How Cheaply Can You Camp in the Bay Area — Without Sacrificing Comfort?
These Yosemite Alternatives Are Just as Beautiful — and Much Less Crowded
Plan the Perfect Day at Pinnacles: California’s Most Slept-On National Park
Coyotes Are in Pupping Season in the Bay Area. Here’s How to Keep Yourself and Your Dog Safe
Yosemite Won't Require Car Reservations in 2026. Park Advocates Are Worried
Winter Rains Bring the Newts — and Here’s Where to See Them in the Bay Area
California State Parks Are Free This MLK Day
Trying to Make a Camping Reservation, but Your ReserveCalifornia Login Won’t Work? Here’s the Fix
Trump’s $100 National Park Fee for International Tourists is Now in Effect. What to Know
Player sponsored by
window.__IS_SSR__=true
window.__INITIAL_STATE__={
"attachmentsReducer": {
"audio_0": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "audio_0",
"imgSizes": {
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/themes/KQED-unified/img/audio_bgs/background0.jpg"
}
}
},
"audio_1": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "audio_1",
"imgSizes": {
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/themes/KQED-unified/img/audio_bgs/background1.jpg"
}
}
},
"audio_2": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "audio_2",
"imgSizes": {
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/themes/KQED-unified/img/audio_bgs/background2.jpg"
}
}
},
"audio_3": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "audio_3",
"imgSizes": {
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/themes/KQED-unified/img/audio_bgs/background3.jpg"
}
}
},
"audio_4": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "audio_4",
"imgSizes": {
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/themes/KQED-unified/img/audio_bgs/background4.jpg"
}
}
},
"placeholder": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "placeholder",
"imgSizes": {
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 107,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"medium": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-800x533.jpg",
"width": 800,
"height": 533,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"medium_large": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-768x512.jpg",
"width": 768,
"height": 512,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"large": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1020x680.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"height": 680,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1536x1024.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 1024,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"fd-lrg": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1536x1024.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 1024,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"fd-med": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1020x680.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"height": 680,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"fd-sm": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-800x533.jpg",
"width": 800,
"height": 533,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"height": 576,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"xxsmall": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 107,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"xsmall": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"small": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"xlarge": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1020x680.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"height": 680,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1920x1280.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"height": 1280,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"guest-author-32": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-1333x1333-1-160x160.jpg",
"width": 32,
"height": 32,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"guest-author-50": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-1333x1333-1-160x160.jpg",
"width": 50,
"height": 50,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"guest-author-64": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-1333x1333-1-160x160.jpg",
"width": 64,
"height": 64,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"guest-author-96": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-1333x1333-1-160x160.jpg",
"width": 96,
"height": 96,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"guest-author-128": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-1333x1333-1-160x160.jpg",
"width": 128,
"height": 128,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"detail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-1333x1333-1-160x160.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 160,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1.jpg",
"width": 2000,
"height": 1333
}
}
},
"news_12079261": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_12079261",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12079261",
"found": true
},
"title": "040526CheapCamping_GH_017_qed",
"publishDate": 1775755540,
"status": "inherit",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1778090954,
"caption": "Josh Dillen and reporter Sarah Wright, begin setting up a tent at a campsite at Anthony Chabot Family Campground on April 5, 2026, in Castro Valley, California. Feel like a camping trip can quickly become expensive? We got expert tips on how to keep camping cheap — and tried them out. ",
"credit": "Gustavo Hernandez/KQED",
"altTag": null,
"description": null,
"imgSizes": {
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_017_qed-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 107,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_017_qed-1536x1024.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 1024,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_017_qed-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_017_qed-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"height": 576,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"npr-cds-wide": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_017_qed-1200x675.jpg",
"width": 1200,
"height": 675,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"npr-cds-square": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_017_qed-600x600.jpg",
"width": 600,
"height": 600,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_017_qed.jpg",
"width": 2000,
"height": 1333
}
},
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"news_12047193": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_12047193",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12047193",
"found": true
},
"title": "Sonora Pass 3",
"publishDate": 1751914096,
"status": "inherit",
"parent": 12047124,
"modified": 1753389817,
"caption": "At 9,600 feet, Sonora Pass features sweeping views of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, including waterfalls, wildflowers and high alpine lakes. ",
"credit": "Courtesy of Amanda Carlson/Mono County Tourism",
"altTag": null,
"description": null,
"imgSizes": {
"medium": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Sonora-Pass-3-1-2000x1276.jpg",
"width": 2000,
"height": 1276,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"large": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Sonora-Pass-3-1-2000x1276.jpg",
"width": 2000,
"height": 1276,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Sonora-Pass-3-1-160x102.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 102,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Sonora-Pass-3-1-1536x980.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 980,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"2048x2048": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Sonora-Pass-3-1-2048x1307.jpg",
"width": 2048,
"height": 1307,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Sonora-Pass-3-1-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Sonora-Pass-3-1-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"height": 576,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Sonora-Pass-3-1-2000x1276.jpg",
"width": 2000,
"height": 1276,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Sonora-Pass-3-1-scaled.jpg",
"width": 2560,
"height": 1634
}
},
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"news_12077271": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_12077271",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12077271",
"found": true
},
"title": "031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY _GH_040-KQED",
"publishDate": 1774273676,
"status": "inherit",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1774273710,
"caption": "Bear Gulch Reservoir sits between rocky formations and rolling hills at Pinnacles National Park on March 16, 2026.",
"credit": "Gustavo Hernandez/KQED",
"altTag": null,
"description": null,
"imgSizes": {
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_040-KQED-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 107,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_040-KQED-1536x1024.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 1024,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_040-KQED-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_040-KQED-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"height": 576,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"npr-cds-wide": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_040-KQED-1200x675.jpg",
"width": 1200,
"height": 675,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_040-KQED.jpg",
"width": 2000,
"height": 1333
}
},
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"news_12046809": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_12046809",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12046809",
"found": true
},
"title": "CoyotePresidioTrust1",
"publishDate": 1751478302,
"status": "inherit",
"parent": 12046806,
"modified": 1751478519,
"caption": "A coyote advisory is in effect as sightings increase across Bay Area trails and neighborhoods this summer. Native to the region, coyotes are generally not dangerous to humans but can pose a threat to pets, prompting reminders from park officials to stay alert.",
"credit": "Courtesy of The Presidio Trust",
"altTag": null,
"description": null,
"imgSizes": {
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/CoyotePresidioTrust1-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 107,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/CoyotePresidioTrust1-1536x1024.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 1024,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/CoyotePresidioTrust1-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/CoyotePresidioTrust1-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"height": 576,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/CoyotePresidioTrust1.jpg",
"width": 2000,
"height": 1333
}
},
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"news_12074513": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_12074513",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12074513",
"found": true
},
"title": "Crowds Flock To California's Yosemite National Park Around Labor Day Weekend",
"publishDate": 1771978582,
"status": "inherit",
"parent": 12074364,
"modified": 1771978619,
"caption": "Visitors hike the Mist Trail toward Vernal Falls on Aug. 31, 2025, in Yosemite National Park, California. ",
"credit": "Apu Gomes/Getty Images",
"altTag": null,
"description": null,
"imgSizes": {
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/YosemiteGetty-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 107,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/YosemiteGetty-1536x1024.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 1024,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/YosemiteGetty-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/YosemiteGetty-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"height": 576,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"npr-cds-wide": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/YosemiteGetty-1200x675.jpg",
"width": 1200,
"height": 675,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/YosemiteGetty.jpg",
"width": 2000,
"height": 1333
}
},
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"news_12073348": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_12073348",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12073348",
"found": true
},
"title": "Newt closeup",
"publishDate": 1770929499,
"status": "inherit",
"parent": 12073343,
"modified": 1770930620,
"caption": "It’s migration season for California newts — and here’s where to see them.",
"credit": "Courtesy of Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District",
"altTag": null,
"description": null,
"imgSizes": {
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/LEDE_Newt-on-Roadway-Karl-Gohl_resized-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 107,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/LEDE_Newt-on-Roadway-Karl-Gohl_resized-1536x1024.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 1024,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/LEDE_Newt-on-Roadway-Karl-Gohl_resized-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/LEDE_Newt-on-Roadway-Karl-Gohl_resized-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"height": 576,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"npr-cds-wide": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/LEDE_Newt-on-Roadway-Karl-Gohl_resized-1200x675.jpg",
"width": 1200,
"height": 675,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/LEDE_Newt-on-Roadway-Karl-Gohl_resized.jpg",
"width": 2000,
"height": 1333
}
},
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"news_12070202": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_12070202",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12070202",
"found": true
},
"title": "Visitors fill Heart's Desire Beach at Tomales Bay State Park on Saturday August 13, 2011, in Point Reyes, Ca. Tomales Bay is one of three local State Parks on the closure list which may shut down due to California budget cuts.",
"publishDate": 1768595086,
"status": "inherit",
"parent": 12070184,
"modified": 1768595109,
"caption": "Visitors fill Heart's Desire Beach at Tomales Bay State Park on Saturday August 13, 2011, in Point Reyes, Ca. ",
"credit": "San Francisco Chronicle/Hearst Newspapers",
"altTag": null,
"description": null,
"imgSizes": {
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/GettyImages-1321998091-160x103.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 103,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/GettyImages-1321998091-1536x992.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 992,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/GettyImages-1321998091-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/GettyImages-1321998091-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"height": 576,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"npr-cds-wide": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/GettyImages-1321998091-1200x675.jpg",
"width": 1200,
"height": 675,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/GettyImages-1321998091.jpg",
"width": 1980,
"height": 1279
}
},
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"news_11973193": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_11973193",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "11973193",
"found": true
},
"title": "Camping tents at Pfeiffer Big Sur Campground with redwoods",
"publishDate": 1705717109,
"status": "inherit",
"parent": 11973183,
"modified": 1705717236,
"caption": "Camping tents at a campground in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, California.",
"credit": "Juan Camilo Bernal/Getty Images",
"altTag": "Tents surrounded by redwood trees and a picnic bench nearby.",
"description": null,
"imgSizes": {
"medium": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/GettyImages-1016157390-800x534.jpg",
"width": 800,
"height": 534,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"large": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/GettyImages-1016157390-1020x681.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"height": 681,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/GettyImages-1016157390-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 107,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/GettyImages-1016157390-1536x1025.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 1025,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"2048x2048": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/GettyImages-1016157390-2048x1367.jpg",
"width": 2048,
"height": 1367,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/GettyImages-1016157390-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/GettyImages-1016157390-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"height": 576,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/GettyImages-1016157390-1920x1281.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"height": 1281,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/GettyImages-1016157390-e1767916313589.jpg",
"width": 2000,
"height": 1335
}
},
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"news_12058519": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_12058519",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12058519",
"found": true
},
"title": "Yosemite National Park To Begin Reservations",
"publishDate": 1759449230,
"status": "inherit",
"parent": 12058508,
"modified": 1759449259,
"caption": "Visitors look up at El Capitan from El Capitan Meadow in Yosemite National Park, California, on May 20, 2025. ",
"credit": "Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images",
"altTag": null,
"description": null,
"imgSizes": {
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/YosemiteGetty-160x104.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 104,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/YosemiteGetty-1536x997.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 997,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/YosemiteGetty-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/YosemiteGetty-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"height": 576,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/YosemiteGetty.jpg",
"width": 2000,
"height": 1298
}
},
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
}
},
"audioPlayerReducer": {
"postId": "stream_live",
"isPaused": true,
"isPlaying": false,
"pfsActive": false,
"pledgeModalIsOpen": true,
"playerDrawerIsOpen": false
},
"authorsReducer": {
"sarahwright": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "11956",
"meta": {
"index": "authors_1716337520",
"id": "11956",
"found": true
},
"name": "Sarah Wright",
"firstName": "Sarah",
"lastName": "Wright",
"slug": "sarahwright",
"email": "swright@kqed.org",
"display_author_email": true,
"staff_mastheads": [],
"title": "Outdoors Engagement Reporter",
"bio": "Sarah Wright is KQED's Outdoors Engagement Reporter. Originally from Lake Tahoe, she completed a thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail in 2019 and was a U.S. Fulbright Program grantee to Argentina in 2023. Her journalism has appeared in The Guardian, The San Francisco Standard, The Palo Alto Weekly and the Half Moon Bay Review.",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/585b7a53f459b86d1d3ca1561541ab4b?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twitter": null,
"bluesky": null,
"facebook": null,
"instagram": null,
"linkedin": null,
"sites": [
{
"site": "arts",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "news",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "science",
"roles": [
"contributor",
"author"
]
},
{
"site": "forum",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
}
],
"headData": {
"title": "Sarah Wright | KQED",
"description": "Outdoors Engagement Reporter",
"ogImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/585b7a53f459b86d1d3ca1561541ab4b?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/585b7a53f459b86d1d3ca1561541ab4b?s=600&d=blank&r=g"
},
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/author/sarahwright"
}
},
"breakingNewsReducer": {},
"pagesReducer": {},
"postsReducer": {
"stream_live": {
"type": "live",
"id": "stream_live",
"audioUrl": "https://streams.kqed.org/kqedradio",
"title": "Live Stream",
"excerpt": "Live Stream information currently unavailable.",
"link": "/radio",
"featImg": "",
"label": {
"name": "KQED Live",
"link": "/"
}
},
"stream_kqedNewscast": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "stream_kqedNewscast",
"audioUrl": "https://www.kqed.org/.stream/anon/radio/RDnews/newscast.mp3?_=1",
"title": "KQED Newscast",
"featImg": "",
"label": {
"name": "88.5 FM",
"link": "/"
}
},
"news_12082396": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_12082396",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12082396",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1778162452000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "cheap-camping-near-bay-area-checklist-gear-cookware-tent-rental-sleeping-bag-pad",
"title": "How Cheaply Can You Camp in the Bay Area — Without Sacrificing Comfort?",
"publishDate": 1778162452,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "How Cheaply Can You Camp in the Bay Area — Without Sacrificing Comfort? | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"site": "news"
},
"content": "\u003cp>\u003cem>This story is part of \u003c/em>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/affordability\">\u003cem>How We Get By\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem>, a KQED series exploring how people are coping with rising costs in the Bay Area and California. Find the \u003c/em>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/affordability\">\u003cem>full series here\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem>. \u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As the \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/07/travel/airfare-bag-fees-fuel-surcharges.html\">cost of travel\u003c/a> continues to skyrocket, with gas and flight prices rising amid the Iran war, even more Californians than usual might be considering camping as a more achievable way to take a vacation this summer.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But as many people discover, the costs of camping can quickly rack up. And once you’ve bought your equipment, acquired the extras and secured those endless groceries, a getaway that originally seemed like the cheapest option can suddenly seem oddly expensive.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As it turns out, it doesn’t have to be. In my role as KQED’s Outdoor Reporter, I talked to local experts and set out to test the cheapest camping trip that would still be fun — and comfortable — right here in the Bay Area.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>The quest for cheap camping\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>My aim: To keep costs under $200 — what a person might spend for dinner and a night at a hotel.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To run this experiment, I had to set some parameters:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>I couldn’t use the camping gear I already owned\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Anything I brought would have to be something your average person might have at home\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Everything else I would have to borrow, rent or buy as affordably as possible\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12079258\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1999px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12079258\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_005_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1999\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_005_qed.jpg 1999w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_005_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_005_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1999px) 100vw, 1999px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A view of Lake Chabot is seen from Anthony Chabot Family Campground, which sits about 1.5 miles above the lake, on April 5, 2026, in Castro Valley, California. \u003ccite>(Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>I also brought my partner with me, because camping with others is nearly always more fun.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It would take some creativity, but I did it — and for far less than $200. All told, my weekend adventure came in at around $180.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Keep reading what I learned about camping as cheaply as possible near the Bay Area, and the tips you can use to make your next weekend away as budget-friendly as possible.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#WheretofindfreecampsitesneartheBayArea\">Where to find free campsites near the Bay Area\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#Howtokeepcostsdownwhenrentingcampingequipment\">How to keep costs down when renting camping equipment\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#Wheretobuyorthriftcheapercampingsupplies\">Where to buy (or thrift) cheaper camping supplies\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>Try reserving a cheaper ‘walk-in’ campsite …\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>For my night away, I spent $33 on \u003ca href=\"https://campnab.com/camping-glossary/walk-in-campsite\">a walk-in campsite \u003c/a>— that is, a campsite you have to walk a little way to after parking, as opposed to one where you can pop your tent right next to your vehicle. These are not to be confused with walk-\u003cem>up\u003c/em> campsites, which are “first-come, first-served” and can’t be reserved.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I chose a walk-in site because these are usually a few dollars cheaper than drive-up sites. (I even called the reservation office to see if making the $25 campsite reservation by phone could waive the $8 service fee — alas, it did not.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12079262\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12079262\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_018_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_018_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_018_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_018_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Used and borrowed coolers hold food at a campsite at Anthony Chabot Family Campground on April 5, 2026, in Castro Valley, California. Camper Ernesto Carmona said reusing gear is a key way to keep camping affordable. \u003ccite>(Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>For the cost of a 5-minute walk with all your stuff, a walk-in site gives you a much more secluded, immersive camping experience. Still, first-time campers may use a regular drive-in site to keep their car close by. Regardless of what you decide, most Bay Area campsites will be in the $30-$50 range per night, including the service fee.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I chose the East Bay’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebparks.org/parks/anthony-chabot/camping\">Anthony Chabot Campground\u003c/a> because of its beginner-friendly nature, and the short 35-minute drive from downtown Oakland (even closer if you live in Castro Valley or Hayward). Not only did this hillside spot have plenty of available reservations, but it’s beautiful, too: nestled within eucalyptus trees with a view of scenic Lake Chabot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And it has \u003ca href=\"https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/california/anthony-chabot-regional-park--2\">hiking trails for all levels\u003c/a> — for a relaxed stroll at sunset, we took the easy, mostly flat Towhee Trail, connecting a loop around the campground above Lake Chabot.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"WheretofindfreecampsitesneartheBayArea\">\u003c/a>… or choose a dispersed site for even cheaper (or free) camping\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Want to keep your costs even lower? You can always “\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11920867/how-to-find-free-camping-in-californias-national-forests\">dispersed camp\u003c/a>” in national forests or other federal land — meaning you’ll pitch your tent outside a developed campground.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Not only is dispersed camping far cheaper — it’s usually free, although certain forests may require a pass that costs a few dollars — it tends to be quieter and doesn’t usually require a permit.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Dispersed camping “kind of brings the benefit of backpacking” while still having your car, said Brian Low, general manager at Club Urban Diversion, a Bay Area-based social club that organizes outdoor trips. “You get into the backcountry away from other people and have a really tranquil experience in the wilderness, but you have the benefit of being able to drive right up to your site and camp there.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12082551\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12082551\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/HikingJosh.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/HikingJosh.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/HikingJosh-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/HikingJosh-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Joshua Dillen hikes the Towhee Trail, which circles Anthony Chabot Campground, on April 5, 2026. \u003ccite>(Sarah Wright/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>But there is a catch: Most of those campsites don’t have any facilities at all, like toilets or showers, and may not be properly marked on maps. Make sure you know you’re camping legally and not on private property beforehand (apps like \u003ca href=\"https://www.gaiagps.com/\">Gaia GPS\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.onxmaps.com/backcountry/app?utm_source=googlesearch&utm_medium=paid_search&utm_campaign=PERF_BC_US_NATION_GOOGLE-AC_WEB_ACQ_BRAND_07-23-2025&https://www.onxmaps.com/backcountry/blog/fatmap-alternative&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22520966125&gbraid=0AAAAABs4zQ6QJkac9R-vd5C9tuG0WzE20&gclid=Cj0KCQjwkrzPBhCqARIsAJN460lTK-0LmtCQmpc7Tgsli9ZcuHAFAvNMLcLgGUd-7OSarKtVbhfCukwaAvSyEALw_wcB\">onX Backcountry\u003c/a> can help you navigate).\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can also call the local land management office where you’re trying to camp, usually the \u003ca href=\"https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/offices\">U.S. Forest Service\u003c/a> or \u003ca href=\"https://www.blm.gov/office/central-california-district-office\">Bureau of Land Management\u003c/a>, and ask a ranger or staff member where to camp safely and legally nearby.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Make sure you ask about \u003ca href=\"https://www.blm.gov/programs/fire/regional-info/california/fire-restrictions\">any local fire restrictions\u003c/a> or other regulations. You’ll probably also need a \u003ca href=\"http://readyforwildfire.org/permits/campfire-permit/\">California Campfire Permit\u003c/a>, which is free.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12082554\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12082554\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/TentView.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/TentView.jpeg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/TentView-160x120.jpeg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/TentView-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A tent is set up in the corner of a campsite at Anthony Chabot Campground on April 5, 2026. \u003ccite>(Sarah Wright/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Dispersed camping also means you’ll have to:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Bring water in your car (or a\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12040242/start-backpacking-trails-bay-area-near-me-permits#backpacking-gear\"> water filter\u003c/a>) for the entire weekend\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Expect to pack out your trash (yes, including toilet paper)\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Follow other\u003ca href=\"https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/\"> Leave No Trace principles\u003c/a> like camping away from streams …\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>… and burying your poop at least 6 inches deep in the ground.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>“It does require a little bit more know-how and skill to camp in those places,” Low said. “So it’s not always the most beginner-friendly.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In short, while dispersed camping will keep reservation costs way down, saving this money might not be worth the stress if you’re more of a beginner camper.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Know the essentials you absolutely \u003cem>shouldn’t \u003c/em>cut corners on\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Namely, your “big three”: Your tent, sleeping bag and sleeping pad. These are the essential pieces of gear you 100% need to safely enjoy a night out camping, even if the weather forecast is perfect.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“If you go out and you can’t sleep because you’re freezing cold and you’re shivering all night, and then you wake up, tired and groggy and grumpy, you’re just not going to have fun the next day,” Low said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Besides a warm, comfortable sleep setup, you don’t technically \u003cem>need \u003c/em>anything else to camp. But there are some nice-to-haves, and you can borrow, rent or find them at local thrift stores. Which brings us to …\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Borrow from your community (before you invest in your own costly gear)\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Camping with friends or family is the easiest way to keep costs down. You can carpool, share tents and other gear — and you’ll probably have more fun, too.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can also borrow extra equipment from that one friend who has too much or another who can’t make the trip this time. (Full disclosure: I am usually that one friend — I have lent my gear to pretty much anyone who asked. As far as I’m concerned, the more use my gear gets, the better.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Lean on your community, friends, family, acquaintances – see if there’s stuff that you can borrow,” Low said. “And then stuff you can’t borrow, see if you can rent it. And \u003cem>then \u003c/em>stuff you can’t rent, consider buying it.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12079264\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12079264\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_025_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_025_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_025_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_025_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Marcus Johnson, of Hayward, with his family at Anthony Chabot Family Campground on April 5, 2026, in Castro Valley, CA. Bringing used gear and choosing local campsites helps keep trips affordable, according to Mr Johnson. \u003ccite>(Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Your local library may also offer \u003ca href=\"https://sfstandard.com/2024/01/01/free-hiking-gear-bay-area-libraries/\">rentals for hiking gear\u003c/a> that you can check out the way you would a book — all for free. You can also reserve and check out \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11910495/how-to-get-free-entry-to-california-state-parks-with-your-library-card\">free state parks passes\u003c/a> from your library.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re associated with a university, check whether your school has an \u003ca href=\"https://chaosberkeley.org/gear-shed/\">outdoors club\u003c/a>, as these organizations often rent gear for cheap to students and faculty.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For this trip, I borrowed a lawn chair from my roommate. It’s been sitting in our house for a while, and was the perfect way to relax around the campfire — so who cares if it wasn’t an actual camping chair?\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"Howtokeepcostsdownwhenrentingcampingequipment\">\u003c/a>How to affordably rent your most crucial gear\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you’re planning on making camping a habit, you may consider buying your “big three” — tent, sleeping bag and sleeping pad — but you’ll want to buy it from a reputable outdoors gear store, advised Low. When you buy from sellers on sites like Amazon, you run the risk of receiving dupes or low-quality gear that hasn’t been field-tested and may not hold up in bad weather.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Once you buy it, good gear can last a lifetime. Case in point: I have used my sleeping bag and pad for hundreds of nights outdoors. And you can trust the recommendations of many outfitters’ salespeople, as they generally don’t work on commission, Low said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12079255\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12079255\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_001_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_001_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_001_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_001_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A sign marks the entrance to Anthony Chabot Regional Park at Marciel Gate along Redwood Road on April 5, 2026, in Castro Valley, California. \u003ccite>(Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>But what if you’re a more casual camper who’s only planning on sleeping in a tent for a weekend or two per year? In this instance, you don’t have to drop hundreds of dollars on new gear — and if you can’t borrow it as above, you can plan to rent it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For my trip, I rented the big three from Sports Basement in San Francisco, where employees Neil Barbo and Erica Huerta helped me pick up my rentals.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sportsbasement.com/pages/camping-rental-rates\">You can make reservations\u003c/a> for gear rentals online ahead of time, but in this case, I just walked in to find everything I needed right there in the store.[aside postID=news_12035515 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/GettyImages-1366211065_qed-1020x681.jpg']As Barbo and Huerta showed me, places like Sports Basement offer bundled \u003ca href=\"https://www.sportsbasement.com/products/sbrents-2-person-car-camping-package-with-duo-sleeping-options\">rental packages\u003c/a> for people who want to go all in. But most campers don’t need \u003cem>everything \u003c/em>in the package, Barbo said — so if keeping costs low is your priority, forget the bundles and just pick and choose what you need.