In 2017, I created the “Yosemeter.” It allowed a quick look at determining the “best” month to spend time in Yosemite National Park for as many people as possible and their varied interests. Obviously, each month in Yosemite has its special qualities compared to other months and each month allows for different activities. Naturally, if some individuals enjoy specific activities more than others, then they might rate those months in which they can take part in those activities as more excellent compared to months when they cannot.
For example, January and February stand out when it comes to skiing (Badger Pass Ski Area and surroundings) and ice skating (Curry Village). Consequently, skiers and ice skaters may argue loudly that those are the best months to visit Yosemite. April and May provide awesome displays of churning waterfalls. Photographers will have their opinion about how visiting and photographing those falls in full display will add to their “best-time-to-visit” ratings of those two months.
Nevertheless, the Yoseme-ter addresses the best time of year for as many people as possible. According to the National Park Service and University of Idaho Summer Survey (2009), 93% of visitors to the Park indicated that “viewing scenery” described their primary activity for being in the Park. Taking a “scenic drive” and hiking came in second and third place, respectively (64% and 54%).
Of course, the prevailing weather plays an important role in limiting or broadening the number of activities available. With June and July having some of the best weather and open roads, it is not surprising that the Yosemeter ranks those two months as the “best” times to visit (see charts to the right). With that in mind, I thought I would take a “deep dive” into July to find out what makes that month so compelling for all those contemplating a trip to Yosemite.
The Yosemeter is based on a ten-point scale with “ten” being the “best” or most ideal time to engage in that activity, and “one” being the least ideal time to engage in that activity.
OVERALL PARK ACCESS RATING: 4.7
Camping Access: (3) Campsites in the Park are in high demand during July. Extra effort is required to reserve a spot, especially at one of the three campgrounds in Yosemite Valley where most visitors prefer to camp (Upper, Lower, and North Pines). That effort typically has to occur five months in advance of July by competing online against thousands of others also trying to reserve a cherished site. Three other popular campgrounds north and south of Yosemite Valley (Wawona, Hodgdon Meadow, and Tuolumne Meadows) also must be reserved five months in advance.
The more remote campgrounds (Porcupine Flat, Tamarack Flat, Crane Flat, Yosemite Creek, Bridalveil Creek, and White Wolf) can be booked two weeks in advance. See the NPS Yosemite webpage for instructions to reserve a campsite. The map above shows the location of Yosemite's campgrounds and its five Entrance Stations.
A brief look on Recreation.gov, the reservation system used by the National Park service for camping reservations, shows that, as of July 31, 2024, the next available campsite opens for one night on October 31. A few more nights can be found on November 7th when the more unpredictable weather makes camping less enjoyable. Clearly, the campsites are in high demand.
Hotels, Lodges, Camps, and Private Home Rentals Access: (6) With proper planning, you can secure lodging in Yosemite in July. It may require reservations at private rentals up to a year in advance (Wawona, Yosemite West, and Foresta) to secure a spot. This would also apply to lodging through Yosemite’s concessionaire, Aramark (TravelYosemite.com). For more details, see YosemiteMe.com's “Where to Stay” page.
Day Visitor Access: (5) For 2024, visitors staying outside of the Park from July 1 through August 15 need a three-day entrance reservation to enter all of Yosemite’s five entrances (Tioga Pass, Big Oak Flat Road, (Hwy 120), Hetch Hetchy, Arch Rock Entrance (Hwy 140), South Entrance (Hwy 41/Wawona Road). You will be denied entrance if you do not have a reservation between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. The upside to going in July is that all Park entrances are usually open (rockslides or fires are the reasons for most road closures during July).
OVERALL SIGHTSEEING RATING: 8.4
Waterfalls: (7) April and May rule as champions for being the best months to view Yosemite’s waterfalls. Nevertheless, the most popular waterfalls near Yosemite Valley can be visible through July. Nevada, Vernal, and Bridalveil Falls, in particular, have a larger “snowprint” from which to draw snow melt compared to Yosemite Falls and typically can be seen year-round, although they trend toward a trickle by late August. Illilouette Fall, similar to Vernal and Nevada but not as well-known or as easily viewable, also lingers longer than Yosemite Falls. Ribbon Fall (just west of El Capitan), Sentinel Fall (seen from the southern Valley wall near Sentinel Dome), and Silver Strand Fall (viewed at Tunnel View overlook to the right) usually go dry by July.
Yosemite Valley: (8) The long, sunny days extend the sightseeing in Yosemite Valley. Tram tours allow a quick and comfortable way to see all the Valley has to offer, from waterfalls to tunnel view and from Curry Village to Happy Isles. Multiple scenic trails begin in the Valley guiding visitors to the rim of the Valley where scenic views abound. The longer days facilitate perfect conditions for bicycling along the many trails in the Valley, the best way to see all the Valley has to offer! Morning and evening walks/hikes have few equals in the cooler temperatures of the day. Of course, these activities require that visitors secure either a day reservation seven days in advance of their arrival date (at recreation.gov) or a lodging reservation gained up to one year in advance for lodging at Curry Village, Yosemite Valley Lodge, Ahwahnee Hotel, and Housekeeping Camp (at travelyosemite.com), and five months in advance for the four Valley Campgrounds; Upper, Lower, and North Pines, and Camp Four (at recreation.gov).
Glacier Point/Sentinel Dome: (8) The road to Glacier Point is open and clear for a pleasing trip that rewards mightily during July. The scenic overlook typically allows for clear views of five waterfalls during July (Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls, Nevada, Vernal, and Ililouette Falls). In addition, the granite domes and peaks of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range dominate the skyline and the multiple viewing spots promote prime picture-taking opportunities. Two cautionary issues need to be kept in mind. First, the parking lot fills quickly so a pre-10:00 a.m. arrival is recommended. Also, there exists some chance of smoke from fires inside or outside the Park in July (although most fires in Yosemite start in August from thunderstorms or humans).
