Yosemite National Park Traffic Forecast for the Week of June 28 to July 4, 2012

A one-page printable version of the forecast is also available for download (PDF).

JUNE 28 - JULY 4
(posted June 27)

Thursday: Sunny weather with continued mild temperatures are expected during this reporting period. A prescribed management fire is underway this week near the Big Oak Flat entrance. A chance of smoke on the road may affect visibility; short traffic delays are possible.

 

Friday: Sunny, cooler and clear weather continues throughout the week making this an exceptional time to visit Yosemite! Anticipate traffic volumes to increase as the weekend approaches. Arrive early to avoid late afternoon traffic. School is out for the summer - please drive carefully.

 

Saturday: Traffic volumes are expected to rapidly increase by mid-morning with heaviest volumes of traffic arriving between 10am and 2pm. By arriving before 9am you stand the best chance of avoiding heavy traffic and finding a parking spot. There is a possibility of traffic diversions for Valley roads during peak travel times over this weekend. Reminder: no fireworks of any kind are permitted in Yosemite.

 

Sunday: Traffic volumes are expected to rapidly increase by mid-morning with heaviest volumes of traffic arriving between 10am and 2pm. By arriving before 9am you stand the best chance of avoiding heavy traffic and finding a parking spot. There is a possibility of traffic diversions for Valley roads during peak travel times over this weekend. Reminder: no fireworks of any kind are permitted in Yosemite.

 

Monday: Holiday traffic with a chance of congestion is likely. Day and night road work will continue on Wawona Road and secondary roads around Wawona - expect short traffic delays.

 

Tuesday: Holiday traffic with a chance of congestion is likely. Day and night road work will continue on Wawona Road and secondary roads around Wawona - expect short traffic delays.

 

Wednesday: Holiday traffic with a chance of congestion is likely. Day and night road work will continue on Wawona Road and secondary roads around Wawona - expect short traffic delays.

 

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Daily Forecast by Location

Yosemite Valley: Visitors are encouraged to arrive at Yosemite prior to 9am to minimize their wait at the entrance stations and to maximize their success in finding parking in Yosemite Valley. Plan your trip to avoid mid-day congestion. Temperatures are expected to remain in the high 70s to middle 80s with clear skies.

 

Tuolumne Meadows: Cool air and magnificent views can be experienced in the high country. Visitors are encouraged to arrive early to minimize their wait at the entrance stations and to maximize their success in finding parking. Please remember to park in defined parking areas only. Watch out for wildlife crossing the roadways!

 

Wawona and Mariposa Grove: The historic Wawona Hotel, Mariposa Grove and surrounding attractions are open and fully staffed! Visitors should arrive before 9am for parking in the grove. A free shuttle bus is available from Wawona where visitors may find additional day use parking. Expect heavy traffic and limited parking in the Wawona developed areas, especially later in the day.

 

Glacier Point: Visitors can expect heavy traffic and congestion over the weekend on the Glacier Point Road. Cooler temperature and clear skies will provide stunning views! Staging traffic at Badger occurs only on holiday weekends.

 

 

The traffic forecast is currently based on an average of the three most recent years of traffic data for the locations of Yosemite Valley, Wawona, and Tuolumne area. Low, Medium and High forecast levels have been assigned based on historic hourly and daily traffic volumes that have been determined to result in varying levels of traffic congestion. During low traffic days and hours, one can generally expect free flowing traffic and general availability of parking. During medium traffic days and hours, one can expect slightly slower traffic, with occasional pockets of congestion and a low availability of parking. For high traffic days and hours, expect slow traffic, frequent congestion and a difficult time finding available parking.

Historic Average Daily Traffic Volume
This week in previous years	Yosemite Valley	Tuolumne Meadows/ Tioga Road	Mariposa Grove/Wawona
Thursday	5,674	1,166	2,044
Friday	5,971	1,240	2,028
Saturday	7,191	1,254	2,203
Sunday	7,076	1,485	2,180
Monday	5,132	1,308	2,174
Tuesday	7,251	1,377	2,026
Wednesday	8,590	1,267	1,966

 

A record number of vehicles have been entering Yosemite National Park in recent years. Traffic congestion may occur from mid-morning to evening, with delays ranging between one and two hours long.

Travel recommendations:

• Bring plenty of food and water for potential delays.
• Park your vehicle for the duration of your stay. Driving from site to site increases traffic congestion.
• Ride the free shuttle buses to enjoy Yosemite Valley most easily once parked.
• Consider arriving early and staying late, or visiting Yosemite during the week.
• Enjoy the entire Yosemite region--consider visiting the surrounding communities of Mariposa, Groveland, Lee Vining and Oakhurst.
• Ride a YARTS bus to enter the park on Hwy 140 from El Portal/Mariposa or Hwy 120 from Sonora/Groveland.

Please Be Aware:

• Congestion is greatest in Yosemite Valley and at Glacier Point. It is especially heavy on weekends.
• Parking lots are generally full by noon, and sometimes earlier.
• Vehicles on roadsides must use designated turnouts and pull off the road completely. Do not park on vegetation.
• After reaching the one-way road on the Yosemite Valley floor, the only route to avoid the areas of heaviest congestion is the left-hand turn labeled for Highways 140, 120, and 41.
• During heavy traffic days, it is possible that a park ranger may temporarily divert you away from Yosemite Valley at El Capitan crossover (east of Bridalveil Fall).

We ask for patience and understanding as we work to help you enjoy and experience the Yosemite region.