Wildflowers are blooming, waterfalls are gushing, and the valley is verdant- there’s nothing like Yosemite in May! 🌸 This is truly one of the very best times to visit this iconic park. As soon as you get to the valley you will be in awe of the beauty that surrounds you!
I have been to this park on numerous occasions, but there’s something about visiting in the spring that is absolutely magical! ✨ Things are beginning to reawaken and it feels invigorating. I wish that I could spend every May in this incredible area!
So, I’ve created a guide for everything you need to know about visiting Yosemite in May! In this post you’ll find tips on where to stay, how to plan your trip, and what to do on your trip to Yosemite. With this in mind, you’ll have a fantastic time!
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Table of Contents
All About Yosemite in May
Quick Park Facts
💵 Yosemite National Park costs $35 for a private vehicle which lasts 7 days. You can also use annual passes like America the Beautiful Pass for entry.
☀️ Weather changes quickly in Yosemite. One moment the valley can look sunny and the next it’s thundering. So, check the weather and stay at lower elevations if storms are in the forecast.
⛺️ All campgrounds must be reserved in advance. Campgrounds tend to sell out the moment they go on sale. However, in May, some campsites are not available until closer to the dates because of possible flooding. We got our reservation a day in advance!
🐻 Yosemite is bear country, so make sure to stay bear aware. Keep all of your food in bear containers if you’re camping. If you see a bear, keep your distance!
🦮 Pets are not allowed on most trails. However, you can bring them on paved roads, on the Wawona Meadow Trail, and in campgrounds. But, they must remain on 6 foot leashes.
⚠️ Glacier Point Road and Tioga Pass are usually closed until late May. You can stay updated by checking the NPS website.
🍃 Remember to follow the Leave No Trace Principles. As always, you want to leave nature looking better than you found it.
Is May a Good Time to Visit Yosemite?
May is a fantastic time to visit Yosemite and I would say it’s arguably the best! In May, the snow begins to melt, waterfalls are gushing and the valley is incredibly lush. Plus, many of the trails are open with fewer crowds.
It’s truly a spectacle to see the waterfalls in the spring. 💦 They are absolutely overflowing with water and it will leave you in awe. I’m telling you that Yosemite Valley may be at its most beautiful during this time of year!
Things to Know About Visiting in May
Although May is a fantastic time to visit, there are a few things you have to keep in mind. Spring is a time of reopening and reawakening, but that means that some things remain closed.
Glacier Point and Tioga Pass tend to open up over Memorial Day weekend depending on the snowfall, so you may not be able to access these areas of the park. But, there are so many other incredible trails and viewpoints to visit!
Timed Entry Permits are required on the weekends in May and then every day starting on the Friday of Memorial Day weekend.
Because of the snowmelt, there is occasional flooding in Yosemite Valley. This often just impacts campsites and certain roads. ⚠️ Luckily, both times I’ve been in May there were no major affects from any flooding!
How to Get Timed Entry Permits
If you are visiting Yosemite on a weekend in May or any day after Memorial Day then you will need a timed entry permit! These permits are required to enter the park from 5 am to 4 pm unless you have a reservation in the park like in a campground.
Timed Entry Permits are sold on recreation.gov for $2. 🎟
These permits are released in early January. But, if you missed out on the advanced permits, they also release more 7 days in advance at 8 am Pacific Time. Then, if you don’t get any of those you will have to enter the park outside of the required permit hours!
Where to Stay
Yosemite is a very popular park to visit, so it’s important to plan your lodging in advance to get a spot within the park! Otherwise, there are plenty of great options including campgrounds and hotels that surround the area.
Campgrounds
Campgrounds within the park usually sell out as soon as they become available in January. ⛺️ There are a number of great campgrounds that are located in the valley. I highly recommend North Pines, Lower Pines, or Upper Pines.
Luckily, some campsites are held back from being sold due to possible flooding in May. So, if you check back closer to your arrival date you may just get lucky! We got a campsite the night before we visited this past May.
You can also stay at free campgrounds and RV parks just outside of the park in Mariposa or Groveland!
Lodging
There are a number of lodges within Yosemite, which are fantastic places to stay. But, again these lodges usually get sold out months in advance. So, if you miss out on places within the park you can still get nice hotels in towns nearby like Mariposa or Groveland.
Yosemite Lodging:
- Yosemite Valley Lodge
- Ahwahnee
- Rush Creek Lodge at Yosemite
- Evergreen Lodge at Yosemite
- Best Western
Weather in Yosemite National Park in May
Honestly, the weather in Yosemite in May is absolutely perfect! 🤩 Highs tend to be in the 70s and lows hover around the high 40s. Plus, there are typically only a few rainy days in the entire month.
So, you can enjoy the beautiful sunshine and gorgeous weather as you gallivant around the park! Every time I go in May, I feel like it really could not possibly get any better.
