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 Use Limitation (Public Health Emergency)

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 public health and safety, certain public use limits, restrictions, or closures are warranted to reduce the risk of exposure and transmission of COVID-19 at the individual and population level by limiting social interactions and preventing inadvertent exposures.

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 Thursday, June 11, 2020 at 5:00 am, the following use limitations are in effect within Yosemite National Park:

• All persons (except authorized guests of park residents) entering Yosemite National Park by motorized vehicle must have a valid Yosemite National Park vehicle day use permit, wilderness permit, Half Dome permit, or overnight accommodations within the park, Yosemite West, Foresta, or Section 35 (Wawona).

• The Public Use Limit for day use vehicles has been established at 1700 vehicles per day.

• Upon entry, each vehicle which presents proof of a valid day use reservation, wilderness permit, Half Dome permit, or proof of reserved overnight accommodations within the park, will be issued a Yosemite National Park vehicle permit. Vehicle permits must be displayed in the vehicle’s windshield at all times except at Hetch Hetchy.

• Visitors without an in-park or Yosemite West overnight reservation or wilderness permit are prohibited from entering or being present in the park between 11:00 pm and 5:00 am.

• Individuals shall not congregate in groups of 11 or more at any time; 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.

Mather District

• Hetch Hetchy day use hours are established as 8:00 am to 5:00 pm daily, unless otherwise authorized by permit. Entry to the area will be restricted when parking is no longer available. Day use visitors must exit the area prior to 5:00 pm.

• Hetch Hetchy day use does not require a Yosemite National Park vehicle day use permit for entrance. Entrance fees paid at Hetch Hetchy do not provide for entrance into the rest of Yosemite National Park unless the owner also has a Yosemite National Park vehicle day use permit, a wilderness permit for trailheads outside Hetch Hetchy, a Half Dome permit, or overnight accommodations within the park, Yosemite West, Foresta, or Section 35 (Wawona).

Valley District

• All hikers who descend from the Vernal Fall Viewing Platform between the hours of 9:00 am and 4:00 pm must descend using the John Muir Trail.

Wawona District

• Chowchilla Mountain Road is open to foot, bicycle, and equestrian traffic only.

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

June 4, 2020

Due to high fire danger and enhanced risk to the public, employees, and first responders during the COVID-19 pandemic, Yosemite National Park is enacting park-wide fire restrictions to reduce the threat of human-caused wildfires.

By order of the Superintendent of Yosemite National Park and under authority of Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 2.13(c):

• The building, maintaining, or attending of a wood fire, charcoal fire, or twig stove is prohibited within Yosemite National Park at all elevations.
• Portable stoves using pressurized gas, liquid fuel, or propane are permitted, as are alcohol stoves (with and without a shutoff valve) including alcohol tablet/cube stoves.
• Smoking is prohibited except within an enclosed vehicle, a building in which smoking is allowed, designated campgrounds, designated picnic areas, paved developed areas, and designated smoking areas.
• Campfires and cooking fires may be used in designated open campgrounds and open picnic areas in developed portions of the park in accordance with park regulations.
• Campfires and cooking fires may still be used in residential areas in developed portions of the park in accordance with park regulations.

There are no administrative exemptions to this order. Notice of closure will be posted and areas will be monitored to ensure compliance. This designation will remain in place until rescinded.

 

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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