It’s a matter of fact, that visiting Yosemite is always a good idea. No matter the season, the Park is beautiful and has a variety of activities to offer year round. If your summer was too busy to take time off and get away, now is the time to start planning your fall trip to Yosemite. Here are the best reasons why Fall in Yosemite is the perfect time to come and visit.
- Peaceful & Quiet
- Comfortable Weather
- Affordable
- Outdoor Activities
- Colors
- Events
Let’s review them all below.
Yosemite National Park requires reservations to drive in or through the park until Oct 27th. Before you travel – make sure to Plan Your Visit for trip tips, weather and road updates.
REASON #1: Peaceful & Quiet
From May to August, Yosemite National Park experiences its peak visitor season, with millions of tourists flocking to the park. During these summer months, approximately 70% of the annual visitors come to explore its natural wonders. As mid-fall approaches, the crowds begin to dissipate.
While you shouldn’t anticipate having the entire park to yourself, there is a noticeable decrease in competition for space. Fewer people and vehicles are on the park’s roads, trails, and in lines. Entrance and store wait times are also shorter.
With that said, one of the most striking aspects of visiting during autumn is the profound sense of tranquility. Time appears to slow down, and the atmosphere becomes notably quieter, allowing wildlife to roam freely without the usual hustle and bustle of large crowds. If you tend to avoid touristy destinations during the summer due to traffic, expenses, and overcrowding, autumn in Yosemite is the ideal time for a peaceful and rejuvenating experience.
REASON #2: Comfortable Weather
Yosemite’s weather, much like mountainous regions in general, remains highly unpredictable, so it’s crucial to be prepared for a wide range of conditions. In September, which marks the start of the season, you’ll find it to be essentially an extension of summer. During this time, the weather remains relatively warm, dry, and comfortable. However, as you approach November, the weather becomes increasingly variable. Some days might still bring warmth, while others might carry a noticeable chill in the air. On occasion, you might even witness a dusting of snow, adding an element of surprise to your visit.
September – day low 80s F (27 C) / night mid-50s F (10 C)
October – day low 70s F (20 C) / night mid-30s F (5 C)
November – day low 50s F (12 C) / night low-30s F (0 C)
REASON #3: Accessible & Affordable
Less crowds mean also more lodging availability. If you are travelling on a budget, fall travels will fit the bill. Even though most weekends in September and October sell out well in advance, there is usually plenty of availability during the week and most rates drop significantly after Labor Day.
If you are budget conscious or simply want to have more cash left for fun activities, consider visiting on the fee-free days. In the Fall, there are three dates to pencil in your calendar:
- September 23, 2023 – National Public Lands Day
- November 11, 2023 – Veterans Day
“The entrance fee-free days hosted by the National Park Service are special opportunities to invite visitors, volunteers and veterans to celebrate some important moments for our parks and opportunities for service in those parks,” said National Park Service Deputy Director P. Daniel Smith.
REASON #4: Outdoor activities
Yosemite and Sierra National Forest are perfect for all the outdoor enthusiast. In the fall season, outdoor conditions are basically perfect. Again, remember you are in the high mountains, so be prepared and flexible, just in case the weather impacts your plans.
Hiking is especially popular during the fall months. Hiking trails aren’t as busy and often, after warm summer, snow is not a factor as far as accessibility. Less crowds will make you feel like you have paths to yourself and, even on the most travel hikes like the Mist Trail you won’t have to worry about crowds. In addition, water in the falls is slowing down, some falls may even dry out. Sure, it isn’t as picturesque as in the Spring or Summer, but it is a big draw for hikers, as paths are also dry and safer. If you want to be more adventurous, try rock climbing during your autumn getaway. Yosemite rock climbing peaks as the temperatures (and leaves) drop.
If you are not into hiking, look into renting a bike in Yosemite Valley. Not only you get some exercise and will be able to visit all the iconic sites, but you can also go and enjoy the fall foliage. As always, be aware of your surroundings, be safe, but, in the fall, you won’t have that many cars and people to share the road with. It will be perfect.
Other activities in the fall include: fishing, visiting Hetch Hetchy, visiting waterfalls, climbing sentinel dome, visiting Wawona and Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, visiting Bass Lake, ice skating (late November), ziplining, visiting museums. read more…
REASON #5: Colors
Traveling to Yosemite involves driving through diverse elevations, each characterized by distinct vegetation. Depending on your choice of entrance, you’ll start your journey in the foothill zone, abundant with live oaks and pines. As you ascend, you’ll encounter montane forests, showcasing a greater variety of trees such as fir, cedar, juniper, and the iconic giant sequoias. Climbing even higher into the mountains, you’ll find yourself amidst subalpine and alpine forests, where solitary pines become more prevalent. As you ascend into the alpine zone, you’ll eventually reach an altitude where no trees can survive due to harsh weather conditions.
While the majority of trees in the park are evergreens, Yosemite still offers opportunities to witness the changing colors of leaves. This is particularly appealing for those who reside in regions like the Valley, the Coast, or Southern California, where the transition of seasons may not be as pronounced. Visiting Yosemite Valley during the fall season allows you to experience the vibrant hues of autumn foliage despite the prevalence of evergreen trees throughout the park.
In the Yosemite Valley, there are a lot of dogwood trees, oaks and maple trees. You will have a chance to experience some of the most breathtaking autumn foliage you have ever seen. From pinks to yellows, oranges and reds with evergreens in the background. You can definitely take some instagram-worthy pictures there.
REASON #6: Festivals, Carnivals & Parades – Family Friendly Events
Fall season is filled with special events in Yosemite Area. Take a short drive south on 41 to Bass Lake and experience some of the most fun and family friendly events. If your travel falls later in November, you can even kick off the Holiday Season in Yosemite Area.
In the Fall, The Pines Resort at Bass Lake hosts the following events:
- Halloween Carnival and Fall Festival (last Saturday in October)
- Arts & Craft Fair (multiple dates: last weekend in October, last weekend in November)
- S ‘mores roasting and bonfires (several times a week)
- Comedy Shows
- Workshops and Paint Night (Oct 6th)
- Traditional Thanksgiving Day Buffet and 4-Course Dinner at Ducey’s on the Lake
- Christmas Tree Lighting & Parade of Lights
- Breakfast with Santa
- Pet Pictures with Santa
- Themed Events at the Glice Skate Rink
- and more…
Most of those events require pre-registering, but are free to attend.
For more details visit our event calendar.
Summary
Yosemite is beautiful and worth the trip whenever there is an opportunity. While summer remains the most popular for millions of people, those who come in the Fall are not losing much. In fact, there are actually many benefits of planning your trip in the fall instead of the summer. Autumn months create this serene and relaxing ambiance. That is appealing to artists, photographers, writers, but also to families who, for various reasons, couldn’t or didn’t come in the summer. If learning about those 6 reasons to visit Yosemite in Fall didn’t convince you, I guess you just need to give it a try and check for yourself.
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