Yosemite National Park turns into a golden wonderland every autumn, and honestly, it’s one of California’s most spectacular fall foliage spots. The best window for catching Yosemite’s fall colors is usually mid-October to early November, when the maples glow yellow and the aspen groves shimmer in deep amber across the valley.

From my own wanderings during Yosemite’s fall, October really nails that sweet spot: warm, sunny days and crisp nights, which is apparently what trees love for showing off. Because the park sprawls across so many elevations, you get a patchwork of color—one area might be peaking while another’s just getting started. It’s a bit of a treasure hunt, honestly.

I’ll run through the best viewing spots I’ve found, from famous overlooks like Tunnel View to quieter corners along the Merced River. If you’re heading up in October, you’ll get a sense of which trees put on the biggest show and how to catch that fleeting peak.

Yosemite Fall Colors: Where and When to See Foliage in October

Best Time to See Fall Colors in Yosemite

The sweet spot for fall colors in Yosemite is mid-to-late October, when the deciduous trees are at their brightest, though timing shifts with elevation and the year’s weather. Higher areas can get a jump on color, but access isn’t always guaranteed as the season moves on.

Peak Foliage Timing in Yosemite Valley and Beyond

I’d say aim for the second half of October if you want the best shot at full-on color. Things usually start turning in early October and can last into November, but that’s always a bit of a gamble with the weather.

Yosemite in October is hard to beat for color and overall conditions. Bigleaf maples and California black oaks really light up the valley with yellows and bronze.

Quaking aspens usually peak around mid-October, especially in the higher spots. Pacific dogwoods and sugar maples throw in those pops of red and scarlet—blink and you’ll miss them.

The show sometimes stretches into early November in sheltered areas, but late October storms can wipe out the leaves in a hurry. I’ve learned not to push my luck too far into the month.

Seasonal Color Progression by Elevation

Up at 8,000 feet or so, things get going first—usually late September. I always notice the aspens along Tioga Road turn gold before anything in the valley even hints at autumn.

Mid-elevation spots, maybe 4,000 to 6,000 feet, tend to hit their stride in early to mid-October. Think Glacier Point Road and the Badger Pass area.

Yosemite Valley, sitting at 4,000 feet, is pretty much last to the party—usually around the third week of October. It’s just warmer down there, so the color lags behind the high country.

Wawona’s oaks and cottonwoods often peak a little ahead of the valley maples, thanks to its slightly different microclimate. I usually see good color there by mid-October.

Weather Impacts on Color and Access

Temperature swings really make or break the color in Yosemite National Park. Those classic cool nights and sunny days? That’s what brings out the best in the leaves.

Get an early frost and the color can speed up—but you risk the leaves dropping before you even get your camera out. If autumn stays warm, the season stretches, but sometimes the colors aren’t quite as punchy.

And then there’s the road situation. Tioga Road usually closes by late October because of snow, which can cut off access to those high-elevation aspen groves just as they’re peaking.

Keep an eye on the weather—I’m always refreshing park alerts, since a surprise storm can close roads and end the color show overnight.

Yosemite in October is usually pretty stable, but you’ll want to be ready for everything from warm afternoons to frosty mornings.

Top Spots to Experience Yosemite Fall Colors

The valley floor is the easiest place to see fall color—golden cottonwoods and maples line all the famous viewpoints. If you want a bird’s-eye view, Highway 120 and Glacier Point Road are your ticket to sweeping autumn vistas over the granite domes.

Yosemite Valley Highlights

Tunnel View is the classic: that panoramic sweep over El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall, and Half Dome, all framed by golden cottonwoods. If you can drag yourself out of bed, sunrise is unreal here.

Cook’s Meadow is packed with deciduous trees, and the wooden boardwalk loop is a favorite for photos—especially with Yosemite Falls in the background.

Some of my go-to valley floor spots:

• Swinging Bridge Picnic Area – Easy Merced River access, plus views of Yosemite Falls
• El Capitan Meadow – Open grasslands edged by golden maples
• Yosemite Valley Chapel – That little historic chapel surrounded by color

Cathedral Beach and Sentinel Bridge are great for Half Dome reflections in the Merced, especially with the trees turning. The Yosemite Valley Loop Trail ties a lot of these together if you’re up for a long walk.

