Yosemite in spring — waterfalls peak, RV camping March-May
PickRV Editorial
The small team behind PickRV
spring warmth
32°–73°F
Highlights
5
RV advisories
4
Permits
2
Spring is Yosemite's most cinematic season. Snowmelt sends Yosemite Falls thundering at 200+ million gallons per day — the moment to see the tallest waterfall in North America at peak power. Wildflowers carpet the meadows. Black bears emerge from dens with cubs. The trade-off: Tioga Road (Hwy 120 across the Sierra) stays closed well into May or even June. Glacier Point Road follows the same calendar. Plan a valley-focused trip and accept that you can't drive the high country. Valley campgrounds (Upper, Lower, North Pines) book 5 months in advance through Recreation.gov. Spring is when you compete with everyone who learned about the firefall in February.
Same park, other seasons
Pack for this
Typical weather, month by month
March
Snowy in high country · valley wet · waterfalls swelling
April
Mostly dry · valley warming · high country still under snow
May
Waterfall peak · Tioga Road may open late month
What's special now
Highlights this season
Yosemite Falls at peak flow
Late April through early June is the loudest, most powerful Yosemite Falls of the year. The Lower Yosemite Falls trail (1 mile) is paved, RV-accessible, and stroller-friendly.
Bridalveil Fall + Cook's Meadow loop
Bridalveil Fall is dramatic in spring. The Cook's Meadow loop offers the iconic Half Dome backdrop without the parking nightmare of Glacier Point.
Tunnel View at sunrise
The classic Yosemite postcard. Spring mornings often have lingering mist in the valley — magical photography window.
Hetch Hetchy day-trip
The lesser-visited northwest corner. Waterfalls Wapama and Tueeulala roar through May. Day-use only — no RV camping inside the area itself.
Wildflowers in Cook's + Sentinel Meadows
Lupine and shooting stars peak May. The valley meadows offer botany without elevation gain.
Time it right
When to go
Best window to plan
Aim for late April or early May for the best balance: waterfalls still roaring, valley access full, crowds before the summer peak. Book exactly 5 months in advance on Recreation.gov at 7am Pacific the day reservations release for your dates.
Before you tow in
RV-specific considerations
Tioga Road closed
The high-country Hwy 120 across the Sierra usually opens late May to late June, weather dependent. Plan a valley-only loop if traveling March or April.
NPS sourceGlacier Point Road
Closed through winter into May. Even when 'open,' it's typically gated past Badger Pass until late May.
Length limits
Upper Pines: 35 ft max. Lower Pines + North Pines: up to 40 ft. Wawona: 35 ft. Crane Flat: 35 ft. No campground inside the park has hookups.
Dump stations
Upper Pines and Wawona dump stations open year-round when those campgrounds are open. Plan around the season's open schedule.
Reserve ahead
Permits + reservations
Half Dome cables permit
Required mid-May through mid-October when cables are up. Apply through Recreation.gov lottery in March.
Official sourceStay safe out there
Safety considerations
- Spring rivers are deadly cold and fast. The Merced kills swimmers every year — stay out of the water.
- Black bears with cubs are easily startled. Give 100-yard distance. Use bear-proof food storage at all campgrounds.
- Waterfall mist makes granite slabs glass-slick. Don't approach unprotected edges.
- Cell service is poor inside the park. Download offline maps.
- Rockfall is more common after wet winters. Don't camp under cliff faces.
No surprises
Honest pricing reality
What it actually costs
Valley campground rates: $36/night. Wawona: $36/night. Crane Flat: $36/night. Outside the park, private RV parks in El Portal and Mariposa run $50-90/night with hookups. Fuel in Mariposa runs $0.30-0.50/gal above Bay Area average — fuel up in Merced or Modesto.
Quick answers
Frequently asked
When does Yosemite Tioga Road open?
Typically late May to late June, depending on snowpack. Check current status before planning a through-route. In a heavy snow year, the road may not open until July.
When are Yosemite waterfalls at peak flow?
Late April through early June. Yosemite Falls runs year-round in wet years; in drought years, it can dry up by August. Spring is the only guaranteed window for full power.
Can I camp in Yosemite Valley with a 35-foot RV?
Yes, in Upper Pines (max 35 ft) and Lower Pines (max 40 ft). Book exactly 5 months ahead on Recreation.gov. Sites disappear within minutes of opening.
Do I need a reservation to enter Yosemite in spring?
Yosemite has been implementing day-use reservations during peak demand windows (often April-October). Check the NPS site for the current year's policy before you travel.
What the NPS site won't tell you
The NPS doesn't say this, but: when reservations sell out, the daily 'unreserved sites' at Camp 4 (walk-up only) sometimes have space at sunrise after holiday weekends. It's a tent campground (no RV sites), so park your rig in the day-use lot and tent-camp for a night while you scout for an opening.
Sources we checked
Keep planning