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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).

 

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May 31, 2017 (The designation will remain in place until rescinded.)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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Stage 1 Fire Restrictions

August 2, 2017 (The designation will remain in place until rescinded.)

Yosemite National Park is experiencing high fire danger, along with continued hot and dry weather patterns. Due to the current and predicted fire conditions and fire behavior, the Superintendent of Yosemite National Park will be implementing Stage I 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, campfire, or cooking fire (including charcoal fires) within Yosemite National Park below 6,000 feet in elevation. "Sierra" (twig) stoves are not permitted. 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.
• 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, picnic areas and residential 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, Church Bowl, and Lower Yosemite Falls.

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 (due to wildland fire)

Date: 8/14/2017 (The designation will remain in place until rescinded.)

The South Fork is an ongoing wildland fire which started mid-ridge along the north side of the South Fork of the Merced River drainage, approximately one mile east of Wawona, on Sunday, August 13. In order to maintain the safety of park visitors and allow fire management operations to continue unimpeded, the Superintendent of Yosemite National Park is designating the following area as closed. The area will be closed 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):

• The Swinging Bridge Trail on both the north and south sides of the South Fork of the Merced River.
• The Chilnualna Falls Trail from Wawona Trailhead to the top of Chilnualna Falls.
• The two mile connecting trail heading north from the top of Chilnualna Falls to the intersection of the Buena Vista Trail.
• The Chilnualna Creek Trail from the top of Chilnualna Falls east to the intersection of the Buena Vista and Buck Camp trails (Just east of Johnson Lake).
• Off-trail areas in the vicinity are closed (i.e. all areas within the shaded circle on the attached map). All climbing routes on and around Wawona Dome are closed.

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 attached map for more information.

The designation will remain in place until rescinded.

 

 

Safety Closure Due to Wildland Fire

Date: August 19, 2017 (will remain in place until rescinded)

The South Fork is an ongoing wildland fire which started mid-ridge along the north side of the South Fork of the Merced River drainage, approximately one mile east of Wawona, on Sunday, August 13. In order to maintain the safety of park visitors and allow fire management operations to continue unimpeded, the Superintendent of Yosemite National Park is designating the following area as closed to visitors. The area will be closed 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):

-All areas east of [Wawona Road] Highway 41 on Forest Dr. and Chilnualna Falls Rd., with the exception of the Wawona General Store [Big Trees Store] and General Store [Big Trees Store] parking lot.

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 attached map for more information.

The designation will remain in place until rescinded.

 

South Fork Fire Evacuation Order

Date: 8/19/2017 (This designation will remain in place until rescinded.)

The South Fork is an ongoing wildland fire which started mid-ridge along the north side of the South Fork of the Merced River drainage, approximately one mile east of Wawona, on Sunday, August 13. As a result of increased winds, spot fires, and forecasted storm activity, an Evacuation Order has been issued for the Community of Wawona, effective August 19, 2017, at 4:00 pm. In order to maintain the safety of park residents and visitors, and to allow fire management operations to continue unimpeded, the Superintendent of Yosemite National Park is designating the following area as closed and evacuated to visitors and residents. The area will be closed 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):
- All areas east of [Wawona Road] Highway 41 along Chilnualna Falls Road and Forest Drive, with the exception of the Big Trees Gift Shop and parking lot.

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
attached map for more information.