Despite the U.S. government shutdown, Yosemite National Park and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks remain open and accessible to visitors. Some services may be limited, so it’s essential to plan ahead.  

Here are some updates from Yosemite:

• All portions of the park normally open to the public 24/7 including roads, trails, Yosemite Valley, backcountry and wilderness areas are OPEN.
• Campgrounds are OPEN, subject to normal winter or seasonal closures.
• Concession operations are OPEN including The Ahwahnee, Yosemite Valley Lodge, retail stores and restaurants.
• Yosemite Valley Shuttles and Mariposa Grove Shuttles are running.

Now more than ever, we encourage visitors to stop by the Oakhurst Visitor Center for up-to-date information, maps, local advice, and even trash bags to help keep our region clean.

Remember to Recreate Responsibly—keeping yourself, plants, animals, and fellow visitors safe while enjoying these incredible parks.

No. Peak-hour reservations are not required for the rest of 2025.

We anticipate the National Park Service will provide updates later this year regarding possible reservation requirements for the Horsetail Fall event in February 2026 and summer 2026. As soon as announcements are made, we’ll share the details here.

For more details, visit our Reservation Information Page.

• Fall months (September–November) can sometimes be smoky due to regional wildfires. For the latest air quality updates, check the AirNow.gov conditions map before you go.
• The Wawona Hotel is closed to the public for a multi-year repair project.  
• Valley Forestry will be removing hazard trees along the Glacier Point Road Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, now through the end of September. No delays are anticipated but please drive slowly through the work zones.
• Road & Trail Closures/Status:
  • Hazard Tree Removal on Glacier Point Road - Valley Forestry will be removing hazard trees along Glacier Point Road Monday 9/29 through Thursday 10/2 between the hours of 0800-1600.  Work will continue into the month of October.  Anticipate delays of 15-20 minutes.
    
  • Wawona Road repairs: Work continues through both days and nights on the Wawona Road Repairs.  
    • Crews will continue paving with delays expected between the Glacier Point Road Junction (Chinquapin) and approximately 2 miles north of Chinquapin.

      Work Schedule: Sept. 29 – Oct. 3

      • Sept. 29 – Oct. 1: Crews will be working at multiple locations from the Rostrum to the Glacier Point Road Junction.

      • Oct. 2 – Oct. 3: Depending on progress earlier in the week, crews will shift to approximately 7 miles south of the Glacier Point Road Junction to complete additional work in previously repaired areas.

    • Traffic Impacts

      • Expect delays north of the Glacier Point Road Junction from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1.

      • Expect delays south of the Glacier Point Road Junction on Oct. 2 and 3, though this may vary based on construction progress.

        • Today and Next week there will only be daytime delays as follows:

          *6:00 AM to 5:30 PM = 15-minute delays

          *5:30 PM to 7:00 PM = 30-minute delays

NOTE : You can expect these Wawona Road delays thru mid-November 2025 as crews work at the various locations.

• Half Dome cables are up for the season. A permit is required to hike to the top of Half Dome when the cables are up.
• Vernal, Nevada, and Panorama Trail Access
  Two trail projects are improving safety in the Vernal and Nevada Falls corridor. Expect some temporary changes to access in this area this fall.

  From June 30 through October 30, the Mist Trail from its junction with the John Muir Trail (above Vernal Fall footbridge) to the top of Vernal Fall will be open Fridays through Sundays and on holidays. It will normally also be open Mondays through Thursdays from 3:30 pm to 7 am (when safe). The Mist Trail detour is in effect Monday through Thursday from 7 am to 3:30 pm for trail improvements. The John Muir Trail is an alternate route to the top of Vernal Fall .

  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, 2025, for trail repair. A detour is available for hikers via the Mist Trail (from the top of Vernal Fall to the top of Nevada Fall; be sure to read additional detour information above).

  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 the following dates, from 7 am to 6 pm, due to helicopter operations:

  • September 22–24

  • November 17–18 (subject to change)

  • November 20–21 (subject to change)

Additionally, the following trails may have intermittent delays up to six hours due to blasting on weekdays from September 29 through October 24:

• The Panorama Trail in the vicinity of the John Muir Trail junction
• The full Mist Trail (from just above Vernal Fall footbridge to near the top of Nevada Fall

• A short section of the Valley Loop Trail at The Ahwahnee remains closed due to rockfall risk, although a short detour is available.
  
• 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, Camp 4, North Pines, Lower Pines - all require reservations (i.e no walk-ins)
    • Closed  - None 
  • Outside Yosemite Valley
    • Open - Wawona, Hodgdon Meadow, Crane Flat, Bridalveil Creek, Porcupine Flat, Tamarack Flat, White Wolf, Crane Flat, Tamarack Flat, White Wolf, Yosemite Creek, and Tuolumne Meadows (all require reservations - no first-come, first-served).
    • Closed -  None 
• Peregrine Falcon and Golden Eagle Climbing Closures Lifted

  As of July 15th, all peregrine falcon and golden eagle climbing closures have been lifted. There was a total of 15 peregrine falcon nests and 23 fledglings confirmed this year.
  

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.