Thanksgiving week is one of the most popular times of year to take a break, and Yosemite Valley is a lovely place to spend it. The summer crowds are long gone, the light is low and golden, and the granite walls look their best in the cold. This year, Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 26. Here is what to expect and how to plan a calm, comfortable visit.
What the Valley is like in late November
Expect cold mornings, mild-to-cool afternoons and early sunsets. The sun drops behind the valley walls well before dark, so your best daylight hours are short. Most leaves have fallen by now, which gives the Valley a bare, quiet look. Waterfalls are usually at their lowest, so plan around the cliffs, the river and the views instead. Our post on Yosemite Valley in late fall covers this in more detail.
Holiday weekends can still be busy
Even in the off-season, a long holiday weekend brings more visitors than a typical November weekday. Parking near popular spots like Yosemite Falls and Yosemite Village can fill up. To keep things easy:
- Arrive early. Get to the Valley in the morning, before the day-trip crowd.
- Park once. Leave the car and walk or use the Valley shuttle when it is running, rather than moving between lots.
- Visit midweek if you can. Tuesday and Wednesday are usually calmer than the weekend.
Easy walks for a holiday visit
You do not need a big hike to enjoy Yosemite at Thanksgiving. These flat, short options work well for families and for anyone who wants a gentle day:
- Cook’s Meadow loop: a flat walk with open views of Half Dome, Yosemite Falls and Sentinel Rock.
- Lower Yosemite Fall trail: a short, paved loop that is worth doing in any season.
- Sentinel Beach: a calm spot on the Merced River to watch the light change on the valley walls.
If you want something longer, see our picks for the best Yosemite Valley hikes when the high country closes.
What to pack
- Warm layers. Mornings can be near freezing. Bring a hat, gloves and an insulated jacket you can take off in the afternoon sun.
- Sturdy shoes with good grip. Shaded trails and bridges can stay icy all day after a cold night.
- A headlamp. Daylight ends early, and the Valley gets dark fast once the sun is behind the walls.
- Snacks and water. Food service in the park is limited in the off-season, so bring a picnic lunch and a thermos of something warm.
- Tire chains. A storm can bring snow to park roads quickly, and chain controls can go up with little warning.
Check roads before you drive
Late November is when winter weather starts to change park access. Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road typically close for the season around now, which puts high-country spots like Tuolumne Meadows out of reach by car. Yosemite Valley stays open all year, so it is the best base for a holiday trip. Read our guide to driving to Yosemite in late fall for chain rules and what is still open, and see which viewpoints you can still reach in our top 5 Yosemite viewpoints.
A simple plan for the day
Arrive in the Valley by mid-morning, take an easy loop while the light is soft, and have a picnic lunch near the river. Save the afternoon for a viewpoint or a slow walk, and head out before dark. If you are staying overnight, book as early as you can, since holiday weekends fill up quickly.
Conditions change quickly in late fall. Check the National Park Service’s current conditions page for road status, weather and closures before you go. The images in this post are illustrations, not photographs.
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