When does Yosemite generally open?

[Atlee]

I know the obvious answer, Depends. Depends on how much snow was gotten during the winter, and how late in the spring it continued to snow.

I'm just wondering what the normal historical average if for opening. I'm not concerned with the high pass that goes out the eastern side to US395.

If Yosemite is open, I would be going in from the western side, and would be mostly on the Valley floor.

When we visit California next year, it will be pretty early in the year.

If every thing goes as planned, we will be in Death Valley in March, then move over to the LA area for a week, then the Regan Library & Museum, than maybe up to the Hearst Castle, then as far north as Carmel by the Sea. We will be going to Carmel if Yosemite is open by then.

I know the visit times for Death Valley are much earlier in the year than Yosemite, but if they are mutually exclusive next year, Death Valley wins.

This will be the first and last time I visit California so I'd like to do both, if possible.

[OregonSVT]

Atlee wrote:
I've read about chain requirements. I don't have chains and don't plain to get any. I will not go to Yosemite if the chain requirement is still in effect.

In Oregon most of the mountain passes are concidered "Snow Zones" and you typically have to carry chains with you to be legal during the winter/early spring. Not sure on California law, but I'm sure they work it the same way. Unless the road states "chains required", which is quite often for trailers and larger vehicles, you just have to have them with you to be legal.

You can always go past a Les Schwab tire center, buy the chains, don't open them, and return them later. This is their typcial policy.

[time2roll]

Yosemite is open year round for camping but not all the tourist concessions remain open all winter.
Valley is just over 4000 feet so it does not usually get huge snow.

[clubhouse]

Late April through early Nov are pretty much snow free.

CalTrans and the Highway Patrol are pretty conservative with respect to chain requirements considering there are all types of divers from all over the world. I suggest you buy some, they periodically check you are in fact carrying them, return them after your trip if you don't use them. Several of the tire shops offer that option around my area. By the way there have been times in the central Sierra Nevada mountains I have been required to chain up even with my 4x4. The other thing blue sky's can turn to snowfall in hours, and again it doesn't take much snow for the chain requirements to go in effect.

[Atlee]

I've read about chain requirements. I don't have chains and don't plain to get any. I will not go to Yosemite if the chain requirement is still in effect.

louiskathy wrote:
If you go early... check the snow chain requirements. Last year they extended the snow chain requirement a few weeks beyond the "normal" time. We had to have them on board even though we knew we'd sooner pull over than put them on. If I remember correctly our arrival date was April 10th and they had just had a huge dump of snow in the higher elevations. Nothing on the valley roads but you have to climb UP and then DROP DOWN into Yosemite. Some routes are less steep than others. Lots of info on that... do a search on Priests Grade.

If they check and you don't have them when you should have them...I have read posts where they make you stay right there until the tow company brings you a set. $$$$

[Atlee]

Thanks for that information. Later this year I'll be asking questions like that.

That park sounds nice.

missourijan wrote:
Although you didn't ask this I'll give you a tip on visiting the Reagan Library. There's a Ventura County park in Simi Valley that is just on the other side of the city from the library and in a quiet canyon with full hookups, Tapo Canyon Park. There are 16 full hookup sites. It's about 3 miles north of the 118 on Tapo Canyon Road. I don't know if they take reservations.

[louiskathy]

If you go early... check the snow chain requirements. Last year they extended the snow chain requirement a few weeks beyond the "normal" time. We had to have them on board even though we knew we'd sooner pull over than put them on. If I remember correctly our arrival date was April 10th and they had just had a huge dump of snow in the higher elevations. Nothing on the valley roads but you have to climb UP and then DROP DOWN into Yosemite. Some routes are less steep than others. Lots of info on that... do a search on Priests Grade.

If they check and you don't have them when you should have them...I have read posts where they make you stay right there until the tow company brings you a set. $$$$

[missourijan]

Although you didn't ask this I'll give you a tip on visiting the Reagan Library. There's a Ventura County park in Simi Valley that is just on the other side of the city from the library and in a quiet canyon with full hookups, Tapo Canyon Park. There are 16 full hookup sites. It's about 3 miles north of the 118 on Tapo Canyon Road. I don't know if they take reservations.

[CarlGeo]

As previously stated, the valley of Yosemite is open all year, BUT the high country portions, Tioga Pass and Glacier Point is closed from first significant snow fall each winter and remains closed until about Memorial Day.
Be aware that Hwy 41, into the park and valley, can be closed for a few hours or even a day or so when a storm passes thru. Hwy 140 thru Mariposa is almost never closed, and would be the route of choice in any kind of weather event. After passing thru Mariposa, it goes over a rather low mountain pass, and then stays along the Mecerd River all the way into Yosemite Village.
Again, the valley is a about 4000 ft. elevation and is open year around.
Enjoy, Yosemite is truly one of God's most beautiful creations!
CarlGeo

[jmtandem]

Yosemite valley is open year round. The upper parts including Tioga pass at just under 10,000 feet usually opens around Memorial Day. By around Memorial Day Death Valley will be hot. It is better visited in the winter/early spring. It also never closes. March is a good time to be there.

[bigB42]

we drove over from merced in april-may in our toad,from the west,quite a bit was still closed.we did't have time to see all of in one day anyway. ken

[RognBon]

Yosemite is open year around with winter camping available. My brother spends a week there every winter in his truck and slide in camper.

[I_am_still_wayn]

Here is the National Park's website. It will answer all your questions. Happy reading!

www.nps.gov/yose