Planning an autumn vacation to Yosemite National Park? Set your sights on visiting Yosemite in October — just as seasonal crowds thin out and fall colors explode.
In fact, October is a sweet spot for visiting Yosemite; it’s early enough that many of the park’s facilities and roads are still open, but it’s after the summer season’s tourist rush and heat. Enjoy the brisk fall air and lighter crowds while experiencing these three must-do Yosemite activities in October.
Getting to Yosemite National Park
- Drive about 90 minutes north from Fresno Yosemite International Airport
- Drive about three hours east from San Francisco International Airport
- Drive less than three hours southeast from Sacramento International Airport
Go Trout Fishing
With mountain lakes and nearly 800 miles of permanent streams, Yosemite is an angler’s haven year-round, and October is prime trout fishing time. Drive to Hetch Hetchy Reservoir to cast your rods. Thanks to its low elevation, Hetch Hetchy has one of the park’s longest hiking seasons and is an excellent spot to stop and fish. Reel in brown trout, or catch and release rainbow trout. A California fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older and is available at the Mountain Shop at Half Dome Village. Children younger than 16 may fish without a license if accompanied by a license-carrying adult.