Fall Colors in Yosemite and Eastern Sierra

Fall Colors in Yosemite

Visiting Yosemite National Park during the fall is a beautiful experience, especially to see the vibrant autumn colors. The best time to witness fall foliage in Yosemite typically occurs from mid-September to late October. Here are some highlights and tips for your visit:

Best Spots for Fall Colors:
1. Yosemite Valley: The valley offers stunning views of the changing leaves, especially around El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall.
2. Glacier Point: Provides panoramic views of the valley and is a great spot to see the contrast of fall colors against the granite cliffs.
3. Mariposa Grove: Home to giant sequoias, this area also showcases beautiful fall foliage along its trails.
4. Tuolumne Meadows: A bit higher in elevation, this area features colorful aspen groves.

Tips for Your Visit:
- Timing: Check local foliage reports for peak color times, as they can vary yearly based on weather conditions.
- Photography: Early morning or late afternoon light can enhance the colors. Bring a camera to capture the stunning landscapes.
- Trails: Consider hiking trails like the Mist Trail or the Valley Loop Trail for immersive experiences among the fall colors.
- Weather: Fall weather can be unpredictable, so dress in layers and be prepared for cooler temperatures, especially at higher elevations.

Contact us to plan your visit to Yosemite and the breathtaking fall scenery! Be sure to get a reservation at rec.gov for weekend till October 27th.

What You Must Know Before Visiting in 2024

The implementation of a peak-hours reservation system at Yosemite National Park is a proactive approach to managing the increasing visitor numbers and ensuring a better experience for all. Here's a brief summary of the key points and some recommendations for visitors:

1. **Peak-Hours Reservation System:**
   - Reservations will be required for vehicles to enter Yosemite National Park during specific peak hours and dates.
   - The reservation system will be in effect during weekends from April 13 to June 30, then daily from July 1 to August 16, and again on weekends from August 17 to October 27.

2. **Making Reservations:**
   - Visitors are encouraged to visit recreation.gov to secure peak-hours reservations for the dates they plan to visit.
   - Each pass is valid for three days from the start date and allows for one vehicle to enter the park.

3. **Additional Availability:**
   - If peak-hours reservations are not initially available for your planned visit, more passes will open up on recreation.gov seven days in advance of your trip dates.
   - A new half-day reservation option has been introduced, allowing visitors to enter Yosemite in the afternoon. These passes also become available seven days before the planned visit.

Contact Yosemite Sierra Concierge to assist in planning your visit
- Plan ahead: Given the reservation system, it's important to plan your visit well in advance, especially for popular dates.
- Flexibility: If your preferred dates are not available initially, consider checking back on recreation.gov as more passes become available.
- Consider half-day reservations: If full-day reservations are not available, the new half-day option can provide an opportunity to visit Yosemite in the afternoon.

Trouble securing your reservation to visit Yosemite National Park in 2022?

A reservation is required to drive into or through the Yosemite National Park from 6am to 4pm daily from May 20th to September 30th, 2022. If you are unable to secure a reservation, here are some tips to gain park access.

1.       Sign up for an activity in the park. Explore the park in style with a naturalist Guided Hike, Bike to Hike, Wine & Paint Class, or Starry Night Walk with Yosemite Conservancy. They have several Outdoor Adventures, Custom Adventures, and art programs for summer 2022. See what they have to offer at Yosemite Conservancy

2.       Discover Yosemite offers private guided full or half day tours and hiking, as well as public bus tours. Private hiking tours are customized to guests’ abilities and interests. Whether you want to visit Yosemite Valley, explore a grove to Giant Sequoias, identify Sierra wildflowers or hike to waterfalls, domes or mountain peaks, the Naturalist Guides are extremely knowledgeable.

3.       The Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS) is a public transit system that provides service into Yosemite National Park. Their busses are bike friendly, air-conditioned and comfortable. There are several pick up locations in Mariposa and Oakhurst. Learn more at Yarts.com Once you arrive to Yosemite Valley, you may ride the free shuttle buses.

4.       Hetch Hetchy is accessible when open (8am-5pm) without a reservation. Hetch Hetchy Valley is hidden in Yosemite National Park’s peaceful northwest corner. Explore Wapama Falls, or continue to Rancheria Falls for a longer day hike. Be sure to bring plenty of water and sunscreen and watch for rattlesnakes and poison oak.

There are may ways to explore the beauty of Yosemite National Park during peak season. Connect to nature in style. For planning assistance with your Yosemite trip, contact Yosemite Sierra Concierge at 209-347-9057.

