[$] No entrance reservation in 2026
Yosemite does not require a timed entrance reservation in 2026. You still need an entrance pass, and parking can fill on busy days.
NP.GUIDE / FIELD GUIDE / FALL 2026
Yosemite National Park
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Conditions change. Follow signs and ranger orders.
Current conditions
Yosemite is open, and no entrance reservation is needed. Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road are open as of Oct 19 with no overnight parking; NPS has not set closing dates, and both close for the season after significant snow. Areas south of Glacier Point Road are closed for the Dome Fire. Fire restrictions are in effect below 8,000 feet.
[FIRE] Fire restrictions in effect
NPS (Oct 19, 2026): "Fire restrictions are in effect below 8,000 feet." Wood and charcoal fires are allowed only in designated open campgrounds and picnic areas; gas and liquid-fuel stoves are always allowed.
[ROAD] Dome Fire closures near Glacier Point Road
NPS (Oct 19): Glacier Point Road is open; drive carefully and watch for firefighters. The area east of Wawona Road, south of Glacier Point Road, north of Wawona, east to Buena Vista Creek (south of Mono Meadow trail) is closed. Smoke is possible.
[ROAD] Tioga and Glacier Point roads open (seasonal)
NPS road status Oct 19: Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road are open, with no overnight parking along either road or in their lots. NPS has not posted closing dates; both close for the season after significant snow. Hetch Hetchy Road is open sunrise to sunset and closes when snow falls or is forecast. Call 209-372-0200 (press 1, then 1) before you go.
[BEAR] Store every food item
Keep food, trash, toiletries, and scented items in a bear-resistant locker or approved container. Never leave them in a vehicle.
[CAMP] Camping needs a reservation
From spring through fall, Yosemite campgrounds generally require reservations. If every campground is full, you must leave the park to sleep.
NPS conditions (large page)
Services by place
Major places list all five services. Seasonal services may be closed.
- El Portal / Arch Rock
Food: Yes Water: Yes Toilets: Yes Fuel: Nearby Signal: Strong - Yosemite Valley / Yosemite Village
Food: Seasonal Water: Yes Toilets: Yes Fuel: No Signal: Limited - Wawona / South Entrance
Food: Seasonal Water: Yes Toilets: Yes Fuel: Seasonal Signal: Limited - Mariposa Grove
Food: No Water: Seasonal Toilets: Yes Fuel: No Signal: Weak - Crane Flat / Big Oak Flat
Food: Seasonal Water: Seasonal Toilets: Yes Fuel: No Signal: Weak - Tuolumne Meadows
Food: Seasonal Water: Seasonal Toilets: Yes Fuel: No Signal: None
El Portal / Arch Rock ↑
Do this: Buy fuel, food, and water in El Portal before entering the park.
- Food: Yes in El Portal; limited inside the entrance.
- Water: Yes at developed facilities.
- Fuel: Nearby in El Portal; no dependable fuel in Yosemite Valley.
- Signal: Usually available in El Portal; weak in the park.
El Portal is the closest full-service gateway to Yosemite Valley from the west.
Yosemite Valley / Yosemite Village ↑
Do this: Fill water and buy food here, then park once and use the free valley shuttle.
- Food: Yes. Restaurants, stores, and seasonal food service.
- Water: Yes at developed facilities.
- Fuel: No dependable fuel. Fill up outside the park.
- Signal: Limited. Calls or data can fail when the valley is busy.
Parking fills early. The valley shuttle reduces driving between trailheads and services.
Wawona / South Entrance ↑
Do this: Use Wawona for seasonal food and supplies. Fill the tank before driving farther into the park.
- Food: Seasonal store, restaurant, and lodge services.
- Water: Yes at developed facilities.
- Fuel: Limited or seasonal. Do not depend on it.
- Signal: Limited or unreliable.
Wawona is the south-side service area and the route to Mariposa Grove.
Mariposa Grove ↑
Do this: Park at the Welcome Plaza and take the shuttle when it runs. Bring water for the grove.
- Food: No. Buy food in Wawona or the valley.
- Water: Seasonal at developed facilities.
- Toilets: Yes at the Welcome Plaza.
- Signal: Weak or unreliable.
The grove road is closed to most private vehicles when the shuttle operates.
