Tioga Road (Highway 120 through the park, from Crane Flat to Tioga Pass) is usually closed from November through late May or early June.
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Stay on trails to protect growing plants and plan for wet feet. Marked trails may be hard or impossible to follow; hikers should have GPS, as well as map and compass (and know how to use them). Tioga Road is typically open to vehicles from late May or June until sometime in November.
October in Yosemite is one of the best times of year to be in the park. The number of visitors has severely decreased, making crowds much more manageable. The roads will be clear of traffic and the parking lots more accessible.
A: Tioga Road, Glacier Point Road, and the Mariposa Grove Road close seasonally in the winter to vehicular traffic. Tioga Road is closed just past the entrance to the Tuolumne Grove (the trees are accessible year-round) all the way to the Tioga park entrance on the other side.
October Weather in YosemiteAt relatively low elevations like Wawona or Yosemite Valley, October's high temperatures average around 71°F (22°C). That's a perfect temperature for hiking or rock climbing. However, average nighttime temperatures drop to an average of 51°F (11°C).
Yosemite enthusiasts usually visit the Park during off season months. Fall which starts towards the end of September is one of the best months for hiking and a great time to visit when summer crowds decline dramatically after the Labor Day holiday when children start heading back to school.
If you are into light activity and sightseeing, a medium-weight jacket over layers will suffice. Just in case, bring a hat and gloves to ward off the night chill. Day hikers or treaded walking shoes are necessary whether you are walking a valley trail on a ranger-led hike or heading up steeper trails.
Water levels tend to be very low, with waterfalls (including Yosemite Falls) containing little or no water. Some waterfalls, including Vernal, Nevada, and Bridalveil, run all year; however, their flow slows to a trickle by fall.
There are so many incredible hiking trails along Tioga Road that offer spectacular views. Hiking in Yosemite's “high country” is perfect for the day-hiker who wants to escape the crowds of the Yosemite Valley and enjoy the serene beauty of the Yosemite Wilderness and breathe in the fresh alpine air.
However, the vast majority of visitors show up during the 5-month period from May to October, which means that from November to April, the park is largely crowd-free and wonderfully quiet. If you visit Yosemite National Park during March and April or October and November, you'll avoid the crowds.