Wanting to book a trip (immediately) to either Yosemite or Canyonlands Nat'l Park but not sure of two things: What is the weather like in mid-October in each place (too cold?), and is it too late to book for this year? Looking at a week to ten days. Saw similar posts for next year already and wondering if I'm too late? Any advice/input appreciated!

I haven't been to Canyonlands in October, but I have been to Yosemite in early November and the weather was great. It was warm during the day. I think temperatures were in the high 60s to low 70s, so perfect for hiking and biking. At night it was pretty chilly, so it probably wouldn't be very comfortable to be camping out, but in a hotel it was fine.

Reservations for Yosemite might be a problem though. Even though it is past the summer season, things get booked up well in advance. I know some people have good luck getting a reservation due to a cancellation. Additionally, if you can get a reservation for a portion of the time you want to go, you might consider taking it and then spending the rest of your trip in another area - there are tons of places to see within a few hour's drive.

Yosemite weather should be excellent, but the streams will be low, so the waterfalls will not be as special as in the spring. The Valley, even in Oct will be crowded, but the high country is still open then and not as busy. Enjoy!

october in Utah you can still have really warm wonderful days for hiking (was in canyonlands a few times at this time of year) you should be able to find lodging in Moab, utah. Was in yosemite in the spring. before the melt and the waterfalls were only so so, but that wasn't why i went, i wanted to see the valley so it didn't disappoint.
I only went to yosemite once and utah at least a half dozen times or more, and i'd go back to utah before yosemite. there is something about the slick rock that is so different from anywhere else. also, moab is a great little town to hang out in after a day of hiking and nature!

There's a lot more to Yosemite than the waterfalls, but when they are going it's really a site to see. In Mid-October the falls will be low to DRY!

If you are looking at 10 days, then I'd pick Moab. There's so much more than just Canyonlands in the area. There is Arches National Park, Dead Horse State Park, Fisher Towers, Moab is a 4WD meca and also a mountain bike meca. I would find it easier to spend 10 days in this are than in Yosemite. I could easily find enough things to do in Yosemite with a week.

I have been to Yosemite many times in October but never to Canyonlands in October. There is always a slight chance of snow in Yosemite by this time of the year. Don't know about Canyonlands.

Utahtea