Closures

The superintendent's compendium contains most closures and other Yosemite-specific regulations. Closures not included in the compendium are listed below (except for climbing closures).

 

Public Safety Closure Order

Under the authority of 54 U.S.C. Section 100751(a) and Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations §l.5(a)(1) the Superintendent is closing the following portion of the park to public use or certain activities. This closure is necessary for the following reason(s):

• Maintenance of public health and safety

Closure and/or Public Use Limit

Due to Blue Jay and Wolf Fire activity, the following Yosemite National Park trails are closed to public use:

1. The trails from White Wolf to Harden Lake, Lukens Lake, Ten Lakes, Grant Lake and the Pate Valley Trail
2. The trail from Lukens Lake to Yosemite Creek Campground
3. Yosemite Creek Campground trails from Tioga Road to the north rim of Yosemite Valley,
4. The trail from Tioga Road to Ten Lakes Pass and Grant Lakes

The trail segments marked as closed on the accompanying map titled Fire Safety Closure Version 6 are closed to all travel.

Exceptions

There are no exceptions to this order.

Determination

This Public Safety Closure is required in order to maintain the health and safety of park visitors and employees and to allow fire management operations to continue unimpeded.

Public Notice Strategy

Pursuant to 36 CFR §1.7 notice of this temporary and partial closure and/or public use limitation will be made through the following means (Check all that apply).

• Signs posted at conspicuous locations along the affected roads and trails.
• Maps available in the Office of the Superintendent.

This closure and/or public use limitations are in effect when signed by the Superintendent and remain in effect until rescinded.

 

 

Public Use Limitation (Public Health Emergency)

November 1, 2020

Coronavirus, the virus responsible for the disease COVID-19, has caused a public health emergency as declared by Mariposa County, the State of California, and the United States Government. In consultation with local, county, and state public health officials and guidance provided by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and in order to maintain public health and safety while allowing management and administrative operations to continue, the Superintendent is designating the following public use limits and/or restrictions. 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):Starting Sunday, November 1, 2020 at 12:01 am, the following public use limits and/or restrictions are in effect within Yosemite National Park:

• Individuals shall not congregate in groups of 11 or more at any time. Smaller groups are recommended in order to maintain appropriate social distancing practices. all individuals shall maintain social distancing of 6 feet with all but members of the same household.
• Park residents who have been directed by a Public Health Official or the Superintendent to be in “Isolation” or “Quarantine” shall stay within their residence at all times except to receive medical care until cleared by a Public Health Official or medical professional. Administrative exemptions or modifications to the specified quarantine measures may be made for community members who perform certain critical community infrastructure or response roles as determined by the Park Superintendent.

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 and Employee Safety Closure

June 10, 2020

Coronavirus, the virus responsible for the disease COVID-19, has caused a public health emergency as declared by Mariposa County, the State of California, and the United States Government. In consultation with local, county, and state public health officials and guidance provided by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and in order to maintain the safety of park visitors, employees, and residents while allowing management and administrative operations to continue, the Superintendent is designating the following area closures in Yosemite National 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 (a)(1):

Crane Flat Fire Lookout and Helibase

The Crane Flat Helibase (including the parking lots, rappel towers, helicopter pad, fire lookout tower, and office buildings), Crane Flat Lookout Road, and the social trail that connects from the southern end of the Tuolumne Grove parking lot to Crane Flat Lookout Road are closed to public entry.

This area is closed to protect the health and safety of Yosemite National Park Firefighters and Heliquest contractors that operate, maintain, and staff the park contract helicopter. This operation is critical to the health and safety of park visitors and residents.

Lower Yosemite Falls Amphitheater

The Lower Yosemite Falls Amphitheater and boulder field, as accessed via the off-trail area to the northwest of the Lower Falls Footbridge, Lower Falls Overlook, and/or the adjacent paved trail to the base of Lower Falls and adjacent cliffs, is closed (see attached map).

All Lower Yosemite Falls Amphitheater climbing routes in this area are closed.

The area is closed to prevent visitor injury and to decrease the potential exposure of NPS rescue personnel to COVID-19 due to rescue efforts.

Notice of closure will be posted and areas will be monitored to ensure compliance. Please see attached maps for more information.

The designation will remain in place until rescinded.

 

 

Yosemite National Park Fire Restrictions

October 29, 2020

Yosemite National Park is experiencing high fire danger, along with continued hot and dry weather patterns. However, due to a reduction of overall fire danger and prevalence of active fires in the region, the Superintendent of Yosemite National Park will be reverting to Stage 1 fire 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 2.13(c):

• No building, maintaining, attending or using a fire (including campfire, cooking fire, and charcoal fires) within Yosemite National Park below 6,000 feet in elevation except as noted below. Portable stoves using pressurized gas, liquid fuel or propane are permitted, as are alcohol stoves, including tablet/cube stoves. Twig stoves are not permitted.
• No smoking below 6,000 feet except within an enclosed vehicle, a campground or picnic area where wood and charcoal fires are allowed or in a designated smoking area. All public buildings, public areas of Concession buildings (including restrooms), other areas as posted and within 25 feet of any non-single-family residential building remain closed to smoking at all times.
• Campfires and cooking fires may still be used in designated campgrounds and picnic areas in developed portions of the park in accordance with park regulations.

Designated Campgrounds and Picnic Areas: Upper Pines, Lower Pines, North Pines, Yellow Pines, Camp 4, Wawona, Bridalveil Creek, Hodgdon Meadow, Crane Flat, Tamarack Flat, White Wolf, Yosemite Creek, Porcupine Flat, Tuolumne Meadows, Lembert Dome, Tenaya Lake, Yosemite Creek, Wawona, Mariposa Grove, Glacier Point, Cascade, El Capitan, Cathedral Beach, Sentinel Beach, Swinging Bridge, Housekeeping Camp, Church Bowl, and Lower Yosemite Falls.

• Campfires and cooking fires may still be used in residential areas in developed portions of the park in accordance with park regulation.

Residential Areas include: Wawona, El Portal, Yosemite Valley, Hodgdon Meadow, Foresta, Aspen Valley, and Tuolumne MeadowsNotice of closure will be posted and areas will be monitored to ensure compliance; administrative exemptions may be allowed by the Superintendent. This order rescinds all prior issued fire restrictions.

 

Safety Closure (Wildlife Protection)

May 31, 2017 (The designation will remain in place until rescinded.)

Due to increasing bear activity along the Snow Creek Trail and the resulting potential for negative human-bear interactions, the area to the south and east of the footbridge as depicted on the attached map will be closed to overnight camping. The National Park Service will continue to monitor bear activity in this area and will re-open the area to camping as soon as conditions allow.

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

The area marked on the accompanying map entitled Wildlife Safety Closure dated May 31, 2017 is closed to overnight camping or unattended food (even when stored properly).

The marked area remains open for day use.

Notice of closure will be posted and area will be monitored to ensure compliance. Your cooperation in complying with this temporary restriction is greatly appreciated. Please see map below for more information.

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