Starting to plan a quick trip that includes Yosemite NP and I would like some input about the area. I’ll be coming from Green Valley AZ. 1. Right now I am thinking early September, any thoughts about this time of year.2. Staying on the east side vs west entrance ? Thanks in advance for any input.

Wait until Spring when the water is flowing over the falls.

We did a monthlong trip May/June of 2020 from Tucson. September would probably be decent for weather. If you wait until all the kids are back in school {a good thing} you will be pushing the weather envelope as fall/winter comes early. be prepared for all sorts of weather, we had snow flurries and temps in the low 30's all day on June 4th... just sayin.We have friends in Angel Fire NM so started our trip at their place for a few days and then went north through Colorado to Wyoming. Crossed WY from south east to northwest stopping in Cody. The Wild west museum there is amazing g and a must see. This brought us into the park at the east entrance and we had reservations just outside of the west entrance which was ideal. I recommended Grizzly RV in West Yellowstone, a nice RV park just half a mile from the west entrance to the park.We got a great preview of the park coming in from Cody and when your daily visits start at the west entrance you can beat a lot of traffic as there are several road options as you enter. If you come in from the south you will sit in line for an hour or so just to get in.Start your days as early as you can to help avoid the worst of the crowds and go back late in the day if you have not had enough. The best wildlife viewing is early morning/evenings. Do NOT miss the Grand canyon of Yellowstone, probably the most spectacular area of the park.When you head home allow a couple of days at least for Grand Teton NP and the Jackson area. Heading southwest from Jackson follow the Snake River Canyon down into Idaho, one of the most spectacular roads I've ever had the pleasure of driving.I hope you have half as much fun as we did, the entire trip was awesome. Good luck.Here is a shot of one of the falls in the Grand Canyon section of Yellowstone:This Was taken in Grand Teton NP. We tow the bike in our cargo trailer behind our 24' Class C. If you want the ultimate National Park experience {in any NP} see them from the back of a bike... but I digress::B

Good time to avoid the families with kids thining out.

Desert Captain wrote:We did a monthlong trip May/June of 2020 from Tucson. September would probably be decent for weather. If you wait until all the kids are back in school {a good thing} you will be pushing the weather envelope as fall/winter comes early. be prepared for all sorts of weather, we had snow flurries and temps in the low 30's all day on June 4th... just sayin.We have friends in Angel Fire NM so started our trip at their place for a few days and then went north through Colorado to Wyoming. Crossed WY from south east to northwest stopping in Cody. The Wild west museum there is amazing g and a must see. This brought us into the park at the east entrance and we had reservations just outside of the west entrance which was ideal. I recommended Grizzly RV in West Yellowstone, a nice RV park just half a mile from the west entrance to the park.We got a great preview of the park coming in from Cody and when your daily visits start at the west entrance you can beat a lot of traffic as there are several road options as you enter. If you come in from the south you will sit in line for an hour or so just to get in.Start your days as early as you can to help avoid the worst of the crowds and go back late in the day if you have not had enough. The best wildlife viewing is early morning/evenings. Do NOT miss the Grand canyon of Yellowstone, probably the most spectacular area of the park.When you head home allow a couple of days at least for Grand Teton NP and the Jackson area. Heading southwest from Jackson follow the Snake River Canyon down into Idaho, one of the most spectacular roads I've ever had the pleasure of driving.I hope you have half as much fun as we did, the entire trip was awesome. Good luck.Here is a shot of one of the falls in the Grand Canyon section of Yellowstone:This Was taken in Grand Teton NP. We tow the bike in our cargo trailer behind our 24' Class C. If you want the ultimate National Park experience {in any NP} see them from the back of a bike... but I digress::BLove your trip report, but the OP asked about the other Y park - Yosemite.

"2. Staying on the east side vs west entrance?"If you are thinking "east side" as staying in Lee Vining or close to it, its a long drive into the Valley...pretty but long... And that entrance gets backed up.

Yosemite questions | Good Sam Community

agesilaus
Explorer III
Jul 22, 2021
Be aware of the park reservation lottery system:
Entry system

Getting to the valley from the east side is a long drive, over an hour or more depending on how far from Tioga Pass your camp is. It is a very scenic drive but still long. There is quite a bit to do in Tuolumne Meadows tho if you are a hiker.

