Yosemite National Park is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the United States. Its plethora of iconic views, abundance of family-friendly outdoor activities, and the vast stretches of resplendent natural beauty that make it all possible are truly a natural treasure. Yosemite is huge, and there is so much to do and learn in Yosemite that it’s wise to know a bit about the park before visiting. Whether you’re looking for a comprehensive guide to a first time visit to Yosemite, or are looking for tips to improve your next trip, you’ve come to the right place.
When to Visit Yosemite
Yosemite is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and it has something to offer visitors in every season. While most vacationers will likely choose to visit in the warmer months, the park is beautiful all year round, and every season brings different scenery and wildlife to compliment the timeless terrain.
Summer
Summer is the most popular season for Yosemite tourism, and for good reason. The unique combination of California’s temperate Mediterranean climate and the elevation of the Sierra Nevada mountains make the park’s summers very tolerable for outdoor activities, with maximum temperatures rarely exceeding 32 C, cooling off to a pleasant 14 C overnight. The lush greenery of the forested valley will be in full bloom by June, yielding incredible photo opportunities and a truly enjoyable hiking experience, although those planning on engaging in longer outdoor trips shouldn’t be lulled into a false sense of security: 32 C can take its toll over the course of a day, and at this elevation, sunscreen is a must for any outdoor activity. Precipitation is relatively minimal in summer, with less than 15 mm of total rainfall expected in June, July, and August.
If you plan on visiting the park in any of these three months, remember that you’re not alone. This is without a doubt the most popular season for Yosemite, so visiting in summer may result in a sparse selection of overnight accommodation. Booking ahead is advisable at any time of the year, but if you plan on seeing the park anywhere between May and September, you’ll want to reserve a hotel or camping spot at least 6-12 months in advance. A place to sleep isn’t the only thing you’ll be competing for, either: restaurants, roads, and the most popular photo opportunities will likely all be packed during the summer. Regardless, there’s a reason this season is so popular:
George Gill 2016 via Royalty Free Image License
Spring
Much of spring offers the same lush scenery as the summer, but it is usually substantially less crowded, making it arguably the best time to visit the park for those who want to take full advantage of all of Yosemite’s natural beauty. Anyone planning on engaging in extensive or strenuous physical activities – like hiking all 12 km of the Half-Dome trail or, for the truly brave, climbing El Capitan – would do well to consider visiting before the hotter months. With daytime high temperatures sitting at a comfortable 14 – 21 C, spring is an ideal time for enthusiasts who really want to see everything the park has to offer.
The drawbacks to visiting in spring rarely ruin a visit to the park, but may introduce some uncertainty or limitations into planning. Anyone planning on visiting in March or April should be aware of the risk that, as a result of Yosemite’s elevated location in the Sierra Nevada mountains, snow often covers parts of the park (and sometimes even continues to fall) until May, occasionally leaving some of the most beautiful drives in the park inaccessible. Precipitation is also unpredictable in the spring, at times sparing the park and yielding idyllic conditions, and at others matching or even exceeding the winter months in rain or snowfall.
Anyone visiting the park, but especially campers, should take into account that temperatures during spring months are also highly variable: night time can see the temperature dip close to or below freezing. Campers should also consider the wildlife during spring, particularly the bears that are just awakening from hibernation, and are in their most active season, making encounters more likely than normal – anyone camping in the spring should take extra precautions to avoid unexpected encounters with hungry bears. In short, if you want to ensure access to all that Yosemite has to offer, including the often-snowy Tioga or Glacier point roads, or plan on camping outdoors, spring may still be viable, but you should come prepared, and be ready to adapt to the conditions on the ground.
Winter
Winter is not the season many think of for an outdoorsy vacation, and many of Yosemite’s natural attractions are certainly ideal not for the faint of heart or a typical family during the colder months; in fact, many are completely off limits to the public during the snowy season, and others require tire chains to access. Anyone visiting Yosemite in the winter should come prepared: tire chains are a must, and access to a radio and emergency supplies is strongly recommended in the unlikely event that you become stranded in the snow. But for those who enjoy the challenge, or just prefer the snowy scenery, winter in Yosemite is without peer.
As a result, winter in Yosemite is often busier than many would expect. The surrounding mountains play host to a wide variety of rustic lodges and bed and breakfast venues that make a truly picturesque location for those seeking a classic “white Christmas” destination. Many of Yosemite’s more scenic roads are often closed as a result of the snow, leading to increased congestion in those that remain open. The US National Park Services recommend that anyone, regardless of their intended or vehicle type, carry tire chains when visiting the park for the winter, and it is a legal requirement whenever the roads are covered by ice or snow (usually the entirety of winter from mid-to-late November through early March).