Lower Yosemite Falls trail is a good one for wandering through changing aspens and maples. There’s not much water by fall, but the leaves make up for it.

Scenic Drives for Fall Foliage

Glacier Point Road climbs up above the valley, and the views just keep getting better. The 16-mile drive takes you through different elevation zones—aspens, maples, you name it—set against that classic granite.

Tioga Road is all about the aspens, especially along the high-country stretch of Highway 120. Olmsted Point gives you a different angle on Half Dome, with golden aspens in the foreground.

Favorite driving routes:

• Southside Drive – Maples and cottonwoods right on the valley floor
• Northside Drive – River pullouts, lots of color
• Highway 41 – Good for Wawona and the sequoia groves

Yosemite Creek Picnic Area on Tioga Road is a nice stop for aspen photos. The elevation drop along these roads means you can chase color as it moves down the mountain.

Four Mile Trail is a workout, but the switchbacks give you changing views of the valley and the fall palette below. Every turn feels a little different.

Wawona and Mariposa Grove Walks

Mariposa Grove is home to over 500 giant sequoias, and while those giants stay green, the understory—maples and dogwoods—turns gold and red for a nice contrast.

The shuttle to the grove trailhead doesn’t always run, so sometimes you’re hiking an extra couple miles from the lot. Worth it, though.

Wawona’s lower elevation means the fall color often lasts into November. Around the historic hotel, the mature maples and oaks really put on a show—orange, red, the works.

Wawona favorites:

• Pioneer Yosemite History Center – Old buildings tucked into the fall color
• South Fork Merced River – Riparian trees with autumn hues
• Chilnualna Falls Road – Dogwoods and maples line the way

The Grizzly Giant and California Tunnel Tree are surrounded by seasonal color. Fall means cooler temps and, thankfully, far fewer crowds than summer.

High Country Color: Tioga Road and Tuolumne Meadows

Tuolumne Meadows goes full gold in early fall, as the grasslands and aspen groves change up at 8,600 feet. Up here, autumn arrives weeks before the valley even thinks about it—late September is usually peak.

Highway 120 through the high country closes with the first big snow, often by November. I try to time Tuolumne trips for late September or early October, before the road’s off-limits.

High country highlights:

• Tenaya Lake – Alpine lake, golden aspens, what more do you want?
• Lembert Dome area – Big meadow views, lots of color
• Cathedral Lakes trailhead – Aspen-lined parking areas

The contrast between the granite domes and those bright aspens is some of Yosemite’s best fall scenery. Tuolumne’s meadows shift from green to amber as winter gets closer.

By October, morning frost is common up here, adding a little sparkle to your photos. The air is crisp, the colors are intense, and the sky can look impossibly blue.

Yosemite in October: What to Expect

October in Yosemite means fewer crowds and cooler temps—pretty much perfect for a quieter fall adventure. The park shifts gears from its summer rush to a slower, more relaxed pace, though the weather can keep you guessing.

Crowds and Accessibility in Autumn

Honestly, October is when I finally breathe easy in Yosemite. Visitor numbers drop fast after Labor Day, and the park feels almost peaceful.

Parking’s a breeze compared to summer. Even busy spots like Tunnel View and Glacier Point usually have open spaces, which feels like a minor miracle if you’ve ever tried in July.

Heads up for getting around:

• Tioga Road often closes by early November—sometimes sooner if snow comes early
• Glacier Point Road usually stays open through most of November, but it’s not guaranteed
• America the Beautiful Pass is a solid deal if you’re visiting more than once

Trails are in good shape in October. Most valley hikes are still accessible, though the higher ones can get icy or snowy by the end of the month.

Weather Conditions and Packing Tips

Weather in October can be all over the map. Daytime valley temps hover around 65–75°F, but nights can dip to 35–45°F (or colder if you’re up high).

