Yosemite Valley is a compact, jaw-dropping stretch of waterfalls and cliffs that peaks in May and June when the falls run full. Beyond the valley are Tuolumne Meadows, Glacier Point and the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias.
Month by month
Best: April, May, June, July, October, November
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Avoid Poor OK Good Excellent Peak
Worth avoiding: January, February.
How long to stay
3–5 days is the sweet spot.
Flight time
About 6h from the US East Coast, 11.5h from Europe, 19.5h from South Asia.
Good to know
- Peak-season entry sometimes requires a reservation; check the NPS page before you go.
- Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road close in winter; confirm opening dates before planning high-country days.
- Stay in the valley, in Mariposa or Groveland; driving in at midday during summer can take over an hour.
Plan a trip to Yosemite
Pick your dates and Offdays builds a day-by-day itinerary from Yosemite's best places.
Destination