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The cost of my setup for the weekend was $108 for a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad and camping stove. For the stove, I also had to buy fuel — I bought a refillable one, but most single-use cans go for around $10 (and may be found even cheaper at hardware stores).\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I hadn’t used the kind of stove I was renting before, so Barbo offered me a demonstration right there in the shop to ensure I’d be able to make dinner when I got to Chabot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You shouldn’t be afraid of asking rental staff how to use an item, stressed Barbo, because the worst case scenario is spending money to rent something you then can’t figure out how to use.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Another upside of renting, the pair said, is being able to test out different types of gear to see what you do and don’t like before committing to any one brand or item.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“You can kind of figure out, ‘is camping for you?’” Huerta said. “‘Is maybe backpacking more your style?’ There’s different ways to camp, different ways to backpack, and it’s a good way to try out different variations and see what makes you happiest.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"Wheretobuyorthriftcheapercampingsupplies\">\u003c/a>Where to buy or thrift the rest of your camping gear affordably\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you know you want to make camping a habit but don’t want to shell out just yet, online used markets like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace are great options.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can also visit your local thrift store, like Goodwill. For my trip, I went to the \u003ca href=\"https://www.communitythriftsf.org/\">Community Thrift Store\u003c/a> in the Mission and picked up a small cooler for $3, so I wouldn’t need that entire Sports Basement camping package. For another $3, I also found some solar-powered string lights to hang on my tent at night.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12082552\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12082552\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/Flashlights.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/Flashlights.jpeg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/Flashlights-160x120.jpeg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/Flashlights-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A bin at the Community Thrift Store in San Francisco’s Mission District holds flashlights for sale. \u003ccite>(Sarah Wright/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Other items I saw at the thrift store that I already owned but would be great to bring camping were:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>A headlamp and flashlight\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Tons of cookware, utensils, water bottles and Tupperware\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Warm beanies, gloves and sun hats\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Hiking boots and sandals\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Lawn toys like frisbees, inflatable footballs and bouncy balls\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Art supplies like colored pencils and paints\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Board games and books galore\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Once I arrived at Chabot, I got chatting to fellow camper Ernesto Carmona, who was there with his family. Lots of their gear was borrowed, said Carmona, but the rest was affordably acquired from places like Costco, Walmart and Target. “As simple as possible is the best way to go,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The first time we ever camped, we tried to bring a bunch of fancy stuff, and we were more worried about getting it damaged than enjoying the camping trip,” Carmona said. Instead, he advised bringing things you \u003cem>won’t \u003c/em>miss if they get damaged — or stressed out if they get dirty — and particularly suggested a cheap cooler.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“You make better memories that way,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12082556\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12082556 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/GamesThrift.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/GamesThrift.jpeg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/GamesThrift-160x120.jpeg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/GamesThrift-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Local thrift stores, including the Community Thrift Store in San Francisco’s Mission District, sell lots of toys and board games that you can bring camping. \u003ccite>(Sarah Wright/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Carmona even got four or five giant boxes of firewood from Foodmax. He said big box stores fit his needs better than expensive outdoors ones, finding Bass Pro Shop in particular “too purpose-intended.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And if you’re worried about staying warm at night around the campfire or in your tent, Sports Basement’s Huerta suggested you head to your local hardware store to pick up \u003ca href=\"https://www.backpacker.com/survival/survival-skills/emergency-shelters/how-and-when-hikers-should-use-space-blankets-and-survival-blankets/\">a space blanket\u003c/a> — those shiny Mylar emergency blankets used to prevent hypothermia — for just a few dollars. If you put one of these blankets down on your tent floor under your sleeping pad, it will reflect your body heat back up to you at night.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s such a simple thing and has been such a great saver for a good night of sleep,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I happened to have one already at home, leftover from a race I participated in years ago, and can attest: wearing mine around the campfire at night kept me extra toasty.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>You almost certainly don’t need to buy or rent camping clothes\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>There’s no need to make this part complicated: You probably already have the right clothes for camping. So just bring whatever is comfortable and that you’re not afraid to get dirty.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re planning on hiking, bring gear for that, including sun protection and walking or hiking shoes. Unless you’re planning a major hike, you probably don’t need hiking boots, as regular tennis shoes will perform just fine.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12082553\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12082553\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/Sunset.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/Sunset.jpeg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/Sunset-160x120.jpeg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/Sunset-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Dusk falls on a campground at Anthony Chabot Regional Park on April 5, 2026. Campers here thrifted string lights to deck out their tent. \u003ccite>(Sarah Wright/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Always check the weather ahead of time — you might need a rain jacket. And be sure to bring more layers for nighttime, as temperatures in the Bay Area can drop dramatically when the sun goes down. A pair of gloves and a beanie go a long way – and can be easily thrifted, if you need to pick some up.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Really \u003c/em>worried about being warm at night? Bring a hard-sided Nalgene bottle, if you own one, and fill it with boiling water before bed to act as a space heater in your sleeping bag.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Camp food can be as cheap as you’d like\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>For this trip, I spent just $15 at the grocery store for food for two, supplemented by a few pantry items from home (more on that below) — and found we had plenty of food to enjoy during our stay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>We purchased buns, hot dogs and grilled zucchini for dinner and brought instant oatmeal packets and instant coffee from home for breakfast to keep things cheap and easy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12082559\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12082559\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/Cooking.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/Cooking.jpeg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/Cooking-160x120.jpeg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/Cooking-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Campers at Anthony Chabot Regional Park cook hot dogs on a two-burner camping stove rented at Sports Basement on April 5, 2026. \u003ccite>(Sarah Wright/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>You could easily pack more involved fare, since preparing a somewhat time-consuming meal can be an intrinsic part of the fun when camping. But if you don’t care about making a big meal, some of my go-to cheap and easy camping meals are instant ramen, instant mashed potatoes and boxed mac and cheese — which are all around a dollar at stores like Grocery Outlet.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And if you’re not dead set on making s’mores, a simple mug of hot chocolate and tea can be a more budget-friendly campfire treat.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>My partner and I also purchased a $10 bundle of wood at the campground to make our campfire. For extra thriftiness, we used our paper grocery bag as a firestarter.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Remember: You can bring a ton of stuff from home\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>While I prefer having a headlamp in a campsite, you can always bring an emergency flashlight from home or use your phone as a flashlight. Just remember, you may not be able to charge it, so airplane mode might be your best bet this trip.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And you can skip the fancy camping cookware. While I rented a Coleman-style camping stove from Sports Basement, I brought the pots and pans we used for meals right from my kitchen, as well as mugs, tongs for cooking and utensils, along with that extra food already in our pantry. I also brought a trash bag, dish soap and a sponge from home.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12079256\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1999px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12079256 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_003_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1999\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_003_qed.jpg 1999w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_003_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_003_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1999px) 100vw, 1999px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Firewood and charcoal are sold at Anthony Chabot Family Campground on April 5, 2026, in Castro Valley, California. \u003ccite>(Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Low also suggested items like takeout containers or Tupperware can be perfect to eat out of or help you prep your food. I took his advice: On my trip, my main eating bowl was a plastic tupperware that I’ve had forever.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Almost everybody usually has something like that at home,” he said. “So you don’t have to go out and buy everything.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Money left over? Don’t sleep on the fun optional extras\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>For entertainment around camp, bring a book you have lying around but haven’t gotten to, a deck of cards, a board game or even a frisbee. Sports Basement offers hammocks to rent as well. If you’re by a lake, you can even bring a floaty and a small speaker to lean into the beach vibes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One of Low’s favorite camp games is bocce ball, he said. He even found a set with LEDs so he can play at night with friends.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12079263\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12079263\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_021_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_021_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_021_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_021_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Elena Carmona, 5, holds a toy container with a darkling beetle and a kite at Anthony Chabot Family Campground on April 5, 2026, in Castro Valley, California. \u003ccite>(Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“It’s not serious,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if the ground is perfectly level. We’ve played it on a hill before, and it just kind of makes it that much more fun when all the balls roll out there and then roll back towards you.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Low has also had friends bring musical instruments. On my trip, I brought art supplies and a board game from home to pass the time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“If you’re car camping, the world is your oyster,” Low said. “If it fits in the car and you think it’s gonna improve your experience and be kind of fun out there, then bring it.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
"blocks": [],
"excerpt": "Feel like a camping trip can quickly become expensive? We got expert tips on how to keep camping cheap — and tried them out. ",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1778697859,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 73,
"wordCount": 3568
},
"headData": {
"title": "How Cheaply Can You Camp in the Bay Area — Without Sacrificing Comfort? | KQED",
"description": "Feel like a camping trip can quickly become expensive? We got expert tips on how to keep camping cheap — and tried them out. ",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "How Cheaply Can You Camp in the Bay Area — Without Sacrificing Comfort?",
"datePublished": "2026-05-07T07:00:52-07:00",
"dateModified": "2026-05-13T11:44:19-07:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"primaryCategory": {
"termId": 34168,
"slug": "guides-and-explainers",
"name": "Guides and Explainers"
},
"audioUrl": "https://traffic.omny.fm/d/clips/0af137ef-751e-4b19-a055-aaef00d2d578/ffca7e9f-6831-41c5-bcaf-aaef00f5a073/4cb51a5b-107c-4763-b226-b44901190e7f/audio.mp3",
"sticky": false,
"nprStoryId": "kqed-12082396",
"templateType": "standard",
"featuredImageType": "standard",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/12082396/cheap-camping-near-bay-area-checklist-gear-cookware-tent-rental-sleeping-bag-pad",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003cem>This story is part of \u003c/em>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/affordability\">\u003cem>How We Get By\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem>, a KQED series exploring how people are coping with rising costs in the Bay Area and California. Find the \u003c/em>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/affordability\">\u003cem>full series here\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem>. \u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As the \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/07/travel/airfare-bag-fees-fuel-surcharges.html\">cost of travel\u003c/a> continues to skyrocket, with gas and flight prices rising amid the Iran war, even more Californians than usual might be considering camping as a more achievable way to take a vacation this summer.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But as many people discover, the costs of camping can quickly rack up. And once you’ve bought your equipment, acquired the extras and secured those endless groceries, a getaway that originally seemed like the cheapest option can suddenly seem oddly expensive.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As it turns out, it doesn’t have to be. In my role as KQED’s Outdoor Reporter, I talked to local experts and set out to test the cheapest camping trip that would still be fun — and comfortable — right here in the Bay Area.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>The quest for cheap camping\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>My aim: To keep costs under $200 — what a person might spend for dinner and a night at a hotel.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To run this experiment, I had to set some parameters:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>I couldn’t use the camping gear I already owned\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Anything I brought would have to be something your average person might have at home\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Everything else I would have to borrow, rent or buy as affordably as possible\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12079258\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1999px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12079258\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_005_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1999\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_005_qed.jpg 1999w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_005_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_005_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1999px) 100vw, 1999px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A view of Lake Chabot is seen from Anthony Chabot Family Campground, which sits about 1.5 miles above the lake, on April 5, 2026, in Castro Valley, California. \u003ccite>(Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>I also brought my partner with me, because camping with others is nearly always more fun.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It would take some creativity, but I did it — and for far less than $200. All told, my weekend adventure came in at around $180.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Keep reading what I learned about camping as cheaply as possible near the Bay Area, and the tips you can use to make your next weekend away as budget-friendly as possible.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#WheretofindfreecampsitesneartheBayArea\">Where to find free campsites near the Bay Area\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#Howtokeepcostsdownwhenrentingcampingequipment\">How to keep costs down when renting camping equipment\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#Wheretobuyorthriftcheapercampingsupplies\">Where to buy (or thrift) cheaper camping supplies\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>Try reserving a cheaper ‘walk-in’ campsite …\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>For my night away, I spent $33 on \u003ca href=\"https://campnab.com/camping-glossary/walk-in-campsite\">a walk-in campsite \u003c/a>— that is, a campsite you have to walk a little way to after parking, as opposed to one where you can pop your tent right next to your vehicle. These are not to be confused with walk-\u003cem>up\u003c/em> campsites, which are “first-come, first-served” and can’t be reserved.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I chose a walk-in site because these are usually a few dollars cheaper than drive-up sites. (I even called the reservation office to see if making the $25 campsite reservation by phone could waive the $8 service fee — alas, it did not.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12079262\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12079262\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_018_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_018_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_018_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_018_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Used and borrowed coolers hold food at a campsite at Anthony Chabot Family Campground on April 5, 2026, in Castro Valley, California. Camper Ernesto Carmona said reusing gear is a key way to keep camping affordable. \u003ccite>(Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>For the cost of a 5-minute walk with all your stuff, a walk-in site gives you a much more secluded, immersive camping experience. Still, first-time campers may use a regular drive-in site to keep their car close by. Regardless of what you decide, most Bay Area campsites will be in the $30-$50 range per night, including the service fee.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I chose the East Bay’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebparks.org/parks/anthony-chabot/camping\">Anthony Chabot Campground\u003c/a> because of its beginner-friendly nature, and the short 35-minute drive from downtown Oakland (even closer if you live in Castro Valley or Hayward). Not only did this hillside spot have plenty of available reservations, but it’s beautiful, too: nestled within eucalyptus trees with a view of scenic Lake Chabot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And it has \u003ca href=\"https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/california/anthony-chabot-regional-park--2\">hiking trails for all levels\u003c/a> — for a relaxed stroll at sunset, we took the easy, mostly flat Towhee Trail, connecting a loop around the campground above Lake Chabot.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"WheretofindfreecampsitesneartheBayArea\">\u003c/a>… or choose a dispersed site for even cheaper (or free) camping\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Want to keep your costs even lower? You can always “\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11920867/how-to-find-free-camping-in-californias-national-forests\">dispersed camp\u003c/a>” in national forests or other federal land — meaning you’ll pitch your tent outside a developed campground.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Not only is dispersed camping far cheaper — it’s usually free, although certain forests may require a pass that costs a few dollars — it tends to be quieter and doesn’t usually require a permit.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Dispersed camping “kind of brings the benefit of backpacking” while still having your car, said Brian Low, general manager at Club Urban Diversion, a Bay Area-based social club that organizes outdoor trips. “You get into the backcountry away from other people and have a really tranquil experience in the wilderness, but you have the benefit of being able to drive right up to your site and camp there.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12082551\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12082551\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/HikingJosh.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/HikingJosh.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/HikingJosh-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/HikingJosh-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Joshua Dillen hikes the Towhee Trail, which circles Anthony Chabot Campground, on April 5, 2026. \u003ccite>(Sarah Wright/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>But there is a catch: Most of those campsites don’t have any facilities at all, like toilets or showers, and may not be properly marked on maps. Make sure you know you’re camping legally and not on private property beforehand (apps like \u003ca href=\"https://www.gaiagps.com/\">Gaia GPS\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.onxmaps.com/backcountry/app?utm_source=googlesearch&utm_medium=paid_search&utm_campaign=PERF_BC_US_NATION_GOOGLE-AC_WEB_ACQ_BRAND_07-23-2025&https://www.onxmaps.com/backcountry/blog/fatmap-alternative&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22520966125&gbraid=0AAAAABs4zQ6QJkac9R-vd5C9tuG0WzE20&gclid=Cj0KCQjwkrzPBhCqARIsAJN460lTK-0LmtCQmpc7Tgsli9ZcuHAFAvNMLcLgGUd-7OSarKtVbhfCukwaAvSyEALw_wcB\">onX Backcountry\u003c/a> can help you navigate).\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can also call the local land management office where you’re trying to camp, usually the \u003ca href=\"https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/offices\">U.S. Forest Service\u003c/a> or \u003ca href=\"https://www.blm.gov/office/central-california-district-office\">Bureau of Land Management\u003c/a>, and ask a ranger or staff member where to camp safely and legally nearby.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Make sure you ask about \u003ca href=\"https://www.blm.gov/programs/fire/regional-info/california/fire-restrictions\">any local fire restrictions\u003c/a> or other regulations. You’ll probably also need a \u003ca href=\"http://readyforwildfire.org/permits/campfire-permit/\">California Campfire Permit\u003c/a>, which is free.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12082554\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12082554\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/TentView.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/TentView.jpeg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/TentView-160x120.jpeg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/TentView-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A tent is set up in the corner of a campsite at Anthony Chabot Campground on April 5, 2026. \u003ccite>(Sarah Wright/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Dispersed camping also means you’ll have to:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Bring water in your car (or a\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12040242/start-backpacking-trails-bay-area-near-me-permits#backpacking-gear\"> water filter\u003c/a>) for the entire weekend\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Expect to pack out your trash (yes, including toilet paper)\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Follow other\u003ca href=\"https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/\"> Leave No Trace principles\u003c/a> like camping away from streams …\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>… and burying your poop at least 6 inches deep in the ground.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>“It does require a little bit more know-how and skill to camp in those places,” Low said. “So it’s not always the most beginner-friendly.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In short, while dispersed camping will keep reservation costs way down, saving this money might not be worth the stress if you’re more of a beginner camper.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Know the essentials you absolutely \u003cem>shouldn’t \u003c/em>cut corners on\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Namely, your “big three”: Your tent, sleeping bag and sleeping pad. These are the essential pieces of gear you 100% need to safely enjoy a night out camping, even if the weather forecast is perfect.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“If you go out and you can’t sleep because you’re freezing cold and you’re shivering all night, and then you wake up, tired and groggy and grumpy, you’re just not going to have fun the next day,” Low said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Besides a warm, comfortable sleep setup, you don’t technically \u003cem>need \u003c/em>anything else to camp. But there are some nice-to-haves, and you can borrow, rent or find them at local thrift stores. Which brings us to …\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Borrow from your community (before you invest in your own costly gear)\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Camping with friends or family is the easiest way to keep costs down. You can carpool, share tents and other gear — and you’ll probably have more fun, too.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can also borrow extra equipment from that one friend who has too much or another who can’t make the trip this time. (Full disclosure: I am usually that one friend — I have lent my gear to pretty much anyone who asked. As far as I’m concerned, the more use my gear gets, the better.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Lean on your community, friends, family, acquaintances – see if there’s stuff that you can borrow,” Low said. “And then stuff you can’t borrow, see if you can rent it. And \u003cem>then \u003c/em>stuff you can’t rent, consider buying it.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12079264\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12079264\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_025_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_025_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_025_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_025_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Marcus Johnson, of Hayward, with his family at Anthony Chabot Family Campground on April 5, 2026, in Castro Valley, CA. Bringing used gear and choosing local campsites helps keep trips affordable, according to Mr Johnson. \u003ccite>(Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Your local library may also offer \u003ca href=\"https://sfstandard.com/2024/01/01/free-hiking-gear-bay-area-libraries/\">rentals for hiking gear\u003c/a> that you can check out the way you would a book — all for free. You can also reserve and check out \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11910495/how-to-get-free-entry-to-california-state-parks-with-your-library-card\">free state parks passes\u003c/a> from your library.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re associated with a university, check whether your school has an \u003ca href=\"https://chaosberkeley.org/gear-shed/\">outdoors club\u003c/a>, as these organizations often rent gear for cheap to students and faculty.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For this trip, I borrowed a lawn chair from my roommate. It’s been sitting in our house for a while, and was the perfect way to relax around the campfire — so who cares if it wasn’t an actual camping chair?\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"Howtokeepcostsdownwhenrentingcampingequipment\">\u003c/a>How to affordably rent your most crucial gear\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you’re planning on making camping a habit, you may consider buying your “big three” — tent, sleeping bag and sleeping pad — but you’ll want to buy it from a reputable outdoors gear store, advised Low. When you buy from sellers on sites like Amazon, you run the risk of receiving dupes or low-quality gear that hasn’t been field-tested and may not hold up in bad weather.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Once you buy it, good gear can last a lifetime. Case in point: I have used my sleeping bag and pad for hundreds of nights outdoors. And you can trust the recommendations of many outfitters’ salespeople, as they generally don’t work on commission, Low said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12079255\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12079255\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_001_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_001_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_001_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_001_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A sign marks the entrance to Anthony Chabot Regional Park at Marciel Gate along Redwood Road on April 5, 2026, in Castro Valley, California. \u003ccite>(Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>But what if you’re a more casual camper who’s only planning on sleeping in a tent for a weekend or two per year? In this instance, you don’t have to drop hundreds of dollars on new gear — and if you can’t borrow it as above, you can plan to rent it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For my trip, I rented the big three from Sports Basement in San Francisco, where employees Neil Barbo and Erica Huerta helped me pick up my rentals.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sportsbasement.com/pages/camping-rental-rates\">You can make reservations\u003c/a> for gear rentals online ahead of time, but in this case, I just walked in to find everything I needed right there in the store.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "aside",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"postid": "news_12035515",
"hero": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/GettyImages-1366211065_qed-1020x681.jpg",
"label": ""
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>As Barbo and Huerta showed me, places like Sports Basement offer bundled \u003ca href=\"https://www.sportsbasement.com/products/sbrents-2-person-car-camping-package-with-duo-sleeping-options\">rental packages\u003c/a> for people who want to go all in. But most campers don’t need \u003cem>everything \u003c/em>in the package, Barbo said — so if keeping costs low is your priority, forget the bundles and just pick and choose what you need.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The cost of my setup for the weekend was $108 for a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad and camping stove. For the stove, I also had to buy fuel — I bought a refillable one, but most single-use cans go for around $10 (and may be found even cheaper at hardware stores).\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I hadn’t used the kind of stove I was renting before, so Barbo offered me a demonstration right there in the shop to ensure I’d be able to make dinner when I got to Chabot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You shouldn’t be afraid of asking rental staff how to use an item, stressed Barbo, because the worst case scenario is spending money to rent something you then can’t figure out how to use.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Another upside of renting, the pair said, is being able to test out different types of gear to see what you do and don’t like before committing to any one brand or item.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“You can kind of figure out, ‘is camping for you?’” Huerta said. “‘Is maybe backpacking more your style?’ There’s different ways to camp, different ways to backpack, and it’s a good way to try out different variations and see what makes you happiest.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"Wheretobuyorthriftcheapercampingsupplies\">\u003c/a>Where to buy or thrift the rest of your camping gear affordably\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you know you want to make camping a habit but don’t want to shell out just yet, online used markets like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace are great options.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can also visit your local thrift store, like Goodwill. For my trip, I went to the \u003ca href=\"https://www.communitythriftsf.org/\">Community Thrift Store\u003c/a> in the Mission and picked up a small cooler for $3, so I wouldn’t need that entire Sports Basement camping package. For another $3, I also found some solar-powered string lights to hang on my tent at night.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12082552\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12082552\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/Flashlights.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/Flashlights.jpeg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/Flashlights-160x120.jpeg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/Flashlights-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A bin at the Community Thrift Store in San Francisco’s Mission District holds flashlights for sale. \u003ccite>(Sarah Wright/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Other items I saw at the thrift store that I already owned but would be great to bring camping were:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>A headlamp and flashlight\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Tons of cookware, utensils, water bottles and Tupperware\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Warm beanies, gloves and sun hats\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Hiking boots and sandals\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Lawn toys like frisbees, inflatable footballs and bouncy balls\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Art supplies like colored pencils and paints\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Board games and books galore\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Once I arrived at Chabot, I got chatting to fellow camper Ernesto Carmona, who was there with his family. Lots of their gear was borrowed, said Carmona, but the rest was affordably acquired from places like Costco, Walmart and Target. “As simple as possible is the best way to go,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The first time we ever camped, we tried to bring a bunch of fancy stuff, and we were more worried about getting it damaged than enjoying the camping trip,” Carmona said. Instead, he advised bringing things you \u003cem>won’t \u003c/em>miss if they get damaged — or stressed out if they get dirty — and particularly suggested a cheap cooler.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“You make better memories that way,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12082556\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12082556 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/GamesThrift.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/GamesThrift.jpeg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/GamesThrift-160x120.jpeg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/GamesThrift-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Local thrift stores, including the Community Thrift Store in San Francisco’s Mission District, sell lots of toys and board games that you can bring camping. \u003ccite>(Sarah Wright/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Carmona even got four or five giant boxes of firewood from Foodmax. He said big box stores fit his needs better than expensive outdoors ones, finding Bass Pro Shop in particular “too purpose-intended.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And if you’re worried about staying warm at night around the campfire or in your tent, Sports Basement’s Huerta suggested you head to your local hardware store to pick up \u003ca href=\"https://www.backpacker.com/survival/survival-skills/emergency-shelters/how-and-when-hikers-should-use-space-blankets-and-survival-blankets/\">a space blanket\u003c/a> — those shiny Mylar emergency blankets used to prevent hypothermia — for just a few dollars. If you put one of these blankets down on your tent floor under your sleeping pad, it will reflect your body heat back up to you at night.