I always pack layers for the wild temperature swings—sometimes it feels like three seasons in one day. Mornings are chilly and foggy, but by afternoon you might be in a T-shirt.

Don’t forget:

• Warm jacket for mornings and evenings
• Light layers for hiking midday
• Rain gear—October storms aren’t unheard of
• Hat and gloves if you’re heading to higher elevations

Up at Glacier Point or anywhere high, it can get downright cold at night—sometimes below freezing, and snow isn’t out of the question. Be ready for anything, and you’ll have a much better trip.

Wildlife and Photographic Opportunities

October's got a knack for turning Yosemite into a photographer's playground. Golden autumn light creates dreamy photography opportunities—seriously, the fall colors just pop against those granite cliffs.

Wildlife gets busy this time of year. Black bears are out hustling for acorns and berries, packing on the pounds before winter hits. Deer start showing up more in the valley, too, since they're moving to lower ground for the season.

Prime photography locations:

• Yosemite Chapel area for sugar maples turning red
• El Portal Road for colorful poison oak displays
• Valley floor for deer and bear photography

When the morning fog rolls in, waterfalls take on this moody, almost mystical vibe. Some of my favorite shots have come from those crisp October mornings, with the granite practically glowing against the changing leaves.

Bird migration is peaking, too. Hawks, eagles, and a whole variety of songbirds pass through, adding even more to photograph if you’re patient (and lucky).

Iconic Trees and Foliage of Yosemite in Fall

Yosemite in fall is really something else, thanks to the mix of tree species. The park’s elevations mean you get different colors at different spots—maples on the valley floor, aspens higher up. Makes you want to keep wandering just to see what’s around the next bend.

Bigleaf Maples, Dogwoods, and Black Oaks

Bigleaf maples are showstoppers with their massive leaves turning wild shades of yellow and orange. You’ll mostly find them hanging out by streams and rivers, soaking up the moisture.

I’ve always thought dogwoods steal the show, though. Their deep red leaves are just unreal in the fall. Dogwoods form red pigment anthocyanin when sunny days and cool nights trap sugars in leaves, so they get that signature crimson that just begs for a photo.

Black oaks take over a lot of the valley, their leaves shifting from green to gold and then to this rich, warm brown. It’s subtle, but it really fills out the autumn palette.

Prime viewing locations for these species:

• Yosemite Valley floor near the Merced River
• Ahwahnee Meadow area
• Along hiking trails in the valley

Timing depends on where you are, but valley trees usually hit their peak late October or early November. Sometimes you just have to roll the dice and hope you catch it right.

Giant Sequoias and Unique Species

Giant sequoias don’t really do the whole fall color thing—they’re evergreen, after all. Still, their reddish-brown bark stands out even more with all the color around them. It’s a contrast you don’t want to miss.

Mariposa Grove is the classic spot for this. Those ancient sequoias just tower over everything, and the smaller trees at their feet light up with autumn color.

Other trees worth seeking out:

• Quaking aspens – bright golden yellow leaves
• Cottonwoods – pale yellow foliage
• Willows – soft yellow-green colors

All these different species layer the park in color, especially if you’re hiking across elevations. It’s honestly one of the best times to just wander and see what you stumble across.

Where to Find the Brightest Colors

Yosemite Valley offers the best overall fall color viewing—think iconic backdrops like Half Dome and Yosemite Falls. The valley’s sheltered setting and nearby water keep a surprising variety of trees happy here.

Sentinel Bridge gives you those classic views of Half Dome, framed by colorful trees and the Merced River. If you’re into photography, this spot really shines around golden hour.

Top locations by elevation:

Location	Elevation	Best Colors
Yosemite Valley	4,000 ft	Maples, dogwoods
Wawona area	4,000 ft	Black oaks, maples
Tuolumne Grove area	6,000 ft	Aspens, mixed conifers

Up at higher spots like Tuolumne Meadows, the colors usually peak earlier—late September or early October if you’re lucky. Down in the valley, though, you’ve got a shot at catching the show all the way into November.