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 19, 2021 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 or local community transmission levels, all individuals over the age of two years must wear masks, except when actively eating or drinking, in all 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. “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 or local community transmission levels, 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. Regardless of vaccination status, all individuals must comply with all orders regarding masks issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).CDC prevention measures continue to apply to all travelers on public transit, regardless of vaccination status. Masks remain required on all forms of public transit that operate within parks, including buses, trains, boats/ferries, and in transportation hubs. This designation rescinds all prior and will remain in place until rescinded or superseded. Public Use LimitationMay 17, 2022 Yosemite National Park is one of the busiest park units in the country. Multiple construction projects will be occurring during the summer of 2022 that will result in the closing of some roads and parking lots and creating significant traffic delays across the 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 occasional weekends year-round. 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): Starting Friday, May 20, 2022, at 6:00 am, the following use limitations are in effect within Yosemite National Park:
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 (Lower Yosemite Fall Ampitheater)June 3, 2021 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 closure of the road to the Crane Flat Helibase was rescinded on April 15, 2022. This area is now open.) Lower Yosemite Falls AmphitheaterThe 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). 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. All Lower Yosemite Falls Amphitheater climbing routes in this area are open but must be accessed by trails or routes outside of the closed area. 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. ![]() Pet and Bicycle Restrictions (Mariposa Grove)June 14, 2021 The Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias is open to the public; the shuttle bus is not operating during the 2021 season. To provide consistency among park areas and regulations, the Superintendent is designating the following temporary measures in Yosemite National Park. By order of the Superintendent of Yosemite National Park and under authority of Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 2.15(a)(1): To protect natural resources and ensure the safety of park visitors, the following area is closed to pets:
Service Animals, as defined by the US Department of Justice, and administrative activities are exempt from this order. and By order of the Superintendent of Yosemite National Park and under authority of Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 4.30(f): To protect natural resources and ensure the safety of park visitors, the following areas are closed to bicycles:
Bicycle use remains prohibited on the Washburn Trail and all trails with the Mariposa Grove, this order does not change that restriction. 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 - Snow Creek)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. ![]() Safety Closure (Road Construction - Soda Springs)Road construction activities are being performed on the Soda Springs Road, Lembert Dome Picnic Area parking lot, and associated roads and parking areas on the north side of the Tioga Road in the area of Tuolumne Meadows. These construction actions have created the potential for the airborne presence of naturally occurring asbestos. To provide for public safety and health, these areas will be closed to the public until after the potential hazard has been mitigated. By order of the Superintendent of Yosemite National Park and under authority of Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 1.5(a)(1): In order to maintain the public safety of park visitors, employees, and residents while allowing management and administrative operations to continue, the Superintendent is designating the entirety of the Soda Springs Road, Lembert Dome Picnic Area parking lot, and all associated roads and parking areas as closed. Residents of housing accessed via these roads and authorized employees and contractors of the National Park Service, park concessioners, and park partners are exempt from this order. Notice of closure will be posted and the area will be monitored to ensure compliance. Please see attached map for more information. The designation will remain in place until rescinded. ![]() Safety Closure (Merced Grove)November 8, 2021 The Merced Grove of giant sequoias is at risk from high severity fire. There is no modern fire history and there is dangerously high fuel loading. In the past year, 10 to 14 percent of the world’s population of mature sequoias were killed by fire. To reduce the threat of fire the grove, trail, and access road are being closed to implement a forest health restoration project to remove the hazardous fuels. 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 November 8th, 2021, the following areas within Yosemite National Park will be closed:
Management actions are exempted from this order; this designation will remain in place until rescinded. The closure area will be monitored to ensure compliance. See attached map titled “Merced Grove Restoration Area” for more information. ![]() Safety Closure (Road Construction)April 28, 2022 The Glacier Point Road within Yosemite National Park will be the subject of a major road construction project beginning in May 2022; this roadwork is planned to continue into 2023 with an unknown date of completion. The project involves rehabilitation and repaving of the road, rehabilitation and improvements to several vehicle pullouts, rehabilitation of the Sentinel Dome parking area, and rehabilitation and improvements to the Glacier Point parking area. Public safety concerns require restricting public access to the area while work is performed. Beginning May 2nd, 2022, the entire road will be closed to all public access (vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian). In order to provide for the safety of park visitors and allow for construction operations to continue unimpeded, the Superintendent of Yosemite National Park is designating the following area as closed. 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):
Trails leading to Glacier Point remain open, as does the Glacier Point trail network.The lower section of the Glacier Point parking lot and the the restrooms adjacent to it remain open. Please see accompanying maps (titled Glacier Point Road Closure and Glacier Point Road Closure – Detail) for more detailed information. Management actions are exempted from this order. Notice of closure will be posted and 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 [for 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 19, 2021 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 or local community transmission levels, all individuals over the age of two years must wear masks, except when actively eating or drinking, in all 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. “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 or local community transmission levels, 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. Regardless of vaccination status, all individuals must comply with all orders regarding masks issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). CDC prevention measures continue to apply to all travelers on public transit, regardless of vaccination status. Masks remain required on all forms of public transit that operate within parks, including buses, trains, boats/ferries, and in transportation hubs. This designation rescinds all prior and will remain in place until rescinded or superseded. Area Closure (El Portal Trailer Court)March 11, 2022 All housing assignment agreements for sites in the El Portal Trailer Court (EPTC) will be terminated at 11:59 pm, March 13, 2022. The superintendent has permitted personal property of tenants who previously held valid housing assignment agreements (previously authorized tenants) to remain within the EPTC through April 12, 2022, if requested by the tenant, but all residential use must cease upon termination of the housing assignment agreements. In order to implement the park’s management responsibilities regarding the protection of personal property from theft or vandalism, the superintendent is closing the EPTC to public use effective March 14, 2022. 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 March 14, 2022, at 12:00 am the El Portal Trailer Court is closed to public use with the following exceptions:
Notice of closure will be posted, and the area will be monitored to ensure compliance; please see attached map entitled “El Portal Trailer Court Area Closure” for more information. The designation will remain in place until rescinded. ![]() |
Last updated: May 17, 2022