Yosemite receives 95% of its precipitation between October and May (and over 75% between November and March). Most of Yosemite is blanketed in snow from about November through May. (Yosemite Valley can be rainy or snowy in any given winter storm.)
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All vehicles entering Yosemite National Park during winter conditions must carry snow chains. Call (209) 372-0200, 1, 1, for the most up-to-date road info. See Tire Chains below for more information.
The winner: The opportunities for wilderness adventure in Yellowstone are many, but Yosemite has it all, from gentle trails along the floor of the valley to spine-tingling ascents of its rock faces. Plus, Yosemite remains open to many activities through the winter, while Yellowstone goes into bear-like hibernation.
May through September is the most popular time in YosemiteThese months correspond with the best weather and are also when all the roads, trails, lodging, shuttles and attractions in the park are open. That includes its most famous drive, Tioga Rd, a 64-mile-long scenic byway that closes when the snow begins to fall.
Frazil ice can occur in fall, winter, or spring, as long as there is relatively high flow over waterfalls and Yosemite Valley has overnight lows below freezing.
The average trip duration for Yosemite touristsMost Yosemite visitors stay between three to four days. After all, there is so much to do and see! Even if you're coming to Yosemite for a specific purpose like a wedding, it's more than worth it to extend your trip.
Stay away from river and creek banks during high water conditions and avoid rock hopping. Stream polished rocks along the water's edge may be slippery when wet or dry. If you choose to cross a stream without a bridge, avoid deep and/or swift water.
As others have said, there are no places in Yosemite to go off-roading so a 4x4 is not required. In winter when its snowing there may be times where a 4x4 would be useful as you would not be required to put chains on your tires, but I don't think that raises to the level of 'need'.
You can drive your car into and around Yosemite, although some roads are closed from around November through May/June and tire chains may be required on open roads from around October through April (depending on conditions). You can use public transportation to get to and around Yosemite all year.
The cool season lasts for 3.1 months, from November 21 to February 25, with an average daily high temperature below 61°F. The coldest month of the year in Yosemite Lakes is December, with an average low of 38°F and high of 54°F.
Yosemite is about 170 miles away from San Francisco and about a 4-hour drive. So, we recommend starting your day as early as 5 AM or 6 AM to have full experience in the park. If you prefer to sleep in while on vacation, something we're all guilty of, you can easily book a hotel.
Visit midweek, rather than on the weekend. Even beyond the standard weekend crowding, Saturdays and holiday weekends are “particularly busy,” according to Yosemite's website. In a reply to a Facebook comment from July 6, Yosemite wrote: “It is much quieter on weekdays — especially during the middle of the week.”