Yes, Yosemite is Open During the Shutdown — But With Lots of Changes for Visitors

The shutdown of the federal government has brought the full or partial closure of many National Park Service sites across California — including Muir Woods, where visitors on Wednesday were met with locked gates, and Alcatraz Island.

And the closures have many people, especially curious about the state’s most visited national park, asking: “Is Yosemite National Park open right now?”

The quick answer is yes, Yosemite is still open to the public. But because of the shutdown, many federal employees who staff the park aren’t working. That means many buildings, facilities and resources aren’t currently available in Yosemite, in a way that could have real consequences for a person’s visit.

Over 4 million people visited Yosemite last year, and almost 12% of those made their trips in the month of October. So if you’re one of those hoping to visit the park in the coming days, keep reading for what to know about visiting Yosemite National Park during the government shutdown — and how to stay safe doing so.

Jump straight to:

• Finding maps and advice
• Hotel and campground reservations
• Wilderness permits

There will be no rangers at the gates to meet you — or collect your entry fee

Instead of being stopped and greeted by a park staffer at the Yosemite gates, you’ll now drive straight through. This means there’s nobody in those booths to collect your entry fee (usually $35 per vehicle) or to offer you guidance on your visit — including timely updates on weather conditions and any road closures.

Such expert advice is helpful even for seasoned park-goers, and this is where the visitor centers outside Yosemite really come in handy, said Kim Lawson, director of communications and content at the Yosemite Mariposa County Tourism Bureau.

“What we’re recommending is visitors to stop in the gateway communities as they come through,” Lawson said, especially since the Yosemite Welcome Center in Yosemite Valley will be closed during the shutdown. Resources outside the park include:

Visit Yosemite Madera County: Oakhurst Visitor Center

40343 Highway 41, Oakhurst, CA 93644

Phone: 559.683.4636

Mariposa County Visitor Center

5158 California 140, Mariposa, CA 95338

Phone: 209.966.2456

Visit Tuolumne County Visitor Center

193 S Washington St., Sonora, CA 95370

Phone: 800.446.1333 or 209.533.4420

Lawson said visitors can also consult the Yosemite shutdown information on the Yosemite Mariposa County Tourism Bureau’s website, which contains info taken from a call this week with Yosemite’s acting superintendent, Ray McPadden.

You should bring your own maps into Yosemite (which has very little phone signal)

Lawson recommends either downloading a map of the park on your phone you can access offline, bringing a print-out from home or picking up a map at one of the visitor centers outside the park, “since they’re not handing them out at the gateway.”

You can also download Google Maps for offline GPS navigation, although this navigation will not reflect live updates such as road closures or traffic.

Make sure you download any maps or information you need well ahead of entering Yosemite, where cellphone signal ranges from patchy to nonexistent. You might be able to find some signal in Yosemite Village itself, Lawson said.

You’ll still be able to buy food in Yosemite

The National Park Service’s concessionaire, Yosemite Hospitality, will continue operating its food and lodging services within the park.

(If it’s your first time visiting Yosemite, prepare for higher-than-average prices at cafes and restaurants, given its location.)

Hotel and campground reservations will be honored

Yosemite Hospitality’s website confirms: “If you have a reservation for lodging at The Ahwahnee, Yosemite Valley Lodge, Curry Village or Housekeeping Camp, your reservation will remain unchanged.”

The bathrooms are open and maintenance services are continuing

During the last government shutdown in December 2018 and January 2019, visitors reported overflowing bathrooms and unsanitary conditions in Yosemite due to lack of staff. This time around, the National Park Service said that “sanitation facilities” will remain open and that staff will still be performing maintenance.

But remember: Just because these services are technically continuing doesn’t mean they’ll necessarily be running at normal levels or on their regular service. You may consider packing extra hand sanitizer, soap and water just in case you encounter an unmaintained bathroom. If you bring wet wipes, remember to securely dispose of them or pack them out.

Emergency services will continue in Yosemite

While emergency services — like medical attention — aren’t being stopped in Yosemite during the shutdown, the Department of the Interior’s contingency plan for parks makes clear these services could be limited during this period.

This is especially important to bear in mind if you’re attempting anything athletic within Yosemite or planning to be in the backcountry. Make sure you’re even more prepared than usual to take care of yourself in all circumstances: Check the weather, make sure you’re adequately dressed for the elements, bring a first-aid kit and figure out your communications plan between group members.

Wilderness permits are still available but only on a self-serve basis

While Yosemite rangers were still personally handing out backcountry permits on Wednesday, no new permits will be issued at this time, Lawson said — and a self-check-in system is now in place for existing permits.

Like many visitor centers within Yosemite, the park’s wilderness centers are closed. This means that anyone with an existing permit should pick it up at a self-registration station, which are located at:

• Big Oak Flat Information Station
• Tuolumne Meadows Wilderness Center
• Hill’s Studio in Wawona
• Outside the Welcome Center in Yosemite Valley.

You should pick up your permit at the station closest to your trailhead, Lawson said.

Another thing to remember: There are no bear canister rentals available in Yosemite during the shutdown, meaning that anyone planning to enter the backcountry must come prepared with their own approved bear canister. You may also find bear canisters for sale outside the park.

If you’re going to visit right now, protect the landscape as much as you can

Previous government shutdowns have been grueling on national parks, even when some staffing remains in place.

During the 2018–19 government shutdown, unsupervised visitors caused serious damage to Joshua Tree National Park, where pounds of trash accumulated, vehicles went off-road and iconic Joshua trees were cut down.

At Yosemite this time around, “the staff is very, very limited,” stressed Lawson. “So it’s really helpful if guests come in aware and knowing, ‘Hey, I have an impact and how can I be a part of protecting this amazing, extraordinary place?’”

This means: Leave no trace, pack out your trash and stay patient with the park rangers that are still working unpaid through the shutdown. “That’s for all of us,” Lawson said.