The spring is when parents begin to consider where they will take their families for their summer vacations. Yosemite National Park must obviously makes the list with millions every year, most of whom choose the summertime as prime visiting time, as is evidenced by the myriad of Yosemite tours snaking through the Yosemite Valley. But there are a couple of rewards for those who think differently and push their plans forward for earlier visits.
First and foremost, there is a tranquility to be found in the spring that is never possible in the peak summer months. Traffic is a fraction of what it is during the peak season, lines at the few shops are non-existent, and the hotels, restaurants, and campsites are available without having to roll the dice with bad odds that you’ll find yourself being able to wedge in amongst the many at tourist high season.
As well, the Yosemite Valley is freshly awoken and exhibits a fresh palette with the sights of spring. The flowers have emerged and blanket the fields and meadows with butterflies seemingly taking inventory. The animals have all come out and seem especially active. And there is no better time to catch the waterworks show in Yosemite. The snowmelt is producing such volumes that the waterfalls are at their most impressive in the spring, producing the images that we are all so familiar with through Ansel Adams’ incredible photography. Spring delivers what most people envision from their experiences when taking Yosemite tours, and but settle on what is available during the summer because they choose to visit in the busy summer. If you can shift your plans ahead, spring will undoubtedly deliver the best Yosemite you could imagine.
