Kedarnath is only accessible from late April or early May to late October or early November — the opening and closing dates of the temple, fixed each year on Akshaya Tritiya in spring and Bhai Dooj after Diwali. Outside these dates the town is closed, the temple deity moves to Ukhimath, and the trek route is buried under snow.
May and June are the busiest months and the wider trail can be packed shoulder to shoulder. September and October after the monsoon are clearer and quieter; the views of the peaks are at their best and the alpine flowers still linger.
Avoid the monsoon (July to mid-September) when possible — heavy rain causes landslides, the trail is often blocked, and the risk of glacial floods is highest. The temple stays open but visitors should plan around weather forecasts.
Temperatures are cool to cold year-round: daytime 10–18°C in summer, below freezing at night in spring and autumn. Bring warm layers regardless of season.