Yosemite in the Fall
Yosemite in the Fall
I’m always a sucker for a good showing of fall foliage.
It’s the New Englander in me, I guess. But finding some solid leaf change out here on the West Coast is a little bit more of a challenge {or maybe I just have ridiculously over-the-top fall foliage standards because of where I grew up}. I’m never one to back down from a challenge, though, especially one involving such fun and frivolous things like finding fall foliage. So, after some research {aka Googling} I found out Yosemite is actually one of the best spots for foliage in California and the west coast. Even better, it is only about a 4 1/2 hour drive from Los Angeles. Plus, visiting the park has been on our California travel list since we moved out here, and I just feel like there couldn’t be a better time than fall. As expected, the park was stunning, the light was magical, there were far less tourists than there would be during the summer months, and, most importantly, we both got our fall foliage fix!
Below, I’m sharing my guide on everything you need to know about Yosemite in the fall, places to see, good photo and foliage spots, where we stayed and more.
WHY FALL IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT YOSEMITE
Ok, ok, I know what you’re probably thinking. How can I possibly say fall is the best time to visit Yosemite when it’s the only time I’ve visited Yosemite??! To which I say, valid point but hear me out. Yes, while it is true, I haven’t visited the park in other seasons, I can confidently say there are some major perks of visiting Yosemite in the fall that don’t exist at other times of the year.
FALL FOLIAGE- Starting off strong with the fall foliage. It’s not easy to find it in California, so the places that have it are definitely a strong selling point.
MILD WEATHER- The weather in Yosemite this time of year is ideal. It’s pleasantly warm during the day, like low 70’s, which is perfect for exploring in comfort {think jeans or leggings and t-shirts with a light sweater or jacket}, but definitely got chilly at night {be prepared with lots of layers and winter jackets and accessories}, which is nice for cozy evens around a campfire or in a cabin.
BRIGHTER STARS- Because it’s cooler at night, the stars are definitely brighter, meaning it’s great for astrophotography.
LESS TOURISTS- Significantly less tourists which also means things like less traffic, shorter lines, an easier time getting around and seeing attractions, getting photos without {quite as large of} a crowd and more availability for rooms, reservations and even last minute trips.
THINGS TO NOTE BEFORE VISITING YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK
GETTING INTO THE PARK-There is a $35-per-car fee to get into the park. However, the pass is good for 7 days. You can find more info about the entrance fees here. Currently, in addition to the entrance fee, reservations are required to enter the park during peak hours (6am-4pm) through September 30th, 2022. However, reservations are not needed to enter in off-hours and entrance reservations are included with most park lodging should you happen to be staying in the park. All the information can be found here.
CELL SERVICE-Save for the main base area, there really isn’t cell service in the majority of the park, so make sure you keep the map {they’ll give you one at the park entrance} with you, or keep photos of maps handy on your phone.
GAS-Be sure you fill up on gas before heading into the park.
PARK TIMES-Be mindful of when you enter and exit the park. At peek times, it will be busier and there will be lines, wait times, etc.
PARK CLOSURES-Stay up-to-date on park information. There can be frequent changes with everything from road closures to certain trails and camps being temporarily shut down, due to things like weather and fire season. Additionally, while the park is open year round, many trails and access points are closed for the winter due to weather and safety.
PARK AMENITIES + FOOD- There are facilities as well as spots to get food, beverages, etc in the park so you definitely don’t need to worry about those things. However, the food is a bit pricier, so I’d still recommend bringing in some of your own things.
WHERE TO STAY IN YOSEMITE
AUTOCAMP- We’ve been wanting to stay at an Autocamp for some time, including the Autocamp Yosemite location, so we were so excited to see they had a room available for the night we would be up there.
The property was even prettier than it looked in pictures and I was truly impressed with how chic, cozy and efficient the Airstreams were. Think kitchenette, lux bathroom {with Ursa Major products, too!}, cozy bedding, decorative touches, etc. The main communal area was also beautiful {think very Scandinavian mountain chic vibes} and the fire place, and outdoor fire pit, were both lovely!
There were a few things that we weren’t crazy about. They aren’t a big deal, per se, but still worth noting. For one, the evening we checked in, the front desk person was friendly enough, but not overly helpful. There were a few things they didn't tell us about (like property amenities or things that were complimentary and where to find them) that we ended up finding out on our own. Obviously, not end-of-world stuff, but just would have been helpful to know.
