Yosemite National Park Guide: Best Time, How Many Days, Fees
The essentials for planning Yosemite: the best months for waterfalls or high country, what each area offers, current fees and rules, and how to choose between lodging inside and outside the park.
Yosemite National Park in California’s Sierra Nevada is best visited from late May to June, when the waterfalls are full and the high roads usually reopen, or in September, when crowds thin. Most first-time visitors need 2 to 3 days. As of November 2026, entry costs $35 per private vehicle for 7 days, and the park did not require timed-entry reservations in 2026, though lodging and campsites still book out months ahead.
The park covers nearly 1,200 square miles, but most visitors spend their time in 7-mile-long Yosemite Valley. Knowing which roads are open in which months is the key to planning.
When is the best time to visit Yosemite?
The best month depends on what you want to see. Waterfalls peak with snowmelt in spring; the high country opens in summer; fall is quiet but dry; winter turns the Valley white and closes the high roads.
| Month | Valley weather | Waterfalls | Roads | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Cold, snow or rain possible | Low to moderate | Tioga and Glacier Point roads closed; chains often needed | Low |
| February | Cold | Rising; Horsetail Fall glow mid to late month in clear weather | High roads closed | Busy on February weekends |
| March | Cool, wet | Rising | High roads closed | Moderate |
| April | Mild | Strong | High roads closed | Rising |
| May | Warm days | Peak | Tioga and Glacier Point roads often open late May | High |
| June | Warm | Strong | Usually all open | High |
| July | Hot in the Valley | Fading | All open | Highest |
| August | Hot; smoke possible | Low, some dry | All open | Highest |
| September | Warm, dry | Low or dry | All open | Moderate |
| October | Mild, cool nights | Low | Open until first big storm | Moderate |
| November | Cool, first snows | Low | High roads closing | Low |
| December | Cold, snow possible | Low to moderate | High roads closed | Low, busy at holidays |
Verdict: June is the best all-round month. Late May is best for waterfalls if the high roads have opened, September for fewer people, and winter for a quiet Valley trip.
How many days do you need in Yosemite?
- 1 day: Yosemite Valley highlights only: Tunnel View, Bridalveil Fall, El Capitan Meadow, Lower Yosemite Fall and the Vernal Fall footbridge.
- 2 days: add Glacier Point at sunset and the Mist Trail.
- 3 days: add Mariposa Grove or, in summer, Tioga Road and Tuolumne Meadows. See our 3-day Yosemite itinerary for a day-by-day plan.
- 4–5 days: time for a long hike such as Half Dome (permit required), Clouds Rest or a full day at Hetch Hetchy.
What are the top sights in Yosemite?
Yosemite Valley
The Valley holds the park’s most famous views: El Capitan, a granite wall about 3,000 feet high; Half Dome; and Yosemite Falls, which drops 2,425 feet in three sections and appears on our list of the best waterfalls in the US. Tunnel View on Wawona Road shows them together. A free shuttle loops the eastern Valley, and flat paths connect most viewpoints.
Glacier Point
At 7,214 feet, Glacier Point looks straight across at Half Dome and down to the Valley floor about 3,200 feet below. It is about an hour’s drive from the Valley on Glacier Point Road, which usually opens between late May and June and closes after the first heavy snow.
Mariposa Grove
Near the South Entrance, the grove has more than 500 mature giant sequoias, including the Grizzly Giant. Visitors park at the Welcome Plaza and ride a free shuttle from about late April through November, or walk up the road the rest of the year.
Tioga Road and Tuolumne Meadows
Tioga Road (Highway 120) crosses the park’s high country for about 39 miles to Tioga Pass at 9,945 feet, the highest highway pass in California. Stops include Olmsted Point, Tenaya Lake and the subalpine meadows of Tuolumne at about 8,600 feet.
Hetch Hetchy and Wawona
Hetch Hetchy, in the park’s northwest corner, is a reservoir in a granite valley with waterfalls and quieter trails. Wawona, near the South Entrance, has a historic hotel area and the Pioneer Yosemite History Center.
When is Tioga Road open?
Tioga Road usually opens between late May and June and closes for the season in November, after the first major snowstorm. Dates vary widely: in 2026 the road opened on May 15, its earliest opening in 16 years, while after the record snowpack of 2023 it did not open until late July. As of October 30, 2026, the park listed Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road as temporarily closed for snow.
