Things You Can’t Miss: Glacier Point, Tunnel View, Half Dome
What to Eat: Village Grill, The Ahwahnee Dining Room, Curry Village Pavillion
Where to Stay: The Ahwahnee, Yosemite Large Loft Condos, Tenaya Lodge, Curry Village
Weather Avg: 84° / 50° F
We’ve visited Yosemite 3 seasons out of the year, but we hope to visit in September. Our friends who went last year told us it was amazing to experience the park so empty.
September (and May) is the best time to visit the park since it’s shoulder season and temperatures are ideal for hiking and exploring. The park is still accessible, but you won’t deal with the summer crowds. After September, the hiking trails and roads start shutting down due to snow. So when you’re planning, keep in mind that some campsites close in late September, and many are closed by mid-October.
If you’re there for waterfalls, many of them slow to a trickle or are gone in the fall, so May might be the better choice.