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Best time to visit Yosemite: month by month
Short answer
May and June are the best months for waterfalls, with Valley highs of about 21–26°C, but also crowds and snow on high trails. July to September is warm (about 27–32°C in the Valley) and nearly dry, with all roads usually open, though some waterfalls dry up by August. Winter is cold, with highs of about 10°C and lows below freezing, but the Valley is quiet and beautiful.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 10°C | -2°C | 9 | low |
| Feb | 10°C | -2°C | 7 | medium |
| Mar | 10°C | -1°C | 12 | low |
| Apr | 16°C | 1°C | 6 | medium |
| May | 21°C | 5°C | 6 | high |
| Jun | 26°C | 11°C | 5 | very high |
| Jul | 32°C | 16°C | 0 | very high |
| Aug | 30°C | 15°C | 2 | very high |
| Sep | 27°C | 12°C | 3 | high |
| Oct | 21°C | 6°C | 4 | medium |
| Nov | 15°C | 1°C | 4 | low |
| Dec | 10°C | -1°C | 12 | low |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
Highs rise from about 10°C in March to 21°C in May; waterfalls build to full power, but high roads and trails are still snowbound.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Valley highs of 26–32°C and almost no rain; Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road usually open, busiest season, waterfalls fading by August.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Highs fall from about 27°C in September to 15°C in November; quieter, with autumn colours on the Valley floor in October.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Highs of about 10°C and lows of -2 to -1°C, with 7–12 rainy or snowy days a month; Tioga and Glacier Point roads closed, snowshoeing at Badger Pass.
Events worth planning around
- Horsetail Fall 'firefall' at sunset — a few days in February, with special access rules
- Peak waterfall season — about April to June, depending on the snowpack
- Bracebridge Dinner at The Ahwahnee — December
When to avoid
If you want fewer crowds and easier lodging, avoid July and August. If you want to drive Tioga Road or reach Glacier Point, avoid roughly November to May, when those roads are usually closed by snow.
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Common questions
What is the best month to visit Yosemite?
May and June for waterfalls, September for warm weather with fewer crowds.
When do Yosemite's waterfalls dry up?
Yosemite Falls often dries up by late summer, usually around August, earlier after a dry winter.
Is Yosemite open in winter?
Yes. The Valley is open all year, but Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road close beyond Badger Pass.