Best time to visit Yosemite
Re-score for me — drag the dial — every chart on the page recolours live for your heat limit 27°C
Default 27 °C is the upper edge of the Holiday Climate Index "ideal comfort" band (Scott, Rutty, Amelung & Tang, 2016). Above this, most warm-tourism travellers report measurable discomfort.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
How is this scored? HCI / Steadman / CCI gate — full methodology and citations below.
Compare with another destination
Add as many as you like — stacked below the main strips above. Each row is just the recent-window score strip and (for beach destinations) sea-temperature strip.
Tours in Yosemite
29 top-rated tours via Viator. Booking links earn this site a commission at no cost to you. Map locations are approximate (centred on Yosemite).
- 1
Jeep 4 X 4 Yosemite Park Tour with Hotel Pickup - 2
Yosemite National Park & Sequoias Private Tour from San Francisco - 3
5-Day Cathedral Lakes to Clouds Rest & Half Dome - 4
Private Guided Hiking Tour in Yosemite - 5
Guided Half Dome Hike - 6
Private Yosemite & Glacier Point SUV / Van Tour Including Hotel Pickup - 7
Yosemite Valley & Glacier Point Adaptive Tour - 8
Private Family Hike in Yosemite - 9
Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Yosemite - 10
Yosemite National Park Self Guided Driving Audio Tour Guide - 11
Private Full Day Fly Fishing For Beginners and Experienced Anglers - 12
One Day In Yosemite Private Tour:Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point & Giant Sequoias - 13
Semi Private Yosemite Tour with Ahwahnee Lunch and Hotel Pickup - 14
Guided Yosemite Hiking Excursion - 15
Yosemite Valley Discovery Walk - 16
5-Day Yosemite Backpacking - Amazing Sunsets - 17
Waterfalls of Yosemite - Customizable Private Tour - 18
Yosemite Valley Private Hiking Tour - 19
Yosemite Nights: 90-Minute Stargazing and Stories Tour - 20
Off Road Giant Sequoia 4x4 Tour Yosemite National Park - 21
The Evolution of Yosemite: 3-Hour Walking Tour - 22
Yosemite Classic Camping Trips - 23
Private High Country Fly Fishing Adventure - 24
Yosemite National Park Self-Guided Audio Tour - 25
Yosemite: High Country Explorer - Private Hiking Tour - 26
Family Fun Private Half Day Fly Fishing Adventure - 27
Devils Peak Yosemite Sunset 4x4 Jeep Tour - 28
Yosemite Family Explorers - Customizable Private Tour - 29
Yosemite National Park - One Way Trip
Last refreshed 2026-08-13.
Similar climatesÜrgüp90% · Ronda90% · Göreme90%
Other destinations with the most-alike year-round climate to Yosemite (apparent temperature, rain hours, sunshine — matched within the same trip-profile). The ±N chip compares each match's typical score for the current month against Yosemite's. Based on the 2020-2024 climatology, not this year's actual weather.
Month-by-month
| Month | Temp °C | Feels °C | Rain days | Rain h | Rain h/day | Humidity | Wind km/h | Sun h | UV | Interest | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | -3–10 | 7 | 9 | 113 | 12.6 | 61% | 10 | 178 | 2 | Quiet | 6 |
| Feb | -2–10 | 7 | 8 | 116 | 14.5 | 56% | 10 | 188 | 4 | Quiet | 6 |
| Mar | -2–9 | 6 | 14 | 207 | 14.8 | 62% | 10 | 214 | 5 | Quiet | 4 |
| Apr | 1–15 | 13 | 7 | 90 | 12.9 | 55% | 10 | 258 | 8 | Quiet | 7 |
| May | 5–20 | 18 | 6 | 69 | 11.5 | 43% | 12 | 308 | 8 | Moderate | 9 |
| Jun | 11–26 | 25 | 3 | 31 | 10.3 | 33% | 12 | 304 | 10 | Moderate | 9 |
| Jul | 15–32 | 30 | 0 | 4 | — | 23% | 12 | 323 | 11 | Peak | 7 |
| Aug | 15–30 | 28 | 1 | 18 | 18.0 | 25% | 12 | 302 | 10 | Moderate | 8 |
| Sep | 12–27 | 25 | 2 | 32 | 16.0 | 30% | 12 | 261 | 7 | Quiet | 9 |
| Oct | 7–22 | 20 | 3 | 27 | 9.0 | 33% | 11 | 241 | 5 | Quiet | 9 |
| Nov | 0–14 | 12 | 6 | 76 | 12.7 | 47% | 11 | 193 | 3 | Quiet | 7 |
| Dec | -2–11 | 9 | 10 | 141 | 14.1 | 58% | 11 | 164 | 2 | Quiet | 6 |
UV Index in Yosemite by Month
UV index in Yosemite peaks at 11 (very high) in July, dropping to 2 (low) in December. May, June, July, August reach very high or extreme levels — apply SPF 50+, wear a hat and protective clothing, and limit direct sun between 11:00 and 17:00.
