Yosemite: a 3-day plan and the best time to go

The best time to go

The most comfortable months for walking about are June, July, August and September: mild days and less rain. The warmest month is July, at about 75°F (24°C) in the afternoon. The wettest is December.

1. Jan32°103 mm
2. Feb32°101 mm
3. Mar37°90 mm
4. Apr44°56 mm
5. May55°37 mm
6. Jun67°12 mm
7. Jul75°14 mm
8. Aug74°9 mm
9. Sep67°9 mm
10. Oct55°38 mm
11. Nov42°61 mm
12. Dec32°118 mm

Bars show the typical night-time low to daytime high; the numbers are daytime highs in °F and rain in millimetres for the month. Averages for 2001–2020 from NASA POWER, so a given year can be warmer, colder or wetter.

Three days in Yosemite

Written with AI from public facts about Yosemite, then checked by Sureno's rules. Opening times and prices change: check them before you go.

Day 1 Yosemite Valley

Morning

Lower Yosemite Fall Trail

Yosemite Valley

Take the short, mostly paved path to the base of the waterfall; check current conditions before setting out.

Afternoon

Tunnel View

Wawona Road

Enjoy the classic view of Yosemite Valley, El Capitan, and Bridalveil Fall from the overlook.

Evening

Yosemite Valley Lodge

Yosemite Valley

Have a relaxed meal at the lodge and rest after exploring the valley.

Day 2 Valley highlights

Morning

Valley View

Yosemite Valley

Stop for an easy roadside view of the Merced River and valley cliffs.

Afternoon

Cook’s Meadow Loop

Yosemite Valley

Follow the flat meadow paths for open views of Half Dome and Yosemite Falls.

Evening

Curry Village

Yosemite Valley

Choose a casual meal in a central valley setting.

Day 3 Giant sequoias

Morning

Mariposa Grove

Wawona

See giant sequoias on a route suited to your energy; trail access and shuttle service vary by season.

Afternoon

Wawona Point

Wawona

If conditions and energy allow, enjoy a longer walk to a broad forest view; otherwise take a relaxed break in Wawona.

Evening

Wawona Hotel Dining Room

Wawona

Have dinner in a historic setting, after checking current service details.

What to eat

• Try casual meals at Yosemite Valley Lodge or Curry Village, and look for seasonal dining options in the park.

Getting there

• Fly into Fresno Yosemite (FAT).
• From New York: about 5 h 16 min in the air, non-stop (a straight-line estimate; real routes take longer).
• From Los Angeles: about 1 h 11 min in the air, non-stop (a straight-line estimate; real routes take longer).
• From London: about 10 h 37 min in the air, non-stop (a straight-line estimate; real routes take longer).
• Fresno Yosemite International Airport is the nearest airport named here. Yosemite is a large park; a car offers flexibility, while park shuttle routes and schedules vary. Check official National Park Service updates for roads, services, and access before travel.
• Check official U.S. entry rules before travel, and check the National Park Service for current park access, reservations, road conditions, and shuttle details.
• June through September are the suggested months, but weather and services can still vary; allow extra time for driving and choose walks that match your mobility.

Plan the flight from your city

Where to stay

• Yosemite ValleyIt puts valley sights and visitor services close at hand, though lodging availability can be limited.
• WawonaIt is convenient for Mariposa Grove and offers a quieter base in the southern part of the park.
• El PortalIt is just outside the park’s western entrance and can be a practical base for valley visits.

Where to sleep, on Wikivoyage

About Yosemite

Yosemite National Park is a national park of the United States in California. It is bordered on the southeast by the Sierra National Forest and on the northwest by Stanislaus National Forest. The park is managed by the National Park Service and covers 1,187 mi2 (3,070 km2) in four counties – centered in Tuolumne and Mariposa, extending north and east to Mono and south to Madera. Designated a World Heritage Site in 1984, Yosemite is internationally recognized for its granite cliffs, waterfalls, clear streams, groves of giant sequoia, lakes, mountains, meadows, glaciers, and biological diversit…

From Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

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