Safety Closure – Winter Storm
February 20, 2026 – Yosemite National Park officials announced the park is closed through Friday due to heavy snowfall and falling 
trees. Visitors with lodging reservations may enter the park through the Hwy. 140 (Arch Rock) entrance.
The following information Yosemite National Park Superintendent Ray McPadden:
As a public safety precaution to protect life and park resources, the park is closed to visitors due to high snow loading: multiple road closures into and within the park due to heavy snowfall; on-going tree and limb failures; and potential avalanche conditions. The closed area includes the entire park.
By order of the Superintendent of Yosemite National Park and under authority of Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 1.5(a) and Section 1.5(a)(1):
Starting Thursday, February 19, 2026, the entire park is closed to all individuals except for:
- Residents of the park
- Residents of Yosemite or communities
- Contractors hired by residents of the park or residents of a community who possess documentation showing that they have been retained to provide a service at a private residence within the park
- Utility providers and their subcontractors
- Delivery services to include, but not limited to, USPS, UPS, FedEx, and OnTrac
- Authorized employees as defined below
- Anyone who possesses written authorization from the Yosemite National Park Superintendent
- Groups or individuals who already have an existing reservation for lodging
Authorized employees are individuals who are actively engaged in work directed by a supervisor or management official of the NPS, authorized NPS concessioner, or partner who have operations based in the park or community. The presence of individuals who are not included in the above definitions is prohibited.
Travel on park roads by employees, visitors, or residents is approved only for essential travel or for emergencies only.
Examples include procuring food, water, traveling to a health care facility, returning home, etc.
The closure area will be monitored to ensure compliance.
This designation will remain in place until midnight Friday, February 20, 2026, unless otherwise extended by a subsequent order.
For updated conditions visit: Current Conditions
Source: NPS
