Yosemite National Park in September

May hits the sweet spot. Waterfalls rage at full power from snowmelt, wildflowers carpet the valley floor, and Tioga Pass usually opens for high country access. You'll deal with crowds, but the payoff is worth it. September and October offer the best weather with warm days, cool nights, and smaller crowds. The waterfalls slow to a trickle, but the light is golden and parking becomes manageable. April can be magical if you luck into good weather — fewer people and decent water flow. But Glacier Road and Tioga Pass stay closed until late spring. Winter transforms the park into a snow-covered wonderland. Yosemite Falls freezes into an ice cone, and you might have Half Dome views to yourself. Just bring chains and expect road closures. Summer means traffic jams, full campgrounds, and 90-degree valley heat. But it's also when everything is accessible and families can explore freely.