Additionally, when we booked our room on their website, we found it a bit hard to understand what is and isn’t included, so here’s the scoop. You get a welcome drink upon check-in {selection includes juices, some current beers and I think a wine}. Breakfast pastries are also included {but nothing overly special…I would still make sure to bring something for breakfast, especially if you’re hiking, you’ll want something more nourishing and substantial}. There is coffee, tea and hot chocolate, along with to-go cups, available in the main building 24/7, which is really nice! And, most importantly, they do have complimentary wooden skewers for cooking important things, like, ya know, marshmallows over the fire.
As a heads up, I would say to expect some additional charges. For example, ice is available, but it’s $3. Your first bag of charcoal/kindle is complimentary, but each additional bag is $7 {our one bag lasted about 3 hours and was more than enough to cook dinner, make s’mores and hang out for a bit, but we would have needed to buy more bags if we were staying more than one night}.
Last but not least, I also want to make a note of the location. It’s about 20 minutes from the closest town {where the grocery stores, some restaurants, etc. are located} and almost 45 minutes from the entrance to Yosemite, so once you leave for the day to go explore the park, I’d say you should probably plan on not coming back until the evening {aka pack accordingly and don’t forget your water, snacks, change of clothes, etc}. As an FYI, the local shuttle bus service does make a stop outside Autocamp so that’s also another option for getting to the park from the camp.
Things that were included: someone available at the front desk 24/7, strong wi-fi, communal fire pits, coffee/tea/hot chocolate, breakfast pastries and juice, wooden skewers for grilling, your first bag of charcoal and, in the rooms, all towels, sheets and blankets {along with an extra blanket}, bath products {shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion and Ursa Major Face recovery Cream and Face Wipes}, a re-chargeable lantern, dishes and cups, a basic knife and cutting board, kitchen towels, pot holders, grill tools, a grill brush a cast iron skillet, sponge, dish soap, tea bags, coffee, a French press and an electric hot water kettle.
One last note, while we did bring all of our own food, I was quite impressed with their on-site shop as well as the menu of meals they offer. So many great, organic brands, small or artisanal options, things for all dietary needs, everything from chocolates to snacks to main meals to things for the grill or things to cook in the microwave, beers and wines, etc. And the menu had things like chicken with quinoa and roasted veggies and an apple crisp…not bad for glamping!
OTHER LODGING OPTIONS- While I haven’t stayed at any of these personally so I can’t give full reviews, a few other lodging options to check out include Rush Creek Lodge (lots of amenities, seems more updated, dining options on-site), Yosemite Valley Lodge (think more traditional lodge and makes a great base for exploring the park given it’s location, also great for families and groups), Evergreen Lodge (cozy cabin lodging with plenty of amenities including electric vehicle charging), The Ahwahnee (the most historical, and I’d say what is largely considered to be the most luxurious, accommodation in the area), Curry Village (great home base location with lots of amenities and a variety of accomodation options), White Wolf Lodge (temporarily closed), High Sierra Camps (temporarily closed but expected to be accepting reservations for 2023 starting very soon) and, last but not least, there are several campgrounds if you’d prefer to camp (but as an FYI you do need reservations and those generally tend to fill up months in advance).
THINGS TO DO IN YOSEMITE
MARIPOSA GROVE- For an easy hike through the REDWOODS; also not too far from Autocamp so we went here the afternoon we got int a) because the park is a bit of a drive from camp and b) so we could see the Redwoods but still have a full day (the following day) in the park
YOSEMITE VALLEY LOOP- A beautiful scenic drive that takes you past many of the park’s highlights, such as El Capitan and Half Dome as well as some of the waterfalls, including Yosemite Falls (the one we stopped at); If you’re short on time, like we were on this trip, this drive is definitely the way to go to ensure you can see the most in the least amount of time. There are plenty of spots to pull over to take in the views, snap photos and even go on hikes, plus the drive goes by several of the locations with facilities as well as some great picnicking spots, so make sure you allow ample time for stopping throughout the drive. I’d say in the off season, at least 2-3 hours, but add more if you plan to stop for a hike and/or to eat. And, in high season, plan even more time as the road will definitely be packed and parking along the way may be scarce.
TUNNEL VIEW- Undeniably one of the most well-known spots in the park, made famous by Ansel Adams, because from here you can see El Capitain, Half Dome and Bridalveil Fall; it’s especially popular for sunset, so if you plan to come for that, especially in the summertime, be sure to arrive early. No hiking is required and there is parking, so it’s easy to pull over and quickly check it out, too.