Packing List for Yosemite
Visitors that plan on doing lots of fun outdoors activities should be prepared with proper gear and plenty of water! The sun is strong in May, so you will also want to make sure that you wear plenty of sunscreen as you explore. ☀️
Packing Essentials for Yosemite
- Comfortable Hiking Boots
- Small Pack
- First Aid Kit
- Rain Jacket
- Sunscreen
- Polarized Sunglasses
- Hat to Block the Sun
- Hiking Poles
- Satellite Phone
- Parks Pass
Things to Do in Yosemite in May
You’ll be delighted at all of the possibilities when you visit Yosemite. There are so many fun activities, that it’s hard to narrow them all down! Below, I’ve created a list of the best things you can do in May.
Bike the Valley
Biking through Yosemite Valley is without a doubt one of my favorite things in the world! It’s so freeing to soar through the parks trails while the iconic granite cliffs rise up all around you. Truly, if you do nothing else- go biking!
With over 12 miles to bike through the valley floor it’s the perfect thing to do. You can bring your own bike or rent a bike at Curry Village and Yosemite Valley Lodge. Plus, they also have a free bike share program that opens up in the late spring.
Complete a Hike
Honestly, Yosemite is one of the best places in the US to go on hikes. 🥾 There are a variety of great hikes from family friendly short trails to all day affairs! I would try to do a few trails if you can and make sure to see the waterfalls that are bursting with water.
Mist Trail (3-6.5 miles, 1100-2200 feet)
If you only have time for one hike in the park, then I highly recommend the Mist Trail. This trail takes you up past Vernal Falls to Nevada Falls. Along the way, you will be absolutely covered with mist from Vernal Falls, so I highly recommend a rain jacket.
Mist trail is the one hike you must do in Yosemite!
This trail is great, because you can make it shorter by just going to Vernal Falls or connect it to the John Muir Trail. Then, you’ll get stunning views at Columbia Point
Lower Yosemite Falls (1.2 miles, 55 feet)
Visitors who just want a really short and easy hike can do the Lower Yosemite Falls trail. This paved trail takes you to the base of Lower Yosemite Falls, so that you can see the complete falls in their splendor. It’s got a great payoff for little effort.
Upper Yosemite Falls to Yosemite Point (6.5-9 miles, 3200-3700 feet)
Yosemite Point and Upper Yosemite Falls is now one of my new favorite hikes in the park. That being said, it’s very challenging! As you slog your way up the mountain, you’ll be met with jaw-dropping views of the valley below.
Hikers can choose to stop at the base of Yosemite Falls, continue to Columbia Rock, admire Yosemite Falls Overlook, or go all the way to Yosemite Point. If you make it to Yosemite Falls, then I recommend going .8 miles further to Yosemite Point. The panorama from this spot was insane!
People who are afraid of heights should skip the walk down to Yosemite Falls Overlook!
Half Dome (17-18 miles, 5300 feet)
This is one of the most infamous hikes in the country! In order to make it to the top, you’ll need to use cables and walk up the granite cliff at 45 degrees. I did this hike and it was one of the most memorable experiences I have ever had.
Chains go up on Memorial Day Weekend, so that’s when this hike opens to the general public. However, it’s incredibly dangerous, which is why they limit the number of hikers by requiring permits. You must win a permit to hike up to the chains.
Visit Waterfalls
Of course, I keep mentioning the waterfalls in this post and that’s because they are simply incredible! It’s wild to get covered in the mist of the falls as they roar or listen to them crashing into rocks. There’s seriously no better time to see them, because the water volumes peak in May!
Yosemite Waterfalls
- Yosemite Falls
- Bridalveil Fall
- Sentinel Falls
- Vernal Falls (3 mile hike)
- Nevada Falls (6 mile hike)
Go Climbing
Yosemite is known for being one of the premier destinations for climbing in the entire world! Incredible documentaries, like Free Solo, have been filmed on ascending these iconic peaks.
If you’re a seasoned climber, an avid boulderer, or someone that is just learning there are a variety of crags and pitches to try. So, get out there with your buddies and conquer some of the incredible routes that Yosemite offers.
If you do plan on climbing in the park, make sure to take all safety precautions ⛑, get a wilderness permit if you need one, and reduce your impact on the environment. This way visitors to Yosemite can climb for years to come!
Explore Hetch Hetchy
Hetch Hetchy is an often overlooked part of Yosemite, but I personally love it. This area is home to a large reservoir, huge granite cliffs, and spectacular waterfalls. It’s a great spot to go for a nice day hike along the water’s edge or just stop there to see the beautiful views.
Hetch Hetchy has two of the tallest waterfalls in the US that are spectacular in the springtime!
Unlike most of the park, Hetch Hetchy is only open from sunrise until sunset. 🌅 Don’t miss out on this lesser known gem!
See the Scenic Overlooks
One of my favorite parts about visiting Yosemite is that you can see amazing vistas of the park just by driving to the overlooks. There’s really nothing more iconic than entering through the tunnel and coming out to an incredible view of Yosemite Valley below at Tunnel View.
Yosemite Scenic Overlooks:
Final Tips for Visiting Yosemite in May
You’ll have the most amazing time on your trip to Yosemite in May! Just make sure to plan in advance, try to get permits, and remember to check the NPS website for all of the updates on openings & closures. You’ll fall in love and immediately want to return to this iconic spot!
Let me know in the comments if you enjoy this guide
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