General Conditions
September 17, 2025
Fall has arrived with lows near freezing at night in Tuolumne Meadows. The last few weeks have brought several inches of rain and have refreshed some water sources. Ask about current water levels when you pick up your permit. Even with the recent rain, fire restrictions below 6,000 feet remain in effect.
- The last day to climb the Half Dome cables is October 14. A Half Dome permit is required while cables are up.Learn more about the Half Dome hike.
- The vault toilets at Little Yosemite Valley, and Sunrise and Glen Aulin High Sierra Camps remain open. The May Lake toilet closes September 21.
- Tioga Road is open. No overnight parking is allowed anywhere along Tioga or Glacier Point Roads (including parking lots) starting on October 15. YARTS 395/120E route will cotinue once per day through September 30. The Tuolumne Meadows Hikers Bus stopped running on September 14.
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 John Muir Trail from Clark Point to its junction with the Panorama Trail near Nevada Fall will be under construction from September 10 through December 3, for trail repair. A detour is available for hikers that provides access from Happy Isles to the top of Nevada Fall.
- Additionally, both sections of the Mist Trail may have intermittent delays up to six hours due to blasting on weekdays from September 29 through October 24.
- The Merced River Canyon is clear. Some sections are dense with shrubs.
- Water is available in Sunrise Creek.
- The Panorama Trail is clear. See intermittent closures in the Glacier Point Road section.
- Yosemite Creek, Lehamite Creek, and Snow Creek are all flowing.
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.
- Empire Meadow is overgrown in places.
- Water is available in the creek adjacent to Turner Meadow, but no other water is available as you head east to Deer camp.
- No water in Mosquito Creek. The Alder Creek crossing north of Empire Meadows has pools.
- The trail between Buck Meadows towards Moraine Meadows, between Grouse and the southern trail connecting to Chilnualna Falls has many downed trees.
Hetch Hetchy
- Seasonal creeks have mostly dried up. Plan to carry adequate water until you reach rivers or lakes.
- No available water between Rancheria Creek and Lake Vernon with some water reported in Tiltill Creek.
Glacier Point Road
- The Panorama Trail will be closed in the vicinity of the John Muir Trail junction, with no access between Glacier Point and Nevada Fall, on September 22-24, November 17-18 and 20-21 (all dates subject to change) from 7 am to 6 pm, due to helicopter operations.
- Additionally, the Panorama Trail in the vicinity of the John Muir Trail junction may have intermittent delays up to six hours due to blasting on weekdays from September 29 through October 24.
- Bridalveil Creek is flowing and is approximately one foot deep. Artist Creek and Meadowbrook were slow moving but could be dry by now.
- Bridalveil Creek Campground has closed for the season, so backpackers should park at the McGurk Meadow trailhead and walk through the campground to the trailhead.
Tioga Road and Tuolumne Meadows
- Dingley Creek is dry. Delaney Creek is low flow but still running. Water is plentiful in Spiller, Return, and McCabe creeks. Water can be found in Cold Canyon.
- Rafferty Creek was dry but has some water in pools. Some feeder creeks also have water again.
- The Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne is mostly clear of fallen logs. Creeks can be crossed dry. Small flies are abundant in some sections. Be aware of rattlesnakes. Morrison Creek is flowing.
- No water available at Sunrise Backpackers Campground. Water available in Sunrise Creek along JMT. Mapped creeks are flowing on the route up to the Clouds Rest shoulder past the Sunrise Lakes junction.
- 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 Store, Grill, and Post Office close on September 21. The Tuolumne Meadows Campground/Backpackers Campground closes on September 22. The visitor center closes on September 28. White Wolf Backpackers Campground is closed.
- Yosemite Creek Campground has closed for the season so backpackers will have to start from the Tioga Road.
Outside of Yosemite
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.
