Picnicking

Picnic areas are available throughout Yosemite on a first-come, first-served basis (reservations are not available) from dawn to dusk.Unless otherwise noted, all picnic areas in Yosemite have picnic tables, vault toilets, and trash and recycling receptacles.

Grills: All picnic areas have grills except Lower Yosemite Fall, Yosemite Creek, and Lembert Dome.

Potable water: Picnic areas do not have potable water, except Lower Yosemite Fall and Church Bowl (which have both potable water and flush toilets).
Accessibility: Except when otherwise noted, picnic areas have some picnic tables with extended tops, accessible restrooms or vault toilets, and (if grills are available) accessible grills.

Wawona

  • Mariposa Grove Road (limited to vehicles displaying a disability placard; not wheelchair accessible)
  • Yosemite History Center (across from the Wawona Store)
  • South of Wawona Campground

Yosemite Valley

  • The Cascades
  • Cathedral Beach (not wheelchair accessible)
  • Sentinel Beach
  • Swinging Bridge
  • Church Bowl (potable water)
  • Lower Yosemite Fall (potable water; no grills)
  • El Capitan

Tioga Road and Tuolumne Meadows

  • Yosemite Creek (no grills; not wheelchair accessible)
  • Tenaya Lake
  • Lembert Dome (no grills)

Keep Wildlife Wild

Yosemite is home to black bears, mule deer, mountain lions, and hundreds of other species. Bears are quick learners, have a powerful sense of smell, and seek out food where it can easily be found. If a bear obtains human food, it may learn to return for more.

For your safety and that of wildlife:

  • Keep your distance from animals, even if they approach you.
  • Never feed wild animals.
  • Dispose of trash in bear-proof trash cans or dumpsters.
  • While enjoying your picnic, keep your food, trash, and other scented items within arm’s reach.
  • If a bear approaches, yell as loudly as possible to scare the bear away.
 
Map of Yosemite showing picnic areas
 
Map showing picnic aras at El Capitan, Cathedral Beach, Sentinel Beach, Swinging Bridge, Lower Yosemite Fall, and Church Bowl
 

Last updated: December 31, 2022

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209/372-0200

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