When to visit Yosemite??

[Likes_to_tow]

When is the best time to visit Yosemite?? I know some of the roads are not open until May. Due to wildfires burning in most all of the West during Summer and Fall I'm very concerned about planing a trip and having it ruined by smoke. The crowds are another concern. Right now I'm thinking May or September would have typically smaller crowds. September having a much higher chance of wild fires. So this question is for the experienced traveler who has visited here more than once.

[ppine]

Fires can occur from late June until September. The park is loved to death in the summer. The off season is great. The roads from the West are nearly almost always open.

[camperdave]

We used to go for a week every summer with extended family (up to around 2010). It got impossible (well, nearly) to get multiple sites together so we moved the annual trip to another location.

Personally Yosemite is my favorite, so I still get my fam up there every year. The last few it's been in February. No reservations required, no crowds, and an entirely different kind of beautiful than in the summer.

It does require a certain flexibility though, if there's a storm coming I wouldn't do it. We are generally free most weekends in Feb/March, so we keep an eye on the weather and head up if it looks like it's going to be a good one.

[JAC1982]

Last time I was there (just for the day) was the 2nd week of April 2017 and it was gorgeous. A bit chilly still but it was sunny and the waterfalls were amazing and the crowds weren't too crazy yet.

But my parents tried to do a camping honeymoon there around the same time of year, in 1975, and there was so much snow they had to go to Monterey instead. So it's hit or miss.

[bikendan]

Late spring.
But realize that it can snow. We camped there in April and it was 74 the day we arrived. 2 days later it snowed 4 inches.

[GeoBoy]

End of May or early June, before schools summer break.

[maddog348]

OP ~~ I'd be worried about the wildfires (damages). Smoke is an after thought

JM2¢ ~~ YMMV

[ppine]

I have been going to the Park for almost 50 years. Forget the summer now. I have been in the Valley in April and not been able to find a place to park because of spring break.

Late October is a great time to go. I just returned from a 5 day trip. We camped outside the Valley. One day there is enough. Search out the quiet out of the way places.

Winter is pretty mild. You just have to time it right. You do not need a reservation then. Go when there is some decent weather.

[TANDDANDBIGE]

We went late April 2018. the weather was great, the falls were full and no fires..... yet. We stayep at the Mariposa Fairgrounds, right near Mariposa, and commuted to the park. TAND

[Lwiddis]

“When is the best time to visit Yosemite?” Whenever you can. I like the Lee Vining area, USFS CGs, entering over Tioga Pass but it closes in winter.

[Ed_C]

The waterfalls run in the spring! We could only get there in the fall and it was beautiful but most of the waterfalls are dry by then.

[Likes_to_tow]

Thanks for your input. Looks like I may end up with little planning to go on. This makes reserving a campsite very difficult. I usually like to make a base camp a few miles from an attraction and then commute to the park. This worked well for us while in Southern Utah and Colorado the past two years. Also, what are your recommendations on a good campground in the area?? Say within 25 miles or so of the park entrance.

[ItsyRV]

Crowds: Memorial Day to Labor Day. Worst on weekends.

Wildfires: A month after the snow melts to a month after the snow starts falling.

Since you have no control over when a wildfire anywhere will impact Yosemite, and the prescribed burns are very flexible, there really is little planning you can do about the smoke issues. In late March you can call the district and see if they have scheduled any prescribed burns and about when they might occur. You can also monitor NIFC to see what fires are occurring and their severity so you can alter plans if needed.

Otherwise, worry about the crowds cause fire/smoke is what fire/smoke will be.