Closures

The superintendent's compendium for Yosemite National Park and superintendent's compendium for El Portal Administrative Site contain most closures and other local regulations. Closures not included in these compendiums are listed below (except for climbing closures).This page shows areas closed and uses limited by temporary regulation and doesn't include closures of facilities and services.

By order of the Superintendent of Yosemite National Park and the under authority of Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, the following existing closures, public use limits, and general regulations are hereby modified:

 

 

Public Use Limit

May 23, 2025

Yosemite National Park is one of the busiest units of the National Park System. The park has piloted various reservation systems since 2020 due to the pandemic and construction closures. This year, the park will experiment with some variations to see what solutions successfully ease overcrowding during peak times while continuing to offer access for all to this extremely popular park. Additionally, the road network, particularly in Yosemite Valley, was not designed to handle the volume of traffic typically present during the summer months, holidays, or weekends in spring and fall. When the volume of vehicles exceeds the roadway capacity of the area, the resulting gridlock creates unacceptable public safety concerns as well as a severely degraded visitor experience. To preserve public safety and visitor experience, the Superintendent has placed the following limitations on public use until further notice.

By order of the Superintendent of Yosemite National Park and under authority of Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 1.5(a), Section (a)(1) and Section (a)(2):

A public use limit is in effect within Yosemite National Park on the following dates in 2025 from 6:00 am to 2:00 pm:

• Memorial Day weekend May 24 through May 26
• June 15 through August 15 on every day
• August 30 through September 1

A peak-hours reservation is required for any vehicle to enter Yosemite National Park between 6:00 am and 2:00 pm on the days described above with the following exceptions:

• Vehicles with an occupant that possesses a valid wilderness permit reservation; Half Dome permit; reservation for lodging or camping within the park or private rental in Wawona, Foresta, or Yosemite West; proof of participation in an activity authorized through a commercial use authorization or special use permit; or proof of a reservation for participation in an authorized concessioner or partner activity.
• Administrative traffic, which is defined as vehicles driven by: government employees on official business; park residents; authorized contractors; commercial and USPS delivery drivers; individuals with a valid Yosemite National Park entry sticker affixed to the windshield; individuals conducting official business with NPS, a resident, park concessioners or park partners; or those who are authorized guests of park residents.
• Vehicles entering the park at the Hetch Hetchy entrance.

These measures are being enacted to maintain public health and safety. The area will be monitored to ensure compliance with these limits and/or restrictions. This designation will remain in place until rescinded.

 

Public Safety Closure – Rockfall Hazard West of Royal Arches

August 30, 2023

Rock climbers recently reported a new crack in a cliff on the western side of Royal Arches, near the climbing route Super Slide. Subsequent investigation revealed that this crack has partially detached a large pillar of rock, and that cracking was actively occurring. As a precautionary effort to reduce risk from rockfall, the National Park Service is implementing a temporary area and trail closure while the area is investigated further.By order of the Superintendent of Yosemite National Park and under authority of Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 1.5(a) and Section (a)(1): The following areas and trails are closed to visitor use, including climbing and hiking activities, beginning August 30, 2023 and remaining in effect until further notice:

1. Area / Trail Closure:
   The Closure includes the Eastern portion of the Ahwahnee Hotel Parking area and extends to just East of Royal Arches creek. Approx. ¼ mile section of the Valley Loop Trail is included in the closure with a marked detour route around the hazard area.

2. Serenity Crack and Super Slide Climbing Area Closure: Closure includes all routes between and including Peruvian Flake West to the Rhombus Wall. The popular routes Serenity Crack/Sons of Yesterday, and Super Slide are included in the closure.

3. Ahwahnee Boulders Climbing: Closure includes all boulders east of and including the Ahwahnee boulder.

The cliff and cracks will be monitored to provide current information on rockfall hazard, and these closures are subject to change based on this monitoring. Your cooperation in complying with these temporary closures is greatly appreciated. The designation will remain in place until rescinded.

 

 

Safety Closure (El Portal Woodlot)

June 17, 2025

Due to high fire danger and enhanced risk to the public, employees, and first responders, by order of the Superintendent of Yosemite National Park and under authority of Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 34.5(a)(3)1.5 the El Portal Woodlot will be temporarily closed.

• Residents and employees will not be allowed to utilize the woodlot for debris disposal until further notice.

These areas will be closed until further notice is given. Notice of closure will be posted and the areas will be monitored to ensure compliance. This designation will remain in place until rescinded.

 

Area Closure (El Portal Trailer Court)

July 1, 2022

In order to maintain public health and safety, the El Portal Trailer Court (EPTC) was closed to public use on March 14, 2022. Individuals who previously had housing assignment agreements with the National Park Service for government lots in the trailer court were provided official notice of the closure and given until June 30, 2022, to remove all personal property from the area. Effective July 1, 2022, at 12:01 am the EPTC (see attached map) is closed to all but administrative uses; all personal property remaining within the closed area will be considered abandoned and will be processed in accordance with the provisions of 36 CFR Sections 34.5(b)(14) and 2.22(c)(3) and 41 CFR Part 102-41.

By order of the Superintendent of Yosemite National Park and under authority of Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 34.5(a)(3), Section 1.5(a) and Section (a)(1):

Starting July 1, 2022, at 12:01 am the El Portal Trailer Court is closed to all public use.

Notice of closure will be posted and the area will be monitored to ensure compliance; administrative activities are exempted from this order. See attached map entitled “El Portal Trailer Court Area Closure” for more information.