Here are the best scenic points listed in order driving east from Yosemite … From Little Yosemite Valley, the hike to the summit of Half Dome is 4.1 miles. Yosemite National Park is open all year, 24 hours a day. Drive carefully even when there are no chain requirements: you may encounter icy spots on mostly dry roads. Everyone staying in LYV Campground needs to take appropriate measures to ensure no bears are attracted by food in the open. Or you could reserve at Mariposa or Coulterville, also cute little historic towns. First-come, first served: None, Closed: Hodgdon Meadow, Wawona, Bridalveil Creek, Crane Flat, Tamarack Flat, White Wolf, Yosemite Creek, Porcupine Flat, and Tuolumne Meadows. Water may not be available along the way, so carry plenty. ... Today… Through the support of donors, Yosemite Conservancy provides grants and support to Yosemite National Park to help preserve and protect Yosemite today and for future generations. Yosemite National Park is located in central California. A reminder to … The hike-in campground here is a little under 4 miles (6.5 km) from the trailhead in Yosemite Valley and about 3.5 miles (5.5 km) from the summit of Half Dome. Plowing updates from the Tioga and Glacier Point Roads. How do I get a reservation to enter Yosemite? Visit our press room or publishing page. The center itself is open only weekends and holidays (except for Thanksgiving and Christmas) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A little shop sells books, … The Wawona Store and El Portal Market are also open. Its glass and wood architecture work in unity with the surroundings and the ample windows allow in the bright mountain sunshine while providing remarkable views. For the past century, however, the land known today as Sunol Wildereness Regional Preserve was used almost exclusively as ranch land. You don't need reservations to visit the park, but you should make reservations for lodging and campgrounds well in advance. Here’s useful information to help families plan a trip to Yosemite this summer. Two campgrounds inside Yosemite National Park that reopened June 11 will remain open, although no additional campgrounds will be reopened until at least Aug. 1, park officials said. Since Yosemite is open all year, there’s always something to do. December through April). - 60 sites at Lower Pines will open - 81 sites at Upper Pines will open (edit: I should have said North Pines. Jamestown is a cute little "gold rush" town as are many along highway 49. Yosemite Conservancy. Trails not listed below are open, but may be snowy and very difficult to find from about November through May/June (and may have other hazards). Trails in Yosemite may be closed when there are hidden hazards or when they are impassable due to rock fall, snow, ice, or fire. The trail overlooks a piece of Little Yosemite, with an obvious, well-worn cutoff trail that leads down to the canyon floor. Looking for information about press or publishing opportunities? Is there a best time to visit Yosemite? However, the Hetch Hetchy Entrance Station is open only during daylight hours (approximately) and some roads are closed due to snow from around November through May or June. Weekly updates from the Tuolumne Meadows winter rangers (approx. Limited sales will be available outside of the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center as well. Yosemite National Park will reopen Thursday, but don’t expect to spontaneously show up for a visit. All others must cycle or hike to the grove from Mariposa Grove Welcome Center (near South Entrance). Open trails aren't necessarily free of hazards--by entering the wilderness, you assume responsibility for your safety and must use good judgment. Bears: Bears are active throughout the park! There are a handful of different ways to acquire a reservation, listed below. This shady spot is the ideal place for an impromptu picnic with your fellow hikers. Little Yosemite Valley is a smaller glacial valley upstream in the Merced River drainage from the Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park.The Merced River meanders through the 3.5 mi (5.6 km) long flat valley, draining out over Nevada Fall and Vernal Fall before emptying into the main Yosemite Valley. That legacy holds true today. That is if you don't stop, which is probably unrealistic because of these gorgeous spots you'll pass. 4 of 46 Visitors view Yosemite Valley and Little Yosemite Valley from the Glacier Point outlook in Yosemite National Park. Bedrock mortars used by Native Americans for pounding acorns that were found in the area are reminders of Sunol's first inhabitants. Operating Hours & Seasons. Yosemite National Park is open 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. Be sure to store your food properly and to remain at least 50 yards from bears in forest and meadows. Under the East Bay Regional Park District's multi-use land management policy, cattle continue to graze in the 6,859-acre wilderness. Kings Canyon National Park reopened on Wednesday after being closed for nearly a week due to hazardous air quality caused by wildfire smoke from the … A steep uphill hike leads to Quarter Dome where rangers will check that your wilderness permit includes Half Dome. When open (typically, spring–fall), road is open only to vehicles displaying disability placards. Lodgings at the Ahwahnee, Yosemite Valley Lodge and Curry Village (at half capacity) in the park are open. Backcountry campgrounds, such as those in Little Yosemite Valley, can be accessed by getting a wilderness permit, which are still available. Open: Reservations required: Upper Pines See what’s new at Yosemite Conservancy! It's a short 2 miles upstream from the visitors center and is open 8am to dusk all year long. This unit has a granite rock fireplace in the living room, with a rustic pine mantle shelf, and is open to the dining area, with kitchen & skylights, to bring in that natural light. Perched high in the pine trees, with a great view, is the other half of the Sport Chalet duplex. Inside the Little Yosemite gorge (D. Wood/Flickr). It depends what you're looking for, and each season has its advantages. Food services will also be open in Yosemite Valley. Little Yosemite in Sunol is a scenic