Yosemite or Kings Canyon for busy weekend in August

Question

We are planning to visit Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon National Parks in the first half of August. I know that it's probably the most crowded time. Depending on how we arrange our itinerary, we will make either Yosemite or Kings Canyon fall on a weekend. Which one is likely to suffer least from the crowds?

Thank you for any advice.

Answer

Visiting California’s national parks in August means you’re hitting peak season, so crowd management becomes important. Between Yosemite and Kings Canyon/Sequoia, the difference in crowd levels can be significant depending on which park falls on a weekend.

Yosemite National Park

Yosemite Valley is extremely popular in summer, especially on weekends. Expect:

Heavy traffic at entrances and within the valley, particularly near Tunnel View, Yosemite Village, and popular trailheads like Mist Trail or Yosemite Falls.
Full parking lots by late morning at the main points of interest.
Shuttle buses in the valley are crowded, though they can help avoid parking headaches.

Even with early arrival, weekends can be challenging. The peaks and scenic points draw day visitors from nearby cities.

Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks

These parks are less trafficked compared to Yosemite. While popular spots like General Sherman Tree, Moro Rock, and Grant Grove will see visitors, overall:

The parks are larger and spread out, so traffic jams are less common.
Even on weekends, you’re more likely to find quieter hikes and viewpoints compared to Yosemite Valley.
Entrance stations and roads generally move faster, and parking is more available.

Recommendation:

If your itinerary places a weekend in one of the parks, assign the weekend to Kings Canyon/Sequoia rather than Yosemite to avoid the densest crowds.
Plan Yosemite on a weekday to benefit from lighter traffic and slightly less congested trailheads and viewpoints.
Regardless of park, arrive early in the morning to popular trailheads or viewpoints to maximize your experience before crowds build.

In summary, Yosemite Valley is the busier and more popular destination during weekends in August, while Kings Canyon/Sequoia is more manageable. Scheduling Yosemite on a weekday and Kings Canyon over the weekend will provide the best balance of accessibility and sightseeing enjoyment.

Yosemite or Kings Canyon for busy weekend in August

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