El Capitan in Yosemite National Park
Sierra SunTimes file photo
March 17, 2020 - Yosemite NP, California – Yosemite National Park is announcing modifications to operations to implement the latest guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), and local and state authorities to promote social distancing. As of March 17, 2020 park visitor centers, the Yosemite Valley Theater, the Yosemite Museum, along with all restaurants and lodges inside the park are closed. The park shuttles are not in operation. All ranger-guided programs have been cancelled. All of these closures will remain in effect through March 31, 2020.
Where it is possible to adhere to the latest health guidance, Yosemite National Park’s entrances, hiking trails, and the outdoor spaces around the Yosemite Village will remain open. In Yosemite Valley, the Village Store and Curry Village Gift & Grocery will remain open, along with the El Portal Market and the Wawona Store. Upper Pines Campground remains open for visitors with reservations. Camp 4 Campground also remains open. Gas stations located at Crane Flat, Wawona, and El Portal remain open. Park visitors are asked topurchase their park passes online.
Yosemite National Park is working on utilizing alternative methods to provide interpretive services and programming that adhere to the CDC guidelines. Visitors are encouraged to take advantage of the many digital tools already available to explore Yosemite National Park. Download the park’s free App and please continue to enjoy Yosemite National Park through the park’s webcams. There are many wonderful resources available to explore on the Yosemite National Park webpage to help you stay connected to your national park.
The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners at Yosemite National Park is our number one priority. The National Park Service (NPS) is working with the federal, state, and local authorities to closely monitor the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. We will notify the public when we resume full operations and provide updates on our website and social media channels.
The NPS urges visitors to do their part when visiting a park and to follow CDC guidance to prevent the spread of infectious diseases by maintaining a safe distance between yourself and other groups; washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze; and most importantly, staying home if you feel sick.
For high-risk populations, such as the elderly and people with underlying conditions, we ask that they take extra caution and follow CDC guidance for those at higher risk of serious illness.
Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus. Please check with individual parks for specific details about park operations.
Source: NPS
