5 Reasons I Would Recommend Visiting Yosemite in the Fall

All our country’s national parks are incredible, but Yosemite Valley holds a special place in my heart. My family has been visiting the park for over fifty years now, starting with my grandparents, who went up every summer to fish with my dad. This past month, my 4-year-old son began a new chapter in our family’s Yosemite legacy by becoming a certified junior ranger.

Yosemite Valley is a magical place any time of the year, but my favorite time to visit is fall. Crisp mountain air and colorful foliage make this time of year perfect for exploring, especially given the cool weather, dwindling crowds and surprising amount of wildlife. Read on for the 5 reasons I would recommend visiting Yosemite Valley next fall.

Overview

1. Less Crowds
2. Perfect Hiking Weather
3. Fall Colors
4. Wildlife Viewing
5. Prime Stargazing

1. Less Crowds

With the change from summer to fall, comes a huge shift in the number of visitors heading to Yosemite National Park. While June, July and August can be downright crowded, with hikers and cars jostling for limited space in the valley, the fall brings with it a different, quieter flavor.

During my recent visit in late September, the number of daily visitors to the park was already starting to dip. Because of this, we had more space to explore some of the park’s nooks and crannies, such as Happy Isles, located along the famed John Muir Trail. Watching my small son and nearly 80-year-old mom marvel side-by-side at the massive boulders strewn along the river at the trailhead reaffirmed my belief that Yosemite is awe-inspiring, no matter what age you are.

2. Perfect Hiking Weather

Fall in Yosemite Valley is a perfect time to go for a hike. The weather is usually spectacular, with temperatures ranging from 50°-80°F in September. As the summer heat fades, the park’s trees light up while the beautiful meadows turn golden and inviting.

As an avid hiker, Yosemite is one of my favorite places to go because it allows me to challenge myself on some of our national park’s most iconic hikes. During the fall, many of these hikes, such as the one to Yosemite Falls, become even more accessible.

During my most recent trip, I often found myself returning after a long day on the trail, wondering how it was possible I had been hiking for so many hours without breaking a sweat or needing any extra layers.

Bonus tip – if you find yourself with some extra time, the fall is also a great time to explore some of the Yosemite’s high country before it closes for the winter season. We had a great time hiking around the high alpine terrain of Tuolumne Meadows on our way back home.

3. Fall Colors

If you love fall foliage, you’re in luck! During September and October, Yosemite Valley’s trees burst into brilliant yellows, oranges, and reds. The best place to catch a glimpse of this amazing phenomenon is along the banks of the Merced River or in one of the valley’s many meadows.

After much deliberation, including a family vote, we decided that our favorite set of trees were the eye-catching yellow cottonwoods near Clark’s Bridge, followed closely by the brilliant quaking aspens near the historic Ahwahnee Hotel.

4. Wildlife Viewing

Second only to spring, fall is a great time to see a plethora of wildlife in Yosemite. As the rush of summer visitors begins to dwindle, animals like the black bear can often be seen looking for their final big meal of berries before their long winter hibernation.

If you’re lucky, like we were, you might also see some of mule deer who call Yosemite home. Each fall, these amazing creatures have their annual rut, during which the velvet falls off their antlers, before regrowing in the spring. My wife also had the good fortune of glimpsing a doe signaling to a keen-eyed buck that she was ready to take on a worthy mate.

5. Prime Stargazing

With fall often bringing clear skies and moderate night temperatures, this time of year can be ideal for stargazing in Yosemite. After arriving at sunset, my family and I quickly agreed that finding a dark spot to see some stars would be the perfect way to start our adventure in the valley.

Bonus tip – if you’re out at night, be sure to keep an eye out for rock climbers, who can be seen camping out as they make their way up some of the huge granite faces Yosemite is so well known for. While we were in the valley, we spotted multiple climbers, who we all agreed looked like tiny fireflies hovering halfway up the massive walls of El Capitan and Sentinel Dome.  

Yosemite is the perfect family destination! Check out our group departures for more details.

Enjoying our content? Add MT Sobek as a Google Preferred Source.

By: John Stout

Born and raised in Berkeley, John is a West Coast native who grew up ten blocks from MT Sobek’s main headquarters. He was fortunate enough to travel in Europe and extensively in France as a youngster thanks to a Francophile mother and his time at a French-American elementary school. After completing a BA in Environmental Studies at Pomona College in Los Angeles, John made a whirlwind trip to visit friends in Asia where he fell in love with travel. Before returning to the Bay Area, he enjoyed a stint in the Pacific Northwest where he grew a love for nature photography and ultramarathon running. When he’s not working at his job as an Adventure Coordinator, John can usually be found surfing or traveling the world with his family, camera in hand.

Other Posts by this Author