Wilderness Conditions Update

General Conditions

July 31, 2025

The blast of summer heat is more temperate than usual for late summer, but the conditions were met for fire restrictions below 6,000 feet. Seasonal creeks have mostly dried up; named creeks are still flowing. Ask about current water levels when you pick up your permit. Mosquitos are present, and biting flies have hatched. Plan ahead and stay on the trails to protect the meadows!

• The cables on Half Dome are up. A Half Dome permit is required. Learn more about the Half Dome hike.
• The vault toilets at Little Yosemite Valley, and Sunrise and Glen Aulin High Sierra Camps remain open year-round.
• Tioga Road is open. Tuolumne Meadows Hikers Bus is operating. YARTS begins service on Tioga Road starting July 1.

Yosemite Valley

• The Mist Trail from its junction with the John Muir Trail (above Vernal Fall footbridge) to the top of Vernal Fall will be closed to entry Mondays through Thursdays from 7 am to 3:30 pm June 30 through October 30 (dates and times subject to change). The trail will be open Fridays through Sundays and on holidays. The trail should normally be open from 3:30 pm to 7 am but it may occasionally remain closed overnight for safety reasons. The John Muir Trail is an alternate route to the top of Vernal Fall. The closure is due to trail work.
• The trail is clear and dry to the top of Clouds Rest (on north and south-facing aspects).
• The Merced River Canyon is clear. Some sections are dense with shrubs.
• Indian Creek and Lehamite Creek are flowing at 2 feet wide and 1 foot deep.
• The Panorama Trail is clear.

Wawona

• The trail up the Chilnualna Falls trail is clear of trees and dry. All crossings are passable. Beyond the top of Chilnualna Falls connecting trails have many logs down.
• Rattlesnakes have been observed.
• Navigation on both trails leading north of the top of Chilnualna Falls may be more difficult to follow due to fallen logs and may be overgrown.
• The South Fork Merced River, Buck Creek, and the creek flowing from Grouse Lake to Chilnualna Falls are low but reliable water sources. Givens Creek is almost dry. The creek flowing from Royal Arch Lake to Buena Vista Pass are almost dry.
• Empire Meadow is overgrown in places.
• The trail between Buck Meadows towards Moraine Meadows has many downed trees.

Hetch Hetchy

• Seasonal creeks have mostly dried up. Plan to carry adequate water until you reach rivers or lakes.

Glacier Point Road

• Bridalveil Creek has water available. Artist Creek and Meadowbrook are dry or almost dry.
• Mono Meadow continues to be wet. Stay on trail to reduce impacts on the meadow.

Tioga Road and Tuolumne Meadows

• River and creek crossings have dropped to levels that can typically be crossed on logs and rocks. Navigate with caution.
• Mosquitos and biting flies around 9,000–10,000 feet are abundant in the Tuolumne Meadows area.
• The trail in Lyell Canyon has dried out some but muddy sections remain. Please stay on the trail to reduce habitat damage. At the Rafferty bridge on the JMT/PCT, the creek is dry.
• Rafferty Creek is 6 feet wide and 8 inches deep with only one of four feeder streams running across the trail.
• The Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne is hot. Creeks can be crossed dry. Small flies are abundant in some sections. Be aware of rattlesnakes. A small fire that started around Piute Creek has been extinguished. The trail is clear of fallen logs.
• The bridge southeast of Washburn Lake over the Merced River is out. An accessible crossing is 20 feet downstream. The crossing is 35 feet across and 2 feet at its deepest with a gentle current.
• PCT hikers are not eligible for side trips to Yosemite Valley without an additional permit.
• The Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center, Post Office, Grill, and Lodge are open. Tuolumne Meadows Backpackers Camp is open as of August 1.
• White Wolf Backpackers Camp is open with portable toilets. Carry in your own drinking water.
• The road to Yosemite Creek Campground is open, allowing you to start from the trailhead in the campground.

Outside of Yosemite

• Devils Postpile/Reds Meadow Valley: Expect limited access again in 2025. Learn more about the closure and shuttle schedule.

Current Closures

All current trail closures are listed on the current conditions page.

Trails in Yosemite may be closed when there are hidden hazards or are impassable due to rock fall, snow, ice, or fire. Open trails are not necessarily free of hazards. By entering the wilderness, you are assuming responsibility for your safety and must use good judgment.

General Conditions by Season

If you're looking for an idea of what to expect at a different time of year, we have information about general conditions by season. Keep in mind that there is no "normal" condition for any particular season, so conditions often vary considerably from year to year.

Wilderness Permits

Wilderness permits are required for overnight stays in the Yosemite Wilderness. Reserved permits can be picked up at the following locations:

Wilderness Permit Reservations

All wilderness permits are available by reservation at Recreation.gov (help desk available Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm). Reservations are available up to 24 (168 Days) weeks to 3 days ahead of your entry date. Reservations are available for the areas covered by each wilderness center listed below until the closure date of the wilderness center. Then, permits are still required by available by self-registration.

Yosemite Valley Wilderness Center

Open daily from 8 am to 5 pm. Wilderness permits available, maps for sale, and bear canisters for rent.

Tuolumne Meadows Wilderness Center

Open daily from 8 am to 5 pm. Wilderness permits available, maps for sale, and bear canisters for rent.

Big Oak Flat Information Station

Open daily from 8 am to 5 pm. Wilderness permits available, maps for sale, and bear canisters for rent.

Wawona Visitor Center at Hill's Studio

Open daily from 8 am to 5 pm. Wilderness permits available, maps for sale, and bear canisters for rent.

Hetch Hetchy Entrance Station

Hetch Hetchy Road is open from sunrise to sunset. Pick up reservations for wilderness permits at any of the other wilderness centers in 2025. There is no access to Hetch Hetchy beyond open hours (overnight parking is permitted in the overnight parking lot near the backpackers campground).

Food Storage

Bear resistant food canisters are required in the Yosemite Wilderness. Use a canister to store all food or scented items when left unattended. Remember that anything used in, on, or around the body is considered a food item. Whenever food or scented items are out, please keep them within arm's reach, even while day hiking.

If a bear approaches your camp, act immediately to scare it away. Maintain a safe distance while making as much noise as possible. Throw small stones or pines cones toward the bear, being careful not to strike the bear on the head. If the bear returns, repeat. Do not attempt to retrieve food or gear from a bear until it abandons the items.

After wilderness centers close for the season, please come prepared with your own allowed container or rent one at the Yosemite Valley Welcome Center.