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s such a simple thing and has been such a great saver for a good night of sleep,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I happened to have one already at home, leftover from a race I participated in years ago, and can attest: wearing mine around the campfire at night kept me extra toasty.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>You almost certainly don’t need to buy or rent camping clothes\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>There’s no need to make this part complicated: You probably already have the right clothes for camping. So just bring whatever is comfortable and that you’re not afraid to get dirty.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re planning on hiking, bring gear for that, including sun protection and walking or hiking shoes. Unless you’re planning a major hike, you probably don’t need hiking boots, as regular tennis shoes will perform just fine.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12082553\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12082553\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/Sunset.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/Sunset.jpeg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/Sunset-160x120.jpeg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/Sunset-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Dusk falls on a campground at Anthony Chabot Regional Park on April 5, 2026. Campers here thrifted string lights to deck out their tent. \u003ccite>(Sarah Wright/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Always check the weather ahead of time — you might need a rain jacket. And be sure to bring more layers for nighttime, as temperatures in the Bay Area can drop dramatically when the sun goes down. A pair of gloves and a beanie go a long way – and can be easily thrifted, if you need to pick some up.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Really \u003c/em>worried about being warm at night? Bring a hard-sided Nalgene bottle, if you own one, and fill it with boiling water before bed to act as a space heater in your sleeping bag.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Camp food can be as cheap as you’d like\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>For this trip, I spent just $15 at the grocery store for food for two, supplemented by a few pantry items from home (more on that below) — and found we had plenty of food to enjoy during our stay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>We purchased buns, hot dogs and grilled zucchini for dinner and brought instant oatmeal packets and instant coffee from home for breakfast to keep things cheap and easy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12082559\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12082559\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/Cooking.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/Cooking.jpeg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/Cooking-160x120.jpeg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/Cooking-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Campers at Anthony Chabot Regional Park cook hot dogs on a two-burner camping stove rented at Sports Basement on April 5, 2026. \u003ccite>(Sarah Wright/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>You could easily pack more involved fare, since preparing a somewhat time-consuming meal can be an intrinsic part of the fun when camping. But if you don’t care about making a big meal, some of my go-to cheap and easy camping meals are instant ramen, instant mashed potatoes and boxed mac and cheese — which are all around a dollar at stores like Grocery Outlet.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And if you’re not dead set on making s’mores, a simple mug of hot chocolate and tea can be a more budget-friendly campfire treat.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>My partner and I also purchased a $10 bundle of wood at the campground to make our campfire. For extra thriftiness, we used our paper grocery bag as a firestarter.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Remember: You can bring a ton of stuff from home\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>While I prefer having a headlamp in a campsite, you can always bring an emergency flashlight from home or use your phone as a flashlight. Just remember, you may not be able to charge it, so airplane mode might be your best bet this trip.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And you can skip the fancy camping cookware. While I rented a Coleman-style camping stove from Sports Basement, I brought the pots and pans we used for meals right from my kitchen, as well as mugs, tongs for cooking and utensils, along with that extra food already in our pantry. I also brought a trash bag, dish soap and a sponge from home.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12079256\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1999px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12079256 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_003_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1999\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_003_qed.jpg 1999w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_003_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_003_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1999px) 100vw, 1999px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Firewood and charcoal are sold at Anthony Chabot Family Campground on April 5, 2026, in Castro Valley, California. \u003ccite>(Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Low also suggested items like takeout containers or Tupperware can be perfect to eat out of or help you prep your food. I took his advice: On my trip, my main eating bowl was a plastic tupperware that I’ve had forever.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Almost everybody usually has something like that at home,” he said. “So you don’t have to go out and buy everything.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Money left over? Don’t sleep on the fun optional extras\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>For entertainment around camp, bring a book you have lying around but haven’t gotten to, a deck of cards, a board game or even a frisbee. Sports Basement offers hammocks to rent as well. If you’re by a lake, you can even bring a floaty and a small speaker to lean into the beach vibes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One of Low’s favorite camp games is bocce ball, he said. He even found a set with LEDs so he can play at night with friends.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12079263\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12079263\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_021_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_021_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_021_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_021_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Elena Carmona, 5, holds a toy container with a darkling beetle and a kite at Anthony Chabot Family Campground on April 5, 2026, in Castro Valley, California. \u003ccite>(Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“It’s not serious,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if the ground is perfectly level. We’ve played it on a hill before, and it just kind of makes it that much more fun when all the balls roll out there and then roll back towards you.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Low has also had friends bring musical instruments. On my trip, I brought art supplies and a board game from home to pass the time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“If you’re car camping, the world is your oyster,” Low said. “If it fits in the car and you think it’s gonna improve your experience and be kind of fun out there, then bring it.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "floatright"
},
"numeric": [
"floatright"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/news/12082396/cheap-camping-near-bay-area-checklist-gear-cookware-tent-rental-sleeping-bag-pad",
"authors": [
"11956"
],
"categories": [
"news_31795",
"news_34168",
"news_8"
],
"tags": [
"news_26598",
"news_32707",
"news_1386",
"news_18538",
"news_24345",
"news_36350",
"news_35888",
"news_27626",
"news_2715",
"news_36379",
"news_1855"
],
"featImg": "news_12079261",
"label": "news"
},
"news_12047124": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_12047124",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12047124",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1777921221000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "these-yosemite-alternatives-are-just-as-beautiful-and-much-less-crowded",
"title": "These Yosemite Alternatives Are Just as Beautiful — and Much Less Crowded",
"publishDate": 1777921221,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "These Yosemite Alternatives Are Just as Beautiful — and Much Less Crowded | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"site": "news"
},
"content": "\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">It might only be May, but Yosemite National Park’s summertime crowds are \u003c/span>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/outdoors/article/yosemite-valley-parking-full-22238123.php\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">already back in full force\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">. \u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">And with \u003c/span>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12074364\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">the park’s vehicle reservation system to enter the park officially scrapped for 2026\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, visitors are reporting that finding parking and a peaceful place to soak in the iconic views on peak weekends is \u003c/span>\u003ca href=\"https://www.reddit.com/r/Yosemite/s/WgwigquZ01\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">already proving challenging.\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">In March of this year, \u003c/span>\u003ca href=\"https://irma.nps.gov/Stats/SSRSReports/Park%20Specific%20Reports/Monthly%20Public%20Use?Park=ARCH\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Yosemite reported a 45% increase in visitation from 2025\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, rivaling 2016 numbers. And last year, when a reservation system was still limiting daily visitation, \u003c/span>\u003ca href=\"https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/environment/yosemite-visitation-2025/?scope=initial\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">4.2 million people still visited the park:\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> its fourth-busiest year on record. \u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">So whether it’s the traffic, the \u003c/span>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1996404/yosemite-camping-national-park-reservations-delay-2025\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">huge popularity\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> of \u003c/span>\u003ca href=\"https://www.recreation.gov/gateways/2991\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Yosemite’s campgrounds\u003c/span>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">,\u003c/span>\u003c/a> \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12065737\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">the $100 fee for visitors from abroad\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> or the widespread uncertainty caused by \u003c/span>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12066741/a-morale-bomb-national-park-workers-face-wage-cuts-and-dubiously-legal-review-system\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">the Trump administration’s attacks\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> on National Parks Service staffing last year, there are several reasons some people might be looking to other corners of California for a wilderness getaway this summer.\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">And if that’s you, depending\u003c/span> on what attracted you to the High Sierra park in the first place — like iconic waterfalls, clear, swimmable rivers, scenic drives or wildlife — you may still find what you’re looking for at these six more underrated spots.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Read more below for some “alternatives to Yosemite” recreation areas within driving distance of the Bay Area that could bring you that same remote mountain feeling — without the stress of reservations or crowds.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Jump straight to:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#A\">Sweeping landscapes at Sunol\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#B\">The clear, swimmable Smith River\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#C\">The rustic mountain town of Etna\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#D\">Scenic mountain drive Sonora Pass\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#E\">Castle Crags’ granite peaks\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#F\">Picturesque June Lake\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12047200\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2560px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12047200\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/June-Lake-entrance-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/June-Lake-entrance-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/June-Lake-entrance-2000x1333.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/June-Lake-entrance-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/June-Lake-entrance-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/June-Lake-entrance-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The road leading to June Lake Loop takes visitors on a 14-mile drive underneath Carson Peak with access to several small towns and campgrounds, as well as lots of lake and mountain recreation. \u003ccite>(Courtesy Amanda Carlson/Mono County Tourism)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>\u003ca id=\"A\">\u003c/a>Looking for Valley-like views? Soak up sweeping landscapes at Sunol\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Did you know we have our very own “\u003ca href=\"https://www.ebparks.org/parks/sunol\">Little Yosemite\u003c/a>” right here in the Bay Area? At Sunol Wilderness Regional Park, \u003ca href=\"https://www.alltrails.com/poi/us/california/sunol/alameda-creek-overlook--formerly-little-yosemite-\">a 4.5-mile round-trip hike\u003c/a> will take you through a gorge that’s not unlike a miniature Yosemite Valley, and up close to stunning cliff sides, over babbling creeks and under gushing waterfalls. And you’re more than likely to spot native birds, wildflowers in the spring and cows all year round.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re up for even more adventure, snag a reservation at the \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebparks.org/recreation/camping/backpack-camping-faqs#sunol\">Sunol Backpack Campground\u003c/a>, just a few miles from the Visitor Center and parking lot, up to a remarkably remote-feeling cluster of campsites. \u003ca href=\"https://www.redwoodhikes.com/EastBay/SunolCG.html\">Each site is unique\u003c/a>, hidden around rock formations, nestled in giant oak trees or with sweeping vistas of the valley below. Running water is available but needs to be treated, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12040242#backpacking-gear\">so don’t forget your filter.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Reservations: \u003c/em>Make sure to call at least two days in advance — or more if you’re aiming for a weekend — \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebparks.org/recreation/camping/backpack-camping-faqs\">to reserve a backcountry camping spot\u003c/a>. You’ll also need a trail permit, which you can purchase online, in person or over the phone.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12047203\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2121px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12047203\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/GettyImages-2024341245.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2121\" height=\"1414\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/GettyImages-2024341245.jpg 2121w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/GettyImages-2024341245-2000x1333.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/GettyImages-2024341245-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/GettyImages-2024341245-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/GettyImages-2024341245-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2121px) 100vw, 2121px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Alameda Creek winds through the Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve. \u003ccite>(Yiming Chen/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>\u003ca id=\"B\">\u003c/a>Love Yosemite’s Merced River? Take a plunge in the clear, swimmable Smith River\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>No trip to Yosemite is complete without a dip in the \u003ca href=\"https://www.yosemite.com/things-to-do/adventure-activities/merced-river/\">Merced River\u003c/a>. But if a visit to the national park isn’t in the cards for you this year, consider heading up north — like, way north — to the 140-mile-long \u003ca href=\"https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/sixrivers\">Six Rivers National Forest\u003c/a> that runs from the Oregon border to Mendocino County, to get a more remote river experience.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[aside postID=news_12044161 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/06/inntown-3-2000x1333.jpg']\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Betsy Totten, forest staff officer for the national forest, particularly recommends the \u003ca href=\"https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/sixrivers/recreation/smith-river-national-recreation-area-0\">Smith River National Recreation Area\u003c/a> — \u003ca href=\"https://rivers.gov/river/smith\">the only major undammed river in California\u003c/a> — for its crystal-clear emerald waters, which are “ideal for swimming, kayaking, canoeing and rafting.” She pointed to the \u003ca href=\"https://redwood-edventures.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/quest-grayfalls.pdf\">Gray Falls Day Use Picnic Area\u003c/a> for the best fishing and \u003ca href=\"https://www.redwoodhikes.com/JedSmith/SandCG.html\">Sand Camp\u003c/a> for its sandy beaches.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Or, head to the \u003ca href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/07/klamath-river-trip-dam-removal\">Klamath \u003c/a>and \u003ca href=\"https://rivers.gov/river/trinity\">Trinity rivers\u003c/a>, which are fast-flowing and best for anyone looking for a whitewater rafting or kayak adventure down rapids, Totten said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And “keep an eye out for black bears, ospreys, and a variety of fish, including salmon, steelhead, and trout,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Finally,\u003ca href=\"https://smithriveralliance.org/goose-creek/\"> the South Fork of the Smith River at Goose Creek\u003c/a> could be the best bet for families, where clear pools make for a leisurely afternoon float or swim.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Accommodations: \u003c/em>While the area is generally less crowded than others across the state, Totten said campgrounds at popular lakes and river spots can fill up on the weekends, so securing \u003ca href=\"https://www.recreation.gov/gateways/1075\">reservations in advance\u003c/a> may be necessary.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12047209\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1024px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12047209\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/P0074309.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/P0074309.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/P0074309-160x106.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A view of Mount Shasta emerges through trees in Castle Crags State Park. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of California State Parks, 2025)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12047210\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2500px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12047210\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Side-by-side-Downpage-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2500\" height=\"833\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Side-by-side-Downpage-2.jpg 2500w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Side-by-side-Downpage-2-2000x666.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Side-by-side-Downpage-2-160x53.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Side-by-side-Downpage-2-1536x512.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Side-by-side-Downpage-2-2048x682.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2500px) 100vw, 2500px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Left: Horsetail Falls is the largest waterfall in the June Lake Loop in the Eastern Sierra and a popular hiking destination in the summer. Right: Kayakers float on Silver Lake, one of the more remote lakes that make up the June Lake area in the Eastern Sierra. \u003ccite>(Courtesy Amanda Carlson/Mono County Tourism)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>\u003ca id=\"C\">\u003c/a>Want that Curry Village vibe? Relax in the rustic mountain town of Etna\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>When Caleb Agron first went backpacking near the Siskiyou County town of Etna in Northern California, “it reminded me of what I saw in \u003ca href=\"https://articles.anseladams.com/ansel-adams-wilderness/?doing_wp_cron=1751578829.4512479305267333984375\">Ansel Adams Wilderness\u003c/a>,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>An iconic stop along the \u003ca href=\"https://northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com/blog/2020/09/16/etna-summit-pct-russian-wilderness/\">Pacific Crest Trail\u003c/a>, the tiny Scott Valley community is the ideal mountain town and jumping-off spot for adventures up north.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Situated between the Marble Mountain Wilderness, the Trinity Alps and the Russian Wilderness, there is a wealth of trails and lakes to explore within minutes of town, \u003ca href=\"https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/taylor-lake-trail\">ranging from short jaunts\u003c/a> to \u003ca href=\"https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/paynes-lake-trail--2\">moderate outings\u003c/a> to \u003ca href=\"https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/cliff-lake-via-shackelford-creek-trail\">extended weekend trips.\u003c/a> Etna is also a popular spot to begin any fishing, rafting, mountain biking or horseback riding outing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And with a population of just under 700 people, the quaint streets of Etna come alive during its \u003ca href=\"https://www.trailsendmusicfest.org/\">annual Trails End Music Festival\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"http://www.etnarodeo.com/\">The Etna Rodeo\u003c/a>, two events that bring in crowds from far and wide.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Everything is better than you expect it to be,” Agron said — especially the people, who take pride in their friendliness to visitors. Agron and his cousin Stephen Daniel are the outgoing and incoming managers, respectively, of \u003ca href=\"https://etnabluebird.com/\">The Bluebird Inn\u003c/a>, a relatively new bed and breakfast in an old Victorian house.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://etnafarmersmarket.org/\">Etna Farmers Market\u003c/a> is on Saturdays all summer, and its downtown area features artisanal eateries beloved by locals and visitors alike, like general store-turned-restaurant and distillery \u003ca href=\"https://www.dennybarcompany.com/\">Denny Bar Company\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.farmhousebakery.org/\">Farmhouse Bakery\u003c/a>, whose fresh loaves are known far and wide — plus a hardware and sporting goods store for all your adventure needs. And if you’re ready to relax after a long day on the trails, \u003ca href=\"https://www.yelp.com/biz/mountain-healing-spa-etna\">there’s even a spa right downtown. \u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Accommodations: \u003c/em>If you’re planning on going backpacking, the wilderness areas around Etna generally only require \u003ca href=\"https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/klamath/wilderness\">self-issued overnight and fire permits\u003c/a>, which are easy to come by. During the rodeo and music festivals, hotels can fill up quickly in the area, but the town of Etna also allows \u003ca href=\"https://discoversiskiyou.com/activities/johnson-joss-memorial-park-etna-city-park/\">free tent camping at its city park. \u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>\u003ca id=\"D\">\u003c/a>Craving a Tioga Pass alternative? Take a scenic mountain drive up and over Sonora Pass\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12047201\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1707px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12047201\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Sonora-Pass-6-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1707\" height=\"2560\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Sonora-Pass-6-scaled.jpg 1707w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Sonora-Pass-6-2000x3000.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Sonora-Pass-6-160x240.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Sonora-Pass-6-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Sonora-Pass-6-1365x2048.jpg 1365w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1707px) 100vw, 1707px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">At 9,600 feet, Sonora Pass features sweeping views of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, including waterfalls, wildflowers and high alpine lakes. \u003ccite>(Courtesy Amanda Carlson/Mono County Tourism)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Instead of waiting in hourslong traffic on Highway 120 into Yosemite, consider a leisurely drive over \u003ca href=\"https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/sonora-pass-scenic-drive-sonora-to-us-395\">Sonora Pass\u003c/a> instead — and soak in dramatic High Sierra views from the comfort of your car.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s not Yosemite, but it’s still pretty freaking spectacular,” said Liz Grans, economic development director for Mono County.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Amanda Carlson, the county’s economic development coordinator, recommended checking out \u003ca href=\"https://www.monocounty.org/listing/leavitt-falls-vista/1432/\">Leavitt Falls,\u003c/a> which is \u003ca href=\"https://yosemiteparkphotos.com/high-sierra/sonora-pass-photos/sonora-pass-waterfalls/\">one of many waterfalls flowing near the highway\u003c/a> and is viewable from a parking lot and picnic area just off Highway 108.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At the apex of the pass, you can spot various peaks, or keep going for a sweeping view of the \u003ca href=\"https://www.monocounty.org/places-to-go/lakes-rivers-creeks/west-walker-river/\">West Walker River\u003c/a> and Yosemite to the south.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12047202\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2500px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12047202\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Side-by-side-Downpage-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2500\" height=\"833\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Side-by-side-Downpage-1.jpg 2500w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Side-by-side-Downpage-1-2000x666.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Side-by-side-Downpage-1-160x53.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Side-by-side-Downpage-1-1536x512.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Side-by-side-Downpage-1-2048x682.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2500px) 100vw, 2500px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Left: A small waterfall flows near Sonora Pass, a scenic drive over the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, on Oct. 10, 2024. Right: Road sign at Sonora Pass. \u003ccite>(Courtesy Amanda Carlson/Mono County Tourism)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11640709/how-this-ghost-towns-curse-backfired-on-park-rangers\">Bodie State Historic Park\u003c/a> is a hidden gem of the Eastern Sierra, where nearly 200 buildings of a historic gold and silver mining town — now a ghost town — still stand, including a stamp mill.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“You can walk the streets, and it is just how it was left,” Grans said. “When the gold ran out and people started to leave, and they didn’t have cars, many of them didn’t have horses or carts or anything, so the furniture — their clothing — is all still there.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Accommodations: \u003c/em>The drive over Sonora Pass from the Bay Area takes a full day, so make sure to plan to stay overnight on the eastern side of the Sierra. Bridgeport is the closest major town to the pass, but Mono City and Lee Vining — which offer easy access to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12046670/mono-lake-could-be-losing-its-california-gulls\">biodiverse Mono Lake\u003c/a> — aren’t far away, either.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>\u003ca id=\"E\">\u003c/a>Want Half Dome without the long hike? Scale Castle Crags’ granite peaks\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12047196\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1024px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12047196\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/P0064419A.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"680\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/P0064419A.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/P0064419A-160x106.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The famous granite ‘crags,’ formed around 160 million years ago, rise up over Castle Crags State Park. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of California State Parks, 2025)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.recreation.gov/permits/234652\">Permits to scale Yosemite’s Half Dome\u003c/a> are notoriously hard to come by — \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1941829/the-half-dome-lottery-system-was-supposed-to-make-the-hike-safer-this-study-says-it-hasnt\">and the 14-mile round-trip hike is no walk in the park, either. \u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re looking for a similar granite landscape with a more achievable goal, consider \u003ca href=\"https://mountshastatrailassociation.org/trails/castle-crags/castle-dome-and-indian-springs/\">Castle Dome\u003c/a> in Shasta County’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=454\">Castle Crags State Park.\u003c/a> \u003ca href=\"https://castlecragspark.org/the-park\">Formed around 160 million years ago\u003c/a>, the rocks that give the park its iconic “crags” not only feel ancient but are also home to a wide biodiversity of wildlife.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The 5.4-mile round trip is much more manageable than Half Dome, but it’s still quite a trek, climbing 2,000 feet of elevation that brings hikers up and around steep granite cliffs, revealing a full view of Mount Shasta ahead. Most hikers choose to turn around at the base of the dome, but \u003ca href=\"https://californiathroughmylens.com/castle-dome-hike-in-castle-crags-state-park/\">if you’re an experienced climber, you can even attempt the summit itself. \u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Don’t forget to check out nearby \u003ca href=\"https://www.visitcalifornia.com/places-to-visit/dunsmuir/\">Dunsmuir\u003c/a> along a calm portion of the Sacramento River, with swimming holes and lunch spots aplenty.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Accommodations: \u003c/em>The state park has 76 campsites that are available on a first-come, first-served basis for $25. It costs $8 to enter the park.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12047197\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1024px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12047197\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/P0064423A.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"680\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/P0064423A.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/P0064423A-160x106.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The granite crags at Castle Crags State Park. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of California State Parks, 2025)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>\u003ca id=\"F\">\u003c/a>Seeking refuge at a high-altitude alpine lake? Visit picturesque June Lake\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you’re still hoping to head to the High Sierra but don’t want to fight Yosemite’s crowds, try the \u003ca href=\"https://www.monocounty.org/places-to-go/lakes-rivers-creeks/june-lake/\">June Lake Loop\u003c/a>, a 15-mile detour off Highway 395 in the Eastern Sierra.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>With four lakes, numerous resorts and tons of trails, you can escape deep into the wilderness or enjoy a luxurious visit to the town of June Lake, often dubbed “the Switzerland of California.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.monocounty.org/places-to-go/lakes-rivers-creeks/grant-lake/\">Grant Lake,\u003c/a> the biggest of the four, is open to recreational speedboats after 10 a.m., while \u003ca href=\"https://www.monocounty.org/places-to-go/lakes-rivers-creeks/june-lake/\">June\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.monocounty.org/places-to-go/lakes-rivers-creeks/gull-lake/\">Gull\u003c/a> lakes are more suited to fishing and paddling. The most remote is\u003ca href=\"https://www.silverlakeresort.net/\"> Silver Lake,\u003c/a> where visitors can grab lunch and go out on a kayak to explore the picturesque alpine environment. Hikers and backpackers start their journeys from the loop to access the Inyo National Forest and Ansel Adams Wilderness areas, \u003ca href=\"https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/parker-lake-trail\">including the scenic 3.5-mile hike to Parker Lake.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12047198\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2560px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12047198\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/June-Lake-Gull-lake-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/June-Lake-Gull-lake-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/June-Lake-Gull-lake-2000x1333.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/June-Lake-Gull-lake-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/June-Lake-Gull-lake-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/June-Lake-Gull-lake-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The view from above Gull Lake, one of the four lakes that make up the June Lake Loop, where visitors can paddle, fish and swim in the summer. \u003ccite>(Courtesy Amanda Carlson/Mono County Tourism)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“Silver Lake is my favorite,” Carlson said. “We rented kayaks and went out on that very same day; there were only two other human beings on the lake.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Down closer to town, popular activities include trout fishing, biking and boating, \u003ca href=\"https://www.monocounty.org/event/june-lake-autumn-beer-festival/7324/\">plus the annual beer festival every fall, hosted at Gull Lake Park.\u003c/a> As far as accommodations go, visitors can find everything from upscale resorts to more rustic spots.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Accommodations: \u003c/em>June Lake is not nearly as crowded as nearby Yosemite — or even Mammoth Lakes, which can get extremely busy, especially in the wintertime. Still, be sure to book early for long weekends or peak summer times. If you strike out on finding something in your price range on the loop itself, try Lee Vining or Bridgeport to the north, with even more options to choose from.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12047205\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2560px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12047205\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Silver-Lake-August-2017-AV-2-Mono-County-Tourism-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1440\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Boats are docked at Silver Lake, a remote lake near June Lake, California, in the Eastern Sierra. \u003ccite>(Courtesy Amanda Carlson/Mono County Tourism)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeCeDp_MY_h4G6VWj_-VPl-BJlQ3Uya2H0vxRZZd_47BpXwVA/viewform?embedded=true\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
"blocks": [],
"excerpt": "Looking for a mountain escape minus the chaos of a national park? Here are some ideas.",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1777916585,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": true,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 44,
"wordCount": 2246
},
"headData": {
"title": "These Yosemite Alternatives Are Just as Beautiful — and Much Less Crowded | KQED",
"description": "Looking for a mountain escape minus the chaos of a national park? Here are some ideas.",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "These Yosemite Alternatives Are Just as Beautiful — and Much Less Crowded",
"datePublished": "2026-05-04T12:00:21-07:00",
"dateModified": "2026-05-04T10:43:05-07:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"primaryCategory": {
"termId": 31795,
"slug": "california",
"name": "California"
},
"sticky": false,
"nprStoryId": "kqed-12047124",
"templateType": "standard",
