What is the wettest month in Yosemite?

The rainy period of the year lasts for 7.8 months, from September 30 to May 24, with a sliding 31-day rainfall of at least 0.5 inches. The month with the most rain in Yosemite Lakes is February, with an average rainfall of 3.7 inches. The rainless period of the year lasts for 4.2 months, from May 24 to September 30.



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In quantity, precipitation varies with altitude and slope exposure: it generally increases with altitude, but it's also more abundant along the western slopes. In Yosemite Village, 930 millimeters (36.5 inches) of rain (or snow) fall per year, with a pronounced minimum in summer, when the rains are very rare.

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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.

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October is also the month when Yosemite starts to get its first significant rain and snow storms of the year.

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As large and as significant as Yosemite Falls is, it's a seasonal waterfall. By late summer in all but the wettest of years, the granite lined watershed that feeds Yosemite Creek and Yosemite Falls has shed all of the snowpack from the winter and the falls dwindle to nothing but a trickle.

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Although the park is open all year, nearly 75% of visitors come during the busiest six months (May through October).

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How Many Days Should You Spend in Yosemite? For the best experience, plan on spending three days in Yosemite, especially if you like hiking. Three days gives you enough time to hike a few trails, explore Yosemite Valley, drive Tioga Road to Olmsted Point, and visit Glacier Point and Taft Point.

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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.

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Jacket. Even though the temperature never gets super cold at Yosemite, you still will need a jacket to slip over the top of your outfits. Choose a jacket that is lightweight, waterproof, and windproof and you're good to go in all conditions (also, that makes it wearable on other trips too!).

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Be careful of sharp underwater objects or slippery rocks (aqua shoes are helpful), and of course, never swim above or directly below waterfalls. Mountain water is often very cold, so avoid prolonged exposure causing hypothermia and always use extreme caution when swimming in Yosemite with children.

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River & Lake Swimming A favorite for swimmers of all ages, the Merced River at the eastern end of Yosemite Valley offers soft, sandy beaches--perfect for spending an afternoon sunning and splashing. Tuolumne Meadows and the Park's High Sierra Camps also have some wonderful, secluded swimming areas.

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Besides the outdoor pools available to the public during summer at Curry Village and Yosemite Valley Lodge, swimming is generally permitted in all bodies of water in the park.

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Fall Color Daytime temperatures are mild and perfect for hiking. Less visitors in the park compared to the summer months provide a feeling of solitude. Fall color typically starts late September into early October in Yosemite Valley.

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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.

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One downside: The year-round waterfalls will still be flowing – waterfalls like Vernal, Nevada, and Bridalveil, but unless it's already rained before you arrive, ephemeral waterfalls like the great Yosemite Falls may be dry or barely a trickle.

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Visiting Yosemite in October means you do not have to reserve an entrance slot for the park. The reservation system begins in May and ends on September 30.

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