United States, North America
Yosemite in September
Full road access with summer crowds fading after Labor Day. Waterfalls are low, but hiking conditions are excellent.
The straight answer
September is one of the best months of the year to visit Yosemite. Full road access with summer crowds fading after Labor Day. Waterfalls are low, but hiking conditions are excellent.
- Weather
- Warm, highs near 82F (28C), cool nights
- Crowds
- 3 of 5
- Prices
- 4 of 5
What September is like in Yosemite
September is warm, with Valley highs near 82F (28C) and cool nights. All the park roads are usually open, and summer crowds fade after Labor Day, the first Monday of September. Waterfalls are low, but hiking conditions are excellent from the Valley to the high country. Prices ease a little from the summer peak.
This is one of the best months to go, and it suits hikers, couples and homeschool families with flexible schedules. Travelers who want big waterfalls should come in May or June instead. Wildfire smoke is still possible some years, so check conditions before you leave.
Make the most of September
What is especially good about Yosemite this month.
Full road access, fewer people
Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road are usually open, with far less traffic after Labor Day.
Great hiking weather
Cooler mornings make longer hikes more comfortable, from the Valley rim trails to Tuolumne.
Last weeks of Half Dome cables
The cables usually stay up until mid October, with a permit required.
What to pack for September
- Layers for warm days and cool nights
- Sturdy hiking boots
- A headlamp for early starts
- Plenty of water
Our timing tip
Plan your trip for the week after Labor Day, when roads are open and crowds drop off sharply.
Book Yosemite for September.
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- Hotels for September
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in YosemiteOpens a hotel search for Yosemite in September, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in YosemiteWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in YosemiteTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Yosemite for September. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Things to do in Yosemite
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.
Glacier Point
The best view of Half Dome and the Valley. The road is seasonal, typically open from late May or June into November.
Tuolumne Meadows and Tioga Road
The high country, typically open from late May or June into November depending on snow.
Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
Park at the welcome plaza and take the seasonal shuttle, or walk in off-season.
Half Dome
The cables are typically up from late May to mid October, and a permit, awarded by lottery, is required to climb them.
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.
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 September, quick answers
Is September a good time to visit Yosemite?
September is one of the best months of the year to visit Yosemite. Full road access with summer crowds fading after Labor Day. Waterfalls are low, but hiking conditions are excellent.
What is the weather like in Yosemite in September?
Warm, highs near 82F (28C), cool nights.
Is Yosemite crowded in September?
Crowds in Yosemite are moderate in September; timed bookings still help at the biggest sights.
Keep planning Yosemite.
The months either side, and the best one if this is not it.
Also at their best in September
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