November is a magical time to visit the park. In the early part of the month, most of the park is still likely to be open, so there’s still time to catch views of Yosemite’s high country and some spectacular fall color. Later in the month, Yosemite provides a stunning backdrop for a Thanksgiving—or Thanksgiving-adjacent—gathering with friends and family. November is also a quiet time of the year outside of the holiday weekend. Expect empty parking lots and trails filled with solitude.
Here’s what you need to know to plan a fun trip to Yosemite in November.
- Yosemite Weather in November – Be Flexible
- Stop for Yosemite Fall Color
- What’s Open in Yosemite in November
- What to Do In Yosemite in November
- Thanksgiving in Yosemite
Yosemite Weather in November – Be Flexible
Yosemite Valley’s golden colors add to the iconic scenery.
If you’re wondering about Yosemite weather in November, the short answer is: be ready for anything. This is an in-between season, when conditions can shift quickly—from t-shirt weather to snow boots and back again in a single day. Stay flexible and enjoy all of the magical conditions Yosemite can provide in November – from brilliant fall color to a fresh dusting of snow.
Average high temperatures in Yosemite Valley dip from 71°F/ 22°C in October to just 56°F/ 13°C in November, with cooler nights as well.
After the dry summer, clouds begin to build, creating dramatic skies that draw photographers from miles around. Sometimes, those clouds herald the season’s first rain or snow.
Before your trip, check the interactive Current Conditions Map on the NPS page for information on weather forecasts, webcams, and water flow in different parts of the park. For current road conditions, get the best and most up-to-date information by calling the hotline at 209-372-0200 (press 1 and 1 again) to listen to the recording. Chain controls could be in effect.
Pro tip: Use Yosemite’s range of elevations to your advantage. The magic of the mountain means higher elevations are cooler and more likely to see snow, while lower elevations remain more mild well into winter.
What to Pack for Yosemite in November?
Because of the variable Yosemite weather in November, layers are essential. Pack long-sleeve shirts, sweaters, a puffy jacket, warm socks, a rain shell, and a winter hat. These will keep you comfortable during chilly mornings, evenings, and higher-elevation hikes.
Booking a Yosemite rental cabin with a washer and dryer at The Redwoods In Yosemite will give you more confidence to venture into changing weather conditions, knowing tha you’ll be able to dry your clothes quickly and easily if it does rain or snow.
Other November essentials include:
- A headlamp or flashlight (sunsets come early in November)
- Chains or snow socks for your tires – review chain control requirements.
Yosemite Fall Color in November
Yosemite’s autumn color lasts well into November
Fall color lingers into early November, and Yosemite’s mix of peach and rose-colored dogwoods, as well as yellow big leaf maples, aspens, and cottonwoods offers a feast for the eyes.
At higher elevations, clusters of yellow aspen leaves dance in the wind. Meanwhile, other trees, like conifers and live oaks, provide a rich green background that makes the reds and yellows stand out even more.
When to Expect Fall Color in Yosemite
Peak color is often most impressive toward the end of October, but many trees still hold their leaves into November, and the first truly heavy winter storms arrive.
Where to Enjoy Fall Color in Yosemite
- Yosemite Valley and Wawona: Catch the last brilliance of the sugar maple near Yosemite Chapel in Yosemite Valley, and relish the brilliance of the big leaf maples, dogwoods and the willows that climb up into gullies high above the valley floor.
- Higher elevations (Glacier Point or Tuolumne Meadows): Add a few quaking aspen to the autumnal mix with their yellow leaves fluttering in the breeze. At these elevations, you can also find more low-growing shrubs, such as grouseberry and whortleberry, turning yellow.
- Lower elevations (Hwy 140 toward El Portal): Cottonwoods glow yellow, while poison oak adds splashes of red— a beauty best admired from a safe distance.
What’s Open in Yosemite in November?
Yosemite is open year-round, and many of the park’s most famous sights are accessible in November.
Yosemite Valley is Open
Autumn colors paired with one of Yosemite’s historic bridges – the Pohono Bridge.
In November, the park’s most iconic scenery is visible and more peaceful than in summer. Enjoy views of Half Dome, El Capitan, and Yosemite Falls after autumn rains have brought the waterfall back to life.
Wawona is Open
Home to the Redwoods In Yosemite cabins, Wawona offers scenic hikes, historic points of interest, waterfalls, and lush meadows of its own, not to mention its proximity to the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias.
Seasonal Road Closures
In Yosemite, high-elevation roads become covered in snow and close to vehicles around the middle of November, though it can occasionally happen earlier or stay open into December.
