When to visit Yosemite without the crowds
Yosemite (California, United States) is calmest in January, February, March, April, November and December: fewer people and better prices. It gets busiest in June, July, August and September. Below is every month with crowds, temperatures and festivals. Careful with January, February, March, April, November and December: the calm has a reason (see the seasonal heads-ups).
Best months
Apr–May & Oct
When everyone heads home
The second half of August.
Tip
In summer and spring weekends a vehicle reservation is required: check recreation.gov.
Month by month
| Month | Crowds | Avg. high | Festivals & holidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2/5 · calm ⚠ | 10 °C (49 °F) | New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day |
| February | 1/5 · calm ⚠ ✦ | 10 °C (51 °F) | Presidents Day |
| March | 1/5 · calm ⚠ | 11 °C (52 °F) | |
| April | 2/5 · calm ⚠ | 15 °C (59 °F) | |
| May | 3/5 · moderate ⚠ ✦ | 20 °C (67 °F) | Waterfalls at their peak (May–Jun), Memorial Day |
| June | 4/5 · busy ✦ | 27 °C (80 °F) | Juneteenth National Independence Day |
| July | 5/5 · busy | 32 °C (89 °F) | Independence Day |
| August | 4/5 · busy ⚠ | 31 °C (88 °F) | |
| September | 4/5 · busy ⚠ | 27 °C (81 °F) | Labour Day |
| October | 3/5 · moderate ⚠ | 22 °C (72 °F) | |
| November | 2/5 · calm ⚠ | 15 °C (59 °F) | Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day |
| December | 1/5 · calm ⚠ | 10 °C (51 °F) | Christmas Day |
⚠ = seasonal heads-up. ✦ = something special to see.
Before you go: seasonal heads-ups
- Wildfire smoke in some years (Aug–Sep).
- Many waterfalls nearly dry up (Aug–Oct).
- Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road close for snow (about Nov–May).
What to see, and when
- Waterfalls at their strongest (May–Jun).
- Horsetail Fall at sunset: the "firefall" (mid-February).
Crowds are a relative index for each place: 1 is its calmest month and 5 its busiest. Temperatures: Copernicus ERA5, 2016–2025 average. Includes official tourism statistics (National Park Service, Yosemite National Park, 2023-2025). How it works
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Yosemite without the crowds?
The calmest month is usually February, March and December (crowds 1/5). In March the average high is 11 °C (52 °F). All the calm months: January, February, March, April, November and December.
When is Yosemite most crowded?
The busiest season is June, July, August and September. The second half of August.
What is the weather like in Yosemite?
Average highs range from 10 °C (49 °F) in January to 32 °C (89 °F) in July, from Copernicus ERA5 (2016–2025).
What should I know before going to Yosemite?
Wildfire smoke in some years (Aug–Sep). Many waterfalls nearly dry up (Aug–Oct). Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road close for snow (about Nov–May).
What is there to see in Yosemite by season?
Waterfalls at their strongest (May–Jun). Horsetail Fall at sunset: the "firefall" (mid-February).
What festivals are there in Yosemite?
The main ones: Waterfalls at their peak (May–Jun) (May).
More places in California
- San Francisco calm in January, February, November and December; busiest in May, June, July, August and September
- Los Angeles calm in February, March, April, May, September, October, November and December; busiest in July