Yosemite National Park: When is the Best Season to Visit?
Hi friends! Each month of the year, I take a road trip up one of the most beautiful places on earth, Yosemite National Park. This mountain paradise is truly stunning all year long, but each season brings its own special personality. From roaring waterfalls and wildflower meadows to golden foliage and snow-dusted granite domes, there's never a bad time to go...just different kinds of magic. Here's your ultimate guide to visiting Yosemite in every season, with insightful pros and cons, insider highlights, and my favorite seasonal spots.
Lower Yosemite Falls in Spring
Yosemite 2-4 Day Summer Itinerary & Travel Guide
If you’re planning a Yosemite road trip during the summer months, make sure to download my complete Yosemite 2-4 Day Summer Itinerary & Travel Guide, which includes an hour-by-hour schedule, Google & Apple map pin locations, the best stargazing spots, a dining guide, recommendations on where to stay, activities outside the park, and more! Download it today and make your Yosemite planning easy!
Dogwoods blooming near The Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite Valley in Spring
🌸 Spring in Yosemite (Late March – Early June)
Spring in Yosemite is like the park’s grand reawakening. Melting snow from the high country feeds the waterfalls, making them thunderously full. Bridalveil Fall, Yosemite Falls, and Vernal Fall are at their most dramatic, and the Merced River swells to its fullest. Meadows come alive with green grasses, lupine and other wildflowers blanket hillsides, and the dogwoods bloom throughout the park in delicate shades of pale pinks and whites. The temperatures are mild, crowds are thinner (especially in March and April), and signs of the park’s abundant wildlife begin to arrive.
Pros:
• Waterfalls are at their peak flow.
• Lush greenery and blooming wildflowers.
• Fewer crowds early in the season.
• Wildlife becomes more abundant
Cons:
• Higher elevation roads, like Glacier Point Road & Tioga Road, are typically still closed due to snow.
• Can be chilly, especially in the mornings and evenings.
• Occasional late winter storms can cause icy conditions, requiring tire chains.
Top Spots in Spring:
• Lower Yosemite Falls - Be prepared to get wet at the footbridge!
• Valley Loop Trail, The Ahwahnee, and Wawona Meadow Loop for dogwoods.
• Bridalveil Fall Trail for sheer power...and more mist!
• Tunnel View at sunrise or sunset.
• Mist Trail to Vernal and Nevada Falls. It’s slippery and you’ll get soaked, but totally worth it!
• Wapama Falls hike in Hetch Hetchy for roaring waterfalls with no crowds.
Half Dome seen from Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park in early Summer
Atop Pothole Dome near Tuolumne Meadows along Tioga Road in Summer
☀️ Summer in Yosemite (Mid-June – Early September)
Summer is when Yosemite puts on its most accessible face. All roads are open—including Tioga Pass and Glacier Point Road—making it the perfect season to explore the high country. Warm days, long hikes, alpine lakes, and stargazing await. That said, this is also peak season for tourism, and Yosemite Valley can feel like a theme park in July. But with some smart planning (and early starts), you can still find serenity.
Pros:
• Full access to all park roads and trails.
• Great weather for camping and backpacking.
• Sunrise and sunset hikes are pure magic.
• Stargazing is unbelievable.
Cons:
• The busiest time of year...expect crowds and traffic, especially in the valley.
• Waterfalls begin to dry up by late summer.
• Higher prices and tougher lodging reservations.
• Higher temps throughout the park, especially in the valley.
• Warmer evenings mean mosquitos, especially around creeks and lakes.
Top Spots in Summer:
• Glacier Point provides one of the most incredible viewpoints in the park, especially for sunset and stargazing.
• Scenic driving along Tioga Road gets you away from the valley crowds. Enjoy stops at Olmsted Point, Tenaya Lake, and Tuolumne Meadows.
• Hike the Pohono Loop, enjoying panoramic views from Sentinel Dome, Roosevelt Point, and Taft Point.
• Sunrise hike at Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias before the Summer crowds arrive.
Valley View during Fall in Yosemite National Park
Fall colors along Southside Drive in Yosemite Valley
🍂 Fall in Yosemite (Mid-September – Early November)
Fall is Yosemite’s underrated gem. The crowds thin out and the air gets crisper. The higher elevations along Tioga Road flicker with quaking aspen trees, while the cottonwoods, big-leaf maples, and dogwoods start putting on their golden and crimson coats in the Yosemite Valley. It’s quieter, moodier, and somehow more personal. Waterfalls may be low, but the peaceful vibes more than make up for it.
Pros:
• Stunning fall foliage in Yosemite Valley and Wawona.