My wife just won a week long stay at the SKP Coarsegold park so we may be there at the beginning of October. She has had an incredible run of luck at the Escapade winning three door prizes.
toedtoes
Explorer III
Jul 22, 2021
Late September can be good - cooler temps (especially night temps), less crowds, and low chance of bad weather. However, as mentioned, the water flow will be minimal to nonexistant - especially this year as there was no snow last winter. Unfortunately, fires are a big potential. So keep watch for any fire reports for the next couple months.

Early September is likely to still be hot and the crowds bigger. Lack of flowing water and fires will be the main letdown.

Fires in the region will also affect visibilty of the night skies.

As mentioned, spring gives you the biggest bang for flowing water - especially if there is snow this winter. Minimal concern about fires, but fire damage from this year may affect campgrounds next spring. What time in spring will depend on snowfall. If minimal snowfall, then roads will open sooner. If lots of snowfall, then roads may stay closed later. Spring will also see wildflowers in the meadows. Night skies will be clearer with no fires.

If you aren't interested in doing a longer trip and seeing more of California, I would stay on the east side. From there, you can also visit Mono Lake and Bodie Ghost Town.
Desert_Captain
Explorer III
Jul 22, 2021
"Love your trip report, but the OP asked about the other Y park - Yosemite. "

OOPS! this is what happens when you sit down at the computer first thing in the morning "without" your coffee. LMAO. Glad you enjoyed it none the less.

:o
Yosemite_Sam1
Explorer
Jul 22, 2021
Desert Captain wrote:
"Love your trip report, but the OP asked about the other Y park - Yosemite. "

OOPS! this is what happens when you sit down at the computer first thing in the morning "without" your coffee. LMAO. Glad you enjoyed it none the less.

:o

Close enough, both starts with Y.;)
Acampingwewillg
Explorer II
Jul 22, 2021
Enjoyed the Yellowstone report so much I had to look back to be sure it was about Yosemite...??.

We're hoping to make it up that way in Sept/Oct timeframe...I've always wanted to try that SKP Coursegold camp...maybe this year.
dedmiston
Moderator
Jul 22, 2021
Yosemite Sam1 wrote:
Desert Captain wrote:
"Love your trip report, but the OP asked about the other Y park - Yosemite. "

OOPS! this is what happens when you sit down at the computer first thing in the morning "without" your coffee. LMAO. Glad you enjoyed it none the less.

:o

Close enough, both starts with Y.;)

We laugh about this all the time in our family.

It's just like plugging in a USB cable: There's a 50% chance you'll get it right, but a 100% chance you'll get it wrong the first time.

And that's from a family of CA natives whose kids moved to WY to go to school. We still can't get it right.
valhalla360
Navigator
Jul 23, 2021
Yosemite Sam1 wrote:
Desert Captain wrote:
"Love your trip report, but the OP asked about the other Y park - Yosemite. "

OOPS! this is what happens when you sit down at the computer first thing in the morning "without" your coffee. LMAO. Glad you enjoyed it none the less.

:o

Close enough, both starts with Y.;)

What are you talking about:
- Yosemite
- Jelllystone
Yosemite_Sam1
Explorer
Jul 23, 2021
valhalla360 wrote:
Yosemite Sam1 wrote:
Desert Captain wrote:
"Love your trip report, but the OP asked about the other Y park - Yosemite. "

OOPS! this is what happens when you sit down at the computer first thing in the morning "without" your coffee. LMAO. Glad you enjoyed it none the less.

:o

Close enough, both starts with Y.;)

What are you talking about:
- Yosemite
- Jelllystone

You won the internet today..
Yosemite_Sam1
Explorer
Jul 23, 2021
dedmiston wrote:
Yosemite Sam1 wrote:
Desert Captain wrote:
"Love your trip report, but the OP asked about the other Y park - Yosemite. "

OOPS! this is what happens when you sit down at the computer first thing in the morning "without" your coffee. LMAO. Glad you enjoyed it none the less.

:o

Close enough, both starts with Y.;)

We laugh about this all the time in our family.

It's just like plugging in a USB cable: There's a 50% chance you'll get it right, but a 100% chance you'll get it wrong the first time.

And that's from a family of CA natives whose kids moved to WY to go to school. We still can't get it right.

Tell me about it!

My son is a techie.

But we make sure we plug and re-started that thingy before we call.:E

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