Yosemite National Park is reopening popular trails, climbing areas, and full campground availability as visitors prepare for the summer season.
“Yosemite continues to expand access while protecting the park’s extraordinary resources,” said Superintendent Ray McPadden. “We’re excited to welcome visitors to more areas of the park this summer and encourage everyone to plan ahead for a safe and enjoyable experience.”
All Yosemite front-country campgrounds will be open this summer and available for reservation via Recreation.gov. Most High Sierra Camps are returning to operation, offering visitors more opportunities to experience the park’s backcountry. Also reopening is a section of the Valley Loop Trail near Royal Arches and several popular climbing routes that were previously closed for safety monitoring. The Ice Cut section of the John Muir Trail is also expected to reopen in July following visitor safety and trail improvements.
Tioga Road is scheduled to open to vehicle traffic on May 15, the earliest opening in 16 years. The trans-Sierra route across the park gives visitors access to Tuolumne Meadows and the high country. Glacier Point Road opened to vehicle access May 9, providing sweeping views of Yosemite Valley easy access to high elevation trailheads. These roads provide visitors with convenient entry points to Yosemite’s high Sierra, with opportunities ranging from short day hikes to more remote wilderness experiences. Overnight wilderness trips require a wilderness permit, which can be reserved in advance on Recreation.gov
Hiking to the top of Half Dome, 5,000 feet above Yosemite Valley, will open May 15. Half Dome daily lottery permits open today. The daily lottery application period is two days in advance of the desired hiking date.
The park notes that digital park passes purchased in advance can significantly reduce time spent at entrance stations and help improve traffic flow into the park. Visitors should keep in mind that parking in Yosemite Valley fills early during peak summer days, and services may be limited in some areas.
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