• Fewer crowds and cooler temps.
• Ideal for hiking and exploring.
• Gorgeous morning fog and golden-hour light.
Cons:
• Waterfalls are often at their lowest flow, and several dry up completely.
• Glacier Point and Tioga Roads may close early if it snows.
• Shorter daylight hours.
Top Spots in Fall:
• Sentinel and Cook’s Meadows (fog + color = yes please)
• Sentinel Bridge for reflections of Half Dome framed in Fall colors.
• Glassy waters of the Merced River at Valley View.
• Wawona Meadow Loop for vibrant dogwood leaves and wildlife viewing.
• El Capitan Meadow for golden cottonwoods and rock-climber watching.
• Valley Loop Trail near Pohono Bridge for a dreamy foliage hike.
• Scenic driving along Southside Drive through tunnels of big leaf maple branches.
Yosemite National Park’s Tunnel View during Winter
Mirror Lake below Half Dome during Winter in Yosemite
❄️ Winter in Yosemite (Late November – March)
If you want to see Yosemite like a local or feel like you’ve stepped into a Sierra snow globe, winter’s the time to visit. Snow blankets the valley floor and caps the granite peaks, creating a magical and unforgettable scene. Fewer people, cozy vibes, and the chance to see Horsetail Fall's Firefall in February? Yes, please. Just pack warm layers and prepare for possible road closures.
Pros:
• Fewer crowds create a peaceful solitude.
• Snowy landscapes are next-level beautiful.
• Cozy stays at The Ahwahnee or Tenaya at Yosemite.
• Firefall (mid-late Feb) is a bucket-list event.
Cons:
• Limited access to higher elevations (Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road are close).
• Chains may be required depending on road conditions.
• Shorter daylight hours.
• Some services are closed or limited.
Top Spots in Winter:
• Yosemite Valley Chapel surrounded by snow-draped pine trees is a dream.
• Lower Yosemite Falls is still flowing and trail is quiet.
• Tunnel View after a snowstorm.
• Firefall viewing from El Capitan Picnic Area or Four Mile Trail (mid-late Feb only).
• The Ahwahnee for fireside lounging with a view.
• Mirror Lake reflections of Half Dome is dreamy during Winter.
Yosemite Falls seen from Sentinel Dome in Summer
When Should You Go?
Every season in Yosemite brings a different kind of beauty. Spring if you love waterfalls, summer if you want full access, fall for epic foliage, winter for snow-covered magic. Honestly, there’s no wrong answer! Travel within your comfort zone, do your research, and enjoy the uniqueness of whatever season you decide to travel in.
Fall colors from dogwood trees along Wawona Meadow Loop in Yosemite
Know Before You Go
• Be prepared for sudden and sometimes hazardous changes in weather and trail conditions, especially during the Winter season. Roads, trails, and parking lots are often icy and slippery.
• If you’re planning an upcoming trip to Yosemite, it’s incredibly important to visit the official Yosemite NPS website prior to your trip for the most up-to-date park information, as conditions and closures may be changing daily due to weather.
• Call (209) 372-0200 (press 1, then 1) for the latest road closures and tire chain requirements in Yosemite National Park.
• Please remember to take only pictures and leave only footprints. Pack out everything you pack in and stay on the designated paths. If you’re not familiar with the Leave No Trace Principles consider familiarizing yourself with them before your trip.
• If you’re planning to visit Yosemite, be aware that you may need pre-purchased Yosemite National Park entrance reservations at Recreation.gov (or in-park lodging).
• Wildlife is abundant in Yosemite. Never leave food unattended, especially in your vehicle, as this is black bear territory.
• Cell service is unreliable in Yosemite and the surrounding regions, so bring a reliable GPS device with pre-downloaded maps. I love using Gaia GPS for iPhone and Android devices.
Top Views in Yosemite
Clouds Rest
Yosemite Valley Swinging Bridge
Sentinel Bridge
Downloadable Itineraries & Travel Guides
Kayaking on Tenaya Lake in Yosemite’s high country during Summer
In Summary
Thanks so much for joining this me this week inside Yosemite National Park. For a virtual visit of Yosemite during different times of year, make sure to watch my Behind the Blog video located at the top of this post, or watch it on YouTube here. Until next week, I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go.
Vernal Fall along Yosemite’s Mist Trail in Spring
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About Me
I’m Dawn Marie, a travel and lifestyle blogger based out of Southern California. With in-depth articles, travel guides, and reviews on hotels & products, I seek to share my journeys to help you plan for your own. My adventures take me all over California, the western United States, and around the globe...and every Monday I post new content here, including a comprehensive blog post and YouTube video.
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