April
Valley waterfalls and walksSpring snowmelt feeds the falls. Rain or snow is still possible, and tire chains may be required.
256,083 average visits in April
Choose your spring month
This guide follows the park's April-and-May spring window. Choose your month around waterfall flow and lower-elevation walks.
May
Peak falls and May bloomsWaterfalls usually peak in mid- to late May. Valley day hikes are usually snow-free, while rim trails can stay snowy or flooded.
383,092 average visits in May
Getting around in spring
A pleasant day in Yosemite Valley does not mean the high country is ready for hiking or driving.
Keep the Valley as your base
Yosemite Valley and Wawona normally remain reachable by car year-round. Check the latest route before setting out.
Confirm the higher roads
Tioga and Glacier Point roads often stay snowbound until late May or June. Do not plan a cross-park Tioga drive without confirmation.
Prepare for a late storm
Tire chains can still be required in spring. When controls apply, carry chains and know how to use them regardless of vehicle type.
Arrive before mid-morning
NPS recommends an early arrival, especially on weekends, to reduce entrance and popular-area delays.
Spring waterfalls and May blooms
Start with the Valley waterfalls. In May, look for flowering dogwood and redbud, too.
See Yosemite Falls
View the falls from Yosemite Valley, or walk the loop to Lower Yosemite Fall. Snowmelt usually brings the strongest flow in late spring.
Stop at Bridalveil Fall
Short trails lead from its parking area to the base. Spring runoff brings heavy flow and spray; stay on the trail and away from slick rocks.
May dogwood and redbud
Dogwood and redbud tend to bloom in May. Include a walk for flowering trees alongside the waterfall viewpoints.
Get oriented for spring
Start with Yosemite Valley and Wawona. Treat the higher roads as optional additions once their opening is confirmed.
- Mapped road corridor
- 1 · Yosemite Village
- 2 · Arch Rock Entrance
- 3 · Big Oak Flat Entrance
- 4 · South Entrance
- Park boundary
Where to stay in spring
Stay in Yosemite Valley for waterfall access, or consider a room in a neighboring community.
Yosemite Valley Lodge
This year-round lodge is near the base of Yosemite Falls. Reserve early for a spring stay.
The Ahwahnee
A year-round hotel in Yosemite Valley. Compare availability with Valley Lodge before fixing your travel dates.
Camping Reserve well ahead for April and May. Campground opening dates vary with snow and preparation work, so a road opening does not mean its nearby campground is ready.
Yosemite spring crowds
The highlighted whole months average 319,588 recreation visits per month. August is the annual peak at 537,020.
Spring months highlightedApril and May
LowestLowModerateHighPeakAverage month: 320,874
Yosemite spring temperatures
NOAA 1991-2020 averages at Yosemite Park HQ, CA (Yosemite Valley). These are Yosemite Valley normals. Higher roads and trails can stay snowy well into spring.
Spring months highlightedApril and May
Cooler Hotter
Jan
High48°F
Low29°F
Feb
High51°F
Low30°F
Mar
High57°F
Low34°F
Apr
High63°F
Low38°F
May
High71°F
Low45°F
Jun
High81°F
Low51°F
Jul
High89°F
Low57°F
Aug
High89°F
Low57°F
Sep
High83°F
Low51°F
Oct
High71°F
Low41°F
Nov
High56°F
Low33°F
Dec
High46°F
Low28°F
Questions about Yosemite spring
Quick answers to the practical questions below.
Is spring a good time to visit Yosemite?
Yes, especially for waterfalls and lower-elevation sightseeing. This guide follows the NPS April-and-May spring window. Expect variable weather and limited high-country access rather than summer conditions throughout the park.
Is April a good time to visit Yosemite?
Yes, for Yosemite Valley waterfalls and lower-elevation walks. Rain, snow and chain controls are still possible. May usually brings the waterfall peak, while higher roads and trails need their own access check.
When are Yosemite waterfalls at their best?
Spring snowmelt feeds the falls, with peak runoff typically in May or June. Actual flow varies; the season is a useful planning pattern rather than a promise for a specific date.
Is Tioga Road open in spring?
It often remains closed by snow until late May or June. Check the road opening before relying on it to cross the park; use Yosemite Valley and Wawona for your core spring plan.
Do you need tire chains in Yosemite in spring?
Sometimes. When chain controls apply, NPS says to carry chains and know how to use them regardless of vehicle type. Check the road and chain reports before travel.
How we built this page.
An independent guide using official data. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the National Park Service.
- Official guidance
- NPS and the relevant operators. The linked official pages support the access, facilities and rules described here. Confirm details before traveling.
- Crowd context
- 2021–2025 monthly averages. NPS recreation visits describe normal seasonal demand, not trail congestion, parking availability or unique visitors.
- Schedules and conditions
- Planning patterns, not live status. Seasonal information describes the normal pattern or explicitly dated source schedule. Current conditions are handled separately. The official source is the place to confirm today’s access.
Topic sources and data details
NPS Visiting in Spring defines this guide's April-and-May scope, seasonal road limits, chain guidance and snowline differences. NPS Waterfalls supplies runoff timing, Lower Yosemite Fall and Bridalveil access, and river-safety advice. Lodging and Campgrounds supply overnight choices; dated entry-reservation rules and live service closures are left to official planning pages and conditions.
The month comparison and activity choices follow the independently reviewed seasonal source packet. Monthly recreation visits are full-calendar-month 2021–2025 averages.
Temperatures are NOAA 1991-2020 normals at Yosemite Park HQ, CA (Yosemite Valley); Yosemite Park HQ sits at 4,018 ft in Yosemite Valley. The high country runs colder and snowier: Tuolumne Meadows Campground sits at 8,600 ft, and Tioga Road is typically open only from late May or June until sometime in November. NCEI monthly snow normals at the Valley station are 0.0. The Valley is snow-light by elevation, though any winter storm can bring temporary snow. Use these numbers for the Valley; assume a sharp drop for any trip planned into the high country.
Seasonal highlights mark the editorial month window, not guaranteed access or travel-date weather.
Operational source check: October 21, 2026. Design and emphasized source review: 2026-10-21. A design review does not refresh every underlying record.