Best Time to Visit Yosemite National Park

May to June, September to October

Months to avoid: July to August (extreme crowds, reservation system required, valley feels claustrophobic, temperatures spike)

Recommended stay: 3-5 days

Plan Yosemite National Park for May to June, September to October. Give it 3-5 days. The window to avoid is July to August (extreme crowds, reservation system required, valley feels claustrophobic, temperatures spike).

What the season gets you

• Yosemite Falls in May carries snowmelt from 2,425 feet of drop, loud enough to feel in your chest from the valley floor
• The view from Glacier Point at sunset puts Half Dome, the valley, and Nevada Falls in a single frame that stops feeling real
• Black bears in camp are a genuine evening ritual. Watching a 300-pound animal test every car door methodically is unforgettable in the most practical sense