What time to visit Yosemite

[jjking42]

I have never been before but dont want to fight summer crowds so I am thinking early May?

 

[vacationtime1]

Late May would be better. The waterfalls improve as the snow melts. Make your reservations early. It’s absolutely beautiful there — except for the crowds.

 

[klpca]

Early May is a nice time although we have had some rain that time of year. It was just a day or two so we hung out at the Ahwahnee when we needed to dry out. I admit it - it cost us a pretty penny because we hung out in the bar, lol. It's also when the dogwoods bloom and is beautiful. Fall is nice too, just dry so if you need waterfalls you need to be there before August. I'm at work now and can't spend much time here but I'll circle back and answer any other questions.

 

[queenofthehive]

We have always gone in late May. The snow melt from the mountains makes for full waterfalls. Absolutely lovely time to go but just remember that this time is like their Christmas so it is very crowded in the valley. The crowds are manageable. Get there early each day and have a plan. Bring your food so you do not have to wait at restaurants etc.. plenty of beautiful spots for a picnic. Yosemite is my heaven on earth.

 

[klpca]

I have never been before but dont want to fight summer crowds so I am thinking early May?

Now I have some time. What do you want to do on your trip? Do you want to hike? Camp? How long of a stay are you planning? Are you thinking of staying at WM Bass lake by chance? If you aren't planning on doing a lot of hiking, then it opens up your options for visiting. One of my favorite times to visit is April but most of the time we have had snow flurries and one year it only warmed up to the mid 40's during the day, so it isn't quite as comfortable of a visit.

Anyway here are some more Yosemite threads:

Advice needed for yosemite

My husband and I are planning a trip to Lake Tahoe in August, and wanted to drive and stay in Yosemite for a few days before flying back to NJ. Can anyone give me any advise on where to stay? Our budget is $200-$250 per night. We want to to be close, so we are not driving and driving... We...

tugbbs.com

Yosemite hotel / lodge recommendations?

I am taking the family from NC to California for their first time. I have 3 girls under 13 and my wife. I want to spend 2 or 3 days in Yosemite to visit where their great grandfather was a ranger. I have not been there since I was a kid. Any recommended place for us to stay? They will want a...

tugbbs.com

Yosemite's Waterfalls Are Booming

For those of you who are planning to visit Northern California this spring, I highly recommend you take the time to visit Yosemite. Thanks to the near-record snowfall we've had here this past winter and spring, Yosemite's waterfalls are thundering! The last time I saw them like this was in 1998...

tugbbs.com

 

[jjking42]

light hiking, want to stay in a timeshare, just my wife and I wanting to see some beautiful nature. Will eat breakfast in unit, pack a lunch and probably eat out for dinner.

 

[vacationtime1]

light hiking, want to stay in a timeshare, just my wife and I wanting to see some beautiful nature. Will eat breakfast in unit, pack a lunch and probably eat out for dinner.

The closest timeshares to Yosemite are a ways outside of the park (and don't look at distances; look at driving time with traffic); I wouldn't stay there. I would rent something in the park, preferably in the valley even if just for a couple of nights, and enjoy early morning and evening walks and waterfalls when Others are not there.

 

[wilma]

The closest timeshares to Yosemite are a ways outside of the park (and don't look at distances; look at driving time with traffic); I wouldn't stay there. I would rent something in the park, preferably in the valley even if just for a couple of nights, and enjoy early morning and evening walks and waterfalls when Others are not there.

Agree, timeshares are not the way to experience yosemite. Stay in the park at the yosemite lodge or splurge at the ahwahnee.

 

[jjking42]

Ok will go for the lodge

So tell me about bass lake ? Angels camp , lake june timeshares ?


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[queenofthehive]

Here is my quick review from 2018-
Our stay was at Bass Lake last week and I wanted to share our unit number as we had a nice view of the lake from our patio. We stayed in unit 21. It is a unit at the very end of the resort. At check in, I asked the clerk if there was a unit with a nice view available that she could recommend and we got this one. So it doesn’t hurt to ask. . There was a nice walking path near us to a beach area on the lake. Very nice unit as the entire unit was recently remodeled since we stayed here 2 years ago. All new furniture, flooring, countertops etc.. Unit was very clean and the staff was very nice and helpful. We did venture out to eat a couple times and had dinner at The Forks and Millers both are on the lake. Good food (burgers and such) and reasonable prices. The drive to Yosemite is only 30 minutes to the entrance but about 45/60 minutes to the valley floor or Glacier Point. Avoid weekends and get to the park by 9:30 to find decent parking. We had a terrific visit and this is a very nice place to stay.

 

[baf99]

I was there for 5 days in mid May last year and except for the last half day there were winter storms. Heavy rain in the valley off and on, even a little sleet and snow but no accumulation in the valley. And they closed Glacier Point road the day I arrived. It stayed closed for more than a week. Part of the time chains were required on the road from the south entrance into the valley (an issue if staying at Bass Lake). So I guess you have to be prepared for anything. That said, the waterfalls were amazing because last year was a heavy snowfall year. And I did get some cool photos. I just didn't get to do the hiking I had planned. And despite the weather it was still crowded. It will only get more crowded from this point through the end of summer. Doesn't matter, I'm going back again this year, just a couple of weeks later.