Wake up early to avoid the crowds
Yosemite is open all day, every day, with the exception of Hetch Hetchy Entrance Station (open during daylight hours). Yosemite Valley and Wawona are accessible by car year-round. Tioga, Glacier Point, and Mariposa Grove Roads close for the winter (usually beginning in November) and do not reopen until late May. Glacier Point/Badger Pass Road to Badger Pass Ski Area is plowed from mid-December through early April. In winter, tire chains are often required to drive park roads. You must carry chains with you and know how to use them.
Spring is the best time of year to see waterfalls. Most wildflowers bloom in June. In fall, crowds thin and leaves of the few stands of maple, oak, and dogwood trees begin to change.
Overcrowding is a significant problem, especially at Yosemite Valley in summer. Park roads, shuttles, and popular trails become extremely congested during this time. You will want to reserve accommodations well in advance or arrive early to obtain a first-come, first-served campsite.