Yosemite in November: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack
Shoulder · VisitWhen score 68/100 · #4 of 12 months
November is a solid shoulder-season month to visit Yosemite National Park: crowds run 40% of the August peak (216,341 average visits). Weather: highs average 56°F and lows 33°F, with 4.0″ of precipitation and 10.2 hours of daylight. Roads and services are only partly open this month — see the access note below. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.
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Bring for Yosemite in November
- Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy)See it on AmazonWhy: mornings average 33°F.
- Rain shell + pack coverSee it on AmazonWhy: 4.0″ of precipitation is normal this month.
- HeadlampSee it on AmazonWhy: only 10.2 hours of daylight in mid-November.
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Yosemite in November: what the park service says
November usually closes Yosemite's high roads: Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road shut for snow from sometime this month, and Mariposa Grove Road and its shuttle close on or about November 30. With Tioga closed you cannot enter from the east, but the Highway 41, 140, Big Oak Flat and Hetch Hetchy entrances stay open all year. Over 75% of the park's precipitation falls from November to March.
Source: NPS 1, NPS 2, checked 2026-11-05.
Crowds in November
Yosemite averages 216,341 recreation visits in November — 40% of what August, the peak month, draws. Plan lodging and entries with that in mind.
Weather & daylight
Expect cool days (highs average 56°F), and mornings are chilly (lows average 33°F). This is one of the wetter months (4.0″ of precipitation on average). Mid-month daylight runs 10.2 hours.
NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station YOSEMITE PARK HQ, CA US (3 mi from park coordinates, 4,018 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of November.
What to pack for Yosemite in November
Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.
- Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy) — mornings average 33°F
- Rain shell + pack cover — 4.0″ of precipitation is normal this month
- Headlamp — only 10.2 hours of daylight in mid-November (compare other options)
- Waterproof boots — plus navigation and a basic first-aid kit — 4.0″ of precipitation is normal this month
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Looking for a better window? The computed best months for Yosemite are March and April.
Also at their best in November
Other parks whose computed November verdict is a best window — same NPS × NOAA formula:
- Canyonlands in November — 35% of peak crowds, highs 55°F, score 72/100
- Mammoth Cave in November — 33% of peak crowds, highs 61°F, score 72/100
- New River Gorge in November — 33% of peak crowds, highs 54°F, score 72/100
- Petrified Forest in November — 45% of peak crowds, highs 58°F, score 72/100
Common questions
Is Yosemite crowded in November?
Moderately: November runs 40% of the August peak, averaging 216,341 visits (NPS, 2021–2025). See every month at Yosemite.
What is the weather like in Yosemite in November?
Average highs of 56°F, lows of 33°F, 4.0″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, YOSEMITE PARK HQ, CA US station). Compare it with other national parks in November.
What should I pack for Yosemite in November?
Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy); Rain shell + pack cover; Headlamp — the full weather-computed list is on this page. Going in December instead? Yosemite in December has its own list.
Is everything open at Yosemite in November?
Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road typically close November–late May; Yosemite Valley is open year-round. Always check the park's live NPS alerts for current conditions.
See also: the best national parks to visit in November · Last verified 2026-09-24