Best months in detail
June
9/1011–26°C (feels 25°C) · 3 rain days (31h) · 304 sun hours · 33% humidity · Moderate crowd · UV 10 (very high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 11 (extreme)
September
9/1012–27°C (feels 25°C) · 2 rain days (32h) · 261 sun hours · 30% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 7 (high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 9 (very high)
October
9/107–22°C (feels 20°C) · 3 rain days (27h) · 241 sun hours · 33% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 5 (moderate) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 7 (high)
Every month
Show the other 9 months in detail
January
6/10-3–10°C (feels 7°C) · 9 rain days (113h) · 178 sun hours · 61% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 2 (low) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 3 (moderate)
February
6/10-2–10°C (feels 7°C) · 8 rain days (116h) · 188 sun hours · 56% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 4 (moderate) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 5 (moderate)
March
4/10-2–9°C (feels 6°C) · 14 rain days (207h) · 214 sun hours · 62% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 5 (moderate) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 8 (high)
April
7/101–15°C (feels 13°C) · 7 rain days (90h) · 258 sun hours · 55% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 8 (high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 10 (very high)
May
9/105–20°C (feels 18°C) · 6 rain days (69h) · 308 sun hours · 43% humidity · Moderate crowd · UV 8 (very high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 10 (very high)
July
7/1015–32°C (feels 30°C) · 0 rain days (4h) · 323 sun hours · 23% humidity · Peak crowd · UV 11 (very high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 12 (extreme)
August
8/1015–30°C (feels 28°C) · 1 rain days (18h) · 302 sun hours · 25% humidity · Moderate crowd · UV 10 (very high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 11 (extreme)
November
7/100–14°C (feels 12°C) · 6 rain days (76h) · 193 sun hours · 47% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 3 (moderate)
December
6/10-2–11°C (feels 9°C) · 10 rain days (141h) · 164 sun hours · 58% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 2 (low)
Plowing starts on 15 April, and the park refuses to predict the opening
Half of Yosemite is seasonal, and the half that closes is the high country. Tioga Road, the only route across the park and the way to Tuolumne Meadows, shuts for the winter, as does Glacier Point Road.
The National Park Service begins clearing Tioga Road on or about 15 April each year, and says the work usually takes between one and two months. It also states outright that predicting when these roads will open is not possible, even in late spring — the variable is the Tuolumne snowpack, not the calendar. A heavy year and a light year can differ by weeks.
This matters more than the temperature reading. A visitor who books May for the wildflowers can arrive to find Yosemite Valley busy and warm while the entire high country is still behind a gate.
Sources: NPS — Tioga and Glacier Point Roads: historical seasonal opening and closing dates , NPS — Tioga and Glacier Point Roads plowing and road opening update
Which month is best to visit Yosemite?
September. The waterfalls are past their peak, but Tioga and Glacier Point Roads are open, the high country is accessible, summer crowds have thinned and the weather is settled. If waterfalls are your priority, May and June are stronger — accepting that the high country may still be closed.
When not to go to Yosemite?
Late March to early May is the awkward window: the Valley is crowded and wet, while Tioga and Glacier Point Roads are usually still shut, so much of the park is unreachable. Mid-July to mid-August is the other one to avoid if crowds bother you. Plowing on Tioga Road begins about 15 April and takes one to two months, and the park will not predict an opening date.
How many days do I need in Yosemite?
Three days. One for Yosemite Valley's floor and waterfalls, one for Glacier Point and the Panorama area, and one for Tuolumne Meadows and the Tioga Road high country. Two days works if you skip the high country — which in spring you may have to anyway.
Is Yosemite prettier than Yellowstone?
They are not competing on the same ground. Yosemite is granite, waterfalls and vertical scale in a compact valley. Yellowstone is geothermal — geysers, hot springs and wildlife across a vast plateau. Yosemite rewards a shorter, more concentrated visit; Yellowstone needs distance and driving.
What is a good month to go to Yosemite?
September, on balance. Tioga and Glacier Point Roads are reliably open, the high country is walkable, summer crowds have thinned and the weather is settled at around 25C by day. May and June give far stronger waterfalls, since they run on snowmelt, but often with the high country still closed behind a gate.
What months does it snow in Yosemite?
November through April in Yosemite Valley, and considerably longer at elevation — Tioga Pass at over 3,000 m holds snow into June most years. January is the wettest month at around 195 mm, mostly snow above the valley floor. This is why plowing Tioga Road begins about 15 April and still takes one to two months.
