July 2, 2026 – Yosemite National Park officials issue a safety reminder for your visit to the park.

When in doubt, stay out. Be extremely cautious above, below, and around Yosemite’s waterfalls.

Water-related accidents are the second most common cause of death in Yosemite National Park. Most accidents happen above, below, or near waterfalls. Please be extremely cautious around these forces of nature.

Stay out of water around waterfalls. Strong currents often surge underneath a calm surface and can sweep swimmers over the top of the falls.

Signs are strong indicators of a tragic history. Emerald Pool and the adjoining Silver Apron are closed to entry and are well signed with warnings against entering the water in this area. Many people have been injured or died here.

Rocks around waterfalls are very smooth and are incredibly slippery. Many visitors slip and fall into the water while scrambling on base boulders or going off trail to take pictures.

Do not enter the water, even for a rescue. Entering the water to aid a distressed swimmer is not encouraged (most would-be rescuers often require rescue themselves or die). The recommended rescue technique is to try to get a floatable object to the struggling swimmer and immediately call or text 911.

Please help us keep search and rescue efforts as rescues, not recovery. The best rescue is one that doesn’t have to happen at all. Stay on trail, and wait to be around water until your hike is over and you’re back on the relatively flat beaches of Yosemite Valley.
Source & photo: NPS