Best Time to Visit Yosemite National Park
The best months to visit Yosemite National Park are March, April and May — computed from official NPS visitation (2021–2025 average), NOAA weather normals and daylight. August is the crowd peak (537,020 monthly visits); January is quietest at 21% of peak.
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Monthly crowd curve
Average monthly recreation visits, 2021–2025 (NPS Visitor Use Statistics). Amber bar = current month.
Yosemite month by month
| Month | Verdict | Avg visits | % of peak | High / Low | Precip | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Shoulder | 115,014 | 21% | 48°F / 29°F | 7.0″ | 9.8h |
| February | Shoulder | 129,412 | 24% | 51°F / 30°F | 6.5″ | 10.8h |
| March | Best window | 136,081 | 25% | 57°F / 34°F | 5.5″ | 11.9h |
| April | Best window | 256,083 | 48% | 63°F / 38°F | 3.2″ | 13.2h |
| May | Best window | 383,092 | 71% | 71°F / 45°F | 1.9″ | 14.2h |
| June | Peak crowds | 507,617 | 95% | 81°F / 51°F | 0.5″ | 14.8h |
| July | Peak crowds | 535,577 | 100% | 89°F / 57°F | 0.3″ | 14.5h |
| August | Peak crowds | 537,020 | 100% | 89°F / 57°F | 0.2″ | 13.6h |
| September | Peak crowds | 472,983 | 88% | 83°F / 51°F | 0.4″ | 12.5h |
| October | Peak crowds | 412,607 | 77% | 71°F / 41°F | 1.6″ | 11.3h |
| November | Shoulder | 216,341 | 40% | 56°F / 33°F | 4.0″ | 10.2h |
| December | Shoulder | 148,661 | 28% | 46°F / 28°F | 5.6″ | 9.6h |
Crowds: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, mean of 2021–2025 (2020 excluded as a COVID-19 anomaly). Weather: NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station YOSEMITE PARK HQ, CA US (3 mi from park coordinates). Daylight: computed for the 15th of each month at the park's location. Methodology.
How many people visit Yosemite each year
Yosemite National Park had 4,278,413 recreation visits in 2025, 4% more than 2024 (NPS Visitor Use Statistics). The busiest year since 2015 was 2016, with 5,028,868. Over 2021–2025 it averaged 3,850,488 visits a year, which makes it the 7th most-visited of the 63 national parks.
| Year | Recreation visits | vs. year before |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4,278,413 | +4% |
| 2024 | 4,121,807 | +6% |
| 2023 | 3,897,070 | +6% |
| 2022 | 3,667,550 | +12% |
| 2021 | 3,287,595 | +45% |
| 2020 | 2,268,313 | −49% |
| 2019 | 4,422,861 | +10% |
| 2018 | 4,009,436 | −8% |
| 2017 | 4,336,890 | −14% |
| 2016 | 5,028,868 | +21% |
| 2015 | 4,150,217 | — |
Calendar-year recreation visits as published by NPS Visitor Use Statistics. 2020 is shown here but left out of the monthly averages above, because the COVID-19 pandemic makes it unrepresentative. See how every park compares: all 63 parks ranked by visits.
What to pack for Yosemite in March
Computed from March's weather normals — Yosemite's best month above. Visiting another month? Each month page has its own weather-computed list.
- Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy) — mornings average 34°F
- Rain shell + pack cover — 5.5″ of precipitation is normal this month
- Waterproof boots — plus navigation and a basic first-aid kit — 5.5″ of rain is normal this month
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Common questions
What is the best month to visit Yosemite?
March, April and May rank best for Yosemite on VisitWhen's computed score — the strongest balance of low crowds (NPS data), comfortable weather (NOAA normals) and daylight, among months when the park’s headline access is typically open.
What is the most crowded month at Yosemite?
August: an average of 537,020 recreation visits (NPS, 2021–2025). The quietest is January, at 21% of the August peak.
When is Yosemite least crowded with decent conditions?
January. It is the park's quietest month (21% of the August peak, 115,014 average visits) without harsh-season weather.
How many people visit Yosemite per year?
Yosemite National Park had 4,278,413 recreation visits in 2025, 4% more than 2024 (NPS Visitor Use Statistics). The busiest year since 2015 was 2016, with 5,028,868. Over 2021–2025 it averaged 3,850,488 visits a year.
What is the weather like at Yosemite through the year?
The warmest month is July, with average highs of 89°F. The coldest nights come in December, averaging 28°F. The wettest month is January, with 7.0″ of precipitation. (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, YOSEMITE PARK HQ, CA US station.)
Is Yosemite open all year?
Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road typically close November–late May; Yosemite Valley is open year-round. Dates shift with snow and weather each year, so check the park's current NPS conditions before you go.
Dive into a month
Comparing parks for the same trip? See how Yosemite ranks against all 63 parks in March, April and May.
Last verified 2026-09-24 · all parks