When is the best time to see Yosemite waterfalls?
Late April through June. Yosemite Falls is fed by snowmelt rather than rain, so it peaks as the snowpack melts and can slow to a trickle or stop entirely by late August — August averages just 4 mm of rain. A visit built around waterfalls should target spring; a visit built around the high country should target late summer.
Is Yosemite Valley open all year?
Yes. Yosemite Valley and the road in from the west stay open year-round, weather permitting, and winter there is genuinely beautiful and quiet. What closes is the high country: Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road shut for the season, so roughly half the park's famous viewpoints are unreachable from about November to late May or June.
Do you need a reservation to enter Yosemite?
Reservation requirements for peak-hour entry have changed repeatedly between seasons, so this is one to verify on the park's own site rather than trust to a guide — including this one. Reservations for lodging and campgrounds inside the park are a separate matter, and those book out months ahead for summer regardless.
What is Yosemite best known for?
Granite and water. El Capitan and Half Dome are the most recognised rock faces in the world for climbers, and Yosemite Falls is among the tallest waterfalls in North America. The catch for planning is that the falls run on snowmelt rather than rainfall, so they peak in late spring and can stop entirely by late August, when the park averages about 4 mm of rain.
What not to miss in Yosemite?
Tunnel View for the classic valley panorama, the base of Yosemite Falls in spring while it is still running, and Glacier Point for the view down onto Half Dome. If Tioga Road is open, Tuolumne Meadows is a completely different park from the valley floor — high, open and far quieter. Check road status first: it closes all winter and opens late.
Which is better, Yosemite or Sequoia?
Yosemite for scale and drama — waterfalls, granite walls and a valley that has no equal — at the cost of substantial crowds. Sequoia is quieter, cooler and centred on the giant trees, and receives a fraction of the visitors. Many trips do both, since they are about four hours apart. If you have one day and want the iconic view, choose Yosemite.
Frequently asked questions about visiting Yosemite
When is the best time to visit Yosemite?
June is the highest-scoring month (9/10 on the Holiday Climate Index). Typical conditions: 11–26°C (3 rainy days). The top three months by score are June, September, October.
What is the worst time to visit Yosemite?
March is the lowest-scoring month (4/10). Typical conditions: -2–9°C (14 rainy days).
Is Yosemite too hot in summer?
1 month (July) trip the heat deal-breaker in our scoring: apparent temperature crosses the comfort cap, so even with clear skies and low rain the score is held down. Plan around it if heat tolerance is low.
When are crowds lowest in Yosemite?
Search-interest seasonality (Google Trends 2021-2025) is lowest in November and peaks in July. Interest tracks both in-trip visitors and lead-time planners, so treat it as a "destination is on people's minds" signal rather than literal arrivals.
Which months in Yosemite have good weather but fewer tourists?
September (climate 9/10, crowd index 33) and October (climate 9/10, crowd index 10) — shoulder months with above-average climate and below-median search-interest. Often the best value-for-weather trade.
What is the UV index in Yosemite by month?
UV peaks at 11 (very high) in July and is lowest in December at 2 (low). Monthly peak values: Jan 2, Feb 4, Mar 5, Apr 8, May 8, Jun 10, Jul 11, Aug 10, Sep 7, Oct 5, Nov 3, Dec 2. May, June, July, August reach very high or extreme levels — apply SPF 50+, wear a hat and protective clothing, and limit direct sun between 11:00 and 17:00.
What is the UV index in Yosemite in July?
July is the peak UV month in Yosemite, with a daily-peak UV index of 11 (very high). At this level, sunburn can occur in under 20 minutes on unprotected fair skin. Apply SPF 50+, wear protective clothing and a hat, and avoid direct midday sun (11:00–17:00).
How high can UV get in Yosemite on the sunniest days?
Most days look like the monthly average, but on the sunniest ~1 in 10 days UV climbs higher than the mean suggests. July is the worst case: typical days average UV 11 (very high), but the top 10% of days reach UV 12 (extreme) — and even higher. Months where the sunniest days routinely exceed the typical reading: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October. Plan sun protection for the worst case, not the average.
Is air quality in Yosemite bad for travelers?
PM2.5 (fine-particle pollution) exceeds the WHO sensitive-group guideline (15 µg/m³) in 1 month: September. The worst month is September with a typical-day mean of 12 µg/m³ (moderate); on the worst 10% of days PM2.5 reaches 22 µg/m³ (unhealthy for sensitive) and higher. People with asthma, heart conditions, or sensitive children may want to avoid these months or limit outdoor activity. Source: CAMS via Open-Meteo.