Yosemite Weather & Seasonal Conditions

Yosemite is a remarkable place with picture-perfect weather nearly 9 months a year. Most days are bright and sunny with cool, comfortable (and, at times, crisp) evenings.

Thanks to the generosity of the Yosemite Conservancy and their donors, we can see El Capitan, Half Dome, the High Country, and Yosemite Falls in real time.

Keep in mind that Rush Creek Lodge is at an elevation that is 600 feet higher than the Yosemite Valley, so the temperature tends to be a few degrees cooler at the lodge.

Spring is a time of transition with booming waterfalls and blooming wildflowers. This is when the snow melts away (though much more slowly in the High Country) and wildlife becomes more active. In late spring, Tioga Pass reopens allowing easy access to Tuolumne Meadows and the High Country and easy transit through Yosemite from the east. While spring weather is usually magnificent, it’s not unheard of for a late-season storm to bring snow in April or even May.

Summer is glorious with warm temperatures even in the High Country. During summer months, we seldom see any rain – indeed, we’ve often gone months without precipitation. Days are warm, sometimes hot, and nights are almost always cool thanks to our dry climate. This consistent, wonderful weather is perfect for hiking, swimming, fishing, biking or just hanging out.

Fall is a quiet, gentle period with cooler temperatures, colorful changing trees and fewer people. It offers mild, sunny days with cool nights, perfect for recreation and campfires. Like summer, autumn in Yosemite is dry – we seldom see rain before November. For many travelers, fall is the best time to visit the Park.

Winter is our favorite time of year in Yosemite. In general, the pace is slower, the snow makes everything even more spectacular and visitors feel they have been presented with a wonderful gift. Typical seasonal conditions include:

• Glorious weather with mostly sunny days and cool, crisp nights
• Waterfalls flowing again…with nearby Wapama Falls at Hetch Hetchy booming!
• Abundant snow at higher elevations, making for great snowshoeing, sledding and cross-country skiing
• Limited snowfall around the lodge allowing for easy access
• Breathtaking views and winter scenery
• We’ve got you covered with adventure gear rentals such as trekking poles and snowshoes for the whole family

While the Sierra Nevada mountains are among the sunniest on earth, they still get plenty of snow in wintertime, especially in the high country. Rush Creek Lodge, located at 4,600 feet, generally has mild winter weather with limited snowfall and is easily accessible year-round. That said, we do get winter storms from time to time. In the event of a power outage, we’ve got you covered! Rush Creek Lodge is equipped with property-wide generators to keep the fun times rolling no matter the weather.

Winter Driving Information

The road leading to the lodge is usually snow-free and dry and is plowed as necessary (usually by mid-morning) after snowfalls. We recommend that you carry chains with you throughout the winter and be aware of icy spots that are difficult to see. It is also a good idea to keep warm, dry clothing, and extra water in your vehicle. Road conditions can change quickly, so please drive carefully on all mountain roads and avoid exceeding 30 mph on Evergreen Road at all times.

Please note that at times there are chain restrictions as you enter Yosemite National Park. You are required to carry chains for your vehicle when you enter a chain control area, even if you have a 4-wheel drive vehicle.

For the most current road conditions in Yosemite National Park, call (209)­ 372-0200, then select option 1 twice. Here is a list of explanations for the chain control codes used by the National Park Service.

R0 – No chains required

R1 – Tire chains required for all vehicles unless they have snow tires
Chains are required for all vehicles unless they have snow tires – even 4-wheel drive vehicles without snow tires must use chains

R2 – Tire chains required for all vehicles unless they have snow tires and 4-wheel drive
Chains are required for all vehicles unless they have snow tires on all four wheels and the vehicle is engaged in 4-wheel drive. This applies to all 4-wheel drive passenger vehicles with an unladen weight of less than 6500 lbs

R3 – Tire chains required for ALL vehicles
Chains are required on all vehicles with no exceptions

Please note that Tioga Pass, located on Route 120 on the EAST SIDE of Yosemite National Park (near the Nevada border) closes each winter. While closing and opening dates vary from year to year, Tioga Pass typically closes in mid to late November and reopens in mid-May. This closure does not affect travelers coming from the west (e.g. Bay Area, Los Angeles, Sacramento, etc.). During winter months, guests traveling from the east side of the Sierras will need to cross the mountains either north or south of the Park. You can use this link to see the history of opening and closing dates for the Tioga Road, and visit the National Park Service Current Conditions page for current status.

Please call the lodge at [eeb_content](209)­ 379-2373[/eeb_content] if you need additional information about current or seasonal weather conditions.