When Tioga Road is closed, the only route into the park from the east side of the Sierra is cut, and Lee Vining and Mono Lake are a long detour away. Check conditions before driving, and do not rely on GPS routes over Tioga Pass in winter or spring.
How much does Yosemite cost, and do you need a reservation?
Yosemite announced on February 18, 2026, that it would not use a timed entry reservation system that season, after reviewing traffic and parking from 2025. Visitors could enter at any time with a pass. Check the park’s reservations page for 2027 rules.
| Pass (as of Nov 2026) | Price | Valid |
|---|---|---|
| Private vehicle | $35 | 7 days |
| Motorcycle | $30 | 7 days |
| Per person (on foot, bike, bus) | $20; 15 and younger free | 7 days |
| Yosemite annual pass | $70 | 12 months |
| America the Beautiful annual pass | $80 for US residents | 12 months, all federal fee sites |
| Nonresident fee | $100 per person age 16+, in addition to entry | Waived with an annual or America the Beautiful pass |
The park’s fees page lists free entrance days for US citizens and residents; in 2026 the last one was November 11, Veterans Day. Separate permits are needed for the Half Dome cables, awarded through a Recreation.gov lottery, and for overnight wilderness trips.
Should you stay inside Yosemite or outside?
Staying inside the park, especially in Yosemite Valley, means no daily drive and easy sunrise and sunset photos. Outside lodging is easier to book and wider in price, but adds 1 to 2 hours of driving a day.
| Option | Where | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valley lodges and historic hotel | Yosemite Valley | Walk or shuttle to sights | Book about a year ahead; expensive |
| Tent cabins | Yosemite Valley | Cheaper way to stay in the Valley | Thin walls, shared bathrooms |
| Campgrounds | Valley, Wawona, Tuolumne and others | Lowest cost inside the park | Released on Recreation.gov months ahead and book within minutes |
| Gateway towns on Highway 140 | El Portal, Midpines, Mariposa | Year-round road, closest to the Valley | Limited rooms in El Portal |
| Gateway towns on Highway 41 | Fish Camp, Oakhurst | Near Mariposa Grove | 1 hour or more to the Valley |
| Gateway towns on Highway 120 | Groveland (west), Lee Vining (east) | Tioga Road access | Lee Vining usable only when Tioga is open |
Our guide to booking national park lodges explains how release windows work.
How do you get to Yosemite?
| From | Approx. miles | Drive time | Entrance |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | 190 | 4–5 hr | Big Oak Flat or Arch Rock |
| Fresno (airport) | 65 to the South Entrance | 1.5 hr | South Entrance |
| Los Angeles | 280–310 | 5–6 hr | South Entrance |
| Las Vegas (summer only via Tioga) | 400 | 7–8 hr | Tioga Pass |
Without a car, regional YARTS buses run to Yosemite Valley from Merced, which has Amtrak service, and from other gateway towns.
What safety rules matter in Yosemite?
- Rivers and waterfalls: fast, cold water in spring and early summer is the leading hazard. Stay off wet rocks and out of rivers above waterfalls.
- Bears: store all food and scented items in bear lockers or your room. Never leave food in a car.
- Winter driving: carry tire chains from fall to spring; chain controls are common.
- Heat and altitude: summer Valley afternoons are hot, and Tuolumne sits at about 8,600 feet. Carry water and start hikes early.
Bottom line
Plan Yosemite for late May through June for waterfalls and open roads, or September for fewer people, and give it 2 to 3 days. Entry is $35 per vehicle, no timed reservation was required in 2026, and the real challenge is lodging: book in-park rooms or campsites as soon as they open, or stay in a gateway town on Highway 140, 41 or 120.
FAQ
Do I need a reservation to enter Yosemite?
Not in 2026: the park did not use timed entry reservations that year. You still pay the $35 vehicle fee, and lodging, campsites and Half Dome permits require reservations. Check the park website before planning a 2027 trip.
What is the best month to visit Yosemite?
June is the best all-round month, with strong waterfalls and the high roads usually open. May is best for waterfalls, September for smaller crowds and mild weather.
How many days do you need in Yosemite?
Two to three days covers the Valley, Glacier Point and either Mariposa Grove or Tuolumne Meadows. One day is enough only for the Valley floor.
Can you visit Yosemite in winter?
Yes. Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove stay open year-round, though Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road close for snow. Carry tire chains, and expect fewer services and quieter trails.
