FOLLOW THAT MOOSE FIELD GUIDE
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK?
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Yosemite National Park is open 24 hours a day year round, although access at the Hetch Hetchy entrance station is only during daylight hours. Entrance reservations may be required at peak times so check the National Park Service website for the latest information and timings. It should also be noted that some of Yosemite’s roads are closed due to snow from around November through May or June. Summertime from early June through August is peak season in Yosemite and by far the most popular time to visit. You can expect constant crowds and parking areas to fill up quickly especially in Yosemite Valley. Arrive at Yosemite before midmorning to avoid delays at entrance stations and popular areas like Yosemite Valley and Glacier Point. Most of Yosemite is blanketed in snow from about November through May and April, May and June are the best times to see the park’s waterfalls. Average summer temperatures peak at around 87°F in Yosemite Valley and 68°F in Tuolumne Meadows. If you want to hike or backpack in Tuolumne Meadows, July and August are the best times to visit. If you visit Yosemite either side of the peak summer months of June, July and August you’ll avoid the worst of the crowds. Average spring temperatures peak at around 70°F in Yosemite Valley and 50°F in Tuolumne Meadows. Fall is also a great time to visit but expect cool nighttime temperatures and snow as early as October. Issue 27 | 234
Always check for the latest conditions on the National Parks Service website or at the park visitors centre before starting your visit.
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