"featuredImageType": "standard",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/12047124/these-yosemite-alternatives-are-just-as-beautiful-and-much-less-crowded",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">It might only be May, but Yosemite National Park’s summertime crowds are \u003c/span>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/outdoors/article/yosemite-valley-parking-full-22238123.php\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">already back in full force\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">. \u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">And with \u003c/span>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12074364\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">the park’s vehicle reservation system to enter the park officially scrapped for 2026\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, visitors are reporting that finding parking and a peaceful place to soak in the iconic views on peak weekends is \u003c/span>\u003ca href=\"https://www.reddit.com/r/Yosemite/s/WgwigquZ01\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">already proving challenging.\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">In March of this year, \u003c/span>\u003ca href=\"https://irma.nps.gov/Stats/SSRSReports/Park%20Specific%20Reports/Monthly%20Public%20Use?Park=ARCH\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Yosemite reported a 45% increase in visitation from 2025\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, rivaling 2016 numbers. And last year, when a reservation system was still limiting daily visitation, \u003c/span>\u003ca href=\"https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/environment/yosemite-visitation-2025/?scope=initial\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">4.2 million people still visited the park:\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> its fourth-busiest year on record. \u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">So whether it’s the traffic, the \u003c/span>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1996404/yosemite-camping-national-park-reservations-delay-2025\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">huge popularity\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> of \u003c/span>\u003ca href=\"https://www.recreation.gov/gateways/2991\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Yosemite’s campgrounds\u003c/span>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">,\u003c/span>\u003c/a> \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12065737\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">the $100 fee for visitors from abroad\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> or the widespread uncertainty caused by \u003c/span>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12066741/a-morale-bomb-national-park-workers-face-wage-cuts-and-dubiously-legal-review-system\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">the Trump administration’s attacks\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> on National Parks Service staffing last year, there are several reasons some people might be looking to other corners of California for a wilderness getaway this summer.\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">And if that’s you, depending\u003c/span> on what attracted you to the High Sierra park in the first place — like iconic waterfalls, clear, swimmable rivers, scenic drives or wildlife — you may still find what you’re looking for at these six more underrated spots.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Read more below for some “alternatives to Yosemite” recreation areas within driving distance of the Bay Area that could bring you that same remote mountain feeling — without the stress of reservations or crowds.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Jump straight to:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#A\">Sweeping landscapes at Sunol\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#B\">The clear, swimmable Smith River\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#C\">The rustic mountain town of Etna\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#D\">Scenic mountain drive Sonora Pass\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#E\">Castle Crags’ granite peaks\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#F\">Picturesque June Lake\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12047200\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2560px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12047200\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/June-Lake-entrance-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/June-Lake-entrance-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/June-Lake-entrance-2000x1333.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/June-Lake-entrance-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/June-Lake-entrance-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/June-Lake-entrance-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The road leading to June Lake Loop takes visitors on a 14-mile drive underneath Carson Peak with access to several small towns and campgrounds, as well as lots of lake and mountain recreation. \u003ccite>(Courtesy Amanda Carlson/Mono County Tourism)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>\u003ca id=\"A\">\u003c/a>Looking for Valley-like views? Soak up sweeping landscapes at Sunol\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Did you know we have our very own “\u003ca href=\"https://www.ebparks.org/parks/sunol\">Little Yosemite\u003c/a>” right here in the Bay Area? At Sunol Wilderness Regional Park, \u003ca href=\"https://www.alltrails.com/poi/us/california/sunol/alameda-creek-overlook--formerly-little-yosemite-\">a 4.5-mile round-trip hike\u003c/a> will take you through a gorge that’s not unlike a miniature Yosemite Valley, and up close to stunning cliff sides, over babbling creeks and under gushing waterfalls. And you’re more than likely to spot native birds, wildflowers in the spring and cows all year round.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re up for even more adventure, snag a reservation at the \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebparks.org/recreation/camping/backpack-camping-faqs#sunol\">Sunol Backpack Campground\u003c/a>, just a few miles from the Visitor Center and parking lot, up to a remarkably remote-feeling cluster of campsites. \u003ca href=\"https://www.redwoodhikes.com/EastBay/SunolCG.html\">Each site is unique\u003c/a>, hidden around rock formations, nestled in giant oak trees or with sweeping vistas of the valley below. Running water is available but needs to be treated, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12040242#backpacking-gear\">so don’t forget your filter.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Reservations: \u003c/em>Make sure to call at least two days in advance — or more if you’re aiming for a weekend — \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebparks.org/recreation/camping/backpack-camping-faqs\">to reserve a backcountry camping spot\u003c/a>. You’ll also need a trail permit, which you can purchase online, in person or over the phone.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12047203\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2121px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12047203\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/GettyImages-2024341245.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2121\" height=\"1414\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/GettyImages-2024341245.jpg 2121w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/GettyImages-2024341245-2000x1333.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/GettyImages-2024341245-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/GettyImages-2024341245-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/GettyImages-2024341245-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2121px) 100vw, 2121px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Alameda Creek winds through the Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve. \u003ccite>(Yiming Chen/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>\u003ca id=\"B\">\u003c/a>Love Yosemite’s Merced River? Take a plunge in the clear, swimmable Smith River\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>No trip to Yosemite is complete without a dip in the \u003ca href=\"https://www.yosemite.com/things-to-do/adventure-activities/merced-river/\">Merced River\u003c/a>. But if a visit to the national park isn’t in the cards for you this year, consider heading up north — like, way north — to the 140-mile-long \u003ca href=\"https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/sixrivers\">Six Rivers National Forest\u003c/a> that runs from the Oregon border to Mendocino County, to get a more remote river experience.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "aside",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"postid": "news_12044161",
"hero": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/06/inntown-3-2000x1333.jpg",
"label": ""
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Betsy Totten, forest staff officer for the national forest, particularly recommends the \u003ca href=\"https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/sixrivers/recreation/smith-river-national-recreation-area-0\">Smith River National Recreation Area\u003c/a> — \u003ca href=\"https://rivers.gov/river/smith\">the only major undammed river in California\u003c/a> — for its crystal-clear emerald waters, which are “ideal for swimming, kayaking, canoeing and rafting.” She pointed to the \u003ca href=\"https://redwood-edventures.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/quest-grayfalls.pdf\">Gray Falls Day Use Picnic Area\u003c/a> for the best fishing and \u003ca href=\"https://www.redwoodhikes.com/JedSmith/SandCG.html\">Sand Camp\u003c/a> for its sandy beaches.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Or, head to the \u003ca href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/07/klamath-river-trip-dam-removal\">Klamath \u003c/a>and \u003ca href=\"https://rivers.gov/river/trinity\">Trinity rivers\u003c/a>, which are fast-flowing and best for anyone looking for a whitewater rafting or kayak adventure down rapids, Totten said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And “keep an eye out for black bears, ospreys, and a variety of fish, including salmon, steelhead, and trout,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Finally,\u003ca href=\"https://smithriveralliance.org/goose-creek/\"> the South Fork of the Smith River at Goose Creek\u003c/a> could be the best bet for families, where clear pools make for a leisurely afternoon float or swim.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Accommodations: \u003c/em>While the area is generally less crowded than others across the state, Totten said campgrounds at popular lakes and river spots can fill up on the weekends, so securing \u003ca href=\"https://www.recreation.gov/gateways/1075\">reservations in advance\u003c/a> may be necessary.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12047209\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1024px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12047209\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/P0074309.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/P0074309.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/P0074309-160x106.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A view of Mount Shasta emerges through trees in Castle Crags State Park. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of California State Parks, 2025)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12047210\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2500px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12047210\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Side-by-side-Downpage-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2500\" height=\"833\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Side-by-side-Downpage-2.jpg 2500w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Side-by-side-Downpage-2-2000x666.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Side-by-side-Downpage-2-160x53.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Side-by-side-Downpage-2-1536x512.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Side-by-side-Downpage-2-2048x682.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2500px) 100vw, 2500px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Left: Horsetail Falls is the largest waterfall in the June Lake Loop in the Eastern Sierra and a popular hiking destination in the summer. Right: Kayakers float on Silver Lake, one of the more remote lakes that make up the June Lake area in the Eastern Sierra. \u003ccite>(Courtesy Amanda Carlson/Mono County Tourism)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>\u003ca id=\"C\">\u003c/a>Want that Curry Village vibe? Relax in the rustic mountain town of Etna\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>When Caleb Agron first went backpacking near the Siskiyou County town of Etna in Northern California, “it reminded me of what I saw in \u003ca href=\"https://articles.anseladams.com/ansel-adams-wilderness/?doing_wp_cron=1751578829.4512479305267333984375\">Ansel Adams Wilderness\u003c/a>,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>An iconic stop along the \u003ca href=\"https://northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com/blog/2020/09/16/etna-summit-pct-russian-wilderness/\">Pacific Crest Trail\u003c/a>, the tiny Scott Valley community is the ideal mountain town and jumping-off spot for adventures up north.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Situated between the Marble Mountain Wilderness, the Trinity Alps and the Russian Wilderness, there is a wealth of trails and lakes to explore within minutes of town, \u003ca href=\"https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/taylor-lake-trail\">ranging from short jaunts\u003c/a> to \u003ca href=\"https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/paynes-lake-trail--2\">moderate outings\u003c/a> to \u003ca href=\"https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/cliff-lake-via-shackelford-creek-trail\">extended weekend trips.\u003c/a> Etna is also a popular spot to begin any fishing, rafting, mountain biking or horseback riding outing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And with a population of just under 700 people, the quaint streets of Etna come alive during its \u003ca href=\"https://www.trailsendmusicfest.org/\">annual Trails End Music Festival\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"http://www.etnarodeo.com/\">The Etna Rodeo\u003c/a>, two events that bring in crowds from far and wide.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Everything is better than you expect it to be,” Agron said — especially the people, who take pride in their friendliness to visitors. Agron and his cousin Stephen Daniel are the outgoing and incoming managers, respectively, of \u003ca href=\"https://etnabluebird.com/\">The Bluebird Inn\u003c/a>, a relatively new bed and breakfast in an old Victorian house.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://etnafarmersmarket.org/\">Etna Farmers Market\u003c/a> is on Saturdays all summer, and its downtown area features artisanal eateries beloved by locals and visitors alike, like general store-turned-restaurant and distillery \u003ca href=\"https://www.dennybarcompany.com/\">Denny Bar Company\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.farmhousebakery.org/\">Farmhouse Bakery\u003c/a>, whose fresh loaves are known far and wide — plus a hardware and sporting goods store for all your adventure needs. And if you’re ready to relax after a long day on the trails, \u003ca href=\"https://www.yelp.com/biz/mountain-healing-spa-etna\">there’s even a spa right downtown. \u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Accommodations: \u003c/em>If you’re planning on going backpacking, the wilderness areas around Etna generally only require \u003ca href=\"https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/klamath/wilderness\">self-issued overnight and fire permits\u003c/a>, which are easy to come by. During the rodeo and music festivals, hotels can fill up quickly in the area, but the town of Etna also allows \u003ca href=\"https://discoversiskiyou.com/activities/johnson-joss-memorial-park-etna-city-park/\">free tent camping at its city park. \u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>\u003ca id=\"D\">\u003c/a>Craving a Tioga Pass alternative? Take a scenic mountain drive up and over Sonora Pass\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12047201\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1707px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12047201\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Sonora-Pass-6-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1707\" height=\"2560\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Sonora-Pass-6-scaled.jpg 1707w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Sonora-Pass-6-2000x3000.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Sonora-Pass-6-160x240.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Sonora-Pass-6-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Sonora-Pass-6-1365x2048.jpg 1365w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1707px) 100vw, 1707px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">At 9,600 feet, Sonora Pass features sweeping views of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, including waterfalls, wildflowers and high alpine lakes. \u003ccite>(Courtesy Amanda Carlson/Mono County Tourism)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Instead of waiting in hourslong traffic on Highway 120 into Yosemite, consider a leisurely drive over \u003ca href=\"https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/sonora-pass-scenic-drive-sonora-to-us-395\">Sonora Pass\u003c/a> instead — and soak in dramatic High Sierra views from the comfort of your car.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s not Yosemite, but it’s still pretty freaking spectacular,” said Liz Grans, economic development director for Mono County.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Amanda Carlson, the county’s economic development coordinator, recommended checking out \u003ca href=\"https://www.monocounty.org/listing/leavitt-falls-vista/1432/\">Leavitt Falls,\u003c/a> which is \u003ca href=\"https://yosemiteparkphotos.com/high-sierra/sonora-pass-photos/sonora-pass-waterfalls/\">one of many waterfalls flowing near the highway\u003c/a> and is viewable from a parking lot and picnic area just off Highway 108.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At the apex of the pass, you can spot various peaks, or keep going for a sweeping view of the \u003ca href=\"https://www.monocounty.org/places-to-go/lakes-rivers-creeks/west-walker-river/\">West Walker River\u003c/a> and Yosemite to the south.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12047202\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2500px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12047202\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Side-by-side-Downpage-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2500\" height=\"833\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Side-by-side-Downpage-1.jpg 2500w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Side-by-side-Downpage-1-2000x666.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Side-by-side-Downpage-1-160x53.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Side-by-side-Downpage-1-1536x512.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Side-by-side-Downpage-1-2048x682.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2500px) 100vw, 2500px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Left: A small waterfall flows near Sonora Pass, a scenic drive over the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, on Oct. 10, 2024. Right: Road sign at Sonora Pass. \u003ccite>(Courtesy Amanda Carlson/Mono County Tourism)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11640709/how-this-ghost-towns-curse-backfired-on-park-rangers\">Bodie State Historic Park\u003c/a> is a hidden gem of the Eastern Sierra, where nearly 200 buildings of a historic gold and silver mining town — now a ghost town — still stand, including a stamp mill.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“You can walk the streets, and it is just how it was left,” Grans said. “When the gold ran out and people started to leave, and they didn’t have cars, many of them didn’t have horses or carts or anything, so the furniture — their clothing — is all still there.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Accommodations: \u003c/em>The drive over Sonora Pass from the Bay Area takes a full day, so make sure to plan to stay overnight on the eastern side of the Sierra. Bridgeport is the closest major town to the pass, but Mono City and Lee Vining — which offer easy access to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12046670/mono-lake-could-be-losing-its-california-gulls\">biodiverse Mono Lake\u003c/a> — aren’t far away, either.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>\u003ca id=\"E\">\u003c/a>Want Half Dome without the long hike? Scale Castle Crags’ granite peaks\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12047196\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1024px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12047196\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/P0064419A.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"680\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/P0064419A.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/P0064419A-160x106.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The famous granite ‘crags,’ formed around 160 million years ago, rise up over Castle Crags State Park. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of California State Parks, 2025)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.recreation.gov/permits/234652\">Permits to scale Yosemite’s Half Dome\u003c/a> are notoriously hard to come by — \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1941829/the-half-dome-lottery-system-was-supposed-to-make-the-hike-safer-this-study-says-it-hasnt\">and the 14-mile round-trip hike is no walk in the park, either. \u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re looking for a similar granite landscape with a more achievable goal, consider \u003ca href=\"https://mountshastatrailassociation.org/trails/castle-crags/castle-dome-and-indian-springs/\">Castle Dome\u003c/a> in Shasta County’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=454\">Castle Crags State Park.\u003c/a> \u003ca href=\"https://castlecragspark.org/the-park\">Formed around 160 million years ago\u003c/a>, the rocks that give the park its iconic “crags” not only feel ancient but are also home to a wide biodiversity of wildlife.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The 5.4-mile round trip is much more manageable than Half Dome, but it’s still quite a trek, climbing 2,000 feet of elevation that brings hikers up and around steep granite cliffs, revealing a full view of Mount Shasta ahead. Most hikers choose to turn around at the base of the dome, but \u003ca href=\"https://californiathroughmylens.com/castle-dome-hike-in-castle-crags-state-park/\">if you’re an experienced climber, you can even attempt the summit itself. \u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Don’t forget to check out nearby \u003ca href=\"https://www.visitcalifornia.com/places-to-visit/dunsmuir/\">Dunsmuir\u003c/a> along a calm portion of the Sacramento River, with swimming holes and lunch spots aplenty.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Accommodations: \u003c/em>The state park has 76 campsites that are available on a first-come, first-served basis for $25. It costs $8 to enter the park.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12047197\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1024px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12047197\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/P0064423A.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"680\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/P0064423A.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/P0064423A-160x106.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The granite crags at Castle Crags State Park. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of California State Parks, 2025)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>\u003ca id=\"F\">\u003c/a>Seeking refuge at a high-altitude alpine lake? Visit picturesque June Lake\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you’re still hoping to head to the High Sierra but don’t want to fight Yosemite’s crowds, try the \u003ca href=\"https://www.monocounty.org/places-to-go/lakes-rivers-creeks/june-lake/\">June Lake Loop\u003c/a>, a 15-mile detour off Highway 395 in the Eastern Sierra.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>With four lakes, numerous resorts and tons of trails, you can escape deep into the wilderness or enjoy a luxurious visit to the town of June Lake, often dubbed “the Switzerland of California.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.monocounty.org/places-to-go/lakes-rivers-creeks/grant-lake/\">Grant Lake,\u003c/a> the biggest of the four, is open to recreational speedboats after 10 a.m., while \u003ca href=\"https://www.monocounty.org/places-to-go/lakes-rivers-creeks/june-lake/\">June\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.monocounty.org/places-to-go/lakes-rivers-creeks/gull-lake/\">Gull\u003c/a> lakes are more suited to fishing and paddling. The most remote is\u003ca href=\"https://www.silverlakeresort.net/\"> Silver Lake,\u003c/a> where visitors can grab lunch and go out on a kayak to explore the picturesque alpine environment. Hikers and backpackers start their journeys from the loop to access the Inyo National Forest and Ansel Adams Wilderness areas, \u003ca href=\"https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/parker-lake-trail\">including the scenic 3.5-mile hike to Parker Lake.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12047198\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2560px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12047198\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/June-Lake-Gull-lake-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/June-Lake-Gull-lake-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/June-Lake-Gull-lake-2000x1333.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/June-Lake-Gull-lake-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/June-Lake-Gull-lake-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/June-Lake-Gull-lake-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The view from above Gull Lake, one of the four lakes that make up the June Lake Loop, where visitors can paddle, fish and swim in the summer. \u003ccite>(Courtesy Amanda Carlson/Mono County Tourism)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“Silver Lake is my favorite,” Carlson said. “We rented kayaks and went out on that very same day; there were only two other human beings on the lake.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Down closer to town, popular activities include trout fishing, biking and boating, \u003ca href=\"https://www.monocounty.org/event/june-lake-autumn-beer-festival/7324/\">plus the annual beer festival every fall, hosted at Gull Lake Park.\u003c/a> As far as accommodations go, visitors can find everything from upscale resorts to more rustic spots.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Accommodations: \u003c/em>June Lake is not nearly as crowded as nearby Yosemite — or even Mammoth Lakes, which can get extremely busy, especially in the wintertime. Still, be sure to book early for long weekends or peak summer times. If you strike out on finding something in your price range on the loop itself, try Lee Vining or Bridgeport to the north, with even more options to choose from.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12047205\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2560px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12047205\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Silver-Lake-August-2017-AV-2-Mono-County-Tourism-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1440\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Boats are docked at Silver Lake, a remote lake near June Lake, California, in the Eastern Sierra. \u003ccite>(Courtesy Amanda Carlson/Mono County Tourism)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003cdiv class='utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__shortcodes__shortcodeWrapper'>\n \u003ciframe\n src='https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeCeDp_MY_h4G6VWj_-VPl-BJlQ3Uya2H0vxRZZd_47BpXwVA/viewform?embedded=true?embedded=true'\n title='https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeCeDp_MY_h4G6VWj_-VPl-BJlQ3Uya2H0vxRZZd_47BpXwVA/viewform?embedded=true'\n width='760' height='500'\n frameborder='0'\n marginheight='0' marginwidth='0'>\u003c/iframe>\u003c/div>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "floatright"
},
"numeric": [
"floatright"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/news/12047124/these-yosemite-alternatives-are-just-as-beautiful-and-much-less-crowded",
"authors": [
"11956"
],
"categories": [
"news_31795",
"news_19906",
"news_34168",
"news_8"
],
"tags": [
"news_32707",
"news_24345",
"news_17925",
"news_20138",
"news_26702",
"news_2715",
"news_2905"
],
"featImg": "news_12047193",
"label": "news"
},
"news_12078183": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_12078183",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12078183",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1775127657000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "pinnacles-national-park-open-see-wildflowers-condors-when-visit-caves-west-vs-east-entrance-on-way-to-big-sur",
"title": "Plan the Perfect Day at Pinnacles: California’s Most Slept-On National Park",
"publishDate": 1775127657,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "Plan the Perfect Day at Pinnacles: California’s Most Slept-On National Park | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"site": "news"
},
"content": "\u003cp>From \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12074364/yosemite-national-park-no-reservations-2026-glacier-arches-timed-entry\">Yosemite \u003c/a>to Lassen, some of the country’s most iconic — and most visited — \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/national-parks-service\">national parks \u003c/a>are virtually on our doorstep here in the Bay Area.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But our “home” national park, Pinnacles, is even closer than you may realize.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’ve driven Highway 101 south from San Francisco, you’ve probably seen the signs directing drivers to the park, which is only a few hours away from the Bay Area. But despite its proximity, this park is often overlooked.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When Richard Neidhardt first started volunteering at Pinnacles in 2010, he said the most common response from anyone he told was: “Where’s that?”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s remarkable how many people who live within two hours of here haven’t heard of it, don’t know what it is, and have never been here,” said Neidhardt, who is now the Condor Chair of the Pinnacles National Park Foundation, the nonprofit that helps fill funding gaps for the park.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This under-the-radar element is partly because Pinnacles \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/quest/48410/our-newest-national-park-pinnacles-national-monument\">only became a national park in 2013\u003c/a>, when it was upgraded from a national monument. It’s also a relatively small park — at just around 27,000 acres, it’s one of the smallest in the whole country.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12077269\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12077269\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_033-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_033-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_033-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_033-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A small creek flows beneath trees near the Sycamore Trail trailhead at Pinnacles National Park on March 16, 2026. \u003ccite>(Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>But this little park still packs a punch, and makes for a fantastically fulfilling — and surprisingly easy — trip from the Bay Area, even just for the day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So to help you plan your own Pinnacles visit, I traveled there one hot spring day to check out the best trails, find the most beautiful views, and learn about some truly hidden wonders from Neidhardt and his colleagues.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Read on for 10 tips to make the day trip worth your while.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to: \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#CanIcampatPinnacles\">Can I camp at Pinnacles?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#WhatarethemostscenictrailsatPinnacles\">What are the most scenic trails at Pinnacles?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#WherecanIseecondorsinthepark\">Where can I see condors in the park?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#HowcanIvisitPinnaclescaves\">How can I visit Pinnacles’ caves?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>Getting to Pinnacles (and which entrance to use)\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Depending on where you’re coming from in the Bay Area, and traffic conditions, the drive to \u003ca href=\"https://share.google/PeddmL8UcyLQrkuDW\">Pinnacles’ eastern entrance\u003c/a> — considered its main entrance — is only around 2-3 hours.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Once you pass through the South Bay, you’ll continue on Hwy 101 until Gilroy, where you’ll take Highway 25 to Hollister and through Tres Pinos before turning off the highway and into the park.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12077268\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12077268\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_032-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_032-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_032-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_032-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Rock formations rise along the High Peaks Trail at Pinnacles National Park on March 16, 2026. \u003ccite>(Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>On your way to the park, you can stop in Hollister for any major needs, like extra gear or groceries. The small town of Tres Pinos has its own quaint feel and is an ideal post-hike dinner stop at one of the handful of restaurants on its main street.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>What about using the \u003ca href=\"https://share.google/Radepu1Bj4Ro16Auv\">western entrance\u003c/a> instead? This location will take you a little longer to reach from the Bay, but it certainly has its own appeal — namely, the sweeping views of the namesake Pinnacles rock formations themselves that are readily available from the parking lot. You can stop in Salinas or Soledad on your way in or out from that end, although be aware: Highway 146 from the western side is scenic but somewhat narrow.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Make Pinnacles a surprisingly achievable day trip\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Unlike other sprawling national parks, which demand a multi-day trip to see all of their sights, it \u003cem>is \u003c/em>worth it to visit Pinnacles for a day trip.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Or as Neidhardt puts it, “You can see a lot of the park in one day.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But this advice comes with a caveat: Pinnacles is split into two sides, east and west, and you shouldn’t expect to be able to visit both sides of the park in one day. In fact, you can’t actually drive from one end to the other — so pick an entrance and stick with it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12077261\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12077261\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_009-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_009-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_009-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_009-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Richard Neidhardt, director and Pinnacles Condor Fund chair, speaks while seated outdoors during a visit to Pinnacles National Park on March 16, 2026. \u003ccite>(Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>For first-timers, especially those coming from the Bay Area, heading to the east side typically makes the most sense, given its increased infrastructure, like a full campground and park store, and it is a jumping-off spot for a wider variety of hikes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Return visitors may want to check out the west side for a new perspective — including iconic valley views of the namesake pinnacle rock formations.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“You can drive down to the Chaparral Parking Area, and there they are,” Neidhardt said. “It’s just the most spectacular views of the rock formations.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Get to Pinnacles \u003cem>early \u003c/em>(to avoid a wait)\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Visitorship to Pinnacles has hugely increased in the last five years, and was historically also boosted by its new status as a national park. “The impact on the park was huge,” Neidhardt said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And visitorship is still sizable, said Tim Regan, president of the Pinnacles Foundation — meaning you should plan to avoid the worst of the traffic into the park.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While Pinnacles may be no Yosemite in terms of visitorship, lines of cars to get into the park during peak spring weekends can still be miles long, even requiring up to a\u003ca href=\"https://www.reddit.com/r/bayarea/comments/1s6gcpi/pinnacles_packed/?share_id=Jv6fvKpPQQSZfh5G5PYnX&utm_content=1&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_source=share&utm_term=1\"> two-hour wait\u003c/a> to get in. These days, people come from all over the world to visit the park, often on their way to and from other areas like Yosemite or Big Sur.