Normally, the gate opens 15 minutes before the Sun rises
Weekends, parking fills very quickly, around 6:15. But as the early visitors leave, it is more available later in the morning. With the weather getting colder, the situation might improve.
Weekdays are not as bad as weekends. Any time of day there is decent turn over in parking spots, you may just need to wait a few minutes. Keep in mind there are 6 parking lots there, so there are options.
I usually go around 10....no major difficulty w/ finding a parking spot
If you don't mind waiting 5-10 minutes you can go anytime, and usually after 2pm there are plenty of spots. The best thing to do if parking is full is just pick a row to wait in; I've never had to wait more than 20 minutes in the last 5 years
The gates open a half hour before sunset, and closes a half hour after just as the website says.
6AM in the weekends during summer. I'm not sure at other times.
Check the open/close times : based on sunrise/sunset. On weekends u need to be there within the first 30mins of the open time. Or wait till 10ish. Cooler and cloudy weather will open up the parking window. U can also park along the road closer to foothill but will add another 1mile+ to ur hiking. Enjoy.
Very early on the weekends. 7am.
Maybe even earlier, got there once at 830am on a Sunday and couldn't find a single parking spot. There are people even leaving around this time.
Before 10 on weekends as a lot of people go here.
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