Mariposa Grove of Big Trees (and the smaller Tuolumne and Merced Groves): (9) During July the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias provides stunning and up-close views of massive redwoods along a moderately ascending pathway. Dappled sunlight during the early morning and late afternoon hours along with the cooler temperatures make for an unforgettable journey through ages long past. Tree markers also provide educational material highlighting the lives of these behemoths and the ecosystem required to allow them to thrive for thousands of years.
Accessibility is remarkably good despite expected midday crowds. The parking lot at the Welcome Plaza has a high capacity for motor vehicles. The shuttles that take visitors up the two-mile road to the Lower Grove are in full operation in July and arrive about every 15 to 20 minutes from 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. from May 25 to September 2. The last bus leaves Mariposa Grove at 8:00 p.m. Midday crowds may require waiting for a second shuttle to arrive to and depart from the Grove, but, overall, the wait is a small price to pay for the memorable experience.
Tuolumne Meadows: (9) The snowpack has melted, the Tuolumne River glistens, and the meadow retains its greenery during July. Wildflowers can still be enjoyed at this elevation (8,600 feet; 2,600 meters). Parking access can be tricky during midday, but people are on the move and it does not take long for spaces to open up. The Lembert Dome picnic area provides a nice stop to rest and eat (although the pit toilets are a little annoying). The grill at Tuolumne Meadows is also up and running ready to serve. Although the Tuolumne Meadows campground is undergoing refurbishment in 2024, once it opens in 2025, it will provide a complete camping experience for those wanting to avoid the crowds of Yosemite Valley. A great choice for cooler weather as well!
OVERALL WILDLIFE RATING: 7
Bears: (6) Bears tend to avoid humans unless they have become exposed to human food. Through education and bear-proof lockers and garbage cans, human-bear incidents have been reduced over the years. Overall, your chances of seeing a bear in July are minimal unless you are in the Park for a week or longer. Many factors are involved. Bears follow the food supply. As the berry season ends in July in the Valley, bears may travel many miles to higher altitudes to follow the berry harvest (making a sighting along Tioga Road, for example, a greater possibility). Some may be visible seeking out apples from the Curry Village apple orchard when they mature toward the end of summer). Bears become more visible in the Valley when the acorns fall in the autumn.
Additionally, the hotter weather in July will keep bears secluded during the day prompting them to go searching for food early in the morning and late in the evening. Your best chance might be in a campground as the aromas of human food tempt their highly developed sense of smell. Most male bears have mated by July, which reduces the chance of seeing them searching out a female. A bear viewed in late May near
Yosemite Fall.
Lone, year-old bears that have been pushed away by their mothers, may be searching for territory to settle in and do present a chance of a bear sighting. Mother bears and their cubs may be absent from the Valley during July as they too follow the food supply.
Deer: (7) The black-tailed deer of Yosemite will likely make an appearance before you during the month of July. Many have retreated to the cooler realms of the higher elevation of the Park for greener pasturage (it is common to see large numbers in Tuolumne Meadows). Does that have given birth in June in the Valley begin to venture forth with their fawns in July although with a protective eye over their white-spotted offspring (younger does have one fawn while older does will have two). They will be most active during the cool of the morning and evening hours, especially in meadows. Bucks can be identified by their still-developing velvety antlers in July.
Your chances of seeing black-tailed deer in Yosemite may increase by familiarizing yourself with their behavior as described by John Muir. He observed them “lying beneath a juniper or dwarf pine, among the brown needles on the brink of some cliff or the end of a ridge commanding a wide outlook; feeding in sunny openings among chapparal, daintily selecting aromatic leaves and twigs; leading their fawns out of the way, or making them lie down and hide: bounding past through the forest, or curiously advancing and retreating again and again.” --Wilderness Essays (1980), by John Muir. Peregrine Smith, Inc., page 153.
Three bucks viewed near Tuolumne Meadows in late August.
Other Mammals: (Not Rated) Yosemite is home to over 90 mammal species. Seventeen of those have received special status due to declining populations according to one YNP webpage. Additionally, many species avoid human contact or can only be found in remote environments (e.g., the bighorn sheep). Although possible to spot one of the following mammals, they are rarely seen by visitors: Red Fox, bobcat, mountain lion, striped skunk, wolverine, river otter, weasels and minks, porcupine, and badger.
More commonly seen are mammals such as coyotes, raccoons, yellow bellied marmots (near Olmstead Point and other rocky high elevation environments), various bats, opossums, rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, gophers, mice, and rats.
Birds: (8) Over 265 species of birds have been observed in Yosemite, this includes a substantial number that arrive for the summer, including the month of July. Forty-five families of birds can regularly be seen throughout the Park, making bird watching a worthwhile activity. The Yosemite National Park website lists some commonly seen birds in Yosemite.
Several migratory bird species pass through in the higher elevations of the Park (see NPS Yosemite Bird Checklist here). Early morning and late evening provide the best viewing times. The National Park Service and the Yosemite Conservancy sponsor bird watching programs.
A Sooty Grouse viewed near May Lake in
late August.
For example, in July 2024, the Yosemite Guide for July indicates a 2 ½-hour “Bird Walk” program at 7:30 a.m. at Tuolumne Meadows on Saturdays and Wednesdays. Utilizing the skills of experts greatly enhances the experience!
KEEP 'DIVING INTO JULY' BY READING PART 2 NEXT MONTH
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