll avoid most of Yosemite’s rainfall and get longer, sunnier days. If possible, I suggest visiting in late May to make sure all the trails are open (things will be slightly busier, but it’s worth the trade-off).
Oh, and did I mention that springtime is when you can head to Hetch Hetchy, Yosemite Valley, and Wawona Meadow Loop to catch the blooms? If you head to Tuolumne Meadows, you’ll spot gorgeous fireweed, violets, and columbine in bloom (which you won’t get all year!).
Visit Yosemite in spring if:
- You want great weather without the summertime crowds.
- You’re interested in seeing the waterfalls at full power after the winter snow melts.
- Wildflowers are on your list of things to see.
- You can get the kids out of school (unless you’re going during spring break!).
- You want to catch the wildlife on Tioga Road during its open season.
The summer season: June to August
Crowd levels: Very high, especially in July and August.
Average temperatures: Summer daytime temperatures are super pleasant and range between 80-90 degrees Fahrenheit. You can expect lows of around 57 in July and August, but things will rarely dip below 51. Just make sure you’re bringing layers if you’re heading to higher elevations.
Rainfall: Virtually none – it’s the best time of year to visit if you want dry weather and sunny days.
Price: High season is expensive, and you’ll be paying a lot for almost everything (especially on-site accommodation).
Although the summer weather is beautiful, school will be out for the summer which means CROWDS. The busiest time of the year runs between Memorial Day and Labor Day, so bear this in mind before booking.
This is technically great for parents as it means you won’t need to pull the kids out of school to visit. But the severe crowding around the waterfalls, trails, and other major points of natural beauty can be exhausting. You’ll also need to bring a lot of water, as it can get extremely hot on the trails.
You’ll miss 95% of the total precipitation in Yosemite if you visit during the summer though (so, it’s the best season for hikers who love the great outdoors!).
As this means clearer skies, summer is also the best time to visit Yosemite National Park for stargazing. You’ll even find amateur astronomers around Glacier Point at times!
Visit Yosemite in summer if:
- You don’t mind crowds.
- You’re trying to work around summer break with the kids.
- You appreciate long days, glorious sunny weather, and long park hours.
- You want everything to be open!
- Stargazing is on your to-do list.
Top tip
There are lots of excellent ranger programs that run during the summer months. From Yosemite Visions in August to the Parsons Lodge Summer Series in July and August, these are unmissable opportunities for kids. Plus, it’s a good way to escape the heat (without spending an extra dime!).
The fall season: September to November
Crowd levels: Not as low as winter, but October and early November are definitely more manageable than the summer.
Average temperatures: Temperatures in early September are usually around highs and lows of 87 and 30 degrees Fahrenheit. By the end of November, they’ll have dipped to 58 and 14.
Rainfall: You can expect barely any rain during September, but it picks up to wintertime levels of precipitation by November! So, pack waterproof boots for you and the kids.
Price: Similar to springtime, if not slightly cheaper.
Like spring, fall is a wonderful time to visit Yosemite National Park. You’ll get to see the gorgeous fall colors and there are generally fewer people around after Labor Day. You’ll still get relatively mild weather, but the nights are cold.
September is the best time to visit Yosemite National Park if you’re planning to go during the fall months. You’ll get the tail-end of summer weather but the crowds will tapered off a bit. I find that the cooler weather is way more pleasant for hiking than it is during summer.
I also find that it’s slightly easier to book accommodation and dining areas will be slightly less busy. By the time you get to mid-October and November, parts of the park will start closing for the low season.
One of the major things you’ll need to be aware of are the waterfalls. They’ll have slowed down significantly by mid-October, but I think the stunning fall foliage on the oaks and maples make up for it (only just!). The lack of waterfalls might disappoint kiddos though, so bear that in mind before you hype them up.
More Yosemite (and Other National Park) Trip Planning Resources
Looking for more information about Yosemite NP, or family travel recommendations in more amazing US national parks? Be sure to check out these articles, too:
- 33 BEST Yosemite National Park Viewpoints: By Car & Hike
- Where to Stay When Visiting Yosemite NP: 13 TOP Picks
- North Cascades National Park: 8 Family Friendly Hikes
- 22 TOP Olympic National Park Animals: A Family Guide
- 12 Best Places to Stay in Yellowstone [for Families]
- Family Road Trip Essentials: 17 BEST Items To Pack
- 10 TOP Family Favorite Travel Games for Kids + Adults
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It’s stunning!! Off to google what makes the fire falls. #SeniorSalonPitstop
One of our favorite national parks! Years ago when we lived in Monterey it was a favorite destination. Sweet memories of camping with our family and also with grandparents. Thanks for sharing your trip suggestions. from Farmhouse Friday # 109, 110,111