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 Conditions
36 CFR § 1.5 (a)(2) – Designate areas for a specific use or activity or impose conditions or restrictions on a use or activity
August 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:
Parking Lots and Viewpoints: Within 100 feet of any parking area or pullout
Trails: Lower Yosemite Fall Trail, Mist Trail, trails within Mariposa Grove below the Clothespin Tree, Tuolumne Grove, and Merced Grove, and within ½ mile of any trailhead.
Interpretive Facilities and Programs: Indian Cultural Village and Pioneer Yosemite History Center, and within 50 feet of any park employee speaking to a group, gathering, or people attending an interpretive program.
Buildings: Within 25 feet of any public building, including (but not limited to) visitor centers, entrance stations, wilderness centers, campground offices, and ranger stations.
Shuttle stops: Within 25 feet of shuttle stops (during seasons and hours when shuttles are operating).
Gathering Places: Village Mall (including the area from Yosemite Village Parking Area to the Yosemite Cemetery); Glacier Point area, including all trails from the parking lot to the amphitheater, geology exhibit, and main viewpoint area.
Eating Areas: Picnic areas and outdoor food service areas, when not eating or drinking.
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.
The winter of 2022-2023 brought historic amounts of snowfall to the Tuolumne Meadows Sub-District. With the heavy amount of snowfall, the Tioga Road was damaged near Olmsted Point. The repair of the road is occurring above a foot trail that parallels the road. Due to safety concerns of large rocks falling down the hill during road work the foot trail will need to be closed to all use for 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):
Starting August 2, 2023, the following areas within Yosemite National Park will be closed to access:
Foot trail from the junction of Olmsted Point to the next junction approximately 1 mile northeast.
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 attached map entitled “Olmsted Winter Storm Damage Closure” for more information.
Rescission of Trail Safety Closure Due to Wildland Fire August 7, 2023
The Pika fire is a lightning caused fire that was discovered on June 29, 2023, and is burning in Yosemite National Park. The increased hazards that may be found in the Pika fire area include:
Falling limbs and snags (dead standing trees) and fire-damaged trees
Burning logs and stump holes
Possible smoke conditions which may cause respiratory problems
Poor visibility due to smoke
Hot ash and unseen hazards
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 August 7th, 2023, at 8:00 am the following area(s) are now open to the public:
All previous trail closures associated with the Pika Fire instituted after June 29th, 2023, are hereby rescinded. Areas will continue to burn within the perimeter of the Pika fire. To maintain the safety of park visitors and allow management operations to continue unimpeded, the area within the Pika fire will remain closed to areas marked on the accompanying map titled “Pika Fire Area Closure”. Visitors are encouraged to remain on designated trails.
The area will be closed until further notice is given. Notice of closure will be posted and the area will be monitored to ensure compliance. This order supersedes and includes all prior area closures. The designation will remain in place until rescinded.
Safety Closure—Merced Grove Trail
June 29, 2023
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. Between 2020-2021, nearly 20% of the entire population of mature sequoias were killed by fire across the Sierra Nevada. To reduce the threat of fire, the grove and access road is being closed to implement a forest health restoration project to remove the hazardous fuels. Due to the narrow roads, use of heavy equipment and truck traffic, it is unsafe for visitor access during the restoration.
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 10th, 2023, the following areas within Yosemite National Park will be closed:
All areas marked as “Area Closed” on the accompanying map entitled “Merced Grove Safety Closure”
Merced Grove of giant sequoias
Merced Grove trail
Merced Grove road
Management actions are exempted from this order; the closure area will be monitored to ensure compliance. Violation of this order is considered a Class B Misdemeanor. See attached map entitled “Merced Grove Safety Closure” for more information.
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:
All areas marked as “Area Closed” on the accompanying map entitled “Tuolumne Meadows Sub-District Winter Storm Damage Closures” are closed to entry.
All structures north of the red “danger” tape lines within Ranger Camp.
Tuolumne Meadows Ranger Station
Select buildings within Bug Camp, as identified with flagging.
Yosemite Hospitality Buildings – Tuolumne Lodge and Tuolumne General Store/Post Office/Grill.
Any area under active construction.
Tuolumne Lodge Parking Lot and Lodge area except for staff living in that location
Additional areas may be added as buildings are assessed.
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 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:
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.
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.
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.
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 activity
August 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:
Parking Lots and Viewpoints: Any parking lot or pullout.
Interpretive Facilities and Programs: El Portal Train Exhibit and within 50 feet of any park employee speaking to a group or gathering.
Buildings: Within 25 feet of any public building, including (but not limited to) the entrance station, post office, fire station, community hall, and gas station.
Bus stops: When entering, riding, and exiting buses and shuttles (during seasons and hours when buses are operating).
Gathering Places: Prominent beaches along the river.
Eating Areas: Picnic areas and outdoor food service areas, when not eating or drinking.
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.