Tioga Road (to Tuolumne Meadows and Lee Vining), Glacier Point Road (to Glacier Point), and the Mariposa Grove Road remain unplowed during the winter months, making these areas harder to get to.
Exact closing dates depend on the weather conditions, and because each road is at a different elevation, can close at different times. Review historic road opening and closing dates on the NPS website for details.
What to Do in Yosemite in November?
There’s no shortage of activities in Yosemite in November.
Visit the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequioas
Enjoy a moment at the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. Photo: Nancy Robbins
Stand among towering sequioas like the Grizzly Giant and walk through the living California Tunnel Tree. These ancient and majestic trees tower above with a calming sense of wisdom and patience.
For those with more energy, continue up to the Upper Grove past many more trees like the Clothespin, Faithful Couple, and Telescope Trees.
Conditions permitting, the free shuttle from the parking area to the giant sequoias in the Lower Grove continues to run through the end of November. However, the road is steep and twisting, so be sure to double check that this service is available during your visit. If the shuttle is not running, you can still get to the Lower Grove via a 2-mile (one-way) hike up the Washburn Trail.
Wawona Hiking Trails
The Wawona Meadow Loop is one of the dog-friendly trails in Yosemite.
Not far from your Redwoods In Yosemite cabin, you’ll find fun trails to explore like the hike to Wawona’s Swinging Bridge, the Wawona Meadow Loop, and Chilnualna Falls Trail. All of these trails remain open and accessible in November.
Visit the historic buildings at the Yosemite History Center for a glimpse of the park’s past. Cross the covered bridge, peek through the door of the old jail, or learn the history of Chinese immigrants in the old Chinese Laundry building.
Yosemite Valley Trails
Yosemite Valley trails are often packed out and hikeable year-round. In November, they could be entirely dry, but if there has been significant snowfall prior to your visit, you may want to consider bringing hiking poles or traction devices/microspikes for your shoes to avoid slipping.
- The Mist / John Muir Trail contains a winter-appropriate path to visit the tops of Vernal and Nevada Falls so you can explore these famous waterfalls year-round. If there have been some significant storms before your visit, double-check to see which routes you should take to get there.
- Lower Yosemite Falls / Cooks Meadow – these two trails connect to form relatively flat loops surrounded by iconic scenery.
- Upper Yosemite Fall Trail – Now that it’s a little cooler, and the Yosemite Falls have been refreshed, this is a great time to explore this sunny trail.
Visit the High Country
Biking around with a view of Lembert Dome in Tuolumne Meadows
Photo: Yuli Gotsev
If Tioga Road is open during your November visit, take advantage of the ongoing access to experience spectacular roadside pullouts like Olmsted Point (views of Half Dome from the other side) and explore the many scenic trails. With fewer visitors in November, you’ll have them all to yourself.
Celebrate Thanksgiving in Yosemite
Spacious kitchens accommodate even the most ambitious chefs. El Capitan (67)
Rent a spacious Redwoods In Yosemite cabin with a full kitchen to host a Thanksgiving Feast for the whole family. Larger groups can rent Retreat and Recharge cabin clusters to stay close together and combine some extra space and privacy with the convenience of having each other literally next door.
Prefer not to cook? Check out the Thanksgiving Dinner events in the park.
Enjoy Your Private Yosemite Cabin
Relax in front of a roaring fire in your cozy Yosemite Cabin (Williams Cabin 57)
November’s long evenings are perfect for cozy cabin living. Curl up by the fireplace, relax in a private hot tub, or simply enjoy the peace of your own space after a day of exploring the park.
Find cabins with amenities that you might enjoy by clicking on the Show More Filters button on the cabin rentals page.)
Book Your Yosemite Rental Cabin
More November Adventures in Yosemite
- Go whistling into history when you climb aboard a historic steam train at Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad. 1-hour narrated tours depart from just outside the park.
- Become a Junior Ranger. Kids and adults love these activities that help you engage more deeply with the park. (There are more than a few 60+ year olds in the Junior Ranger roster. It really is for everyone.)
- Explore by horseback with Yosemite Trails (available into November, weather permitting). Ride with real cowboys and cowgirls along scenic mountain trails and across flowing streams.
- Visit the Thomas Hill Studio (also the Wawona Visitor’s Center) to learn about the life of this renowned Yosemite artist, and chat with some Yosemite rangers if you have any questions.
Written by: Theresa Ho
Theresa moved to Yosemite on a rock climbing sabbatical in April 2003 and has been living full-time in Yosemite ever since. Currently, when not working as a marketing freelancer, you’ll find Theresa hiking, climbing, and skiing through Yosemite’s beautiful landscapes or nature journaling with drawing supplies and watercolors.
