I think people spend too much time planning and trying to make everything perfect.
Is November the absolute best time of year to spend a weekend in Yosemite? Maybe not, the waterfalls are best in the spring and the colors are beautiful earlier in the fall.
If you get the opportunity to visit Yosemite in November you should definitely go. It’s less crowded and the views are still spectacular. I love traveling during the off season! The first time I went to Yosemite was in the month of June and honestly, I had an equally great experience both times.
Here are three things you should do if you are in Yosemite. I’ll include some details specific to late fall, but these are great places to visit in the park all year.
1. El Capitan Meadow
In my opinion this is the perfect introduction to the park. Whether it’s your first time or your 100th time visiting, staring down the incredible cliff face is simply jaw-dropping.
In the late fall the grass has turned yellow and I absolutely love the colors at sunset. Take your time walking around at the base of El Capital or the trail across the meadow on the opposite side of the road.
2. Taft Point
Unlike all the other locations on this list, Taft Point requires a hike. In my opinion that’s what makes it special. I love feeling like I’ve worked a bit for a good view and 2.2 miles round trip is exactly the right amount to escape into nature for a while without taking too much time. That also means that it can be less crowded than Glacier Point.
Along with being a beautiful view, I also found this to be a great birding trail! I saw lots of chickadees, stellar’s jays, and even a canyon wren!
3. Camp 4
I’m a rock climbing nerd, so even though I’m not a super strong climber I definitely wanted to check out Camp 4. There is a lot of interesting history there and it was really fun to walk around, explore, and see other people climbing.
If you’re interested in climbing definitely plan to visit this spot on your visit. If not you can probably skip it, that’s up to you!
4. Mirror Lake
totally dry!
This one might be polarizing because some people might say late fall is the worst time to visit this area. In my opinion, November is a fantastic time to hike around mirror lake – as long as you know what to expect!
If you are set on seeing gorgeous Mirror Lake reflecting like glass in November you are going to be disappointed. It was completely dried up when we were there.
However, that doesn’t mean you should skip it! We had so much fun walking around on the lake bed and taking in the views.
5. Mariposa Grove
The first time I was at Yosemite, Mariposa Grove was closed for a restoration project so I was thrilled that it was open the next time. I definitely recommend this during the late fall because it’s evergreens! Beautiful all year!
I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of wildlife I got to see there – plenty of woodpeckers and deer.
6. Sunrise at Glacier Point
THIS. Glacier Point is iconic for a reason!
Don’t get me wrong, it’s great to visit all day. There’s just something about watching the light change over the landscape at sunrise that is beyond worth the early alarm.
Bring a blanket, some coffee, and cozy up to watch the cliffs change color.
As always, be respectful during your time in the park and appreciate our protected lands. If you want to support US parks, check out the National Park Foundation and head over to my clothing line, Wild and Tree! 10% of sales from our national park design are donated to the National Park Foundation.