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12077262\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12077262\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_012-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_012-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_012-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_012-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Tim Regan, board president of the Pinnacles National Park Foundation, poses in a grassy meadow at Pinnacles National Park, where his family has roots spanning more than a century, on March 16, 2026. \u003ccite>(Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>I can testify from my own visit that you should plan ahead to avoid missing out. While I didn’t experience any lines to enter the park’s east entrance when I arrived at 10 a.m., by the time I was ready to embark on a hike, the Bear Gulch parking lot was full, meaning I had to park a mile down the road and walk to the trailhead. (During peak season times, the park \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/pinn/planyourvisit/hours.htm\">runs a shuttle\u003c/a> from the campground to the Bear Gulch Day Use Area to mitigate this issue.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That’s why Neidhardt and his colleagues recommend you plan to arrive at the park early — or even come on a weekday or during a less busy time of year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>There’s a reason for this wait, Regan said: The park isn’t really designed to hold more people than its current parking lots can accommodate. “The land around here is very fragile,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Another good reason to get there early? The heat. The day I went, during the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/2000315/record-breaking-heat-wave-bakes-the-bay-area-through-friday\">Bay Area’s historic March heat wave,\u003c/a> it was pushing 90 in the afternoon.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Heat wave aside, springtime is still the best time to visit Pinnacles, Regan said. “Everything is green, the wildflowers are out, and it’s not too hot — except for this week,” he said. “It’s usually in the 70s here, and it’s wonderful.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"CanIcampatPinnacles\">\u003c/a>Consider sleeping within the park itself\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you want to avoid the headache of getting there early enough to avoid a wait, you can stay overnight at Pinnacles’ campground — an underrated but “wonderful” way to experience the park, said Mike Novo, the treasurer for the Pinnacles Foundation.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The night skies here are wonderful,” he said, so much so that they’re striving to get \u003ca href=\"https://darksky.org/\">international “Dark Sky” status\u003c/a> by retrofitting light fixtures and working with nearby communities to reduce their light pollution.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12077260\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12077260 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_005-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_005-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_005-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_005-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Mike Novo, treasurer of the Pinnacles National Park Foundation, pauses during an interview about the park he has camped in since the 1960s, on March 16, 2026. \u003ccite>(Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>And if you get lucky, you might be able to see condors leaving their roosts on the ridge above the campground in the morning.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Just remember: The campground is on the east side of the park only, so plan accordingly. You’ll have access to showers and even a swimming pool that’s open during the summer, weather permitting. There’s also a small campground store where you can purchase necessities.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The downside: \u003ca href=\"https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234015\">Reservations for the campground\u003c/a> can be tough to secure, so check early and stay flexible.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"WhatarethemostscenictrailsatPinnacles\">\u003c/a>Find a trail that works for your ability levels\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>While Pinnacles is not a huge national park, it still has a wide range of trails for all types of hikers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s not a driving park, it’s a hiking park,” Neidhardt said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The most iconic — and most difficult — trail is the \u003ca href=\"https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/high-peaks-condor-gulch-trail\">High Peaks Loop\u003c/a>, which takes hikers from the main parking area on the east side up and over the park’s craggy mountaintops, down to the Bear Gulch Reservoir and through the Bear Gulch Caves.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12077270\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12077270\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_038-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_038-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_038-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_038-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A hiker sits on a rocky ledge overlooking a winding trail and valley below in the High Peaks area at Pinnacles National Park on March 16, 2026. \u003ccite>(Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“The High Peaks Loop is rugged, but it’s just the most spectacular hike anywhere, not just in Pinnacles,” Neidhardt said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But if you’re planning that hike, he said, you should:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Start as early as you can in the morning\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Go counter-clockwise, starting on the Condor Gulch Trail, to get the hot, exposed section out of the way in the morning\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Keep in mind, “it can be 10 degrees hotter up in the high peaks than it is down below,” Neidhardt said.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12077267\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12077267\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_031-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_031-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_031-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_031-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A sign marks the start of the Sycamore Trail at Pinnacles National Park on March 16, 2026. \u003ccite>(Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>If that sounds like too much, don’t worry: There are lots of less strenuous options that are still just as scenic. From the Bear Gulch Parking Lot, try \u003ca href=\"https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/moses-spring-and-rim-trail-loop\">heading up the Moses Spring Trail\u003c/a> to the Bear Gulch Reservoir, stopping to check out the caves along your way for a 2-mile round-trip hike to experience some of the park’s highlights.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Or trek up to the \u003ca href=\"https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/condor-gulch-trail-to-overlook--2\">Condor Gulch Overlook\u003c/a>, where you might catch a glimpse of the park’s famed birds. Even the walk from the \u003ca href=\"https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/bear-gulch-trail-peaks-view-day-use-area-to-bear-gulch-day-use-area\">campground to the Bear Gulch parking area\u003c/a> is a pleasant, shady one that’s great for families.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>On the west side, the High Peaks are a quick but steep hike away. You can also stroll along the park’s new ADA-accessible “lollipop” route to see them from below.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>See the incredible biodiversity on display\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Because of the park’s varied ecosystems, it also boasts a \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/pinn/learn/nature/index.htm\">wide variety of species\u003c/a>. That includes \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/pinn/learn/nature/wildflowers.htm\">wildflowers\u003c/a>, which are especially widespread in the spring.“The sheer variety of wildflowers here — it’s just astonishing,” Neidhardt said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That extends to its animals, too: The park has one of the highest diversities of native bee species anywhere in the world, Neidhardt said, with over \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/pinn/learn/nature/bees.htm\">500 species of bees\u003c/a> found within the park.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12077273\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12077273\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_042-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_042-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_042-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_042-KQED-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A California sister butterfly (Adelpha californica) rests on a sunlit patch of ground at Pinnacles National Park on March 16, 2026. \u003ccite>(Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Despite many trail and area names with the word “bear” in them, there are no bears in the park. There are some pesky raccoons, however, who will boldly grab your food, Regan said. I also encountered a very persistent squirrel by the reservoir — a reminder not to feed \u003cem>any \u003c/em>of the wildlife here.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Among the less desirable creatures near the park are wild pigs, which are so prevalent that there’s now a 3-foot fence around the entire core of the park — nearly 30 miles in total — to keep them out, Neidhardt told me.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“They were a gigantic problem here in the campground,” Neidhardt said. “People get marauded by a pack of wild pigs at night.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"WherecanIseecondorsinthepark\">\u003c/a>Catch a glimpse of the biggest birds in North America\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>There’s one animal that makes any effort getting to the park and up into its craggy mountains worth the effort: the California condor.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s one of Pinnacles’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/pinn/learn/nature/birds.htm\">more than 180 species of birds\u003c/a>, but unlike any other. In fact, condors are the largest land birds in North America, with wingspans reaching nearly 10 feet.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Unlike their cousins, the turkey vulture, condors are huge: They can weigh around 20 pounds and fly up to 200 miles in a day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12077265\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12077265\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_030-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_030-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_030-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_030-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A California condor stands on a rocky outcrop near the Condor Gulch Trail viewpoint at Pinnacles National Park on March 16, 2026. \u003ccite>(Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>But if you’re not up close and can’t tell the difference, Neidhardt said you can look at the way they fly — condors are smoother fliers, with straight-out wings, versus the rocky, tipsy flight of a turkey vulture.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And the condors you’ll see at Pinnacles are all tagged, so if you see a colored tag with a number on it, typically on its wing, you know it’s a condor. And you can look it up later using a \u003ca href=\"https://www.condorspotter.com/\">website called Condor Spotter, \u003c/a>developed by a staff member at the Ventana Wildlife Society.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Condors gravitate toward this park because they love nesting in cavities in the rock formations here, Neidhardt said. Plus, rangeland surrounds the park, “so there’s a lot for them to eat,” he said — including those wild pigs, which they’re apparently quite partial to pork.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“This is just absolutely ideal condor habitat,” he said.[aside postID=news_12074364 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/YosemiteGetty.jpg']But these rare birds are \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/pinn/learn/nature/california-condor-information.htm\">threatened,\u003c/a> primarily by lead poisoning found in the animal carcasses they scavenge on. When a bullet kills an animal, the lead from that bullet explodes and enters the flesh around the wound — the same meat a condor might consume. While each bit of lead might be small, the cumulative effect is poisonous and, over time, kills the bird.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Almost 60% of deaths in wild and free-flying condors is caused by ingesting lead from ammunition,” Neidhardt said. “It’s a vicious thing.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Plus, it takes a long time for condors to reproduce — the females typically lay just one egg every two years, Neidhardt said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In the 1980s, their population crashed to just 22 individuals. To prevent them from going extinct, these condors were captured and bred.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Now, across the Western United States, there are four captive breeding programs and five release sites, \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/pinn/learn/nature/condor-recovery-program.htm\">including here in Pinnacles\u003c/a>. The park gets young 1-year-old birds, bred in captivity, and keeps them in the flight pen with adult wild birds to act as a “mentor bird,” who helps teach the young birds how to fly and about the pecking order, Neidhardt said. Then, after about a month, they release the young birds.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Condors are very hierarchical, and there’s a real pecking order,” he said. “And if we got these rookies from the captive breeding program and immediately released them, they’d get beat up — or worse — by the dominant members of the flock.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12078358\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12078358\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/031626_PinnaclesForTheDay-_GH_025_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/031626_PinnaclesForTheDay-_GH_025_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/031626_PinnaclesForTheDay-_GH_025_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/031626_PinnaclesForTheDay-_GH_025_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A California condor spreads its wings on a rocky viewpoint along the Condor Gulch Trail at Pinnacles National Park on March 16, 2026. \u003ccite>(Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Neidhardt said there are 117 condors in the Central California flock right now, ranging from around the central valley to the coast and up north as far as Mount Diablo.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And their numbers are increasing. The Pinnacles Foundation’s Novo said that he never used to spot any condors in his early days of hiking in Pinnacles in the 1990s, but by 2010, he started seeing them all the time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s common now,” Novo said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Last year we had a record number of wild nests in the Central California flock,” Neidhardt said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you want to increase your chances of seeing one yourself, head to the High Peaks, where I spotted two: one pruning itself, another soaring high above.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"HowcanIvisitPinnaclescaves\">\u003c/a>Explore Pinnacles’s pitch-black caves\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>That same movement due to the San Andreas Fault line slowly tumbled rocks and boulders around Pinnacles, producing a handful of caves that visitors to the park today can explore.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“As pieces of the rock erode or big chunks fall off, they fall into the steep canyons below the eroded rock formations,” Novo said. “The falling boulders are big enough and have enough space within them that they’ve created what’s called ‘talus caves.’”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Just be aware: The upper Bear Gulch Cave is closed for 50 weeks out of the year while its resident bats hibernate and raise their pups. \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/pinn/planyourvisit/cavestatus.htm\">Always check the park’s website before\u003c/a> heading out to see if the caves are open.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12077272\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12077272\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_041-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_041-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_041-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_041-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A hiker with a headlamp moves through the narrow passageways of Bear Gulch Cave at Pinnacles National Park on March 16, 2026. \u003ccite>(Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>I got lucky: The day I was there, they were open.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Drop into Pinnacles’ caves, and you’ll be surprised at what you see — or don’t see. Because these caves weren’t carved out in the traditional sense, you may think that means they \u003cem>feel \u003c/em>less underground, Novo said, “but it’s pitch black.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>After descending into the tiny opening and looking around, I couldn’t see a thing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But when I turned on my headlamp to reveal a rickety metal staircase winding down the cave, I saw a flowing waterfall pouring from the reservoir above.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>See the park’s geologic history firsthand\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Pinnacles’ spires were formed \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/pinn/learn/nature/faults.htm\">around 23 million years ago\u003c/a> when a volcano erupted, piling on material that was later carved away by time and erosion and sculpting the park’s iconic mountaintops.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In fact, if you do make it up to the High Peaks, you’ll spiral up and around the pinnacles themselves, getting a literal bird’s eye view of the park.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12078360\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1999px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12078360\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/031626_PinnaclesForTheDay-_GH_037_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1999\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/031626_PinnaclesForTheDay-_GH_037_qed.jpg 1999w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/031626_PinnaclesForTheDay-_GH_037_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/031626_PinnaclesForTheDay-_GH_037_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1999px) 100vw, 1999px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Rock formations rise above a sweeping view of rolling hills and valleys in the High Peaks area of Pinnacles National Park on March 16, 2026. \u003ccite>(Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“A lot of what you see there is the original lava rock,” Novo said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The thing that may surprise you: that volcano actually erupted hundreds of miles away to the southeast, in what’s now the present-day Mojave Desert city of Lancaster.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Highway 25, the route to Pinnacles, sits “pretty much right on top of the San Andreas Fault all the way down from Hollister,” Novo said. So these rock formations that give the park its name have traveled north inch by inch, day by day, over millions of years along that fault, right to where they stand today.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Get to know this place’s living history\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Pinnacles’ \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/pinn/learn/historyculture/native-peoples.htm\">earliest inhabitants\u003c/a>, the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band and Chalon Indian Nation, lived on and cared for this land.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>After the \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/pinn/learn/historyculture/spanish-missionaries-and-early-settlers.htm\">Spanish missionaries \u003c/a>converted, enslaved and killed native people here, many of the native traditions were lost. Today, tribal members are working to\u003ca href=\"https://amahmutsun.org/pinnacles-national-park\"> bring their cultural history and knowledge back\u003c/a> to the park, Regan said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12078361\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12078361\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/031626_PinnaclesForTheDay-_GH_043_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/031626_PinnaclesForTheDay-_GH_043_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/031626_PinnaclesForTheDay-_GH_043_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/031626_PinnaclesForTheDay-_GH_043_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sunlight filters through trees as rock formations rise above a shaded hillside near Bear Gulch at Pinnacles National Park on March 16, 2026. \u003ccite>(Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>The legacy of the park’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/the-elizabeth-bacon-family-house.htm\">homesteader settlers\u003c/a> who inhabited the area in the 19th century is also on display at the park, where a historic homestead hike brings visitors to the \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/pinnacles-hike-bacon-butterfield-ranch-trail.htm\">Bacon Ranch and Butterfield Ranch,\u003c/a> named for two of the original homesteaders of the property that helped create the park.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Also to thank for the park’s infrastructure is the \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/pinn/learn/historyculture/civilian-conservation-corps.htm\">Civilian Conservation Corps\u003c/a>, which, in the 1930s, developed its highlights, including the treacherous High Peaks trail and Bear Gulch Reservoir.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Today, the park is mostly cared for by the National Park Service and the Pinnacles Foundation, which has a team of volunteers that helps plug the holes in the park’s budget — even now that it’s a national park.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12078378\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12078378\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/031626_PinnaclesForTheDay-_GH_034_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/031626_PinnaclesForTheDay-_GH_034_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/031626_PinnaclesForTheDay-_GH_034_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/031626_PinnaclesForTheDay-_GH_034_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Wildflowers bloom in the foreground along the Condor Gulch Trail, with the park’s rocky spires rising in the distance at Pinnacles National Park on March 16, 2026. \u003ccite>(Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“There was no money attached” to attaining the national park status, Regan said. “They didn’t have enough money even to put up a sign to say ‘Pinnacles National Park.’”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The foundation staffs the visitor centers, helps fund the condor program and builds new trails and signs throughout the park — even buying $3,000 worth of lamb carcasses from Costco for the condors during a period of avian flu.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Whatever is needed is kind of what we do,” Regan said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
"blocks": [],
"excerpt": "Even a day trip from the Bay Area is possible. Here’s how we did it — and where to see the park’s best sights.",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1775151466,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 85,
"wordCount": 3595
},
"headData": {
"title": "Plan the Perfect Day at Pinnacles: California’s Most Slept-On National Park | KQED",
"description": "Even a day trip from the Bay Area is possible. Here’s how we did it — and where to see the park’s best sights.",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "Plan the Perfect Day at Pinnacles: California’s Most Slept-On National Park",
"datePublished": "2026-04-02T04:00:57-07:00",
"dateModified": "2026-04-02T10:37:46-07:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"primaryCategory": {
"termId": 34168,
"slug": "guides-and-explainers",
"name": "Guides and Explainers"
},
"sticky": false,
"nprStoryId": "kqed-12078183",
"templateType": "standard",
"featuredImageType": "standard",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/12078183/pinnacles-national-park-open-see-wildflowers-condors-when-visit-caves-west-vs-east-entrance-on-way-to-big-sur",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>From \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12074364/yosemite-national-park-no-reservations-2026-glacier-arches-timed-entry\">Yosemite \u003c/a>to Lassen, some of the country’s most iconic — and most visited — \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/national-parks-service\">national parks \u003c/a>are virtually on our doorstep here in the Bay Area.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But our “home” national park, Pinnacles, is even closer than you may realize.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’ve driven Highway 101 south from San Francisco, you’ve probably seen the signs directing drivers to the park, which is only a few hours away from the Bay Area. But despite its proximity, this park is often overlooked.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When Richard Neidhardt first started volunteering at Pinnacles in 2010, he said the most common response from anyone he told was: “Where’s that?”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s remarkable how many people who live within two hours of here haven’t heard of it, don’t know what it is, and have never been here,” said Neidhardt, who is now the Condor Chair of the Pinnacles National Park Foundation, the nonprofit that helps fill funding gaps for the park.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This under-the-radar element is partly because Pinnacles \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/quest/48410/our-newest-national-park-pinnacles-national-monument\">only became a national park in 2013\u003c/a>, when it was upgraded from a national monument. It’s also a relatively small park — at just around 27,000 acres, it’s one of the smallest in the whole country.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12077269\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12077269\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_033-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_033-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_033-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_033-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A small creek flows beneath trees near the Sycamore Trail trailhead at Pinnacles National Park on March 16, 2026. \u003ccite>(Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>But this little park still packs a punch, and makes for a fantastically fulfilling — and surprisingly easy — trip from the Bay Area, even just for the day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So to help you plan your own Pinnacles visit, I traveled there one hot spring day to check out the best trails, find the most beautiful views, and learn about some truly hidden wonders from Neidhardt and his colleagues.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Read on for 10 tips to make the day trip worth your while.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to: \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#CanIcampatPinnacles\">Can I camp at Pinnacles?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#WhatarethemostscenictrailsatPinnacles\">What are the most scenic trails at Pinnacles?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#WherecanIseecondorsinthepark\">Where can I see condors in the park?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#HowcanIvisitPinnaclescaves\">How can I visit Pinnacles’ caves?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>Getting to Pinnacles (and which entrance to use)\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Depending on where you’re coming from in the Bay Area, and traffic conditions, the drive to \u003ca href=\"https://share.google/PeddmL8UcyLQrkuDW\">Pinnacles’ eastern entrance\u003c/a> — considered its main entrance — is only around 2-3 hours.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Once you pass through the South Bay, you’ll continue on Hwy 101 until Gilroy, where you’ll take Highway 25 to Hollister and through Tres Pinos before turning off the highway and into the park.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12077268\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12077268\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_032-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_032-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_032-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_032-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Rock formations rise along the High Peaks Trail at Pinnacles National Park on March 16, 2026. \u003ccite>(Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>On your way to the park, you can stop in Hollister for any major needs, like extra gear or groceries. The small town of Tres Pinos has its own quaint feel and is an ideal post-hike dinner stop at one of the handful of restaurants on its main street.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>What about using the \u003ca href=\"https://share.google/Radepu1Bj4Ro16Auv\">western entrance\u003c/a> instead? This location will take you a little longer to reach from the Bay, but it certainly has its own appeal — namely, the sweeping views of the namesake Pinnacles rock formations themselves that are readily available from the parking lot. You can stop in Salinas or Soledad on your way in or out from that end, although be aware: Highway 146 from the western side is scenic but somewhat narrow.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Make Pinnacles a surprisingly achievable day trip\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Unlike other sprawling national parks, which demand a multi-day trip to see all of their sights, it \u003cem>is \u003c/em>worth it to visit Pinnacles for a day trip.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Or as Neidhardt puts it, “You can see a lot of the park in one day.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But this advice comes with a caveat: Pinnacles is split into two sides, east and west, and you shouldn’t expect to be able to visit both sides of the park in one day. In fact, you can’t actually drive from one end to the other — so pick an entrance and stick with it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12077261\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12077261\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_009-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_009-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_009-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_009-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Richard Neidhardt, director and Pinnacles Condor Fund chair, speaks while seated outdoors during a visit to Pinnacles National Park on March 16, 2026. \u003ccite>(Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>For first-timers, especially those coming from the Bay Area, heading to the east side typically makes the most sense, given its increased infrastructure, like a full campground and park store, and it is a jumping-off spot for a wider variety of hikes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Return visitors may want to check out the west side for a new perspective — including iconic valley views of the namesake pinnacle rock formations.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“You can drive down to the Chaparral Parking Area, and there they are,” Neidhardt said. “It’s just the most spectacular views of the rock formations.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Get to Pinnacles \u003cem>early \u003c/em>(to avoid a wait)\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Visitorship to Pinnacles has hugely increased in the last five years, and was historically also boosted by its new status as a national park. “The impact on the park was huge,” Neidhardt said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And visitorship is still sizable, said Tim Regan, president of the Pinnacles Foundation — meaning you should plan to avoid the worst of the traffic into the park.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While Pinnacles may be no Yosemite in terms of visitorship, lines of cars to get into the park during peak spring weekends can still be miles long, even requiring up to a\u003ca href=\"https://www.reddit.com/r/bayarea/comments/1s6gcpi/pinnacles_packed/?share_id=Jv6fvKpPQQSZfh5G5PYnX&utm_content=1&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_source=share&utm_term=1\"> two-hour wait\u003c/a> to get in. These days, people come from all over the world to visit the park, often on their way to and from other areas like Yosemite or Big Sur.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12077262\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12077262\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_012-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_012-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_012-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_012-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Tim Regan, board president of the Pinnacles National Park Foundation, poses in a grassy meadow at Pinnacles National Park, where his family has roots spanning more than a century, on March 16, 2026. \u003ccite>(Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>I can testify from my own visit that you should plan ahead to avoid missing out. While I didn’t experience any lines to enter the park’s east entrance when I arrived at 10 a.m., by the time I was ready to embark on a hike, the Bear Gulch parking lot was full, meaning I had to park a mile down the road and walk to the trailhead. (During peak season times, the park \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/pinn/planyourvisit/hours.htm\">runs a shuttle\u003c/a> from the campground to the Bear Gulch Day Use Area to mitigate this issue.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That’s why Neidhardt and his colleagues recommend you plan to arrive at the park early — or even come on a weekday or during a less busy time of year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>There’s a reason for this wait, Regan said: The park isn’t really designed to hold more people than its current parking lots can accommodate. “The land around here is very fragile,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Another good reason to get there early? The heat. The day I went, during the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/2000315/record-breaking-heat-wave-bakes-the-bay-area-through-friday\">Bay Area’s historic March heat wave,\u003c/a> it was pushing 90 in the afternoon.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Heat wave aside, springtime is still the best time to visit Pinnacles, Regan said. “Everything is green, the wildflowers are out, and it’s not too hot — except for this week,” he said. “It’s usually in the 70s here, and it’s wonderful.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"CanIcampatPinnacles\">\u003c/a>Consider sleeping within the park itself\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you want to avoid the headache of getting there early enough to avoid a wait, you can stay overnight at Pinnacles’ campground — an underrated but “wonderful” way to experience the park, said Mike Novo, the treasurer for the Pinnacles Foundation.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The night skies here are wonderful,” he said, so much so that they’re striving to get \u003ca href=\"https://darksky.org/\">international “Dark Sky” status\u003c/a> by retrofitting light fixtures and working with nearby communities to reduce their light pollution.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12077260\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12077260 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_005-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_005-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_005-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_005-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Mike Novo, treasurer of the Pinnacles National Park Foundation, pauses during an interview about the park he has camped in since the 1960s, on March 16, 2026. \u003ccite>(Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>And if you get lucky, you might be able to see condors leaving their roosts on the ridge above the campground in the morning.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Just remember: The campground is on the east side of the park only, so plan accordingly. You’ll have access to showers and even a swimming pool that’s open during the summer, weather permitting. There’s also a small campground store where you can purchase necessities.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The downside: \u003ca href=\"https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234015\">Reservations for the campground\u003c/a> can be tough to secure, so check early and stay flexible.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"WhatarethemostscenictrailsatPinnacles\">\u003c/a>Find a trail that works for your ability levels\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>While Pinnacles is not a huge national park, it still has a wide range of trails for all types of hikers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s not a driving park, it’s a hiking park,” Neidhardt said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The most iconic — and most difficult — trail is the \u003ca href=\"https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/high-peaks-condor-gulch-trail\">High Peaks Loop\u003c/a>, which takes hikers from the main parking area on the east side up and over the park’s craggy mountaintops, down to the Bear Gulch Reservoir and through the Bear Gulch Caves.