Autumn Adventure Awaits
It’s easy to fall in love with Yosemite in Autumn. Cooler temperatures and fewer people make exploring easier and more comfortable. There’s nothing better than the fall season for hiking and other outdoor activities. The trees put on their fall colors starting in the high country and work downhill. Lodging prices fall with the temperatures meaning that this is a great season to look for deals on cabins, hotels and more.
Plan Your Trip
Things To Do
There’s an abundance of things to do in Yosemite and something for every type of visitor.
Find Lodging
With options in the park and in historic gold rush towns or a serene cabin or full-service resort, Mariposa County has the Yosemite lodging options you’re looking for.
Get Inspired
Mountaintop vistas that seem to stretch on forever. Hiking, swimming, history, museums. Oh, and we haven’t even mentioned the legendary landmarks such as Half Dome or the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias.
Planning for a mid-week visit to Yosemite Mariposa County in the autumn hits all the high notes. Lodging and tour prices dip during mid-week, just like the fall temperatures. The park has fewer visitors creating more opportunities for wildlife viewing and serene experiences and Temporary Vehicle Reservations are not required Monday – Friday, so visitors are free to come and go as they please making for a far easier planning experience.
Warm Days.
Cool Nights.
In the fall, Yosemite’s daytime experience can almost feel like an endless summer. Temperatures in Yosemite Valley and at lower elevations remain warm through the day, but as the sun falls in the western sky so do the temperatures, so pack a sweater – you’ll need it to enjoy those night skies full of bright Yosemite stars.
Looking for changing leaves and beautiful fall foliage? Start in the higher elevation regions of Tuolumne Meadows where the temperatures get near freezing before Yosemite Valley’s do. The aspens along Tioga Pass road begin to change as early as September, but if you’re hoping to see the Valley’s maples and oaks change colors, that comes around late October or November, proving the old adage that fall in the mountains marches downhill.
Looking for activities and suggestions to help plan your visit to Yosemite? Take a look at the links below to start planning an unforgettable Yosemite Mariposa County Fall vacation.
Reservations required on Saturdays and Sundays
Temporary Vehicle Reservations
If you’re visiting on a Saturday or Sunday before October 28, you’ll need a temporary vehicle reservation to enter Yosemite National Park between the hours of 5 am and 4 pm. A great way around this system is to plan for a mid-week visit, but if you can’t take a look at our page on Temporary Vehicle Reservations for all the info.
Explore Lodging
Hotels & Motels
From luxury stays like The Ahwahnee and convenient Yosemite hotels like Yosemite Valley Lodge to affordable Yosemite motels that bask in the majesty of Yosemite’s natural wonders, find Yosemite lodging that suits your travel needs inside and outside of the park in greater Mariposa County.
Cabin Rentals
Cabin rentals in Yosemite National Park and the surrounding Mariposa County area with a variety of vacation rentals to suit any traveler’s needs.
Bed and Breakfasts
If you’re looking for a bed and breakfast near Yosemite, check out a variety of options in Mariposa County and the surrounding area near Yosemite National Park.
Autumn Articles
YOSEMITE MARIPOSA COUNTY
Picture this: it`s a crisp, fall morning in Yosemite. Your favorite drink warms your hands as you wander around the valley and enjoy this view of Half Dome from the banks of the Merced River. Sound good?
Photo by: @macadamphotography
Please note: 2024 Temporary Vehicle Reservations are easy to obtain and are only required to enter Yosemite from 5 AM to 4 PM on weekends and Monday holidays until Oct. 27th. Half-day reservations are also available and only restricted to a half-day on the first day of entry, then full days thereafter. Find out more at the link in our profile.
#yosemite #yosemitenationalpark #yosemitevalley #yosemitenation #yosemitenp #yosemite_national_park #yosemitenps #yosemitepark #california #californialove❤️ #californialove #roadtrip @YosemiteNation @yosemitenps @visitcalifornia @cahighsierra @visitgoldcountry
When an epic sunrise at Crocker Point is your payoff for waking up early, that alarm clock doesn`t sound so bad after all, does it?
Photo by: @mblockk
Please note: 2024 Temporary Vehicle Reservations are easy to obtain and are only required to enter Yosemite from 5 AM to 4 PM on weekends and Monday holidays until Oct. 27th. Half-day reservations are also available and only restricted to a half-day on the first day of entry, then full days thereafter. Find out more at the link in our profile.
#yosemite #yosemitenationalpark #yosemitevalley #yosemitenation #yosemitenp #yosemite_national_park #yosemitenps #yosemitepark #california #californialove❤️ #californialove #roadtrip @YosemiteNation @yosemitenps @visitcalifornia @cahighsierra @visitgoldcountry
Original poster @joeshike says, "Enjoying this late autumn mood in the forested foothills of Yosemite. Surprised to see how much water there still is even though the rainy season hasn’t really started yet."
Please note: 2024 Temporary Vehicle Reservations are easy to obtain and are only required to enter Yosemite from 5 AM to 4 PM on Saturdays, Sundays, and Monday holidays until Oct. 27th. Find out more at the link in our profile.
#yosemite #yosemitenationalpark #yosemitevalley #yosemitenation #yosemitenp #yosemite_national_park #yosemitenps #yosemitepark #california #californialove❤️ #californialove #roadtrip @YosemiteNation @yosemitenps @visitcalifornia @cahighsierra @visitgoldcountry
Sometimes a little wandering can reveal wonderful and unexpected views in Yosemite, like this beautiful view of Middle Cathedral Rock from the banks of the Merced River!
Reel by: @quiethopper
Please note: 2024 Temporary Vehicle Reservations are easy to obtain and are only required to enter Yosemite from 5 AM to 4 PM on weekends and Monday holidays until Oct. 27th. Half-day reservations are also available and only restricted to a half-day on the first day of entry, then full days thereafter. Find out more at the link in our profile.
#yosemite #yosemitenationalpark #yosemitevalley #yosemitenation #yosemitenp #yosemite_national_park #yosemitenps #yosemitepark #california #californialove❤️ #californialove #roadtrip @YosemiteNation @yosemitenps @visitcalifornia @cahighsierra @visitgoldcountry
This was taken in August, but it reminds us a lot of autumn when cooler weather and moody landscapes become more commonplace.
Video by @joannexplores.
Please note: 2024 Temporary Vehicle Reservations are easy to obtain and are only required to enter Yosemite from 5 AM to 4 PM on weekends and Monday holidays until Oct. 27th. Half-day reservations are also available and only restricted to a half-day on the first day of entry, then full days thereafter. Find out more at the link in our profile.
#yosemite #yosemitenationalpark #yosemitevalley #yosemitenation #yosemitenp #yosemite_national_park #yosemitenps #yosemitepark #california #californialove❤️ #californialove #roadtrip @YosemiteNation @yosemitenps @visitcalifornia @cahighsierra @visitgoldcountry
