Yosemite National Park is open all year, 24 hours a day. You don't need reservations to visit the park, but you should make reservations for lodging and campgrounds well in advance.
Park Entrance:
Only one entrance is only open during daytime hours, which is the Hetch Hetchy Entrance Station. Of course, some roads close because of snowstorms, usually around November through May or June. You can drive through the park (except for any roads that are closed in winter), but you are encouraged to use the shuttle buses to avoid traffic and any potential parking hassles.
When to Visit:
The best time to come to the park depends on what you want from your visit.
- Summer: If you want to see wildflowers, come in summer (June to September). June is the best time for the blooms. The temperatures range from 87 degrees to lows of 51 at elevations of 4,000 feet.
- Spring: The waterfalls are best in the spring (April and May). Some dogwoods bloom in May, and some flowers show their colors in April. Temperatures range from 69 to lows of 39.
- Fall: Fall (October and November) of course has lower temperatures, between 54 and 35. You'll see some trees showing color, like the maples, oaks and dogwoods.
- Winter: Winter (December to March) will be snowy and cold, with temperatures 53 at the high and lows of 28 degrees.
Park Fees:
- Private cars - $20 per car and valid for seven days
- Individual on foot, bicycle, motorcycle or horseback - $10 per person (those 15 or under are free)
- Annual pass - $40
- Senior Pass - $10 (lifetime admission pass for US citizens who are 62 or older
- Access Pass - Free for US citizens with permanent disabilities
Campgrounds:
When needing reservations from May through September, you'll need to make them five months in advance. The campgrounds on a first-come, first-served basis really fill quickly, so ensure you get there early. There is no unrestricted camping in Yosemite to prevent damage to the park. You will find showers only at Curry Village and Housekeeping Camp in Yosemite Valley, and in the summers for limited hours in the afternoon at Tuolumne Meadows Lodge. All dates for opening and closing of campgrounds are tentative and can vary year to year.
Yosemite Valley
- Upper Pines - Open all year. Need reservations. 238 sites. RVs permitted (35 feet). $20 a night.
- Lower Pines - Open from March through October. Need reservations. 60 sites. RVs permitted (40 feet). $20 a night.
- North Pines - Open from April through September. Need reservations. 81 sites. RVs permitted (40 feet). $20 a night.
- Camp 4 - Open all year. First come, first served. 35 sites. No RVs. $5 a night.
South of Yosemite Valley
- Wawona - Open all year. Need reservations. 28 sites. RVs permitted (35 feet). $20 a night.
- Bridalveil Creek - Open July through September. First come, first served. 110 sites. RVs permitted (35 feet). $14 a night.
North of Yosemite Valley
- Hodgdon Meadow - Open all year. Need reservations. 105 sites. RVs permitted (35 feet). $20 a night.
- Crane Flat - Open July through September. 50% reservations. 166 sites. No RVs. $20 a night.
- Tamarack Flat - Open late June through September. First come, first served. 52 sites. No RVs. $10 a night.
- White Wolf - Open July through early September. First come, first served. 74 sites. RVs permitted (27 feet). $14 a night.
- Yosemite Creek - Open July through early September. First come, first served. 40 sites. No RVs. $10 a night.
- Porcupine Flat - Open July through October 15. First come, first served. 52 sites. RVs permitted (24 feet). $10 a night.
- Tuolumne Meadows - Open July through late September. 50% reservations. 304 sites. RVs permitted (35 feet). $20 a night.
Road Closures:
Dates are approximate, depending on conditions.
- Tioga Road closed from about November through late May or June.
- Glacier Point Road closed from about November through late May. The road to Badger Pass ski area is open when the ski area is open (mid December to March).
- Mariposa Grove Road closed from November or December until sometime in April. (You can still ski or snowshoe on this road.)
- Hetch Hetchy Road closed overnight but open during the daytime.
This information was obtained from the National Park Service website and we try to provide the most up to date information about the hours and seasons within Yosemite National Park, but please note that the above mentioned dates and hours can change without notice.
