What is the best month to go to Yosemite?

January 2023 · 7 minute read

The best times to visit Yosemite are May and September, when the park is accessible, but not too crowded. It’s important to know that many roads and trails in Yosemite are closed for the majority of the year due to snow.

Moreover, How many days do you need to visit Yosemite?

If you only plan to do a few hikes and drive around to see the sights, three days is enough to see most everything. If you’d like to linger, you’ll have time to enjoy more ranger-led activities, attend evening programs, take tours, and hang around enjoying the scenery.

Is it good to visit Yosemite in November?

November in Yosemite one of the best times of year to be in the park. … There will be plenty of opportunities to enjoy the park with no one else around. Another benefit is that many of the trails in Hetch Hetchy and Wawona are still open, and many trails in lower elevations are open in the Valley.

Also What months does it snow in Yosemite? Yosemite receives 95% of its precipitation between October and May (and over 75% between November and March). Most of Yosemite is blanketed in snow from about November through May. (Yosemite Valley can be rainy or snowy in any given winter storm.)

What is the best day of the week to visit Yosemite?

Best Day of the Week to Visit Yosemite

Every day of the summer will have crowds, and arriving early to the park is recommended throughout the summer. Weekdays are also great times to visit Yosemite in the spring and fall. Visitors can find themselves enjoying the space with fewer other people during this season.

18 Related Questions Answers Found

Can I sleep in my car in Yosemite?

Within Yosemite National Park, you may not sleep in your car or RV except in a campsite that you’re registered to stay in (except at Camp 4, where sleeping in cars is not allowed because it’s a walk-in campground).

How much does it cost to get into Yosemite?

Yosemite National Park has had an entrance fee since 1913. The current rate of $30 per vehicle or $25* per motorcycle has been in effect since 2015. The park is one of 117 in the National Park System that charges an entrance fee.

How much does a trip to Yosemite cost?

The average price of a 7-day trip to Yosemite National Park is $2,523 for a solo traveler, $4,531 for a couple, and $8,495 for a family of 4. Yosemite National Park hotels range from $109 to $496 per night with an average of $192, while most vacation rentals will cost $360 to $780 per night for the entire home.

Can you drive through Yosemite in November?

You can drive to Yosemite Valley, Wawona, Crane Flat, and Hetch Hetchy all year (although, tire chains may be required). Additionally, the Badger Pass Ski Area is open from about mid-December through March.

How should I dress for Yosemite in November?

Pack layers and be prepared for many different types of weather. In early fall, daytime temperatures can still be quite warm—like summer—but by November, you’ll need sweaters and a waterproof winter coat, especially after dark or at the higher elevations. Even in September nights can be brisk.

Is it OK to visit Yosemite in December?

December is a great time to explore Yosemite without the crowds. The beauty and majesty of snow in the Valley makes the park very photography-friendly. … A unique experience in Yosemite at the end of December is cross-country skiing, downhill skiing and snowboarding or snowshoeing at Yosemite Ski and Snowboard Area.

Is December a good time to visit Yosemite?

December is a great time to explore Yosemite without the crowds. The beauty and majesty of snow in the Valley makes the park very photography-friendly. … A unique experience in Yosemite at the end of December is cross-country skiing, downhill skiing and snowboarding or snowshoeing at Yosemite Ski and Snowboard Area.

Can you swim in Yosemite?

Besides the outdoor pools available to the public during summer at Curry Village and Yosemite Valley Lodge, swimming is generally permitted in all bodies of water in the park. There are some exceptions, however, where swimming is prohibited: … Wawona Domestic Water Intake (and 100 yards upstream)

How far in advance can you make Yosemite reservations?

Campground reservations are available in blocks of one month at a time, up to five months in advance, on the 15th of each month at 7 am Pacific time.

What time should I get to Yosemite?

If you are planning to visit Yosemite Valley by car for the day, arrive before 9 am, after which parking is usually full. If you arrive after 9 am on weekends—especially Saturdays and holiday weekends—be prepared to multiple delays followed by inability to find a place to park.

Can you walk into Yosemite without a reservation?

Do I need a reservation to visit Yosemite? Beginning May 21, 2021 a reservation will be required to drive into Yosemite. Reservations will be required through Thursday, September 30 or until local public health conditions improve.

Can you enter Yosemite without a reservation?

Reservations are required to drive into Yosemite National Park beginning May 21. If you have another reservation in the park, you may not need a day-use reservation and can pay the entrance fee at the park entrance station. You do not need a day-use reservation if: you have a camping or lodging reservation.

How can I get into Yosemite without a reservation?

People can drive through Yosemite without a reservation

“The entrance station ranger will provide a time-stamped permit valid for the time needed to travel from entrance to entrance,” park officials said. “You must drive the most direct route to exit the park; stopping is prohibited.

Can I get into Yosemite National Park without a reservation?

Reservations are required to drive into Yosemite National Park beginning May 21. If you have another reservation in the park, you may not need a day-use reservation and can pay the entrance fee at the park entrance station. You do not need a day-use reservation if: you have a camping or lodging reservation.

How can I get Yosemite for free?


Getting into Yosemite for Free

  • Take the Back Roads. Not every road into Yosemite is bisected by an admission booth. …
  • Catch the Red Eye. The Yosemite entrance booths aren’t manned round the clock. …
  • Hike In. The Pacific Crest/John Muir Trail runs right through the heart of Yosemite. …
  • Bus In. …
  • Trash Talk Your Way In.

    • Do cell phones work in Yosemite?

    Because the towering mountains block the signals from cell phone towers, you phone may not always work in all parts of Yosemite. … Yosemite Valley and Tuolumne Meadows have good signals. The best signal is in the Yosemite Village area near the Visitor Center.

    Can I go to Yosemite without a reservation?

    You can drive through the park to reach a destination on the other side of the park without a reservation. The entrance station ranger will provide a time-stamped permit valid for the time needed to travel from entrance to entrance. You must drive the most direct route to exit the park; stopping is prohibited.

    Can you drive through Yosemite for free?

    People can drive through Yosemite without a reservation

    “You must drive the most direct route to exit the park; stopping is prohibited. Violating park regulations can result in a fine of up to $5,000 and/or six months in jail.” However, the park entrance fee does provide access to visit Hetchy Hetchy during open hours.

    What should I pack for Yosemite in November?


    What to Pack for Your Yosemite National Park Vacation

    Is Thanksgiving a good time to visit Yosemite?

    Things to Do in Yosemite Mariposa County

    With the crowds of summer a fading memory, fall is one of the best times to visit Yosemite Mariposa, and Thanksgiving is no exception. Check out these hand-picked hikes for fall travelers, including Sentinel Dome, Vernal Fall, the Valley Loop Trail and others.

    Is Yosemite open in November?

    Yosemite National Park is open 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. However, the Hetch Hetchy Entrance Station is open only during daylight hours (approximately) and some roads are closed due to snow from around November through May or June.

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