MIRROR LAKE/TRAIL- Great for picnicking or just taking a moment to relax; people also dip into the water to cool off. There is a short and easy trail around the lake, but you can also park close by so not much walking is required to enjoy the lake’s beauty. As an FYI, when we went, the foliage around the lake was especially beautiful and vibrant!
GLACIER POINT- This was, by far, my favorite spot in the park; a must for sunset and stargazing because the views are unparalleled and the drive up is really stunning, too, especially in the afternoon light; the road does close in the winter and it is currently closed for 2022 so unfortunately the only way up to Glacier Point at the moment is a lengthy and difficult hike
Other things to check out in Yosemite
Rent bikes to explore the village and the valley area
Head out for a hike
Have a picnic (we enjoyed a picnic by Mirror Lake, but there are plenty of spots throughout the park, including some right of the Yosemite Loop, giving you lots of pretty picnic spot options even if you aren’t hiking. A few to check out include Cathedral Beach and Sentinel Beach.)
If you aren’t staying at The Ahwahnee, you should at least plan to go for a drink and/or a meal. Just be sure to make reservations.
Go for a trail ride with Wawona Stable (several options available seasonally from May-September)
Check out the Ansel Adams Gallery
Give your legs a break and explore the park a different way by hopping aboard a ride on the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad (there are even several options to choose from, such as ones that have live jazz music or include dinner)
If you wanting something different to break up your time in the park, head to Butterfly Creek Winery nearby to get a taste of locally made wines
Take a coffee with critters farm tour at a local farm (a good activity for families/kids)
WHERE TO EAT IN YOSEMITE
There are definitely abundant food options so don’t fret if you don’t pack enough meals or snacks. In fact, most of the hotels in the area have at least one on-site dining option. However, I like to be prepared so we made sure to bring everything ourselves. Plus, the whole reason to visit Yosemite is to be in nature and there are no shortage of beautiful nature spots to enjoy a picnic lunch or a post-hike snack. I’d also advise bringing most, if not all, of your own food if budget is an issue as most options tend to be a bit on the pricier side.
Mountain Sage is the perfect spot to stop for coffee and homemade goods on your way into Yosemite (and yes, this historic homestead also happens to be a garden center and shop, too!); they also host the local farmer’s market on Fridays until mid-October, so if you happen to be passing through on a Friday, it’s another great option for some food and produce
The Ahwahnee for a drink and/or a fine dining experience (there’s also a bar for more laid back vibes and bites)
Curry Village has several options for throughout the day from morning coffee to grab-and-go to a bar to the favorite Pizza Deck.
The Mountain Room for dinner and or drinks with a side of waterfall views (be sure to make reservations); more casual options available in the Mountain Room Lounge (also a great place to go for so s’more making in the evening) and food available throughout the day at the Base Camp Eatery
If you are staying at Autocamp they have plenty of food options, both in their shop as well as a menu you can order from
Jackalope’s Bar & Grill (located at Tenaya Lodge, in the park) for relaxed casual meals throughout the day plus they also have a full bar, in case you need a post-hike refresher
BEST FOLIAGE + PHOTO SPOTS
TUNNEL VIEW- An epic and infamous photo spot, best at sunset
YOSEMITE FALLS- Great for photos and foliage
GLACIER POINT ROAD- Beautiful for both leaf peeping and stopping to take photos
GLACIER POINT- An epic spot for sunset as well as stargazing + nighttime photography
MIRROR LAKE- The best foliage we experienced in the park
HOW MANY DAYS DO YOU NEED TO EXPLORE YOSEMITE?
We went for 24 hours and while it was definitely a very packed 24 hours, it was totally doable for catching all the main highlights. To make even more of a 24 hour stay, I’d suggest staying at a property in the park if possible to eliminate the time it takes to drive, wait in lines to get in, etc. If you want to do some of the more intense, longer hikes, and explore more off the beaten path of the park, I’d suggest planning a stay for at least 2 days/a full weekend.
WHAT TO PACK FOR YOSEMITE
CLOTHING
T-shirts
Long sleeve shirts {for layering and evenings}
Leggings
Jeans
Light jacket {for daytime}
Sweaters + sweatshirts
Loungewear
Hiking shoes
Booties
A hat
A puffy jacket (for evenings}
Hats, gloves, a scarf {for evenings}
IF YOU’RE STAYING AT AUTOCAMP
Food
Seasonings, olive oil, herbs, whatever you need to cook your food
Water
Any alcohol or beverages you want
Aluminum foil {for grilling}
Paper towels
Extra cast iron pans {they only have one, so you may need more depending on what you plant to cook}
