Don’t tell the other seasons, but fall in Yosemite National Park is our favorite. With changing leaves, smaller crowds, and the crisp hiking air, Yosemite really comes alive in the autumn. Here is a list of some of our favorite activities in and around Yosemite National Park in the fall.
Please note, Yosemite National Park is now requiring daily permits to enter the park. Details and permits can be found here.
Take Advantage of Perfect Hiking Weather
Temperatures in and around Yosemite National Park in the fall are perfect for a day of hiking. Some of our favorite local hikes can be found here!
Permits to hike Half Dome are available through the middle of October. Conquer Yosemite’s most iconic hike during the cooler months. Hikers who obtain a permit to hike Half Dome do not have to obtain a day pass now required through new regulations set in response to COVID-19.
Fall Fishing
September through December is the peak season for trout fishing in the Merced River. Grab your rod and reel and head to the Hetch-Hetchy Reservoir or Tenaya Lake.
Photograph the Changing Leaves
There really nothing comparable to Fall colors coming alive in Yosemite National Park. Break out your camera and capture the beautiful views. Some of the most popular spots for photographs include Vernal Falls, Glacier Point, Tunnel View, and Sentinel Bridge.
Watch the Perseid Meteor Shower from Glacier Point
Every year from late July through much of August, our planet crosses the orbit of the Swift-Tuttle comet. Tiny bits of debris, mostly about the size of a grain of sand, left behind by the comet enter the atmosphere and burn up as meteors or shooting stars as they are often known. At its peak, you can see as many as 90 meteors per hour!