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:

 

 

Safety Closure Due to Hazardous Conditions

February 21, 2026

During the week of February 14, 2026, a storm cycle started which produced heavy amounts of snow. The storm damaged park infrastructure. Pacific Gas and Electric is currently repairing power lines. The severity of the damage requires use of a helicopter and staging areas to necessitate repairs.

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 1.5(a)(1):

• Mariposa Grove. This includes the Welcome Plaza, Mariposa Grove Road, and Washburn Trail.
• All parking areas within ½ mile of the South Entrance Roundabout.

These areas will be closed until February 27, 2026, at 11:00 PM. Notice of closure will be posted, and the area will be monitored to ensure compliance. Please see accompanying map for more information.

 

 

Safety Closure – Special Event

February 5, 2026

The setting sun backlighting Horsetail Fall on El Capitan is a natural phenomenon experienced in Yosemite Valley, also known as “The Firefall.” This phenomenon (“event”) will last from approximately Sunday, February 8 through Saturday, February 28, 2026. Due to expected winter weather conditions and typical attendance at event viewpoints, area closures and modified traffic flow conditions will be implemented in areas of Yosemite Valley. To provide for public safety and the protection of natural resources, the Superintendent of Yosemite National Park is implementing the following use restrictions until further notice is given.

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 February 5, 2026, these areas within Yosemite National Park will have the following specified restrictions between the hours of 12:00 pm and 7:00 pm daily:

• All areas marked as “Area Closed” on the accompanying map entitled “Horsetail Falls Special Event Safety Closure” are closed to entry.
• Stopping or parking in any manner or location on Southside Drive between El Capitan Crossover and Swinging Bridge is prohibited.
• Southside Drive, including the road surface and shoulder between El Capitan Crossover and Swinging Bridge, is closed to pedestrians.
• All pullouts and road shoulders along both sides of Southside Drive between El Capitan Crossover and Swinging Bridge are closed to stopping or parking.
• The southernmost (left-hand) lane of Northside Drive between Lower Falls Crosswalk and El Capitan Crossover is closed to all vehicles. This lane is reserved for pedestrian traffic only.
• Stopping or parking in any manner or location on Northside Drive between Camp 4 and El Capitan Crossover is prohibited.
• All pullouts along the south side of Northside Drive between Camp 4 and El Capitan Crossover are closed to vehicles.
• All pullouts along the north side of Northside Drive between Camp 4 and El Capitan Crossover are closed to vehicles except those which display an ADA placard.
• El Capitan Picnic Area is closed to all vehicles except those which display an ADA placard.
• The speed limit along Northside Drive between Camp 4 and El Capitan Crossover is 25 MPH unless posted otherwise.

Management actions are exempted from this order; this designation will remain in place until it is rescinded.

See below map entitled “Horsetail Falls Special Event Safety Closure” for more information.

 

 

Safety Closure – John Muir, Mist and Panorama Trails

September 11, 2025

The Ice Cut area of the John Muir Trail sustained damage which requires extensive repair. Due to blasting and other operations during this repair work, a trail closure is necessary to ensure public safety.

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), from September 10, 2025 to December 3, 2025, the following areas within Yosemite National Park will be subject to the following closures and public use restrictions until recission of this order:

• John Muir Trail from Clark Point to the Panorama Trail junction is closed from September 10 through December 3, 2025. Detours will be posted.
• Panorama Trail between Illilouette Creek and Nevada Fall bridge is closed September 22 to September 24 and November 17 to 21, 2025. There is no detour available.
• Panorama Trail between Illilouette Creek and Nevada Fall bridge will have intermittent 4-6 hour closures between September 29 and November 17. These closures will be signed when in effect. Please note: there is no detour on Panorama Trail. Hikers must be prepared to wait until the closure is lifted to continue their route.
• Mist Trail between the Silver Apron and top of Nevada Fall will close intermittently for 4-6 hour periods between September 29 and October 24. These closures will be signed when in effect.

Please note: there is no detour on Mist Trail. Hikers must be prepared to wait until the closure is lifted to continue their route.

See attached maps for details.

Work crews and emergency personnel are exempted from this order

 

 

Rehabilitation Closure – Wawona Hotel

September 3, 2025

In 2024 Wawona Hotel underwent replacement of the roof on the Main Building. During this construction, structural concerns were identified, and the hotel was closed for assessment and rehabilitation. Due to structural hazards and impact on assessment and work crews, area closures are required.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):

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 September 2, 2025, the following areas within Yosemite National Park will be closed to public access until recission of this order:

• All buildings in the Wawona Hotel complex including: the Main Building, Moore Cottage, Washburn Cottage, Clark Cottage, Little White, the Annex, and the swimming pool.
• All areas enclosed by fencing, barricades or other delineators.
• Areas posted with closure notifications.

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.

Construction crews and emergency personnel are exempted from this order. Hill Studio is exempted from this order.

The closure area will be monitored to ensure compliance.

 

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.

 

 

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.

 

 

Safety Closure - Foresta Road - Old El Portal

January 9, 2026

As part of ongoing wildfire mitigation efforts, hazard fuel reduction work will be continuing in and around the community of El Portal. This is being done to enhance community safety and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire. Due to this activity, A 24-hour road closure of Foresta Road will begin at 7:00 a.m. on January 16^th, 2026 through 6:00 p.m. January 23rd, 2026. Closures are necessary to ensure safe operations and effective completion of this critical prevention work.

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 January 16th, 2026, at 7:00 a.m. the following road closure in Old El Portal will be closed for the duration of the project. January 16^th, 2026 through January 23^rd, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.

• Areas marked as “Road Closure” on the accompanying map entitled “El Portal Wildland Urban Interface Road Closure” are closed to entry.

Foresta Road will reopen as work is completed. Management actions are exempted from this order; this designation will remain in place until 6:00 p.m. January 23^rd, 2026.

The closure area will be monitored to ensure compliance. For your safety, do not enter closed areas.