Closures

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:

 

Closures and Public Use Limits on This Page Navigation

 

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.

 

Public Use Limitation

May 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:

• A Peak Hours Reservation is required for any vehicle to enter Yosemite National Park between the hours of 6:00 am and 4:00 pm daily with the following exceptions:
  • Vehicles with an occupant that possesses a valid wilderness permit reservation; Half Dome permit; reservation for overnight accommodation within the park or in Wawona, Foresta, or Yosemite West; proof of participation in an authorized commercial use authorization or special use permit activity; or proof of a reservation for participation in an authorized concessioner or partner activity.
  • Administrative traffic, which is defined as vehicles driven by: government employees on official business; park residents; authorized contractors; commercial and USPS delivery drivers; individuals with a valid Yosemite National Park entry sticker affixed to the windshield; individuals conducting official business with NPS, a resident, park concessioners or park partners; or those who are authorized guests of park residents.
  • Vehicles entering the park at the Hetch Hetchy entrance.
• Hetch Hetchy 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 and overnight use does not require a Peak Hours Reservation. Entrance fees paid at Hetch Hetchy do not provide for entrance into the rest of Yosemite National Park between the hours of 6:00 am and 4:00 pm unless the owner also has a Peak Hours Reservation or qualifies for one of the previously listed exceptions.

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 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). 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:

• The Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias which includes the Grove Road leading from the Welcome Plaza, the Lower Grove Arrival Area, the Grizzly Giant ADA service road, the Washburn Trail and all areas within.

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:

• The ADA Service Road from the Lower Grove Arrival Area to the Grizzly Giant ADA Parking Lot

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.

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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 Due to Wildland Fire

August 18, 2022

The Washburn Fire, discovered on July 7, 2022 was fully contained on August 3, 2022. Hazards remain within the fire area, in order to maintain the safety of park visitors the Superintendent of Yosemite National Park is designating the following area as closed to public use 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 l.5 (a) and Section (a)(l):

As of 0800 on August 18, 2022 the following areas (see attached map entitled “Washburn Fire Safety Closure – Rev 9”) as closed to all public use; personnel involved in administrative and firefighting activities are excepted.

• Within the Mariposa Grove, the Perimeter Trail between Grizzly Giant Loop and Wawona Point Access Road (and connecting trails to the Mariposa Grove Trail) 

• The Stud Horse Trail to Mariposa Grove

• All wilderness areas identified in the map entitled “Washburn Fire Safety Closure – Rev 9”

The area will be closed until further notice. Notice of closure will be posted and area will be monitored to ensure compliance. Please see accompanying map for more information.

This order supersedes and includes all prior area closures. The designation will remain in place until rescinded.

 

 

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):

• Glacier Point Road, from its intersection with Wawona Road (Hwy 41) at Chinquapin, to its terminus at Glacier Point.
• All land adjacent to the Glacier Point Road, 100 feet from centerline on both sides of the road.
• The upper section of the Glacier Point parking lot

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.

 

 

Yosemite National Park Fire Restrictions

Due to high fire danger and enhanced risk to the public, employees, and first responders, Yosemite National Park is enacting park-wide fire restrictions below 8,000 feet elevation 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, Sections 34.5(b)(9) and 2.13(c):

As of 12:01 am on July 16, 2022, the following fire restrictions are in effect within Yosemite National Park and the El Portal Administrative Site:

• No building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire (including campfire, cooking fire, and charcoal fires) below 8,000 feet 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.

• Fires may be used in open front country campgrounds and open picnic areas in developed portions of the park in accordance with park regulations.

• Wood fires are prohibited in El Portal and Foresta due to increased fire danger in those communities; charcoal fires are permitted. Wood and charcoal fires are still permitted in all other residential areas in developed portions of the park in accordance with park regulations.

• Fires may be used above 8,000 feet elevation but not above 9,600 feet elevation in accordance with park regulations.

• No smoking below 8,000 feet elevation except within an enclosed vehicle, a campground or picnic area where fires are allowed, in a designated smoking area, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or has been cleared of all flammable material. Public buildings, public areas of concessioner and federal buildings (including restrooms), other areas as posted, and within 25 feet of any public building always remain closed to smoking.

Notice of closure will be posted and areas will be monitored to ensure compliance. This designation will remain in place until rescinded or superseded. Approved wildland firefighting activities are excepted from this order. Administrative exceptions (for other than approved firefighting activities) require the written approval of the Superintendent; all conditions listed on the administrative exception must be followed for the exception to be valid.

 

Safety Closure – Merced Grove Trail

August 18, 2022

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 two years, nearly 20% of the entire population of mature sequoias have been 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.

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 22nd, 2022, the following areas within Yosemite National Park will be closed:

• All areas marked as “Area Closed” on the accompanying map entitled “Merced Grove Restoration Area” are closed to entry.

• Merced Grove of Giant Sequoias

• Merced Grove Trail

• Merced Grove Road

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 entitled “Merced Grove Safety Closure” for more information.

 

 

Safety Closure Due to Wildland Fire

August 18, 2022

The Rodgers fire is a lightning caused fire that was discovered on August 8, 2022 and is burning in Yosemite National Park. The increased hazards that may be found in the Rodgers 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

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(s) as closed to public use 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 l.5 (a) and Section (a)(l):

Trail segments and areas marked on the accompanying map titled “Rodgers Fire Safety Closure #1” are closed to all travel; personnel involved in administrative and firefighting activities are excepted.

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 Due to Wildland Fire

August 31, 2022

The Red Fire is a lightning caused fire that was discovered on August 4, 2022, and is burning in Yosemite National Park. The increased hazards that may be found in the Red Fire area include:

• Falling limbs and snags (dead standing trees) and fire-damaged trees

• Burning logs and stump holes

• Possible smoke conditions that may cause respiratory problems

• Poor visibility due to smoke

• Hot ash and unseen hazards

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(s) as closed to public use 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 l.5 (a) and Section (a)(l):

Trail segments and areas marked on the accompanying map titled “Red Fire Safety Closure #2” are closed to all travel; personnel involved in administrative and firefighting activities are excepted.

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; this 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.