Yosemite National Park

The best months to visit Yosemite depend on your priorities. May to early June offers spectacular waterfalls and lush green scenery. September and October provide beautiful fall colors and cooler hiking temperatures with fewer crowds. Late summer, July and August, offers complete accessibility for high-country exploration but also brings the biggest crowds. For a balanced experience, May or September are often considered ideal for a mix of good weather and accessibility without the peak summer rush. Late April to mid-May is the peak time for waterfalls due to snowmelt. The park will be lush and green with blooming wildflowers. However, high-country roads like Tioga Pass and Glacier Point Road may still be closed due to snow. June to September is when most of the park, including all roads, trails, and attractions, is open and accessible.

You generally need 2 to 4 days to see Yosemite's highlights, but more time is recommended for a deeper experience. A 3 to 4 day trip is ideal for hiking trails like the Mist Trail, exploring Yosemite Valley, driving to Glacier Point and Tioga Road, and finding some solitude. A longer stay of 5 days or more allows for further exploration of less-visited areas like Hetch Hetchy, multiple hikes, and less rushed days. Focus on iconic sights like Yosemite Valley, Tunnel View, and Glacier Point. Explore Yosemite Valley, hike the Mist Trail, and visit Glacier Point and Bridalveil Fall. A 3-4 day trip allows time for Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point, and a drive along Tioga Road for views of Olmsted Point and Tuolumne Meadows, including challenging hikes and wildlife viewing. 5+ days allow you to dedicate time to the High Country and its beautiful lakes and peaks, explore Hetch Hetchy, and enjoy more leisurely days to experience the park without feeling rushed.

The best way to visit Yosemite depends on your fitness and interests. Hiking is highly recommended for experiencing its signature views, followed by biking or using the free shuttle in Yosemite Valley to manage crowds and parking. First-time visitors should focus on iconic sights like Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Fall, while also considering a guided tour or visiting the giant sequoias in Mariposa Grove. Start with the iconic views from Tunnel View and then explore Yosemite Valley. Bridalveil Fall Trail is an easy, one-mile trail that is wheelchair accessible and offers great views of the tallest waterfall in the park. See the giant sequoia trees by walking the Big Trees Loop or the Grizzly Giant Loop trails.

Yes, you can enter Yosemite without a reservation by arriving before 6 a.m. or after 2 p.m. on reservation-required dates, or by using the YARTS bus service, entering on foot, bicycle, or horseback, or visiting the Hetch Hetchy area. A reservation is only needed for specific peak dates during the summer season. You can drive into the park without a reservation if you arrive before 6 a.m. or after 2 p.m. during a reservation-required period. Enter the park using the YARTS bus service, by bicycle, on foot, or by horseback. The Hetch Hetchy entrance does not require a reservation. A wilderness permit or a Half Dome permit also exempts you from needing an entrance reservation.

Waterfalls in Yosemite National Park typically peak in late spring, from April to June. This is when the snowmelt from the Sierra Nevada mountains is at its highest, feeding the park's iconic waterfalls like Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Fall, and Vernal Fall. Visiting during this period offers the most dramatic and powerful waterfall displays. While waterfalls will continue to flow into the summer and fall, their volume will significantly decrease after the spring snowmelt.