Tips for visiting Yosemite National Park in the Summer

 

Welcome to my tips for visiting Yosemite National Park. It may have taken years to get here after rescheduling our trip in 2020, but you are in for an incredible adventure. Yosemite is famous for its spectacular cliffs and waterfalls, giant sequoias, granite domes, and world-class scenery. You may only have a short time to see this incredible park, I hope this post and our two-day schedule help you to make the most of it.

 

You may not be able to see everything in just one visit, but you’ll be able to see plenty and have a bucket list waiting for your next visit!

 

In my opinion, August is one of the best times to visit the park, with Glacier Point and Tioga Pass open the only downside is the possibility of the waterfalls drying up. We were lucky enough to visit in 2023 when they experienced record snowfall which meant the waterfalls were still flowing. I couldn’t imagine visiting Yosemite and not seeing and hearing them, so this is something to consider. They were majestic.

 

 

Tips for visiting Yosemite National Park in the Summer

 

 

1. Plan your time so that you enjoy it as much as possible, especially if your time is limited. We researched busy days, trails, must-visits, and viewpoints and decided on a two-day schedule on a weekday that worked for us. There’s a lot to do in Yosemite Valley if you are restricted on time.

 

2. Arrive early to avoid queues at the entry and congested parking spots. Arriving early will enable you to enjoy the sun rising at Tunnel View before entering the park. We arrived at Tunnel View at 7.30 am, with only a handful of others it was peaceful and majestic. We didn’t experience the crowds we read about when we visited in August 2023 however we did notice that all car parks were at capacity by 11 am.

 

3. Buy your entrance pass in advance. If you are visiting several parks in the US consider purchasing the annual pass for $80 to save on entry costs. It then becomes an awesome souvenir. Also, consider booking tours and accommodation in advance to avoid disappointment.

 

4. Don’t forget to charge your camera, and ideally have a spare battery pack. There are so many incredible photo opportunities that you don’t want to miss capturing El Capitan, Mirror Lake, the breathtaking waterfalls, and more.

 

5. Leave no trace – ensure the wilderness stays natural and beautiful for generations. Ensure your food is packed away and out of sight.

 

6. Don’t forget to venture outside of Yosemite Valley and visit attractions including, Tunnel View (15 minutes), Mariposa Grove, Glacier Point (both a 1-hour), and Bass Lake (17 miles from the South entrance).

 

7. Pack a picnic and avoid the crowded eateries, enjoy a picnic in the many spots where you can enjoy incredible vistas and maybe even wildlife.

 

8. Park your car and utilise the free shuttle buses to help you explore, or cycle around the park. This helps to reduce the flow of traffic as it’s difficult to find parking later in the day.

 

9. Pack for all weather conditions, layers for the mornings and evenings, suncream, water and carry hats for during the day due to the high temperatures.

 

10. Remember to pick up a map as the phone signal can be limited. Alternatively, download maps from AllTrails for use when navigating between points and trails in the park.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tips for visiting Yosemite National Park in the Summer

 

I hope these tips help you prepare for your incredible adventure in Yosemite. If you only have two days in Yosemite National Park, you can read our itinerary which covers the places we visited. If you are taking a road trip similar to ours, you can read more about our trip here. And, take a look on my Instagram where you’ll find reels and more photos from our time in Yosemite and California in August 2023. Prepare for an unforgettable adventure.