Yosemite’s unique winter also offers activities unavailable during the rest of the year. Yosemite is one of the country’s premier destinations for winter sports, including snowboarding and both downhill and cross-country skiing. While the slopes of Badger Pass can’t compete with the likes of Aspen or Sun Valley for downhill enthusiasts, it is widely regarded as one of the most family-friendly ski resorts in the US – a perfect place for young kids to learn how to ski or snowboard. By contrast, the cross country experience is widely regarded as one of the best in the world. Whether you prefer cross-country skiing or snowshoeing, traversing the snow in Yosemite’s snowy winters will give you access to a snow-capped version of every iconic view available any other time of year, rendered all the more relaxing by the peaceful, snow-dampened silence of unspoiled winter wilderness. With the speed and convenience of skis coupled with a drastic reduction in the number of visitors enjoying the outdoors, many find that visiting in the winter offers both easier access and a more private experience of the park’s unique natural beauty.
Fall
As in spring, the climate during fall months at Yosemite can be unpredictable. Some years, the 30C+ summer heat carries over well into September; others see road closures due to snow as soon as early October. Precipitation in September is relatively sparse, but in a wet year, mid to late November can yield as much snow as any of the winter months.
The unpredictability of this season makes it less popular, but that doesn’t mean it’s without its perks. Yosemite has incredible fall foliage in September and October, making hikes even more attractive than the summer to those who enjoy the more rustic variant of the park’s forested scenery. While the temperature can be as variable as the precipitation, visiting in September usually offers the same perks as late spring: smaller crowds, low precipitation, and reduced temperatures compared to the summer make for excellent hiking, and usually a more private but equally picturesque experience of Yosemite’s popular photo opportunities.
George Gill 2016 via Royalty Free Image License
Getting To Yosemite
Yosemite’s location often represents the greatest challenge of planning a vacation that involves large groups or equipment for outdoor activities. While it’s a fantastic destination for anyone on the east coast engaging in the classic cross-country Great American Roadtrip, not every couple or family is up for that level of adventure. For those who do decide to drive from home, both the park and the surrounding accommodations are exceedingly car-friendly: much of the park, including its most iconic attractions, can be viewed from the car or within a short walk of an easily driveable road. Anyone with a camper van or trailer may need to be extra cautious about ensuring available parking, but for those who plan ahead, there are options aplenty.
For those flying in domestically, Fresno is the closest major airport – just 1.5 hours’ drive from the park. Fresno is an international airport, so it is an option to those flying in from abroad, but flights to Fresno often include stops at one of the larger nearby airports, and might add an extra expense that is avoidable for those coming in from abroad who are already planning on renting a car.
Most people who are visiting Yosemite from overseas should plan to fly in to either Los Angeles or San Francisco. The drive is shorter from SFO to Yosemite – roughly 4-5 hours – so those planning a trip exclusively for Yosemite usually prefer San Francisco: a shorter travel distance coupled with the opportunity to detour through California’s wine country in the scenic Napa Valley make this an attractive option for those looking for a short, comfortable trip to the park. A nighttime stopover in Stockton is another option for those arriving at SFO late or looking to both minimize driving distance and avoid a one-shot 5-hour trip.
Traveling from LA does have some perks, though: it includes an opportunity to visit the sights of America’s entertainment hub, including the area’s broad selection theme parks like Disney Land, Universal Studios, and Six Flags. This makes LA a great option for international families looking for an extended stay that combines the best of modernity and nature in a classic all-American vacation.
Where To Stay
Camping
Camping in Yosemite is an American tradition as old as apple pie. The park’s beautiful natural scenery, temperate climate, and pick from as many as 13 campgrounds (depending on the season) make it a fantastic place to pitch a tent, light a fire, and enjoy the great outdoors in the shade of majestic sequoia trees.
The primary destination for most Yosemite-bound campers is the Upper Pines campground. Located in the heart of the park near Yosemite village, and offering easy access to both the most iconic views of the park and some modern amenities in the village, Upper Pines is the default option for those looking for a traditional, family-friendly stay in Yosemite. Be warned that Upper Pines usually books out roughly 3-6 months in advance for popular times in the late spring, summer, and early fall. They do offer space for RVs, but only those up to 35 feet.
Lower Pines and North Pines are additional popular reservation-only options. North Pines is favored by some return campers due to its proximity to the scenic Merced River, making it a popular option for those looking to kayak or canoe through the park. It also offers space for RVs up to 40 feet.
Camp 4 is a great destination for those who haven’t planned months and months ahead. Spots are made available on a lottery basis the day before camping. Camp 4 is a popular destination for young visitors, hikers who plan on spending time out and about, or backpackers looking to spend a quick night closer to civilization before heading out into the wild.
Lodging
Traditional lodging is available aplenty near the park. Hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts near the park often book out months or even years in advance during the summer season, so it’s not smart to rely on driving up and expecting a convenient room near the park. If you want the truly premier Yosemite lodge experience, The Ahwahnee is a traditional, log cabin-style hotel with easy access to amenities, and luxurious spaces like the Great Lounge and Solarium that make for excellent photos and a comfortable yet rustic environment.
Regardless of how you arrive or where you stay, few regret making the trip to Yosemite. It’s considered a rite of passage by many Americans, and a pleasure that few would want to miss out on. If you can visit one great American park in your lifetime, Yosemite should be a strong contender.