Yosemite National Park Day Use Reservations

Is Yosemite Open?

Yosemite National Park will require day-use reservation for visitors beginning February 8th, 2021. The day-use reservation system will be in place to reduce risks with exposure to Covid-19 and manage visitation levels. If lodging is secured at Yosemite Valley Lodge, The Ahwahnee, or White Wolf Lodge, you will not need day-use reservation in addition to your overnight hotel reservation. Yosemite day-use reservations can be secured on www.recreation.gov beginning at 8 a.m. Monday, February 1.

If you would like Yosemite trip planning assistance or looking for things to do in Yosemite, please visit us at Yosemite Sierra Travel Concierge. We can help alleviate the stress of vacation planning by creating custom itineraries to make the most of your Yosemite National Park vacation. Our services include securing Yosemite lodging accommodations, booking activities, and assistance with dining reservations.

Consider These Tips when Traveling to Yosemite

Yosemite National Park is scheduled to reopen within the next week. With all the excitement, there will be many changes when visiting the park. New requirements for all visitors to the park will be in place to comply with social distancing and making sure the park is safe for visitors.

You will need a day reservation in addition to a park pass.

The park will only allow 1,700 vehicles per day into the park. You will need to secure a reservation on recreation.gov for the day you wish to visit. You will need to show your secured reservation to the Park Ranger at the gate. You may secure a reservation up to 30 days in advance. Same day visits will not be allowed.


Consider staying at least 3 nights.

Many hotels will be offering packages for a 3 night minimum and may include a reservation with a guided bus tour to Yosemite. Hotels in the park will be operating at 50% capacity. If you are fortunate enough to have secured a hotel reservation in the park, a day reservation to visit will not be required.

Enjoy local activities and hikes outside the park.

Take advantage of local activities and sights outside Yosemite Park. Learn about Mariposa’s rich history of gold mining and pan with a local expert at a working Gold Mine. See Yosemite from a different perspective with SkyDive Yosemite. Enjoy a guided Jeep tour under the stars, or visit the Redwood trees in Nelder Grove with Sierra Nevada Motorsports. Taste local olive oil and vinegars at CostaLivos while shopping main street Mariposa. Cool off at the Merced River in the late afternoon and grab some dinner at Savory’s.

We want to make sure you have the best time while visiting the area and are here to help!

Have a question or concern? Call or email us.

#yosemiteconcierge @travel_sierra #yosemitesierraconcierge

Winter Fun In and Around Yosemite

Experience solitude and snow capped mountains during your winter vacation in Yosemite. More and more visitors travel to Yosemite during their winter vacation seeking family fun. Get outside and experience snowshoe hiking, sledding, tubing, downhill and cross country skiing, and ice skating. The view of Half Dome from the ice rink at Curry Village is a site to behold. Be sure to carry chains and check the current road conditions. #yosemiteconcierge @travel_sierra #yosemitesierraconceirge

Early Spring near Yosemite

What a beautiful spring it is in the foothills! Rivers are rushing, flowers are blooming, trees are awakening. The spectacular show of color adds unsurpassed beauty to the Sierra Nevadas. We have been blessed with lots of water and look forward to whitewater rafting late spring. This year, the Merced River Trail is a must see! #yosemiteconcierge @travel_sierra

Summer at the Merced River

The intense summer rays shine on the sparkling waters of the mighty Merced River. A chill comes over as we wade into the clear waters stepping over polished river rocks. The Merced River carries the waters of the melting snow of the High Sierras 145 miles to the Central Valley. This beautiful river has carved the valley of Yosemite over millions of years and still supplies the wildlife, people, and agriculture with abundant life to this day. Visitors from all over the world come to camp, kayak, white water raft in spring, and relax with the sounds of nature. #VisitCalifornia #MercedRiver #yosemiteconcierge #discoverEarth #travelawesome  @travel_sierra

Reopening of Mariposa Grove

Mariposa Grove home to some of the worlds largest Sequoia trees reopened after fire blazed through the Grove 3 years ago. Fires have become more common here in California where fears of fire runs hot. Fire is essential for the gentle giants to survive. Fire creates life and clears space for growth. Sequoias rely on fire to release most seeds from their cones, to recycle nutrients into the soil, and to open holes in the forest canopy through which sunlight can reach young seedlings. Fire is not to be feared but to be understood as an essential part of natural cycles. Highly recommend to visit! @YoseConservancy did a beautiful job with the new transportation and walkways above the meadow. #mariposagrove #redwoods #visityosemite #yosemiteconcierge @travel_sierra

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