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 limitation and general regulations are hereby modified: Visiting Hours, Public Use Limits, Closures, Area Designations for Specific Uses or Activities and Conditions36 CFR § 1.5 (a)(2) – Designate areas for a specific use or activity or impose conditions or restrictions on a use or activityAugust 24, 2022 In response to Executive Order no. 13991 The following conditions apply to all federal employees, contractors, volunteers, park partners, and visitors: Regardless of vaccination status, when local County COVID-19 community levels are considered “high” by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), all individuals over the age of two years must wear masks, except when actively eating or drinking, in all enclosed public transit, common areas and shared workspaces in federally owned buildings administered by the National Park Service and in office space leased by the National Park Service within the specified County. “Federally owned buildings administered by the National Park Service” include, but are not limited to, visitor centers, administrative offices, maintenance facilities and shared government quarters; buildings assigned to concessioners or other park partners; and buildings leased for commercial purposes to individuals or entities other than the National Park Service. All individuals over the age of two, regardless of vaccination status, when local County COVID-19 community levels are “high”, must wear masks in the following outdoor areas when others are present, except when actively eating or drinking, where the Superintendent has determined that physical distancing (staying at least six feet apart) cannot reasonably be maintained:
Masks must cover the nose and mouth and fit snugly around the nose and chin with no large gaps around the sides of the face. Masks not designed to be protective, masks with ventilation valves, and face shields do not meet the requirement. Masks are always required inside the Yosemite Medical Clinic regardless of vaccination status or community transmission level. This designation rescinds all prior and will remain in place until rescinded or superseded. Winter Storm Damage Closure – Tuolumne Meadows Sub-DistrictJuly 24, 2023 The 2022-2023 winter brought historic snowfall amounts to the Tuolumne Meadows Sub-District, many structures sustained damage, some significant. Due to concern for collapsing structures and impacts to construction crews working in these areas, the following areas are closed to all access. 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): Starting July 21th, 2023, the following areas within Yosemite National Park will be closed to access:
Construction crews are exempted from this order; this designation will remain in place until rescinded. The closure area will be monitored to ensure compliance. See attache Public Safety Closure – Rockfall Hazard West of Royal ArchesAugust 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:
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 (Hazardous Conditions)February 6, 2024 On February 5, 2024 a significant rockfall has covered section of the John Muir Trail approximately 1.25 miles up the trail from the trailhead. The area of the rockfall contains large unstable boulders and trees making the trail impassable with significant risk. Yosemite National Park staff members have conducted an initial evaluation of the area and determined that it is not safe for the public to travel through the rockfall area. By order of the Superintendent of Yosemite National Park and under authority of Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Section l.5(a) and Section (a)(l):Starting February 7, 2024 the following area(s) are closed to foot use:
This closure is anticipated to remain in effect until the trail can be assessed and repaired with no estimated time of re-opening at this time. ALTERNATIVE ROUTE: The stock trail accessed near the Nature Center on river left is currently the only alternative route to get to the Vernal Falls footbridge and to tie in with the JMT. The closure area will be monitored to ensure compliance. Your cooperation in complying with this temporary restriction is greatly appreciated. Please see attached map for more information.Management actions are excepted from this order. This designation will remain in place until rescinded. Safety Closure (Winter Storm)A severe winter storm event with heavy snow and high winds is forecasted for the Yosemite area from Thursday, February 29 through Sunday, March 2, 2024. As a public safety precaution to protect life and park resources the park is closed to visitors. The closed area includes the entire park. 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 I.5(a)(1): Starting Friday, March 1, 2024, at 12:01 am, the entire park is closed to all individuals except for:
Authorized employees are individuals who are actively engaged in work directed by a supervisor or management official of the NPS, authorized NPS concessioner, or partner who have operations based in the park or community only accessible by first entering the park. The presence of individuals who are not included in the above definitions, to include guests of residents or authorized employees, is prohibited. Travel on park roads by employees or residents is approved only for essential travel or for emergencies only. Examples include procuring food, water, traveling to a health care facility, returning home, etc.The closure area will be monitored to ensure compliance. This designation will remain in place until rescinded. Visiting Hours, Public Use Limits, Closures, Area Designations for Specific Uses or Activities and Conditions [specific to El Portal Administrative Site]36 CFR § 34.5 (a)(3) and 1.5 (a)(2) – Designate areas for a specific use or activity or impose conditions or restrictions on a use or activityAugust 14, 2022 In response to Executive Order no. 13991 The following conditions apply to all federal employees, contractors, volunteers, park partners, and visitors: Regardless of vaccination status, when local County COVID-19 community levels are considered “high” by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), all individuals over the age of two years must wear masks, except when actively eating or drinking, in all enclosed public transit, common areas and shared workspaces in federally owned buildings administered by the National Park Service and in office space leased by the National Park Service within the specified County. “Federally owned buildings administered by the National Park Service” include, but are not limited to, visitor centers, administrative offices, maintenance facilities and shared government quarters; buildings assigned to concessioners or other park partners; and buildings leased for commercial purposes to individuals or entities other than the National Park Service. All individuals over the age of two, regardless of vaccination status, when local County COVID-19 community levels are “high”, must wear masks in the following outdoor areas when others are present, except when actively eating or drinking, where the Superintendent has determined that physical distancing (staying at least six feet apart) cannot reasonably be maintained:
Masks must cover the nose and mouth and fit snugly around the nose and chin with no large gaps around the sides of the face. Masks not designed to be protective, masks with ventilation valves, and face shields do not meet the requirement. This designation rescinds all prior and will remain in place until rescinded or superseded.
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. |
Last updated: February 29, 2024