United States, North America

Yosemite in August

The high country is the escape; Yosemite Falls is often low or dry by now. Smoke can reduce views some years.

TradeoffsHot, highs near 89F (32C), wildfire smoke possible

Three Brothers above Yosemite Valley — YosemitePhoto: Glenn Scofield Williams, CC BY 2.0

The straight answer

August is a month of real tradeoffs in Yosemite. The high country is the escape; Yosemite Falls is often low or dry by now. Smoke can reduce views some years.

Weather: Hot, highs near 89F (32C), wildfire smoke possible
Crowds: 5 of 5
Prices: 5 of 5

What August is like in Yosemite

August stays hot, with Valley highs near 89F (32C), and wildfire smoke can reduce views in some years. Yosemite Falls is often low or dry by now. Crowds and prices remain at their summer peak. The high country along Tioga Road is the best escape, with cooler air and open trails.

It suits families tied to school holidays and hikers heading for the high country. Waterfall lovers will be disappointed, so they should come in May or June instead. If you can wait a few weeks, September brings the same open roads with fewer people.

Make the most of August

What is especially good about Yosemite this month.

High-country hiking

Trails around Tuolumne Meadows are snow-free and pleasant, far cooler than the Valley floor.

Calmer river days

Late summer's lower flows make the Merced River gentler. Still choose calm spots and watch kids closely.

Half Dome season

If you won a permit, late summer offers stable conditions on the cables.

What to pack for August

Sun protection and extra water
Lightweight hiking clothes
A warm layer for high-country evenings
An N95 mask in case of smoke

Our timing tip

Check air quality and fire closures the week you travel, and spend the hottest hours up along Tioga Road.

Book Yosemite for August.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Yosemite
Opens a hotel search for Yosemite in August, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for August
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Yosemite
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Yosemite
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Yosemite for August. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

Things to do in Yosemite

Full guide

Mist Trail to Vernal and Nevada Falls

Best in May and June, when the spray soaks you on the granite steps. Start early; it is the most popular hike in the park.

Tickets and tours →

Glacier Point

The best view of Half Dome and the Valley. The road is seasonal, typically open from late May or June into November.

Tickets and tours →

Tuolumne Meadows and Tioga Road

The high country, typically open from late May or June into November depending on snow.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias

Park at the welcome plaza and take the seasonal shuttle, or walk in off-season.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Half Dome

The cables are typically up from late May to mid October, and a permit, awarded by lottery, is required to climb them.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Tunnel View

The classic view of El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall, and Half Dome at the Valley's west end. Best in late afternoon light or after a storm clears.

Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Enter the park before 8am in summer; parking in the Valley fills by mid morning on busy days, and the free Valley shuttle is the way around.
Visit midweek. The park's own analysis found that most weekdays kept available parking, while weekends and holidays are where congestion builds.
Spend summer days in the high country along Tioga Road or at Wawona and Hetch Hetchy instead of Yosemite Valley.
Book in-park lodging and campgrounds the moment they open for your dates; they sell out quickly for summer.

Know before you go

Yosemite is open all year, but Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road are seasonal: typically open from late May or June until the first major storm in November. Opening dates vary widely with snowpack.
Timed-entry or peak-hours reservations have been required in some recent years and not in others. Yosemite did not use a timed reservation system in 2026. Check the park's current entrance rules before any trip.
Half Dome cables are typically up from late May to mid October, and a permit, awarded by preseason and daily lottery, is required to climb them.
Winter storms can require tire chains on park roads at short notice, even in the Valley; carry them from November through March.

Yosemite in August, quick answers

Is August a good time to visit Yosemite?

August is a month of real tradeoffs in Yosemite. The high country is the escape; Yosemite Falls is often low or dry by now. Smoke can reduce views some years.

What is the weather like in Yosemite in August?

Hot, highs near 89F (32C), wildfire smoke possible.

Is Yosemite crowded in August?

August is peak crowd season in Yosemite; expect lines at the headline sights.