Crane Flat / Big Oak Flat ↑
Do this: Fill up and carry food before crossing the high country.
- Food: Limited seasonal store and snacks.
- Water: Seasonal at developed facilities.
- Toilets: Yes at developed stops.
- Fuel: No dependable fuel.
- Signal: Weak or unreliable.
This is the junction for Yosemite Valley, Hetch Hetchy, and Tioga Road.
Tuolumne Meadows ↑
Do this: Bring food, water, layers, and a full tank from the valley.
- Food: Seasonal limited store and grill when open.
- Water: Seasonal at developed facilities.
- Toilets: Yes when facilities are open.
- Signal: None or unreliable.
High elevation weather changes quickly. Tioga Road is seasonal and may close without warning.
Other places
- Hetch Hetchy — Carry all food and water. Check the gate hours before driving here. Water: No dependable drinking water. The road is narrow and the gate closes each day. It is not a through route.
- Glacier Point — Check Glacier Point Road, bring food and water, and do not expect a shuttle ride back from the valley. Food: No dependable food. Bring all food. · Water: Seasonal at Glacier Point; carry enough for the entire trip. · Toilets: Yes when Glacier Point Road facilities are open. · Fuel: No. Fill up before Glacier Point Road. · Signal: Weak or unreliable. Glacier Point Road is seasonal and services along it are extremely limited.
Drive times
Summer estimates without long stops. Traffic, wildlife, weather, and road work can cause delays.
El Portal to Yosemite Valley
El Portal → 30–45 min → Arch Rock Entrance → 15 min → Yosemite Valley
Traffic, entrance lines, and one-way valley roads can add much more time.
Big Oak Flat to Yosemite Valley
Big Oak Flat Entrance → 45–60 min → Yosemite Valley
Carry food and water before entering. Cell service is poor on the route.
Yosemite Valley to Wawona
Yosemite Valley → 45–60 min → Wawona → 10 min → Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza
The Mariposa Grove road is closed to most private vehicles when the shuttle runs.
Yosemite Valley to Tuolumne Meadows
Yosemite Valley → 1 hr 45 min → Crane Flat → 60 min → Tuolumne Meadows
This route uses Tioga Road and is seasonal. Check status and carry supplies.
Yosemite Valley to Hetch Hetchy
Yosemite Valley → 45 min → Big Oak Flat Road → 45 min → Hetch Hetchy turn
Hetch Hetchy access is outside the valley and follows a narrow road with limited services.
Help
Emergency: call 911. Tell the dispatcher your location, direction of travel, vehicle, and problem.
Park information: 209-372-0200
This independent guide is not the National Park Service and is not an emergency service.
Permits
Hours and entrance fees
Yosemite is open 24 hours per day, 365 days a year. No timed entrance reservation is required in 2026. 7-day pass: $35 per vehicle, $30 per motorcycle, $20 per person. Yosemite annual pass: $70. America the Beautiful pass: $80 for US residents, $250 for non-US residents. Non-US residents 16+ also pay $100 per person unless they hold an annual or America the Beautiful pass. Card only; no cash.
Half Dome
A permit is required to use the Half Dome cables. Apply through the preseason or daily lottery when the cables are in place.
Wilderness camping
Overnight wilderness trips require a wilderness permit. Trailhead quotas can fill before the trip date.
Campgrounds
Reserve a campground before arriving when reservations are required. Sleeping in a vehicle outside a campsite is not allowed.
Short hikes
Distances are one way unless marked as a loop. Check trail closures.
- Yosemite Valley / Lower Yosemite Fall: 1 mi loop. A short paved walk with slippery spray near the fall.
- Yosemite Valley / Mirror Lake: 2 mi round trip. Water levels and trail conditions change by season.
- Yosemite Valley / Bridalveil Fall: 0.5 mi round trip. A short, steep walk with wet and slippery rock.
- Mariposa Grove / Grizzly Giant Loop: 2 mi loop. The grove is reached by shuttle or a longer walk from the Welcome Plaza.
- Tuolumne Meadows / Soda Springs: 1.5 mi round trip. High elevation. Carry layers and water.
Plan ahead
All park guides · Planning pages · Park statistics · Closures and alerts
Nearby guides: Joshua Tree · Zion