Yosemite Recommended for Spring Visits
Travel guides are recommending spring as a prime time to visit Yosemite and other California national parks. The season offers flowing waterfalls, blooming wildflowers, and lighter crowds than in the peak summer months, making it ideal for family trips.
Spring snowmelt transforms Yosemite, with waterfalls like the 2,425-foot Yosemite Falls reaching their peak flow in May. This annual surge of water creates numerous, smaller unnamed waterfalls and cascades throughout the valley. The impressive flow also generates a powerful mist on trails like the Mist Trail. While much of the park remains snowy into May or even June, lower elevation trails in Yosemite Valley and Wawona are often clear by April. This allows for hiking amidst blooming dogwood trees and wildflowers such as lupine, shooting stars, and buttercups. The Wawona Meadow Loop is a notable location for a wide variety of these blossoms. Access to certain areas is limited in the spring. Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road are typically closed until late May or June due to snow. However, Yosemite Valley and Wawona are accessible by car year-round. Drivers should still be prepared for potential chain requirements. As of 2026, Yosemite National Park will not implement a park-wide reservation system. Park officials will instead manage traffic and parking in real-time, especially during peak periods. Arriving before mid-morning is recommended to avoid delays, particularly on weekends.