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12077270\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12077270\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_038-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_038-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_038-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_038-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A hiker sits on a rocky ledge overlooking a winding trail and valley below in the High Peaks area at Pinnacles National Park on March 16, 2026. \u003ccite>(Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“The High Peaks Loop is rugged, but it’s just the most spectacular hike anywhere, not just in Pinnacles,” Neidhardt said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But if you’re planning that hike, he said, you should:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Start as early as you can in the morning\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Go counter-clockwise, starting on the Condor Gulch Trail, to get the hot, exposed section out of the way in the morning\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Keep in mind, “it can be 10 degrees hotter up in the high peaks than it is down below,” Neidhardt said.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12077267\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12077267\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_031-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_031-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_031-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_031-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A sign marks the start of the Sycamore Trail at Pinnacles National Park on March 16, 2026. \u003ccite>(Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>If that sounds like too much, don’t worry: There are lots of less strenuous options that are still just as scenic. From the Bear Gulch Parking Lot, try \u003ca href=\"https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/moses-spring-and-rim-trail-loop\">heading up the Moses Spring Trail\u003c/a> to the Bear Gulch Reservoir, stopping to check out the caves along your way for a 2-mile round-trip hike to experience some of the park’s highlights.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Or trek up to the \u003ca href=\"https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/condor-gulch-trail-to-overlook--2\">Condor Gulch Overlook\u003c/a>, where you might catch a glimpse of the park’s famed birds. Even the walk from the \u003ca href=\"https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/bear-gulch-trail-peaks-view-day-use-area-to-bear-gulch-day-use-area\">campground to the Bear Gulch parking area\u003c/a> is a pleasant, shady one that’s great for families.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>On the west side, the High Peaks are a quick but steep hike away. You can also stroll along the park’s new ADA-accessible “lollipop” route to see them from below.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>See the incredible biodiversity on display\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Because of the park’s varied ecosystems, it also boasts a \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/pinn/learn/nature/index.htm\">wide variety of species\u003c/a>. That includes \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/pinn/learn/nature/wildflowers.htm\">wildflowers\u003c/a>, which are especially widespread in the spring.“The sheer variety of wildflowers here — it’s just astonishing,” Neidhardt said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That extends to its animals, too: The park has one of the highest diversities of native bee species anywhere in the world, Neidhardt said, with over \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/pinn/learn/nature/bees.htm\">500 species of bees\u003c/a> found within the park.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12077273\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12077273\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_042-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_042-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_042-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_042-KQED-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A California sister butterfly (Adelpha californica) rests on a sunlit patch of ground at Pinnacles National Park on March 16, 2026. \u003ccite>(Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Despite many trail and area names with the word “bear” in them, there are no bears in the park. There are some pesky raccoons, however, who will boldly grab your food, Regan said. I also encountered a very persistent squirrel by the reservoir — a reminder not to feed \u003cem>any \u003c/em>of the wildlife here.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Among the less desirable creatures near the park are wild pigs, which are so prevalent that there’s now a 3-foot fence around the entire core of the park — nearly 30 miles in total — to keep them out, Neidhardt told me.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“They were a gigantic problem here in the campground,” Neidhardt said. “People get marauded by a pack of wild pigs at night.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"WherecanIseecondorsinthepark\">\u003c/a>Catch a glimpse of the biggest birds in North America\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>There’s one animal that makes any effort getting to the park and up into its craggy mountains worth the effort: the California condor.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s one of Pinnacles’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/pinn/learn/nature/birds.htm\">more than 180 species of birds\u003c/a>, but unlike any other. In fact, condors are the largest land birds in North America, with wingspans reaching nearly 10 feet.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Unlike their cousins, the turkey vulture, condors are huge: They can weigh around 20 pounds and fly up to 200 miles in a day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12077265\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12077265\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_030-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_030-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_030-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_030-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A California condor stands on a rocky outcrop near the Condor Gulch Trail viewpoint at Pinnacles National Park on March 16, 2026. \u003ccite>(Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>But if you’re not up close and can’t tell the difference, Neidhardt said you can look at the way they fly — condors are smoother fliers, with straight-out wings, versus the rocky, tipsy flight of a turkey vulture.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And the condors you’ll see at Pinnacles are all tagged, so if you see a colored tag with a number on it, typically on its wing, you know it’s a condor. And you can look it up later using a \u003ca href=\"https://www.condorspotter.com/\">website called Condor Spotter, \u003c/a>developed by a staff member at the Ventana Wildlife Society.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Condors gravitate toward this park because they love nesting in cavities in the rock formations here, Neidhardt said. Plus, rangeland surrounds the park, “so there’s a lot for them to eat,” he said — including those wild pigs, which they’re apparently quite partial to pork.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“This is just absolutely ideal condor habitat,” he said.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "aside",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"postid": "news_12074364",
"hero": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/YosemiteGetty.jpg",
"label": ""
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>But these rare birds are \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/pinn/learn/nature/california-condor-information.htm\">threatened,\u003c/a> primarily by lead poisoning found in the animal carcasses they scavenge on. When a bullet kills an animal, the lead from that bullet explodes and enters the flesh around the wound — the same meat a condor might consume. While each bit of lead might be small, the cumulative effect is poisonous and, over time, kills the bird.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Almost 60% of deaths in wild and free-flying condors is caused by ingesting lead from ammunition,” Neidhardt said. “It’s a vicious thing.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Plus, it takes a long time for condors to reproduce — the females typically lay just one egg every two years, Neidhardt said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In the 1980s, their population crashed to just 22 individuals. To prevent them from going extinct, these condors were captured and bred.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Now, across the Western United States, there are four captive breeding programs and five release sites, \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/pinn/learn/nature/condor-recovery-program.htm\">including here in Pinnacles\u003c/a>. The park gets young 1-year-old birds, bred in captivity, and keeps them in the flight pen with adult wild birds to act as a “mentor bird,” who helps teach the young birds how to fly and about the pecking order, Neidhardt said. Then, after about a month, they release the young birds.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Condors are very hierarchical, and there’s a real pecking order,” he said. “And if we got these rookies from the captive breeding program and immediately released them, they’d get beat up — or worse — by the dominant members of the flock.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12078358\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12078358\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/031626_PinnaclesForTheDay-_GH_025_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/031626_PinnaclesForTheDay-_GH_025_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/031626_PinnaclesForTheDay-_GH_025_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/031626_PinnaclesForTheDay-_GH_025_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A California condor spreads its wings on a rocky viewpoint along the Condor Gulch Trail at Pinnacles National Park on March 16, 2026. \u003ccite>(Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Neidhardt said there are 117 condors in the Central California flock right now, ranging from around the central valley to the coast and up north as far as Mount Diablo.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And their numbers are increasing. The Pinnacles Foundation’s Novo said that he never used to spot any condors in his early days of hiking in Pinnacles in the 1990s, but by 2010, he started seeing them all the time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s common now,” Novo said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Last year we had a record number of wild nests in the Central California flock,” Neidhardt said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you want to increase your chances of seeing one yourself, head to the High Peaks, where I spotted two: one pruning itself, another soaring high above.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"HowcanIvisitPinnaclescaves\">\u003c/a>Explore Pinnacles’s pitch-black caves\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>That same movement due to the San Andreas Fault line slowly tumbled rocks and boulders around Pinnacles, producing a handful of caves that visitors to the park today can explore.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“As pieces of the rock erode or big chunks fall off, they fall into the steep canyons below the eroded rock formations,” Novo said. “The falling boulders are big enough and have enough space within them that they’ve created what’s called ‘talus caves.’”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Just be aware: The upper Bear Gulch Cave is closed for 50 weeks out of the year while its resident bats hibernate and raise their pups. \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/pinn/planyourvisit/cavestatus.htm\">Always check the park’s website before\u003c/a> heading out to see if the caves are open.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12077272\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12077272\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_041-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_041-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_041-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031626_PINNACLESFORTHEDAY-_GH_041-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A hiker with a headlamp moves through the narrow passageways of Bear Gulch Cave at Pinnacles National Park on March 16, 2026. \u003ccite>(Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>I got lucky: The day I was there, they were open.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Drop into Pinnacles’ caves, and you’ll be surprised at what you see — or don’t see. Because these caves weren’t carved out in the traditional sense, you may think that means they \u003cem>feel \u003c/em>less underground, Novo said, “but it’s pitch black.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>After descending into the tiny opening and looking around, I couldn’t see a thing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But when I turned on my headlamp to reveal a rickety metal staircase winding down the cave, I saw a flowing waterfall pouring from the reservoir above.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>See the park’s geologic history firsthand\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Pinnacles’ spires were formed \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/pinn/learn/nature/faults.htm\">around 23 million years ago\u003c/a> when a volcano erupted, piling on material that was later carved away by time and erosion and sculpting the park’s iconic mountaintops.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In fact, if you do make it up to the High Peaks, you’ll spiral up and around the pinnacles themselves, getting a literal bird’s eye view of the park.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12078360\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1999px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12078360\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/031626_PinnaclesForTheDay-_GH_037_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1999\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/031626_PinnaclesForTheDay-_GH_037_qed.jpg 1999w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/031626_PinnaclesForTheDay-_GH_037_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/031626_PinnaclesForTheDay-_GH_037_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1999px) 100vw, 1999px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Rock formations rise above a sweeping view of rolling hills and valleys in the High Peaks area of Pinnacles National Park on March 16, 2026. \u003ccite>(Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“A lot of what you see there is the original lava rock,” Novo said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The thing that may surprise you: that volcano actually erupted hundreds of miles away to the southeast, in what’s now the present-day Mojave Desert city of Lancaster.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Highway 25, the route to Pinnacles, sits “pretty much right on top of the San Andreas Fault all the way down from Hollister,” Novo said. So these rock formations that give the park its name have traveled north inch by inch, day by day, over millions of years along that fault, right to where they stand today.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Get to know this place’s living history\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Pinnacles’ \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/pinn/learn/historyculture/native-peoples.htm\">earliest inhabitants\u003c/a>, the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band and Chalon Indian Nation, lived on and cared for this land.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>After the \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/pinn/learn/historyculture/spanish-missionaries-and-early-settlers.htm\">Spanish missionaries \u003c/a>converted, enslaved and killed native people here, many of the native traditions were lost. Today, tribal members are working to\u003ca href=\"https://amahmutsun.org/pinnacles-national-park\"> bring their cultural history and knowledge back\u003c/a> to the park, Regan said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12078361\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12078361\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/031626_PinnaclesForTheDay-_GH_043_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/031626_PinnaclesForTheDay-_GH_043_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/031626_PinnaclesForTheDay-_GH_043_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/031626_PinnaclesForTheDay-_GH_043_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sunlight filters through trees as rock formations rise above a shaded hillside near Bear Gulch at Pinnacles National Park on March 16, 2026. \u003ccite>(Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>The legacy of the park’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/the-elizabeth-bacon-family-house.htm\">homesteader settlers\u003c/a> who inhabited the area in the 19th century is also on display at the park, where a historic homestead hike brings visitors to the \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/pinnacles-hike-bacon-butterfield-ranch-trail.htm\">Bacon Ranch and Butterfield Ranch,\u003c/a> named for two of the original homesteaders of the property that helped create the park.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Also to thank for the park’s infrastructure is the \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/pinn/learn/historyculture/civilian-conservation-corps.htm\">Civilian Conservation Corps\u003c/a>, which, in the 1930s, developed its highlights, including the treacherous High Peaks trail and Bear Gulch Reservoir.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Today, the park is mostly cared for by the National Park Service and the Pinnacles Foundation, which has a team of volunteers that helps plug the holes in the park’s budget — even now that it’s a national park.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12078378\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12078378\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/031626_PinnaclesForTheDay-_GH_034_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/031626_PinnaclesForTheDay-_GH_034_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/031626_PinnaclesForTheDay-_GH_034_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/031626_PinnaclesForTheDay-_GH_034_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Wildflowers bloom in the foreground along the Condor Gulch Trail, with the park’s rocky spires rising in the distance at Pinnacles National Park on March 16, 2026. \u003ccite>(Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“There was no money attached” to attaining the national park status, Regan said. “They didn’t have enough money even to put up a sign to say ‘Pinnacles National Park.’”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The foundation staffs the visitor centers, helps fund the condor program and builds new trails and signs throughout the park — even buying $3,000 worth of lamb carcasses from Costco for the condors during a period of avian flu.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Whatever is needed is kind of what we do,” Regan said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "floatright"
},
"numeric": [
"floatright"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/news/12078183/pinnacles-national-park-open-see-wildflowers-condors-when-visit-caves-west-vs-east-entrance-on-way-to-big-sur",
"authors": [
"11956"
],
"categories": [
"news_31795",
"news_34168"
],
"tags": [
"news_32707",
"news_1386",
"news_18538",
"news_35888",
"news_27626",
"news_2715",
"news_2905",
"news_2672",
"news_3869",
"news_1855"
],
"featImg": "news_12077271",
"label": "news"
},
"news_12046806": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_12046806",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12046806",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1774295128000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "coyotes-are-in-pupping-season-in-the-bay-area-heres-how-to-keep-yourself-and-your-dog-safe",
"title": "Coyotes Are in Pupping Season in the Bay Area. Here’s How to Keep Yourself and Your Dog Safe",
"publishDate": 1774295128,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "Coyotes Are in Pupping Season in the Bay Area. Here’s How to Keep Yourself and Your Dog Safe | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"site": "news"
},
"content": "\u003cp>The Presidio Trust announced on Monday that it’s closing parts of its trails to dog walkers due to the start of \u003ca href=\"https://presidio.gov/about/sustainability/coyotes-in-the-presidio\">coyote pupping season\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This annual period in springtime is when hikers and dog walkers should be especially aware of the potential for coyote encounters — and prioritize their safety.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While “\u003ca href=\"https://www.ebparks.org/safety/living-with-coyotes\">coyotes are part of the landscape\u003c/a>,” said Dave Mason, a spokesperson for East Bay Regional Parks, and aren’t inherently dangerous to humans, these animals can pose a threat to dogs in particular.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Across the bay, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12042228/learning-to-live-with-san-franciscos-coyotes\">San Francisco’s own coyotes have been back\u003c/a> for several decades after an eradication campaign at the turn of the 20th century. And while \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/19/us/coyotes-san-francisco-california.html\">the reasons for their return may elude us\u003c/a>, these coyotes, which have been spotted roaming parks, encountering humans and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12025959/san-francisco-coyotes-now-theyre-in-the-subway-too\">even strolling in a Muni tunnel\u003c/a>, certainly don’t.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/19/us/coyotes-san-francisco-california.html\">While the reemergence of coyotes in the city has some residents divided,\u003c/a> their presence across the entire Bay Area has become a reality, both for the coyotes themselves and the people that interact with them in parks, neighborhoods and their backyards. And during the summer months, known as “pupping season,” human-coyote interactions can increase.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But even though a coyote that’s protecting its young may seem threatening, the animals are unlikely to actually get aggressive.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://bayareacoyote.org/\">Many local agencies, researchers and jurisdictions are working together\u003c/a> to manage coyote populations and help educate residents on the animals and their behaviors. Keep reading for what to know about coyotes and safety in the Bay Area, especially for pet owners.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#Arecoyotesdangeroustomeormypets\">Are coyotes dangerous to me or my pets?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#WhatshouldIknowabouttheirpuprearingseason\">What should I know about their pup-rearing season?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#WhatdoIdoifIseeacoyote\">What do I do if I see a coyote?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#MyfavoritetrailisclosedforpuppingseasonWhatshouldIdo\">My favorite trail is closed for pupping season. What should I do?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>What’s with all the coyotes in the Bay Area?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>“They are part of our native ecosystem,” said Phoebe Parker-Shames, wildlife ecologist for The Presidio Trust.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Coyotes naturally control pests, like rats, mice and gophers, and studies have shown that they also \u003ca href=\"https://projectcoyote.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/PC_SAB_Coyote-Facts_FINAL_2020_08.pdf\">contribute to bird biodiversity\u003c/a> by keeping feral cats and other small predator populations in check, Parker-Shames said. Plus, they don’t need much to survive: \u003ca href=\"https://discoverwildcare.org/understanding-coyote-denning-behavior/\">all they really need is a small burrow or opening to raise their infants, called a “den,”\u003c/a> and food, which also comes in the form of human trash. And with few natural predators in populated areas, they can actually thrive.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12046810\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12046810 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/CoyotePresidioTrust2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/CoyotePresidioTrust2.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/CoyotePresidioTrust2-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/CoyotePresidioTrust2-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Coyotes aren’t taking over the city anytime soon, said Phoebe Parker-Shames, a wildlife ecologist for The Presidio Trust. “We did see an increase when they first reestablished themselves into the city. But at this point in time, it will be and it has been stable.” \u003ccite>(Courtesy of The Presidio Trust)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Parker-Shames said \u003ca href=\"https://presidio.gov/about/sustainability/coyotes-in-the-presidio\">the Presidio is working toward human-coyote “coexistence”\u003c/a> so humans and coyotes can share space in the city and beyond.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>She said that due to their reemergence in San Francisco in particular, there’s a common misconception that coyote populations are out of control or going to “take over the city.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But once juvenile coyotes learn to fend for themselves as early as 10 months old, they tend to separate from their families and find their own territory, so there’s never a huge number of animals occupying the same space at once.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The reality is because coyotes are very territorial animals, it keeps the population stable year over year,” Parker-Shames said. “We did see an increase when they first reestablished themselves into the city. But at this point in time, it will be and it has been stable.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In the Presidio, Parker-Shames said, coyotes den in the center of the park, near the golf course. “That’s an area that has much less dog activity.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Are coyotes dangerous to me or \u003ca id=\"Arecoyotesdangeroustomeormypets\">\u003c/a>my pets?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Another point of confusion is the personal risk a coyote poses, Parker-Shames said. The biggest coyotes are only around 30 pounds, so “there’s a pretty good overlap between the largest raccoons and the smaller coyotes,” she said. “These are not fundamentally dangerous animals.”[aside postID=news_12046061 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/06/Tahoe1.jpg']“\u003ca href=\"https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/pan3.10549\">It’s incredibly rare for people to be hurt by coyotes\u003c/a>,” Parker-Shames said, but they do pose a real threat to dogs.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That’s because a coyote’s instinct is to see other canines, usually other coyotes or wolves, as dangerous to them, their pups and their territory. So when a coyote meets a dog, “it’s seeing: ‘This is a threat to myself and to my baby,’” Parker-Shames said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That’s why coyotes will often go after dogs, even if they’re afraid of the humans nearby. It’s also why keeping your dog on a leash can be so effective in preventing interactions that could put your dog in danger, both because your presence may deter the coyote and also\u003ca href=\"https://coyoteyipps.com/2019/06/24/please-leash-up-coyotes-are-entitled-to-defend-their-den-areas-here-in-san-francisco/\"> prevent your dog from checking out den sites or engaging with coyotes,\u003c/a> which may be more defensive around their young.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Our data indicates that if you’ve got a leash on your dog, you are far, far less likely to have a negative encounter with a coyote,” Parker-Shames said.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What should I know during coyote \u003ca id=\"WhatshouldIknowabouttheirpuprearingseason\">\u003c/a>pupping season?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Pup-rearing season, when the coyote pups are born and eventually start to get big enough to go out on their own, stretches from springtime to fall, and this is when lots of activity occurs, Parker-Shames said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Coyotes are creating dens, having pups, and then the pup is getting bigger and starting to get a little bit more independent and curious and exploring the spaces around them,” Parker-Shames said. “And then eventually, [the pups are] starting to be fully independent and dispersing and trying to find their own territories.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12046819\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1003px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12046819 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/alphamale_InfantryTerraceMay2020DH.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1003\" height=\"753\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/alphamale_InfantryTerraceMay2020DH.png 1003w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/alphamale_InfantryTerraceMay2020DH-160x120.png 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1003px) 100vw, 1003px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Near the main denning area in the Presidio, a few trails are currently closed preemptively during the height of pupping season. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of The Presidio Trust)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>What hikers and dog walkers should know: Pupping season is also when coyote parents can be more protective of their pups, Mason said. Plus, with kids out of school, more people are out on trails, so sightings can be common.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you notice a coyote trailing you, that’s a behavior known as “escorting,” when the animal “follows at a closer distance than usual to encourage departure from the area,” Mason said. And while the parent may bare its teeth or growl, escorting isn’t typically aggressive — the coyote is usually just making sure you’re heading out of the vicinity of its pups. “The best course of action is to leave the area calmly and without running,” Mason advised.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Near the main denning area in the Presidio, \u003ca href=\"https://presidio.gov/visit/dogs-in-the-presidio\">a few trails are currently closed preemptively\u003c/a> during the height of pupping season, with some closed only to dogs. On other trails throughout the Bay Area, signage will typically alert visitors to coyote activity in the area.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What do I do \u003ca id=\"WhatdoIdoifIseeacoyote\">\u003c/a>if I see a coyote?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>“The most important thing is just keep a distance,” Mason said. “It’s best to walk calmly away and leave the area immediately,” — but don’t run.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Coyotes are more active at dawn or dusk, but they usually observe you from afar, Mason said. So if you want to avoid an interaction, keep your dog leashed and any kids close by — and don’t go off-trail into their natural hiding spots, like brush. Do not ever feed a coyote.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12046817\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 964px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12046817 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/alphafemale_InfantryTerrace_March2020DH.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"964\" height=\"721\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/alphafemale_InfantryTerrace_March2020DH.png 964w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/alphafemale_InfantryTerrace_March2020DH-160x120.png 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 964px) 100vw, 964px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Coyotes are more active at dawn or dusk and will usually observe people from afar, East Bay Regional Parks spokesperson Dave Mason said. He advises staying on trails, keeping dogs leashed and children close — and avoiding off-trail areas where coyotes may be hiding, such as dense brush. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of The Presidio Trust)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>If you’re with a dog, your best bet is to immediately get your dog under control on a leash or by picking it up without turning your back on the coyote.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Then make eye contact with a coyote, be big and loud, and then back away with your dog,” Parker-Shames said. This is called “\u003ca href=\"https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=123886\">hazing,\u003c/a>” and should scare the coyote away. Never let your dog play or chase a coyote.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Cats are also at risk of being killed by coyotes, so keeping them indoors can prevent any encounters. Keeping your trash, pet food and fruit from trees contained can help minimize coyote activity in your neighborhood.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"MyfavoritetrailisclosedforpuppingseasonWhatshouldIdo\">\u003c/a>My favorite trail is closed. What should I do?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Two segments of the Park Trail and the Bay Area Ridge Trail in the Presidio are closed to dogs — on or off-leash — from March 27 to early October. Be sure to abide by the signs and take a different route through the park. (Hikers without dogs can still use these trails.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Alternative trails through this area of the park for dog walkers are highlighted in green on the Presidio Trust’s map below. These detours help reduce the risk of encounters with coyotes near their denning sites, where they are the most protective.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12077325\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12077325\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/presidio_closure_pupping.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1841\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/presidio_closure_pupping.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/presidio_closure_pupping-160x147.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/presidio_closure_pupping-1536x1414.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A map of the temporarily closed trails in the Presidio during coyote pupping season. \u003ccite>(Courtesy Presidio Trust)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“The goal of the closure is to reduce conflicts between coyotes, dogs and people,” the Presidio Trust said in the announcement.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>During the spring and summer, visitors are also asked to securely throw away their trash and avoid leaving human or pet food outside.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>If I do have an aggressive encounter with a coyote, how should I report it?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The Presidio Trust is hosting a \u003ca href=\"https://presidio.gov/explore/events/coyote-conversations-free-community-meeting-2\">free community meeting on April 12\u003c/a> from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Crissy Field Center p.m. Experts like Parker-Shames will share information about coyote behavior, safety and their role in local ecosystems.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If an aggressive encounter with a coyote does happen in the Presidio, you can report it to the Presidio Trust at (415) 561-4270 or \u003ca href=\"mailto:coyote@presidiotrust.gov\">coyote@presidiotrust.gov\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To report an aggressive encounter or coyote in need of help in East Bay Regional Parks, contact (510) 881-1833. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12042615/animal-rescue-what-to-do-if-you-find-a-sick-or-lost-critter-in-the-bay-area\">If you find a sick or injured coyote elsewhere in the Bay Area\u003c/a>, contact a wildlife hospital like \u003ca href=\"https://discoverwildcare.org/\">WildCare\u003c/a>, which may be able to help.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To report a sighting in San Francisco, \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfanimalcare.org/living-with-urban-wildlife/coyote-sightings/\">you can alert Animal Care & Control\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://bayareacoyote.org/report/\">or fill out this form for a sighting outside of the city\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For any emergencies, call 911.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeCeDp_MY_h4G6VWj_-VPl-BJlQ3Uya2H0vxRZZd_47BpXwVA/viewform?embedded=true\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
"blocks": [],
"excerpt": "Dog owners: Here’s what to know about safety during coyote pupping season, and what to do if you encounter a coyote.",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1774295225,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": true,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 40,
"wordCount": 1845
},
"headData": {
"title": "Coyotes Are in Pupping Season in the Bay Area. Here’s How to Keep Yourself and Your Dog Safe | KQED",
