No reservations are required for Horsetail Fall viewing dates this year. Peak Dates to view the phenomenon are February 12 - 28. To manage congestion, Yosemite National Park will control vehicle access into Yosemite Valley at the El Capitan crossover road. Once the valley reaches capacity, vehicles will be temporarily diverted out of the valley.

Visitors are strongly encouraged to sign up for real-time park updates by texting “Yosemite” to 33311. These alerts provide timely information regarding parking and traffic conditions as they change throughout the day.

For the latest official Horsetail Fall "Firefall" guidance, visit the National Park Service website.

• Badger Pass status:
  • The Badger Pass Road and the Nordic Rental Center are OPEN for the season!
  • The Badger Pass Downhill (Alpine) Ski/Snowboarding Area opens Friday, Jan 16.
• The Wawona Hotel is closed to the public for a multi-year repair project.  
• Road & Trail Closures/Status:

• Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road are closed for the winter season.
  
• El Capitan Bridge - Expect 15-minute delays, Monday through Friday, 7 am to 6 pm through March 2026 for bridge repair.
  
• Half Dome cables are down for the season. A permit is required to hike to the top of Half Dome when the cables are up.

• John Muir Trail between Clark Point and Panorama Trail junction (near the top of Nevada Fall, aka the ice cut) is closed for trail work.

• The Four Mile Trail is closed near Union Point (about halfway up) with no access to Glacier Point.

• The Valley Loop Trail over El Capitan Bridge is closed Mondays through Fridays from 7 am to 6 pm through March 2026. When closed, there is no river crossing between Swinging Bridge and Pohono Bridge.
  
  

• Glacier Point Geology Hut Renovations - the Yosemite Historic Preservation Crew has closed off access to the Glacier Point Geology Hut for visitor safety while the building is being restored for its 100th Anniversary! 
  
• Campground Status
  • In Yosemite Valley
    • Open - Upper Pines -  reservations required, Camp 4 - first come, first served.
    • Closed  - Lower Pines, North Pines
  • Outside Yosemite Valley
    • Open - Wawona, Hodgdon Meadow (both are first-come, first served).
    • Closed -  Crane Flat, Bridalveil Creek, Porcupine Flat, Tamarack Flat, White Wolf, Crane Flat, Tamarack Flat, White Wolf, Yosemite Creek, and Tuolumne Meadows
      
• At this time, Yosemite has not announced a reservation system for summer 2026. We’ll post updates here as soon as details are confirmed.

Essential tips to maximize your experience during your visit to Yosemite:

1. Optimal Visit Times: Arrive early in the morning (Before 5:00 AM) or later in the afternoon (After 4:00 PM) to avoid peak times and reservation requirements. Remember, the park is accessible 24 hours a day (excluding Hetch Hetchy), allowing for flexible planning.
2. Weekday Visits: If possible, visit mid-week. While early Spring is generally less crowded than the Summer, weekends and holidays can still get busy. If your trip includes weekends, explore the diverse activities in Yosemite's Southern Gateway, such as local attractions, historical sites, wine tasting, hiking, axe throwing, and relaxing at Bass Lake.
3. Guided and Adventure Tours: Take advantage of guided tours and hikes. Tours offer a unique perspective of Yosemite, relieve the hassle of parking, and are your ticket to the park during reservation periods.
4. Explore Beyond the Valley: Visit areas like Wawona near the south gate entrance. Rich in history and activities, Wawona offers the Yosemite History Center, stagecoach rides, various hikes, a dog-friendly trail, and dining at the historic Wawona Hotel.
5. Take Public Transportation: May - September, utilize YARTS for convenient travel to Yosemite with daily early buses on Highway 41, departing from Oakhurst at 7:10 AM and 8:55 AM; visit www.yarts.com for schedules and details.
   
6. Stay Informed with Traffic Alerts: Sign up for Yosemite's valley traffic alerts by texting YNPTRAFFIC to 333111 to stay updated on traffic conditions, enhancing your visit planning.

For more information:

VISIT: Yosemite's Current Conditions page
CALL: Oakhurst Visitor Center at (559) 683-4636
STOP BY: Oakhurst Visitor Center located at 40343 Highway 41 (daily from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm)

There is so much to do here in the Yosemite and it's Southern Gateway. Click the image strip below to find out more.