Travel Updates & Alerts
and Emergency Services
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK UPDATES
A reservation is required to drive into Yosemite National Park from May 20 through September 30, 2022, between the Peak-Hours of 6am and 4pm. Entrance to Yosemite during the non-Peak-Hours of 4pm to 6 am does not require a reservation. Note - driving through the park to another destination will require a reservation if entering between 6am and 4pm. Click on the graphic below for more information.
There are still some limits to services inside of Yosemite, please click HERE for information on what is currently open.
Here are a few changes we'd like to highlight for you as well:
The park has asked that all visitors planning to visit remember to #RecreateResponsibily. Yosemite National Park conducts thousands of search and rescue missions each year, many of which could be avoided with visitors planning and making responsible decisions. During the ongoing health crisis, it's critical that folks make wise choices to keep the park rangers and volunteers who serve as emergency responders out of harm's way.
Please follow these #RecreateResponsibly tips:
- Adopt social distancing practices and stay at least 6 feet from people outside your household unit
- Wear a face covering when social distancing cannot be maintained.
- Stay on the trail, for your safety and the safety of others
- Stay within your limits. Yosemite is a great place to find outdoor adventure, but please don’t push yourself beyond your physical limits.
Visit https://go.nps.gov/covid for more information.
MADERA COUNTY COVID POLICIES:
Madera County (per California Travel Guidelines) as of February 15, 2022, is no longer requiring masks indoors if you are vaccinated. Proof of vaccination is NOT required in Madera County, and restaurants remain open for indoor and/or outdoor dining. Please don't hesitate to contact the visitor center if you have further questions or concerns - (559) 683-4636. Thank you!
12/15/21: The Sierra National Forest is open with some restrictions. Click HERE for more information.
Road Conditions:
The weather in the Sierra can change quickly. Check weather conditions regularly. Call for current Yosemite Road Conditions, (209) 372-0200, then press 1 – 1.
Note: When conditions dictate, you are required to carry tire traction devices (chains or cables) in your vehicle and be prepared to install them as necessary. You may be denied entry to the park if you don’t have them. You may also be subject to a substantial fine should road conditions make them mandatory and you don’t have them. Rental vehicles are NOT exempt from this requirement.
(By the way, winter in the Sierra Nevada is dictated by weather conditions, not by calendar dates. Snow in May is a rare, but not uncommon occurrence.)
Chain requirement codes are as follows:
R0 No chains required.
R1 Chains are required. Autos and pickups with snow tires OK.
R2 Chains are required. 4-wheel-drive with snow tires OK.
R3 Chains are required on all vehicles. No exceptions.
Chains or cables can be purchased or rented at several locations in Oakhurst, Coarsegold, Fish Camp and Mariposa. Call or stop by the Visitor Center in Oakhurst for information - 559-683-4636.
Alternative Park Exits
(1) Exit straight ahead on Hwy 140 through the Merced River Canyon. This is a lower-elevation road, and chain requirements are rare. In Mariposa, take Hwy 49 southbound to Oakhurst. Hwy 140 westbound to Merced for access to Highway 99 either north or south. (2) Take Hwy 120 westbound for the quickest way to San Francisco. Please be very cautious on all regional roads during icy conditions.
Visit Yosemite | Madera County updates:
The Oakhurst Visitor Center is open. Address is 40343 Highway 41, Oakhurst - look for the VISITOR CENTER sign.
Hours: Monday through Saturday - 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Sunday - 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
You can reach us at 559-683-4636 or email info@yosemitethisyear.com - note: The visitor center is very busy, so if you get our voice mail, please leave a message and we promise to call you back!
To keep track of updates please follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/yosemitemadera
Madera County Restaurants: Our restaurants are open for take-out, inside, and outside dining.
US Forest Service/Sierra National Forest including information regarding camping and day-use facility availability can be found on their website (www.fs.usda.gov/detail/sierra).
Additionally, the Bass Lake Ranger District can be contacted directly at (559) 877-2218, Mon-Fri 8:00 am – 4:00 pm.
Madera County law enforcement is provided by the Madera County Sheriff's Department, Madera Police Department and Chowchilla Police Department. The U.S. Forest Service provides supplemental officers for the Bass Lake campgrounds.
For information on the Madera County Search & Rescue organization, click here.
Emergencies 24 Hours: Dial 911
Headquarters | Information 24 Hours: 559-675-7770
Basic fire protection is provided by paid professionals from Madera County Fire Department, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL Fire), the U.S. Forest Service, and many corps of trained volunteers. There are CDF or volunteer fire stations in Ahwahnee, Bass Lake, Cedar Valley, Coarsegold, Fish Camp, North Fork, Rancheria, Raymond, Oakhurst, and Yosemite Lakes Parks.
For updated information on National Forest wildfires (if any), click here.
For updated information on Yosemite National Park wildfires (if any), click here.
For updated CAL Fire information on wildfires in the State of California (if any), click here.
On rare occasions, the need arises for emergency medical services during even the most fun of vacations.
Adventist Health Community Care
48677 Victoria Lane
Oakhurst, CA 93644
Phone (559) 683-2711
Hours 8 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Monday through Friday (by appointment only)
Hours 8 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Saturday (by appointment only)
Children's Hospital of Central California
9300 Valley Children's Place
Madera, CA 93636-8762
Phone (559) 353-3000
Open 24 hours, 7 days
Camarena Health Oakhurst
Four Locations to serve the Oakhurst Area near the South Gate at Yosemite National Park:
Urgent Care: 49165 Road 426, Oakhurst CA 93644, Walk in Only.
Hours: Monday-Friday 11 am to 9 pm, Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 8 pm.
Camarena Health takes most insurances.
Medical and Dental Offices:
Oakhurst Medical Office – 49169 Road 426, Oakhurst CA 93644
Coarsegold Medical Office – 35324 Hwy 41, Suite A, Coarsegold, CA 93614
Oakhurst Dental Office – 49127 Road 426, Oakhurst CA 93644 (Emergency services only until June 1, 2020)
Appointments for medical and dental offices are Monday – Friday and are made by calling (559) 664-4000
Visit our website for hours www.camarenahealth.org
For up to date information regarding our services during the COVID-19 pandemic – please visit https://www.camarenahealth.org/staywell/
For telephone doctor or behavioral health appointments, please call (559) 664-4000.
Kaiser Permanente Oakhurst Medical Offices
40595 Westlake Drive
Oakhurst, CA 93644
(559) 658-8388
Appointments only - Monday through Friday (no after hours)
No emergency services
Pharmacy onsite