"description": "Dog owners: Here’s what to know about safety during coyote pupping season, and what to do if you encounter a coyote.",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "Coyotes Are in Pupping Season in the Bay Area. Here’s How to Keep Yourself and Your Dog Safe",
"datePublished": "2026-03-23T12:45:28-07:00",
"dateModified": "2026-03-23T12:47:05-07:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"primaryCategory": {
"termId": 34168,
"slug": "guides-and-explainers",
"name": "Guides and Explainers"
},
"sticky": false,
"nprStoryId": "kqed-12046806",
"templateType": "standard",
"featuredImageType": "standard",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/12046806/coyotes-are-in-pupping-season-in-the-bay-area-heres-how-to-keep-yourself-and-your-dog-safe",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>The Presidio Trust announced on Monday that it’s closing parts of its trails to dog walkers due to the start of \u003ca href=\"https://presidio.gov/about/sustainability/coyotes-in-the-presidio\">coyote pupping season\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This annual period in springtime is when hikers and dog walkers should be especially aware of the potential for coyote encounters — and prioritize their safety.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While “\u003ca href=\"https://www.ebparks.org/safety/living-with-coyotes\">coyotes are part of the landscape\u003c/a>,” said Dave Mason, a spokesperson for East Bay Regional Parks, and aren’t inherently dangerous to humans, these animals can pose a threat to dogs in particular.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Across the bay, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12042228/learning-to-live-with-san-franciscos-coyotes\">San Francisco’s own coyotes have been back\u003c/a> for several decades after an eradication campaign at the turn of the 20th century. And while \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/19/us/coyotes-san-francisco-california.html\">the reasons for their return may elude us\u003c/a>, these coyotes, which have been spotted roaming parks, encountering humans and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12025959/san-francisco-coyotes-now-theyre-in-the-subway-too\">even strolling in a Muni tunnel\u003c/a>, certainly don’t.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/19/us/coyotes-san-francisco-california.html\">While the reemergence of coyotes in the city has some residents divided,\u003c/a> their presence across the entire Bay Area has become a reality, both for the coyotes themselves and the people that interact with them in parks, neighborhoods and their backyards. And during the summer months, known as “pupping season,” human-coyote interactions can increase.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But even though a coyote that’s protecting its young may seem threatening, the animals are unlikely to actually get aggressive.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://bayareacoyote.org/\">Many local agencies, researchers and jurisdictions are working together\u003c/a> to manage coyote populations and help educate residents on the animals and their behaviors. Keep reading for what to know about coyotes and safety in the Bay Area, especially for pet owners.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#Arecoyotesdangeroustomeormypets\">Are coyotes dangerous to me or my pets?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#WhatshouldIknowabouttheirpuprearingseason\">What should I know about their pup-rearing season?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#WhatdoIdoifIseeacoyote\">What do I do if I see a coyote?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#MyfavoritetrailisclosedforpuppingseasonWhatshouldIdo\">My favorite trail is closed for pupping season. What should I do?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>What’s with all the coyotes in the Bay Area?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>“They are part of our native ecosystem,” said Phoebe Parker-Shames, wildlife ecologist for The Presidio Trust.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Coyotes naturally control pests, like rats, mice and gophers, and studies have shown that they also \u003ca href=\"https://projectcoyote.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/PC_SAB_Coyote-Facts_FINAL_2020_08.pdf\">contribute to bird biodiversity\u003c/a> by keeping feral cats and other small predator populations in check, Parker-Shames said. Plus, they don’t need much to survive: \u003ca href=\"https://discoverwildcare.org/understanding-coyote-denning-behavior/\">all they really need is a small burrow or opening to raise their infants, called a “den,”\u003c/a> and food, which also comes in the form of human trash. And with few natural predators in populated areas, they can actually thrive.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12046810\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12046810 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/CoyotePresidioTrust2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/CoyotePresidioTrust2.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/CoyotePresidioTrust2-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/CoyotePresidioTrust2-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Coyotes aren’t taking over the city anytime soon, said Phoebe Parker-Shames, a wildlife ecologist for The Presidio Trust. “We did see an increase when they first reestablished themselves into the city. But at this point in time, it will be and it has been stable.” \u003ccite>(Courtesy of The Presidio Trust)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Parker-Shames said \u003ca href=\"https://presidio.gov/about/sustainability/coyotes-in-the-presidio\">the Presidio is working toward human-coyote “coexistence”\u003c/a> so humans and coyotes can share space in the city and beyond.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>She said that due to their reemergence in San Francisco in particular, there’s a common misconception that coyote populations are out of control or going to “take over the city.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But once juvenile coyotes learn to fend for themselves as early as 10 months old, they tend to separate from their families and find their own territory, so there’s never a huge number of animals occupying the same space at once.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The reality is because coyotes are very territorial animals, it keeps the population stable year over year,” Parker-Shames said. “We did see an increase when they first reestablished themselves into the city. But at this point in time, it will be and it has been stable.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In the Presidio, Parker-Shames said, coyotes den in the center of the park, near the golf course. “That’s an area that has much less dog activity.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Are coyotes dangerous to me or \u003ca id=\"Arecoyotesdangeroustomeormypets\">\u003c/a>my pets?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Another point of confusion is the personal risk a coyote poses, Parker-Shames said. The biggest coyotes are only around 30 pounds, so “there’s a pretty good overlap between the largest raccoons and the smaller coyotes,” she said. “These are not fundamentally dangerous animals.”\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "aside",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"postid": "news_12046061",
"hero": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/06/Tahoe1.jpg",
"label": ""
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>“\u003ca href=\"https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/pan3.10549\">It’s incredibly rare for people to be hurt by coyotes\u003c/a>,” Parker-Shames said, but they do pose a real threat to dogs.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That’s because a coyote’s instinct is to see other canines, usually other coyotes or wolves, as dangerous to them, their pups and their territory. So when a coyote meets a dog, “it’s seeing: ‘This is a threat to myself and to my baby,’” Parker-Shames said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That’s why coyotes will often go after dogs, even if they’re afraid of the humans nearby. It’s also why keeping your dog on a leash can be so effective in preventing interactions that could put your dog in danger, both because your presence may deter the coyote and also\u003ca href=\"https://coyoteyipps.com/2019/06/24/please-leash-up-coyotes-are-entitled-to-defend-their-den-areas-here-in-san-francisco/\"> prevent your dog from checking out den sites or engaging with coyotes,\u003c/a> which may be more defensive around their young.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Our data indicates that if you’ve got a leash on your dog, you are far, far less likely to have a negative encounter with a coyote,” Parker-Shames said.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What should I know during coyote \u003ca id=\"WhatshouldIknowabouttheirpuprearingseason\">\u003c/a>pupping season?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Pup-rearing season, when the coyote pups are born and eventually start to get big enough to go out on their own, stretches from springtime to fall, and this is when lots of activity occurs, Parker-Shames said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Coyotes are creating dens, having pups, and then the pup is getting bigger and starting to get a little bit more independent and curious and exploring the spaces around them,” Parker-Shames said. “And then eventually, [the pups are] starting to be fully independent and dispersing and trying to find their own territories.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12046819\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1003px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12046819 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/alphamale_InfantryTerraceMay2020DH.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1003\" height=\"753\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/alphamale_InfantryTerraceMay2020DH.png 1003w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/alphamale_InfantryTerraceMay2020DH-160x120.png 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1003px) 100vw, 1003px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Near the main denning area in the Presidio, a few trails are currently closed preemptively during the height of pupping season. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of The Presidio Trust)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>What hikers and dog walkers should know: Pupping season is also when coyote parents can be more protective of their pups, Mason said. Plus, with kids out of school, more people are out on trails, so sightings can be common.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you notice a coyote trailing you, that’s a behavior known as “escorting,” when the animal “follows at a closer distance than usual to encourage departure from the area,” Mason said. And while the parent may bare its teeth or growl, escorting isn’t typically aggressive — the coyote is usually just making sure you’re heading out of the vicinity of its pups. “The best course of action is to leave the area calmly and without running,” Mason advised.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Near the main denning area in the Presidio, \u003ca href=\"https://presidio.gov/visit/dogs-in-the-presidio\">a few trails are currently closed preemptively\u003c/a> during the height of pupping season, with some closed only to dogs. On other trails throughout the Bay Area, signage will typically alert visitors to coyote activity in the area.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What do I do \u003ca id=\"WhatdoIdoifIseeacoyote\">\u003c/a>if I see a coyote?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>“The most important thing is just keep a distance,” Mason said. “It’s best to walk calmly away and leave the area immediately,” — but don’t run.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Coyotes are more active at dawn or dusk, but they usually observe you from afar, Mason said. So if you want to avoid an interaction, keep your dog leashed and any kids close by — and don’t go off-trail into their natural hiding spots, like brush. Do not ever feed a coyote.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12046817\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 964px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12046817 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/alphafemale_InfantryTerrace_March2020DH.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"964\" height=\"721\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/alphafemale_InfantryTerrace_March2020DH.png 964w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/alphafemale_InfantryTerrace_March2020DH-160x120.png 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 964px) 100vw, 964px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Coyotes are more active at dawn or dusk and will usually observe people from afar, East Bay Regional Parks spokesperson Dave Mason said. He advises staying on trails, keeping dogs leashed and children close — and avoiding off-trail areas where coyotes may be hiding, such as dense brush. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of The Presidio Trust)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>If you’re with a dog, your best bet is to immediately get your dog under control on a leash or by picking it up without turning your back on the coyote.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Then make eye contact with a coyote, be big and loud, and then back away with your dog,” Parker-Shames said. This is called “\u003ca href=\"https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=123886\">hazing,\u003c/a>” and should scare the coyote away. Never let your dog play or chase a coyote.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Cats are also at risk of being killed by coyotes, so keeping them indoors can prevent any encounters. Keeping your trash, pet food and fruit from trees contained can help minimize coyote activity in your neighborhood.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"MyfavoritetrailisclosedforpuppingseasonWhatshouldIdo\">\u003c/a>My favorite trail is closed. What should I do?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Two segments of the Park Trail and the Bay Area Ridge Trail in the Presidio are closed to dogs — on or off-leash — from March 27 to early October. Be sure to abide by the signs and take a different route through the park. (Hikers without dogs can still use these trails.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Alternative trails through this area of the park for dog walkers are highlighted in green on the Presidio Trust’s map below. These detours help reduce the risk of encounters with coyotes near their denning sites, where they are the most protective.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12077325\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12077325\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/presidio_closure_pupping.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1841\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/presidio_closure_pupping.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/presidio_closure_pupping-160x147.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/presidio_closure_pupping-1536x1414.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A map of the temporarily closed trails in the Presidio during coyote pupping season. \u003ccite>(Courtesy Presidio Trust)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“The goal of the closure is to reduce conflicts between coyotes, dogs and people,” the Presidio Trust said in the announcement.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>During the spring and summer, visitors are also asked to securely throw away their trash and avoid leaving human or pet food outside.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>If I do have an aggressive encounter with a coyote, how should I report it?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The Presidio Trust is hosting a \u003ca href=\"https://presidio.gov/explore/events/coyote-conversations-free-community-meeting-2\">free community meeting on April 12\u003c/a> from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Crissy Field Center p.m. Experts like Parker-Shames will share information about coyote behavior, safety and their role in local ecosystems.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If an aggressive encounter with a coyote does happen in the Presidio, you can report it to the Presidio Trust at (415) 561-4270 or \u003ca href=\"mailto:coyote@presidiotrust.gov\">coyote@presidiotrust.gov\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To report an aggressive encounter or coyote in need of help in East Bay Regional Parks, contact (510) 881-1833. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12042615/animal-rescue-what-to-do-if-you-find-a-sick-or-lost-critter-in-the-bay-area\">If you find a sick or injured coyote elsewhere in the Bay Area\u003c/a>, contact a wildlife hospital like \u003ca href=\"https://discoverwildcare.org/\">WildCare\u003c/a>, which may be able to help.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To report a sighting in San Francisco, \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfanimalcare.org/living-with-urban-wildlife/coyote-sightings/\">you can alert Animal Care & Control\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://bayareacoyote.org/report/\">or fill out this form for a sighting outside of the city\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For any emergencies, call 911.\u003c/p>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003cdiv class='utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__shortcodes__shortcodeWrapper'>\n \u003ciframe\n src='https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeCeDp_MY_h4G6VWj_-VPl-BJlQ3Uya2H0vxRZZd_47BpXwVA/viewform?embedded=true?embedded=true'\n title='https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeCeDp_MY_h4G6VWj_-VPl-BJlQ3Uya2H0vxRZZd_47BpXwVA/viewform?embedded=true'\n width='760' height='500'\n frameborder='0'\n marginheight='0' marginwidth='0'>\u003c/iframe>\u003c/div>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "floatright"
},
"numeric": [
"floatright"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/news/12046806/coyotes-are-in-pupping-season-in-the-bay-area-heres-how-to-keep-yourself-and-your-dog-safe",
"authors": [
"11956"
],
"categories": [
"news_31795",
"news_34165",
"news_34168",
"news_28250"
],
"tags": [
"news_32707",
"news_1386",
"news_24345",
"news_34985",
"news_18352",
"news_6938",
"news_35888",
"news_17925",
"news_2715",
"news_2905",
"news_5663",
"news_22456",
"news_38",
"news_4170"
],
"featImg": "news_12046809",
"label": "news"
},
"news_12074364": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_12074364",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12074364",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1772020830000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "yosemite-national-park-no-reservations-2026-glacier-arches-timed-entry",
"title": "Yosemite Won't Require Car Reservations in 2026. Park Advocates Are Worried",
"publishDate": 1772020830,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "Yosemite Won’t Require Car Reservations in 2026. Park Advocates Are Worried | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"site": "news"
},
"content": "\u003cp>Advocates and tourism workers say they’re alarmed at \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/yosemite-national-park\">Yosemite National Park\u003c/a>‘s plans to scrap timed vehicle entry reservations in 2026.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>NPS vehicle reservation systems at \u003ca href=\"https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/utahs-national-parks/arches-national-park-ditches-reservation-system-open-to-visitors-at-all-times\">Arches National Park in Utah\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://dailymontanan.com/briefs/glacier-confirms-its-dropping-ticketed-entry/\">Glacier National Park in Montana\u003c/a> were also withdrawn in 2026.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In a Feb. 18 press release, National Park Service spokesperson Scott Gediman wrote that the Yosemite decision “follows a comprehensive evaluation of traffic patterns, parking availability and visitor use during the 2025 season.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But operators within the park and advocates have expressed concern that the Department of the Interior, which oversees the NPS, is downplaying the likelihood of overcrowding during the summer months.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>They also worry that, in addition to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12065737/yosemite-national-park-new-fees-international-tourists-foreigners-annual-pass-2026\">new fees being collected from international visitors\u003c/a>, wait times to get into the park and damage to its natural environment could increase dramatically this year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12062223\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1999px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12062223 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251028-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-93-BL_QED-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1999\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251028-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-93-BL_QED-KQED.jpg 1999w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251028-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-93-BL_QED-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251028-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-93-BL_QED-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1999px) 100vw, 1999px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Tour guide William Fontana points visitors to climbers on El Capitan during a tour of the Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park in the Sierra Nevada on Oct. 28, 2025. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“I really don’t know what this looks like,” said Elisabeth Barton, founding member and CEO of tour company Echo Adventure Cooperative, which operates guided tours in and around Yosemite and Stanislaus National Forest. “I’m nervous because this is where I work and I play and I live, and the idea of it being run ragged just breaks my heart.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In response to concerns about traffic and congestion, Yosemite Superintendent Ray McPadden\u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/outdoors/article/yosemite-national-park-reservation-21338944.php\"> told the \u003cem>San Francisco Chronicle\u003c/em>\u003c/a> that “[h]aving the park being full is not a bad thing, it’s not a crisis.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“There’s always been high demand for Yosemite,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>‘Pretty problematic’\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>While it was discussed before the COVID-19 pandemic, the system was first \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11823478/yosemite-open-to-public-again-starting-thursday\">implemented in 2020\u003c/a> in response to the pandemic and after record visitation to the park in 2019 to limit overcrowding at the park. After a \u003ca href=\"https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/yosemite-national-park-public-comment-crowds/3267489/\">pause in 2023,\u003c/a> the program continued through the 2024 and 2025 seasons.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Reservations have previously been made through \u003ca href=\"http://recreation.gov\">Recreation.gov\u003c/a>, the federal government’s booking system for making reservations on national park land, including camping slots. The “\u003ca href=\"https://www.recreation.gov/timed-entry/10086745\">Yosemite National Park Ticketed Entry\u003c/a>” page is still live, but informs visitors that reservations will not be in place for 2026.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12062211\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1999px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12062211 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251027-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-18-BL_QED-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1999\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251027-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-18-BL_QED-KQED.jpg 1999w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251027-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-18-BL_QED-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251027-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-18-BL_QED-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1999px) 100vw, 1999px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Visitors look at a welcome at the entrance to Yosemite National Park in the Sierra Nevada Mountains on Oct. 27, 2025. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>With \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101910047/yosemite-and-other-ca-national-parks-underfunded-understaffed-this-summer\">staffing already down\u003c/a> at the park, the decision to remove timed vehicle reservations has the potential to overwhelm park staff and cause damage, warned Mark Rose, Sierra Nevada program manager for advocacy group the National Parks Conservation Association.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Rose also expressed concern about the possibility of hours-long wait times to enter the park, which could ultimately result in would-be visitors being turned away due to a lack of parking.[aside postID=news_12074453 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/SJ-with-Trans-Flag-in-Background-Photographer-Miya-Tsudome.jpg']“The park experience that you’re gonna get at Yosemite this summer is something that nobody should have to face,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Rose said he’s most worried about the Fourth of July, which is also free to enter this year as part of the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12065737/yosemite-national-park-new-fees-international-tourists-foreigners-annual-pass-2026\">Trump administration’s changes to fee-free days\u003c/a> — which included removing Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth from the list of days on which visitors can enter the park for free.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“So, having it free, having no reservation system in place, having seen what it can be like on Fourth of July in the past? We know it’s gonna be pretty problematic this year,” Rose said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In a statement, U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla echoed advocates’ concerns, calling the Yosemite decision “shortsighted.” Padilla also urged Congress to pass \u003ca href=\"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/4451/text\">a bill he introduced\u003c/a> last year to review reservation systems across all federal lands to make improvements in transparency, usability and fairness.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“With our national park system already strained by Donald Trump’s funding and staffing cuts, this decision will limit outdoor recreation opportunities, degrade the Park’s natural resources, and strain local businesses that rely on a steady stream of Park visitors,” Padilla said.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>The view from Yosemite\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>According to the release, the park’s analysis “found that most weekdays maintained available parking, stable traffic flow and visitation levels within the park’s operational capacity,” NPS’s Gediman said. “These findings indicate that a season-wide reservation requirement is not the most effective approach for 2026.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But tour guide Barton contested the NPS’s claims that crowds ever truly subside during the summer, even on weekdays.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12062225\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12062225\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251028-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-114-BL_QED-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251028-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-114-BL_QED-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251028-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-114-BL_QED-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251028-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-114-BL_QED-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Visitors stand at Tunnel View overlook in Yosemite National Park in the Sierra Nevada Mountains on Oct. 28, 2025. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, there is no such thing as a weekday or a weekend,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>According to the \u003ca href=\"https://www.npca.org/articles/11337-interior-cancels-successful-reservation-systems-at-arches-and-yosemite\">National Parks Conservation Association\u003c/a>, visitation to Yosemite increased by more than 30% between 2000 and 2019. And from 2020 to 2024, Rose said staff “fine-tuned” a visitor access management system — one he said was embraced by the public, staff and surrounding communities.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Now, Rose said he’s concerned how data from Yosemite’s 2025 season, when the park was still using vehicle reservations, has been used to justify removing such reservations in 2026. KQED has reached out to NPS for more specifics on the 2025 reservation system.[aside postID=news_12074158 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/GettyImages-2206235259.jpg']“It’s ignoring the decades of work that was put into creating the reservation system,” Rose said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The NPS did not respond to inquiries about the analysis that led to their decision to eliminate reservations. But in the news release announcing the end of the reservation program, Yosemite’s McPadden said that “[w]e are committed to visitor access, safety, and resource protection, and will continue active traffic management strategies to ensure a great visitor experience.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“While reservation systems are one valuable management tool, our data demonstrates that a season-wide reservation requirement is not the most effective approach for the coming season,” McPadden said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The release also noted the park plans to continue strategies that “proved effective” during the 2025 season, like real-time traffic monitoring, active parking management, added staffing during peak periods, improved visitor information and promoting visitation during off-days and outside of Yosemite Valley, where the park tends to be the busiest.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
"blocks": [],
"excerpt": "Park advocates say Yosemite scrapping timed tickets could mean overcrowding and long wait times this summer — and even damage to the park.",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1772049449,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 26,
"wordCount": 1140
},
"headData": {
"title": "Yosemite Won't Require Car Reservations in 2026. Park Advocates Are Worried | KQED",
"description": "Park advocates say Yosemite scrapping timed tickets could mean overcrowding and long wait times this summer — and even damage to the park.",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "Yosemite Won't Require Car Reservations in 2026. Park Advocates Are Worried",
"datePublished": "2026-02-25T04:00:30-08:00",
"dateModified": "2026-02-25T11:57:29-08:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"primaryCategory": {
"termId": 34168,
"slug": "guides-and-explainers",
"name": "Guides and Explainers"
},
"sticky": false,
"nprStoryId": "kqed-12074364",
"templateType": "standard",
"featuredImageType": "standard",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/12074364/yosemite-national-park-no-reservations-2026-glacier-arches-timed-entry",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>Advocates and tourism workers say they’re alarmed at \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/yosemite-national-park\">Yosemite National Park\u003c/a>‘s plans to scrap timed vehicle entry reservations in 2026.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>NPS vehicle reservation systems at \u003ca href=\"https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/utahs-national-parks/arches-national-park-ditches-reservation-system-open-to-visitors-at-all-times\">Arches National Park in Utah\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://dailymontanan.com/briefs/glacier-confirms-its-dropping-ticketed-entry/\">Glacier National Park in Montana\u003c/a> were also withdrawn in 2026.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In a Feb. 18 press release, National Park Service spokesperson Scott Gediman wrote that the Yosemite decision “follows a comprehensive evaluation of traffic patterns, parking availability and visitor use during the 2025 season.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But operators within the park and advocates have expressed concern that the Department of the Interior, which oversees the NPS, is downplaying the likelihood of overcrowding during the summer months.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>They also worry that, in addition to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12065737/yosemite-national-park-new-fees-international-tourists-foreigners-annual-pass-2026\">new fees being collected from international visitors\u003c/a>, wait times to get into the park and damage to its natural environment could increase dramatically this year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12062223\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1999px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12062223 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251028-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-93-BL_QED-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1999\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251028-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-93-BL_QED-KQED.jpg 1999w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251028-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-93-BL_QED-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251028-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-93-BL_QED-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1999px) 100vw, 1999px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Tour guide William Fontana points visitors to climbers on El Capitan during a tour of the Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park in the Sierra Nevada on Oct. 28, 2025. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“I really don’t know what this looks like,” said Elisabeth Barton, founding member and CEO of tour company Echo Adventure Cooperative, which operates guided tours in and around Yosemite and Stanislaus National Forest. “I’m nervous because this is where I work and I play and I live, and the idea of it being run ragged just breaks my heart.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In response to concerns about traffic and congestion, Yosemite Superintendent Ray McPadden\u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/outdoors/article/yosemite-national-park-reservation-21338944.php\"> told the \u003cem>San Francisco Chronicle\u003c/em>\u003c/a> that “[h]aving the park being full is not a bad thing, it’s not a crisis.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“There’s always been high demand for Yosemite,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>‘Pretty problematic’\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>While it was discussed before the COVID-19 pandemic, the system was first \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11823478/yosemite-open-to-public-again-starting-thursday\">implemented in 2020\u003c/a> in response to the pandemic and after record visitation to the park in 2019 to limit overcrowding at the park. After a \u003ca href=\"https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/yosemite-national-park-public-comment-crowds/3267489/\">pause in 2023,\u003c/a> the program continued through the 2024 and 2025 seasons.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Reservations have previously been made through \u003ca href=\"http://recreation.gov\">Recreation.gov\u003c/a>, the federal government’s booking system for making reservations on national park land, including camping slots. The “\u003ca href=\"https://www.recreation.gov/timed-entry/10086745\">Yosemite National Park Ticketed Entry\u003c/a>” page is still live, but informs visitors that reservations will not be in place for 2026.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12062211\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1999px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12062211 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251027-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-18-BL_QED-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1999\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251027-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-18-BL_QED-KQED.jpg 1999w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251027-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-18-BL_QED-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251027-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-18-BL_QED-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1999px) 100vw, 1999px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Visitors look at a welcome at the entrance to Yosemite National Park in the Sierra Nevada Mountains on Oct. 27, 2025. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>With \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101910047/yosemite-and-other-ca-national-parks-underfunded-understaffed-this-summer\">staffing already down\u003c/a> at the park, the decision to remove timed vehicle reservations has the potential to overwhelm park staff and cause damage, warned Mark Rose, Sierra Nevada program manager for advocacy group the National Parks Conservation Association.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Rose also expressed concern about the possibility of hours-long wait times to enter the park, which could ultimately result in would-be visitors being turned away due to a lack of parking.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "aside",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"postid": "news_12074453",
