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Which Yosemite entrance is least busy?

1. Hetch Hetchy Entrance. Leave the crowds behind at this entrance. The farthest north of all entrances on the west side of the park, the Hetch Hetchy Entrance leads you to one of the park's quieter areas which only sees 1% of total park visitation.



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Top Travel Recommendations
  1. Arrive early and stay late, and visit Yosemite during the week instead of on weekends. ...
  2. Ride a YARTS bus to enter the park.
  3. If you drive, park your car for the duration of your stay. ...
  4. Free shuttles can help you get around Yosemite Valley, but they will be full on busy days.


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Weekdays (Monday-Thursday) are historically least crowded during the summer season in June, July, and August. Weekends attract more tourists and vacationers.

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Be an early bird to avoid crowds. Try to visit the Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove by 9am or earlier. Then you can head to Tioga Pass road trails and views and in and around Tuolumne Meadows, they are less crowded, and you'll be able to find yourself alone even during peak hours.

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Yosemite National Park sees its absolute peak crowds during July and August. You will need to book lodging – including campgrounds – and any guides, activities or tours well in advance.

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Drive the Valley Floor Loop Driving the Valley Floor Loop is a fantastic way to see a range of Yosemite's most famous sights. Visitors can stop at Yosemite Falls (option to walk the 1-mile Lower Yosemite Falls trail), El Capitan Meadow, Sentinel Bridge, Valley View, and various other pull-offs along the way.

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Historically, June, July and August are the busiest months at Yosemite. That said, here are a few factors that make even the most touristy season approachable and appealing. Many people visit Yosemite just for the day, driving Tioga road to see the spectacular views.

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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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How Many Days Should I Spend In Yosemite? Plan on spending two to four days in Yosemite if you want enough time to see all the amazing sights. This will give you plenty of time to see Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, Glacier Point, and enjoy some hiking trails.

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Plan trips during the mid-week - Yosemite Valley is most popular on weekends and holidays, which can mean significant traffic congestion, especially on Saturdays. To avoid crowds, consider planning a trip to Yosemite Monday through Thursday.

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16 Big mistakes to avoid in Yosemite National Park
  • 1 - Arriving without a plan! ...
  • 2 - Giving yourself just a day. ...
  • 3 - Thinking the waterfalls are flowing all year round. ...
  • 4 - Heading to Glacier Point for Sunset. ...
  • 5 - Visiting Tunnel View in the middle of the day. ...
  • 6 - Avoiding the epic hikes. ...
  • 7 - Arriving at midday.


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All of the roads in Yosemite National Park are scenic, but the most famous scenic drive is along the Tioga Road, a 46-mile (62 km) drive from Crane Flat to Tioga Pass. The road is typically open from late May or early June through sometime in November.

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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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