Leaf Peeping Through Instagram Posts: Where to Get Photos of Fall Leaves in Yosemite

Places to Capture Fall Leaves in Yosemite and Go Leaf Peeping

There’s just something about the fall leaves in Yosemite””it’s simply a must-see. Crowds mostly hit the park in the summer months, while fall offers a peaceful and serene experience, and opportunities for unbelievable leaf peeping photography, as the park settles into this calmer season. Some great places to grab Instagram photos in Yosemite and capture the golden hues and fall colors of the meadows, as well as the orange alpine glow of the mountains include Leidig Meadow and Olmstead Point, but those are just a few! With the seasons changing, the breathtaking sunsets over the summits and striking granite cliffs against a crisp, morning sky, make way for some of the best Instagram posts of Yosemite Valley. Capturing the perfect fall Instagram photo is easily within your grasp, you just need to know where to go. Luckily, you’re in one of the places known for having the best autumn leaves in California. Find out where the best places in Yosemite to get the shot are, and get inspired by these fall Instagram photos in Yosemite . The perfect Instagram photo awaits in Yosemite National Park with peak color usually making its debut in mid-October to late October and lasting until the first heavy winter storms and hard frosts hit the area in early December.

Leaf Peeping and Photography in Olmsted Point and Tenaya Canyon

Take a break from the monotonous warmth of Southern California and experience a chill in the air and some untamed California fall color. Olmsted Point is a famous vista that can be accessed via Tioga Pass on the northern side of Half Dome. As you venture through Tioga Pass via Tioga Road you catch magnificent views of fall leaves in Yosemite in Tenaya Canyon and Tenaya Lake to the east from State Highway 120 in Mariposa County. Olmsted Point is a great place to capture the best Instagram posts of the valley below, because of how much you can actually see from this vista. As mentioned, Tenaya Lake and the granite domes that envelop it are vividly visible, but if you look west, you’ll get a closeup view of Cloud’s Rest with Half Dome just behind. Olmsted Point can only be accessed May””October. It is the perfect place for sunset shots giving visitors a unique look at the northern side of Half Dome. With massive granite formations and stunning pastels that hit the area just right, this will be an Instagram shot and experience you won’t easily forget.

Best Instagram Posts of Fall Leaves in Yosemite: Yosemite Valley to Happy Isles

Happy Isles is one of the most gorgeous and lush sections of Yosemite Valley. It hosts a diverse and breathtaking array trees, most notably dogwood trees, which turn bright yellow, red and pink with peak color around late October and mid-November. The black oaks in the valley also change to golden yellow, dark orange and brown during this season, as well as the black cottonwoods and low-growing shrubs that add speckles of red, orange and yellow to the trailheads and meadows in the area. Another tree to keep your eye out for, although it is non-native, is the sugar maple. Find these brilliant red trees near the Yosemite Chapel. Arbor enthusiasts also won’t want to miss the area’s gorgeous quaking aspen trees or bigleaf maples. Yosemite Valley is not just a great place for fall Instagram photos, but clear skies make fall one of the best seasons for night photography and sky watching. Thanks to the sheer granite cliffs and low angles of the sun, colors and textures in the valley provide excellent opportunities for photography.

Bridalveil Fall and El Capitan are almost always guaranteed to catch the setting sun, but changes during the Vernal Equinox. The orientation of the sunset differs when the hours of daylight and nighttime become equal, with the setting sun going up against Yosemite Valley, striking Bridalveil Fall and El Capitan, perfectly. Long grass from the El Capitan Meadow with small patches of aspen trees peeking out here and there are perfect for foreground shots to catch the color of the sunset and the unique landscape of the area. And of course, no trip to Yosemite is complete without seeing Bridalveil Fall. It’s this waterfall that helped make Ansel Adams famous for his shot of Yosemite Valley from Inspiration Point. Don’t miss a chance to explore and camp in the Bridalveil creek area while on your trek for photos of fall leaves in Yosemite. Fern Springs is also another great place for stunning fall foliage. Check out the Top 10 #YosemiteNation Instagram Photos for Fall Colors.

Tunnel View Instagram Photos of Fall Leaves in Yosemite

A trip to Yosemite National Park isn’t complete without a visit to Tunnel View, especially in fall. Another of Ansel Adams’ favorites, visitors can find Tunnel View just outside of Wawona Tunnel on State Highway 41. With no hiking required, all this view takes is finding a parking spot and making your way to the vista. This is a classic leaf-peeping viewing point of Yosemite Valley and if you hit Tunnel View in the fall, you’ll be able to see many of Yosemite’s iconic landmarks in one place. The Yosemite Valley, El Capitan, Bridalveil Falls and Half Dome are all visible from this location. The view is nothing short of astonishing and really puts Yosemite National Park into perspective. The heart-stopping rich colors of the fall leaves in Yosemite’s foreground, autumn’s gentle stream of Bridalveil Falls in the distance, and gorgeous skies overhead will most definitely provide you with a sense of something greater. Snap some of the best Instagram posts in Yosemite from this can’t-miss stop.