September and October are a great time to visit Yosemite National Park, weather is much cooler in the valley, and there are fewer crowds.
After Labor Day we zipped up to Yosemite to update travel tips. We also wanted to see how the park managed after brutal government cuts to national parks earlier this year.
Good news is majestic panoramas in Yosemite are magnificent as always.
Just stroll out into Cook’s Meadow, turn in a circle and look all around you, it takes your breath away. Or panoramic views of Half Dome from Glacier Point or Olmsted Point (photo above).
In the aftermath of vicious national park employee firings, Yosemite Conservancy volunteers are heroes.
This year, Conservancy volunteers showed up in full force to staff Park Information kiosks.
Volunteers have experience exploring Yosemite in all seasons, and provide visitors information they need for a safe and fun trip to Yosemite.
Summer 2025 was one of the busiest summers in Yosemite.
Due to exceptional efforts of national park employees and volunteers, despite major loss of park staff, crowds were limited by day-use reservations, all campgrounds were open including large one at Tuolumne Meadows, facilities were clean, and the park has new programs.
Weather –
Check the weather forecast before heading out. When you arrive and are outdoors, see how it’s going. Look at the sky – even on a sunny day are rain clouds gathering? Check the temperature, is it too hot, time for kids to cool off in the Merced River?
Summer in Yosemite Valley can be uncomfortably hot during the day. Be sure to have plenty of water along with you to stay hydrated – water dispensers with delicious Sierra water are available next to Welcome Center. Bring float toys to cool off in the Merced River.
Visit Yosemite Valley in fall or spring seasons for moderate temperatures. In summer, Tuolumne Meadows at higher altitude (8,000 ft) has coolers temperatures.
Yosemite is famous for afternoon thunderstorms. Or, day we left, wildfires were started by lighting and significantly affected air quality in Yosemite Valley, less so in other areas of the park.
In October, Tioga Rd. Hwy 120 though Tuolumne Meadows, often closes for the season, due to snow.
Best weather forecast to consult is national weather service: weather.gov.
For any wildfires, check CalFire , and Smoke Outlook for air quality.
Yosemite Valley parking and shuttle buses –
In summer, biggest challenge in Yosemite Valley is finding a parking spot.
Parking lots at Yosemite Village are full by 8 or 9am, there is another big parking lot at Curry Village.
To get text messages about road conditions including parking lot information – ynptraffic to 333111.
Free shuttle buses loop around the valley, and run year round.
Your best bet is park at Yosemite Village or Curry Village, take the shuttle buses to get around Yosemite Valley.
Tip: There are no gas stations in Yosemite Valley. Nearest gas is Crane Flat, Wawona, or El Portal outside the park.
Yosemite Valley bike rental –
There are miles of paved bike paths throughout the valley.
One of our favorite things to do is rent bikes, zip around on the bike paths, stop where you like, go at your own pace.
Rent bikes, including kids bikes, at Yosemite Valley Lodge, behind Village Store, and at Curry Village. Bike rentals at Yosemite Valley Lodge and Curry Village have trailers for little ones.
Cell phone coverage –
Do not rely on your cell phone for hiking maps, unless offline map in phone.
In Yosemite Village, we did have cell phone coverage, also up a Glacier Point, but park rangers say coverage isn’t always available even in Yosemite Valley.
We had no phone connectivity in Tuolumne Meadows, even at Tuolumne Meadows store.
Day hikes –
At visitor centers and park entrance kiosks, ask for free copies of Yosemite Pocket Trail Maps:
Yosemite Valley
Tuolumne Meadows
Wawona and Mariposa Grove
Crane Flat and White Wolf
Each map is detailed, and you’ll be able to easily follow them on your hike.
Maps also have useful information, e.g. pets not allowed on trails, ask rangers about trail conditions store food properly, don’t get close to wildlife, stay hydrated, higher elevation hiking can be difficult, stay on the trail, pack out your trash.
Do not feed wild animals –
During summer, we read reports about popular Mist Trail squirrels were so used to people food, such as potato chips, they were fighting each other to get treats. This endangers both people and wildlife.
On our visit we stopped for lunch in a picnic area along the Merced River in Yosemite Valley. Our picnic table was immediately surrounded by two big ravens as well as tiny birds, all looking for food. The birds were constantly underfoot, ravens lurked around looking menacing.
In Tuolumne Meadows, only open in summer, the picnic area was peaceful and lacking pesky birds. Also at picnic tables outside Tuolumne Meadows store while eating an ice cream bars.
Tip: Our family tradition is always frozen ice cream bars after a hike.
Restrooms –
Here is best guide to bathrooms in Yosemite by the Yosemite Conservancy.
And while hiking, do not leave toilet paper along the trail, and dispose of waste properly.
Where to stay –
When your family visits Yosemite, you have three options – hotels, vacation rentals, campgrounds.
Before booking accommodation, plan which parts of the park you want to explore.
In 2025, day-use reservations were required from Memorial Day to Labor Day. However, if you have a reservation for hotel, vacation rental, or campground inside the park, a day-use reservation is not necessary.
For accommodations inside the park, reserve months in advance.
For all the details, read our blog post: Where to Stay in Yosemite?
And to plan your next trip, on Travel for Kids check out fun things to do with kids in Yosemite.
Art in Yosemite –
Since the 1850s, artists have been captivated by spectacular landscapes of Yosemite.
Check out a gallery of Yosemite National Park Landscape Art.
One of our favorite artists is Chiura Obata, woodblock print of Tuolumne Meadows is below.
Yosemite Conservancy sponsors art exhibits and art classes year round in the park.
At Happy Isles Art and Nature Center, there are art activities for kids, daily from 10am – 3pm, April to October.
Before you go, or after your visit to Yosemite, kids will have fun doing art projects.
Make colorful leaf prints, watercolors of Yosemite Falls, scratch art, print making, and download coloring pages: Park Art from Anywhere
Clouds, Upper Lyell Trail, Along Lyell Fork, 1930
Chiura Obata (1885 – 1975)
Woodblock print, ink on paper.
Yosemite National Park, YOSE 109531
Travel for Kids
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