hike offering breathtaking oak lined canyon views and dramatic waterfalls. Relax by the water as you fuel up for the road and take in the gorgeous sights and sounds of Sunol’s Little Yosemite one last time. After being closed since last week due to hazardous levels of wildfire smoke, Yosemite National Park will reopen to the public at 9 a.m. on Friday. Virtually all of the park's other campsites have been closed for months, and … Yes, Yosemite National Park is open, and yes, a reservation is required. The work funded by Yosemite Conservancy is visible throughout the park, from trail rehabilitation to wildlife protection and habitat restoration. Yosemite National Park is closed to all visitors until further notice. Climbing closures are in effect on several routes each year from March 1 through July 15 to protect peregrine falcons. The park reopens entirely in mid to late spring. Little Yosemite Valley lies upstream from Nevada Fall, at an elevation of 6,100 feet (1,860 meters). Depending on health and safety, things can change, so check Yosemite National Park website also. Today’s and tonight’s Yosemite National Park, CA weather forecast, weather conditions and Doppler radar from The Weather Channel and Weather.com Please note this is a … Through the summer, Yosemite has tried to reduce COVID-19 risks by making available only about half of the 240 campsites in Yosemite Valley's Upper Pines area, about 120 spots. Graphic courtesy of Yosemite National Park Service. It was established as a national park in October of 1890 and boasts almost four million visitors per year. (Check road conditions and Hetch Hetchy hours.). Learn more about Yosemite in summer, fall, winter, or spring, and find out what kind of weather to expect. However, the Hetch Hetchy Entrance Station is open only during daylight hours (approximately) and some roads are closed due to snow from around November through May or June. - YARTS (Yosemite Area Regional Transportation) will be running from local communities. Little chance that 120 into The Valley will be open. Activities in Yosemite National Park. There are camping options available as well. Trails in Yosemite may be closed when there are hidden hazards or when they are impassable due to rock fall, snow, ice, or fire. The distance from Yosemite Valley to Lee Vining (on US Hwy 295) is a little less than 80 miles, but it will take at least two hours to drive it. Yosemite National Park is open 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. Expect total delays of up to 30 minutes Sunday nights through Friday afternoons (north of Wawona Campground and north of Chinquapin/Glacier Point Road intersection) through December. Yosemite Valley stores like the Village Store is open, as well as The Ansel Adams Gallery. Reservations are available and recommended up to 366 days in advance. View estimated opening and closing dates in 2021 for all campgrounds once they become available. Visit Yosemite Hospitality's website for lodging information (including information about Housekeeping Camp and High Sierra Camps). Open year round, with a different calendar of activities for each season, Yosemite is a flagship national park in terms of education, volunteerism and of course, outdoor adventure. Little Yosemite Valley Campgrounds is minimally developed and depends on the cooperation of campers to to keep it clean, safe, and functioning properly. In 2020 reservations are required to visit. Little Yosemite Valley, situated between Half Dome, Liberty Cap and the Cascade Cliffs, and straddling the Merced River, is within close proximity of the national park's main valley. Continuation of Highway 120 through the park. Associated Press photo. Open trails aren't necessarily free of hazards--by entering the wilderness, you assume responsibility for your safety and must use good judgment. First-come, first-served: None, Open: Reservations required: None It looks like Upper Pines won't open in this first round of openings) - Backpackers campgrounds will open. You can get into Yosemite valley by going south along 49 to Mariposa and then up 140 along the Merced river. This is the payoff. Call 209/372-0200 (press 1 then 1) for the most up-to-date conditions (the information below only reflects planned or long-term closures). Canyon View Trail to Little Yosemite - California | AllTrails Yosemite National Park is open year round, but much of the park closes to visitors come late autumn and the winter snows. Yosemite is officially open today, day-use reservations are required if you’re not staying in the park, and not all facilities and services are available. TRAVEL ALERT: Yosemite lodging and campgrounds temporarily close Dec 7. Yosemite National Park offers a wide variety of restaurants to satisfy every palate. Most of our restaurants are open all year, and many offer outdoor seating during the warmer months. Today, camping, picnickin… Added by Ed Francisco. Park remains open … Its close proximity to Yosemite Falls makes it the perfect base camp for exploring Yosemite National Park. Sequoia/Kings Canyon has closed most areas to help curb the spread of coronavirus. Bring a bear canister or use the communal bear lockers. Check road conditions and Hetch Hetchy hours. Yosemite Valley Lodge is a favorite choice for families and large groups. Rivers & Waterfalls: Yosemite Falls, Vernal Fall, Nevada Fall, and Bridalveil Fall are flowing at low levels. Getting hungry? Carry tire chains in your car and be prepared to use them (even if your car has four-wheel drive): chains may become mandatory at any time. Check today's campground availability by calling 209/372-0266. Current information about road work in Yosemite, National Weather Service forecasts for Yosemite, View streamflow data for the Merced River in Yosemite Valley, area to the south and east of the footbridge, Due to the Blue Jay Fire, the following trails are closed (, The trail to Bridalveil Fall is closed due to the. Reservations are available up to five months in advance and are strongly recommended. If you don't have a reservation, get details about camping without a reservation. It just takes a while. The privately-owned Pine Tree Market in Wawona is open. 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