"hero": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/SJ-with-Trans-Flag-in-Background-Photographer-Miya-Tsudome.jpg",
"label": ""
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>“The park experience that you’re gonna get at Yosemite this summer is something that nobody should have to face,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Rose said he’s most worried about the Fourth of July, which is also free to enter this year as part of the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12065737/yosemite-national-park-new-fees-international-tourists-foreigners-annual-pass-2026\">Trump administration’s changes to fee-free days\u003c/a> — which included removing Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth from the list of days on which visitors can enter the park for free.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“So, having it free, having no reservation system in place, having seen what it can be like on Fourth of July in the past? We know it’s gonna be pretty problematic this year,” Rose said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In a statement, U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla echoed advocates’ concerns, calling the Yosemite decision “shortsighted.” Padilla also urged Congress to pass \u003ca href=\"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/4451/text\">a bill he introduced\u003c/a> last year to review reservation systems across all federal lands to make improvements in transparency, usability and fairness.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“With our national park system already strained by Donald Trump’s funding and staffing cuts, this decision will limit outdoor recreation opportunities, degrade the Park’s natural resources, and strain local businesses that rely on a steady stream of Park visitors,” Padilla said.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>The view from Yosemite\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>According to the release, the park’s analysis “found that most weekdays maintained available parking, stable traffic flow and visitation levels within the park’s operational capacity,” NPS’s Gediman said. “These findings indicate that a season-wide reservation requirement is not the most effective approach for 2026.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But tour guide Barton contested the NPS’s claims that crowds ever truly subside during the summer, even on weekdays.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12062225\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12062225\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251028-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-114-BL_QED-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251028-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-114-BL_QED-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251028-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-114-BL_QED-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251028-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-114-BL_QED-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Visitors stand at Tunnel View overlook in Yosemite National Park in the Sierra Nevada Mountains on Oct. 28, 2025. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, there is no such thing as a weekday or a weekend,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>According to the \u003ca href=\"https://www.npca.org/articles/11337-interior-cancels-successful-reservation-systems-at-arches-and-yosemite\">National Parks Conservation Association\u003c/a>, visitation to Yosemite increased by more than 30% between 2000 and 2019. And from 2020 to 2024, Rose said staff “fine-tuned” a visitor access management system — one he said was embraced by the public, staff and surrounding communities.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Now, Rose said he’s concerned how data from Yosemite’s 2025 season, when the park was still using vehicle reservations, has been used to justify removing such reservations in 2026. KQED has reached out to NPS for more specifics on the 2025 reservation system.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "aside",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"postid": "news_12074158",
"hero": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/GettyImages-2206235259.jpg",
"label": ""
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>“It’s ignoring the decades of work that was put into creating the reservation system,” Rose said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The NPS did not respond to inquiries about the analysis that led to their decision to eliminate reservations. But in the news release announcing the end of the reservation program, Yosemite’s McPadden said that “[w]e are committed to visitor access, safety, and resource protection, and will continue active traffic management strategies to ensure a great visitor experience.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“While reservation systems are one valuable management tool, our data demonstrates that a season-wide reservation requirement is not the most effective approach for the coming season,” McPadden said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The release also noted the park plans to continue strategies that “proved effective” during the 2025 season, like real-time traffic monitoring, active parking management, added staffing during peak periods, improved visitor information and promoting visitation during off-days and outside of Yosemite Valley, where the park tends to be the busiest.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "floatright"
},
"numeric": [
"floatright"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/news/12074364/yosemite-national-park-no-reservations-2026-glacier-arches-timed-entry",
"authors": [
"11956"
],
"categories": [
"news_31795",
"news_34168"
],
"tags": [
"news_32707",
"news_18538",
"news_24345",
"news_35888",
"news_27626",
"news_2715",
"news_35725",
"news_1855",
"news_17603",
"news_4746"
],
"featImg": "news_12074513",
"label": "news"
},
"news_12073343": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_12073343",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12073343",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1770994809000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "where-to-see-newts-rain-weather-bay-area-hikes",
"title": "Winter Rains Bring the Newts — and Here’s Where to See Them in the Bay Area",
"publishDate": 1770994809,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "Winter Rains Bring the Newts — and Here’s Where to See Them in the Bay Area | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"site": "news"
},
"content": "\u003cp>California newts \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1996099/best-bay-area-hikes-for-spotting-banana-slugs-newts-and-ladybugs-after-the-rain\">\u003cem>love \u003c/em>the rain\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So if you want the best chance at spotting these slimy, compelling creatures on a Bay Area hiking trail, a rainy spell — just like the one we’re getting this weekend — is just what you want.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Migrating newts can be found at parks all over the Bay Area this season, but we’ve compiled a short list of roads and trails where you’ll have the best chance of spotting them either during or just after some rainy weather.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Just remember: If you see a newt out in the wild, don’t touch or handle the animals. Some species of newts secrete toxins that can be harmful if ingested. Simply observe the newt, and consider warning others to avoid stepping near or on it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>(And if you’d like to\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/2000015/how-did-the-newt-cross-the-road-with-help-from-these-volunteers-carefully\"> volunteer to help ensure newts’ safe passage \u003c/a>during their migration season, we have information on that below, too.)\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Hikes to see newts in the Bay Area\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>East Bay: South Park Drive, Tilden Regional Park\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Each year, \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebparks.org/about-us/whats-new/news/annual-south-park-drive-closure-newt-migration-0\">South Park Drive\u003c/a> in Tilden Regional Park closes to cars between November and April to protect the migrating newts. That also means it’s a fantastic opportunity to see them while hiking in the rain.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can park your car near the Botanic Gardens and walk uphill from there for just over a mile. The road is entirely paved, and you can stop for a rest at any of the picnic areas along the way — or cut off onto Tower Trail for some steeper off-road hiking. You’ll emerge near the top of Grizzly Peak, where the East Bay views are hard to beat.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12073354\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12073354\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/1_IMG_3849_resized.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/1_IMG_3849_resized.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/1_IMG_3849_resized-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/1_IMG_3849_resized-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">South Park Drive in the East Bay’s Tilden Regional Park is closed to cars all winter long while newts make their annual migrations, and hiking here on rainy days may give you the chance to see the animals. \u003ccite>(Sarah Wright/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Want to extend your hike? Before you return to your car, take a stroll around the \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebparks.org/parks/tilden/botanic-garden\">Botanic Gardens themselves,\u003c/a> where you can see native plants from all over the state.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Know before you go\u003c/em>: There are still some areas of Wildcat Canyon Road open to cars where newts can be crossing, so drive with extra caution around the Botanic Garden area.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And if you bring a dog, be sure to keep it away from the migrating newts. Parking is free at the gardens[aside postID=science_2000015 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2026/02/LEDE_Newt-Patrol-Newt_resized.jpg']\u003cstrong>Peninsula: Mindego Hill, Russian Ridge\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This \u003ca href=\"https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/mindego-hill\">5-mile round-trip trail \u003c/a>will reward you with immense summit views and the potential for newt viewing during the rainy season — plus, you may even get lucky to spot native raptors like red-tailed hawks, turkey vultures, Cooper’s hawks and golden eagles.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The trail, part of the \u003ca href=\"https://www.openspace.org/preserves/russian-ridge\">Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve\u003c/a>, starts off Alpine Road on the Peninsula, just west of Skyline Boulevard.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Following an old farm road, the trail is mostly exposed, so be sure to bring sun protection if you’re hiking \u003cem>after \u003c/em>the rains. Watch for newts underfoot once you start climbing the Mindego Hill itself.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Know before you go:\u003c/em> The Mindego Hill area can close due to high winds, so be sure to \u003ca href=\"https://www.openspace.org/preserves/russian-ridge#trail-closures\">check the website\u003c/a> before you head out. Parking is free at the preserve. Dogs are not allowed.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>North Bay: Cataract Falls, Mount Tamalpais\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At its absolute best on a rainy day, \u003ca href=\"https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/cataract-falls-trail\">Cataract Falls\u003c/a> is not just a flowing delight of a waterfall — it’s also a prime spot for newt-finding in the winter months.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The entire \u003ca href=\"https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=471&ref=homeexchange.fr\">Mount Tamalpais State Park\u003c/a> is lush and dense after heavy rains. And this trail winds hikers uphill through the cozy forest, on wooden bridges across creeks and alongside picturesque pools, where wildlife abounds.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12073351\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12073351\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/2_IMG_4293_resized-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/2_IMG_4293_resized-1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/2_IMG_4293_resized-1-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/2_IMG_4293_resized-1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A California newt trying to cross Alma Bridge Road. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of Annette Hertz)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>While the cascade meanders down the entire hillside, there are two main falls along the trail, and even a picnic area to take a break — which you may need, given much of this hike is up steep staircases. Keep your eyes peeled for newts underfoot and in the various pools of water where they may be bathing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Know before you go:\u003c/em> Parking fills up quickly from the bottom of the trail, so if you’re heading out during a peak weekend time, try parking at the top of the hill and hiking down from Laurel Dell Road. Parking on either side of the falls is free, but be sure to face your car the correct way on the side of the road to avoid a ticket. Dogs are allowed but must be on leash.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>How to lend a helping hand to Bay Area newts\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>In Marin County, the volunteer-run \u003ca href=\"https://www.chilenovalleynewtbrigade.org/\">Chileno Valley Newt Brigade\u003c/a> has operated for seven years to monitor a 1-mile stretch of Chileno Valley Road near Laguna Lake, where newts must make the dangerous crossing twice each breeding season.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12073352\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12073352\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/3_Newt-Patrol-Volunteers_resized.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1499\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/3_Newt-Patrol-Volunteers_resized.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/3_Newt-Patrol-Volunteers_resized-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/3_Newt-Patrol-Volunteers_resized-1536x1151.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Volunteers from Newt Patrol on their way to the assisted migration area. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of Merav Vonshak)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>If you’re interested in volunteering with the Newt Brigade, you can \u003ca href=\"https://www.chilenovalleynewtbrigade.org/volunteer\">sign up for training on their website\u003c/a>. Shifts, which are scheduled during newt breeding season from October through mid-March, are around two hours long and you’ll be asked to commit to one shift per week.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Want to help out in a more casual way? The \u003ca href=\"https://www.openspace.org/\">Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District\u003c/a> \u003ca href=\"https://www.openspace.org/where-to-go/nature/newts\">advises \u003c/a>reporting your newt sightings and observations to community science projects like \u003ca href=\"https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/midpen-biodiversity-index\">iNaturalist\u003c/a>, which many organizations like Midpen use to track migrating species.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/2000015/how-did-the-newt-cross-the-road-with-help-from-these-volunteers-carefully\">Read more about volunteer efforts to save migrating newts.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>KQED’s \u003c/em>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/author/smohamad\">\u003cem>Sarah Mohamad\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem> contributed reporting to this story.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n",
"blocks": [],
"excerpt": "Want to spot some newts? Here are the Bay Area trails where your chances are highest after the rain.",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1770931526,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 27,
"wordCount": 977
},
"headData": {
"title": "Winter Rains Bring the Newts — and Here’s Where to See Them in the Bay Area | KQED",
"description": "Want to spot some newts? Here are the Bay Area trails where your chances are highest after the rain.",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "Winter Rains Bring the Newts — and Here’s Where to See Them in the Bay Area",
"datePublished": "2026-02-13T07:00:09-08:00",
"dateModified": "2026-02-12T13:25:26-08:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"primaryCategory": {
"termId": 34168,
"slug": "guides-and-explainers",
"name": "Guides and Explainers"
},
"sticky": false,
"templateType": "standard",
"featuredImageType": "standard",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/12073343/where-to-see-newts-rain-weather-bay-area-hikes",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>California newts \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1996099/best-bay-area-hikes-for-spotting-banana-slugs-newts-and-ladybugs-after-the-rain\">\u003cem>love \u003c/em>the rain\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So if you want the best chance at spotting these slimy, compelling creatures on a Bay Area hiking trail, a rainy spell — just like the one we’re getting this weekend — is just what you want.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Migrating newts can be found at parks all over the Bay Area this season, but we’ve compiled a short list of roads and trails where you’ll have the best chance of spotting them either during or just after some rainy weather.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Just remember: If you see a newt out in the wild, don’t touch or handle the animals. Some species of newts secrete toxins that can be harmful if ingested. Simply observe the newt, and consider warning others to avoid stepping near or on it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>(And if you’d like to\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/2000015/how-did-the-newt-cross-the-road-with-help-from-these-volunteers-carefully\"> volunteer to help ensure newts’ safe passage \u003c/a>during their migration season, we have information on that below, too.)\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Hikes to see newts in the Bay Area\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>East Bay: South Park Drive, Tilden Regional Park\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Each year, \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebparks.org/about-us/whats-new/news/annual-south-park-drive-closure-newt-migration-0\">South Park Drive\u003c/a> in Tilden Regional Park closes to cars between November and April to protect the migrating newts. That also means it’s a fantastic opportunity to see them while hiking in the rain.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can park your car near the Botanic Gardens and walk uphill from there for just over a mile. The road is entirely paved, and you can stop for a rest at any of the picnic areas along the way — or cut off onto Tower Trail for some steeper off-road hiking. You’ll emerge near the top of Grizzly Peak, where the East Bay views are hard to beat.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12073354\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12073354\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/1_IMG_3849_resized.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/1_IMG_3849_resized.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/1_IMG_3849_resized-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/1_IMG_3849_resized-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">South Park Drive in the East Bay’s Tilden Regional Park is closed to cars all winter long while newts make their annual migrations, and hiking here on rainy days may give you the chance to see the animals. \u003ccite>(Sarah Wright/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Want to extend your hike? Before you return to your car, take a stroll around the \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebparks.org/parks/tilden/botanic-garden\">Botanic Gardens themselves,\u003c/a> where you can see native plants from all over the state.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Know before you go\u003c/em>: There are still some areas of Wildcat Canyon Road open to cars where newts can be crossing, so drive with extra caution around the Botanic Garden area.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And if you bring a dog, be sure to keep it away from the migrating newts. Parking is free at the gardens\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "aside",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"postid": "science_2000015",
"hero": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2026/02/LEDE_Newt-Patrol-Newt_resized.jpg",
"label": ""
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Peninsula: Mindego Hill, Russian Ridge\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This \u003ca href=\"https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/mindego-hill\">5-mile round-trip trail \u003c/a>will reward you with immense summit views and the potential for newt viewing during the rainy season — plus, you may even get lucky to spot native raptors like red-tailed hawks, turkey vultures, Cooper’s hawks and golden eagles.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The trail, part of the \u003ca href=\"https://www.openspace.org/preserves/russian-ridge\">Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve\u003c/a>, starts off Alpine Road on the Peninsula, just west of Skyline Boulevard.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Following an old farm road, the trail is mostly exposed, so be sure to bring sun protection if you’re hiking \u003cem>after \u003c/em>the rains. Watch for newts underfoot once you start climbing the Mindego Hill itself.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Know before you go:\u003c/em> The Mindego Hill area can close due to high winds, so be sure to \u003ca href=\"https://www.openspace.org/preserves/russian-ridge#trail-closures\">check the website\u003c/a> before you head out. Parking is free at the preserve. Dogs are not allowed.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>North Bay: Cataract Falls, Mount Tamalpais\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At its absolute best on a rainy day, \u003ca href=\"https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/cataract-falls-trail\">Cataract Falls\u003c/a> is not just a flowing delight of a waterfall — it’s also a prime spot for newt-finding in the winter months.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The entire \u003ca href=\"https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=471&ref=homeexchange.fr\">Mount Tamalpais State Park\u003c/a> is lush and dense after heavy rains. And this trail winds hikers uphill through the cozy forest, on wooden bridges across creeks and alongside picturesque pools, where wildlife abounds.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12073351\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12073351\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/2_IMG_4293_resized-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/2_IMG_4293_resized-1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/2_IMG_4293_resized-1-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/2_IMG_4293_resized-1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A California newt trying to cross Alma Bridge Road. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of Annette Hertz)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>While the cascade meanders down the entire hillside, there are two main falls along the trail, and even a picnic area to take a break — which you may need, given much of this hike is up steep staircases. Keep your eyes peeled for newts underfoot and in the various pools of water where they may be bathing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Know before you go:\u003c/em> Parking fills up quickly from the bottom of the trail, so if you’re heading out during a peak weekend time, try parking at the top of the hill and hiking down from Laurel Dell Road. Parking on either side of the falls is free, but be sure to face your car the correct way on the side of the road to avoid a ticket. Dogs are allowed but must be on leash.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>How to lend a helping hand to Bay Area newts\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>In Marin County, the volunteer-run \u003ca href=\"https://www.chilenovalleynewtbrigade.org/\">Chileno Valley Newt Brigade\u003c/a> has operated for seven years to monitor a 1-mile stretch of Chileno Valley Road near Laguna Lake, where newts must make the dangerous crossing twice each breeding season.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12073352\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12073352\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/3_Newt-Patrol-Volunteers_resized.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1499\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/3_Newt-Patrol-Volunteers_resized.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/3_Newt-Patrol-Volunteers_resized-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/3_Newt-Patrol-Volunteers_resized-1536x1151.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Volunteers from Newt Patrol on their way to the assisted migration area. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of Merav Vonshak)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>If you’re interested in volunteering with the Newt Brigade, you can \u003ca href=\"https://www.chilenovalleynewtbrigade.org/volunteer\">sign up for training on their website\u003c/a>. Shifts, which are scheduled during newt breeding season from October through mid-March, are around two hours long and you’ll be asked to commit to one shift per week.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Want to help out in a more casual way? The \u003ca href=\"https://www.openspace.org/\">Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District\u003c/a> \u003ca href=\"https://www.openspace.org/where-to-go/nature/newts\">advises \u003c/a>reporting your newt sightings and observations to community science projects like \u003ca href=\"https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/midpen-biodiversity-index\">iNaturalist\u003c/a>, which many organizations like Midpen use to track migrating species.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/2000015/how-did-the-newt-cross-the-road-with-help-from-these-volunteers-carefully\">Read more about volunteer efforts to save migrating newts.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>KQED’s \u003c/em>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/author/smohamad\">\u003cem>Sarah Mohamad\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem> contributed reporting to this story.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/news/12073343/where-to-see-newts-rain-weather-bay-area-hikes",
"authors": [
"11956"
],
"categories": [
"news_31795",
"news_34165",
"news_34168",
"news_8"
],
"tags": [
"news_32707",
"news_18538",
"news_24345",
"news_35888",
"news_27626",
"news_28199",
"news_29828",
"news_17925",
"news_2715",
"news_3187",
"news_1855"
],
"featImg": "news_12073348",
"label": "news"
},
"news_12070184": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_12070184",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12070184",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1768595636000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "california-state-parks-are-free-this-mlk-day",
"title": "California State Parks Are Free This MLK Day",
"publishDate": 1768595636,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "California State Parks Are Free This MLK Day | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"site": "news"
},
"content": "\u003cp>Entry to more than 200 \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/tag/california-state-parks\">California state parks\u003c/a> will be \u003ca href=\"https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=31769\">free\u003c/a> on Monday in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.’s 97th legacy and the 100th anniversary of Black History Month.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In his \u003ca href=\"https://www.gov.ca.gov/2026/01/16/governor-newsom-announces-free-entry-to-california-state-parks-on-mlk-day-as-trump-swaps-the-free-day-for-his-birthday-and-whitewashes-civil-rights-history-from-national-pa/\">announcement on\u003c/a> Friday, Gov. Gavin Newsom described the decision as a challenge to President Donald Trump’s move earlier this year to eliminate MLK Day and add Flag Day — Trump’s birthday — to the list of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12065737/yosemite-national-park-new-fees-international-tourists-foreigners-annual-pass-2026\">fee-free days at national parks\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Dr. King’s legacy deserves to be honored, not erased. I’m encouraging all Californians to get outside on MLK Day, spend time in nature, reflect on Dr. King’s legacy, and reaffirm our commitment to advancing civil rights for all.” Newsom wrote.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Find a full list of participating parks \u003ca href=\"https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=31769\">here\u003c/a> — they’re the same ones that accept the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11910495/how-to-get-free-entry-to-california-state-parks-with-your-library-card\">California State Library Parks Pass\u003c/a> all year long. And, if you need some ideas for state parks to visit on Monday, \u003ca href=\"#heresahandylist\"> here’s a handy list.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>According to the release, the California State Parks Foundation, which also supports the library pass, is funding the fee-free day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Free entry days like MLK Day and programs like the Library Parks Pass help ensure that cost is never a barrier to experiencing California’s state parks,” Rachel Norton, executive director of the California State Parks Foundation, said in a statement.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12070203\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1980px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12070203\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/GettyImages-2214255284.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1980\" height=\"1321\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/GettyImages-2214255284.jpg 1980w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/GettyImages-2214255284-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/GettyImages-2214255284-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1980px) 100vw, 1980px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Historic cars and barn of the Mt Tamalpais Gravity Railroad, Mill Valley, California, May 3, 2025. \u003ccite>(Smith Collection/Gado via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>The move is Newsom’s latest to position himself at odds with the president.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The contrast couldn’t be sharper,” the release reads, “between Newsom’s commitment to make parks accessible and the Trump administration’s policies.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Newsom specifically called out new Trump-era policies that charge\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12065737/yosemite-national-park-new-fees-international-tourists-foreigners-annual-pass-2026\"> foreigners extra to access national parks\u003c/a> and require ID checks, which the governor said run contrary to King’s legacy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“While the Trump administration tries to erase his legacy and turn national parks and monuments into places of exclusion and fear, California answers with light,” Newsom said.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"heresahandylist\">\u003c/a> Which fee-free California state parks should I visit?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Need some ideas for which California state parks to visit on Monday? We’ve got you covered:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>North Bay:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Mount Tamalpais State Park\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>China Camp State Park\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Angel Island State Park\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Samuel P Taylor State Park\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Tomales Bay State Park\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Oolompali State Park\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Sonoma Coast State Park\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>East Bay:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>McLaughlin Eastshore State Park\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Mount Diablo State Park\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Lake Del Valle\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Peninsula:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Montara State Beach\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Pacifica State Beach\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Half Moon Bay State Beach\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Portola Redwoods State Park\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Burleigh H. Murray Ranch\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n",
"blocks": [],
"excerpt": "Gavin Newsom welcomed visitors back outdoors on Monday after President Donald Trump cut the holiday from a list of fee-free days at national parks. ",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1768602156,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 16,
"wordCount": 463
},
"headData": {
"title": "California State Parks Are Free This MLK Day | KQED",
"description": "Gavin Newsom welcomed visitors back outdoors on Monday after President Donald Trump cut the holiday from a list of fee-free days at national parks. ",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "California State Parks Are Free This MLK Day",
"datePublished": "2026-01-16T12:33:56-08:00",
"dateModified": "2026-01-16T14:22:36-08:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"primaryCategory": {
"termId": 31795,
"slug": "california",
"name": "California"
},
"sticky": false,
"nprStoryId": "kqed-12070184",
"templateType": "standard",
"featuredImageType": "standard",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/12070184/california-state-parks-are-free-this-mlk-day",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>Entry to more than 200 \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/tag/california-state-parks\">California state parks\u003c/a> will be \u003ca href=\"https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=31769\">free\u003c/a> on Monday in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.’s 97th legacy and the 100th anniversary of Black History Month.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In his \u003ca href=\"https://www.gov.ca.gov/2026/01/16/governor-newsom-announces-free-entry-to-california-state-parks-on-mlk-day-as-trump-swaps-the-free-day-for-his-birthday-and-whitewashes-civil-rights-history-from-national-pa/\">announcement on\u003c/a> Friday, Gov. Gavin Newsom described the decision as a challenge to President Donald Trump’s move earlier this year to eliminate MLK Day and add Flag Day — Trump’s birthday — to the list of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12065737/yosemite-national-park-new-fees-international-tourists-foreigners-annual-pass-2026\">fee-free days at national parks\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Dr. King’s legacy deserves to be honored, not erased. I’m encouraging all Californians to get outside on MLK Day, spend time in nature, reflect on Dr. King’s legacy, and reaffirm our commitment to advancing civil rights for all.” Newsom wrote.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Find a full list of participating parks \u003ca href=\"https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=31769\">here\u003c/a> — they’re the same ones that accept the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11910495/how-to-get-free-entry-to-california-state-parks-with-your-library-card\">California State Library Parks Pass\u003c/a> all year long. And, if you need some ideas for state parks to visit on Monday, \u003ca href=\"#heresahandylist\"> here’s a handy list.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>According to the release, the California State Parks Foundation, which also supports the library pass, is funding the fee-free day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Free entry days like MLK Day and programs like the Library Parks Pass help ensure that cost is never a barrier to experiencing California’s state parks,” Rachel Norton, executive director of the California State Parks Foundation, said in a statement.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12070203\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1980px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12070203\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/GettyImages-2214255284.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1980\" height=\"1321\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/GettyImages-2214255284.jpg 1980w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/GettyImages-2214255284-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/GettyImages-2214255284-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1980px) 100vw, 1980px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Historic cars and barn of the Mt Tamalpais Gravity Railroad, Mill Valley, California, May 3, 2025. \u003ccite>(Smith Collection/Gado via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>The move is Newsom’s latest to position himself at odds with the president.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The contrast couldn’t be sharper,” the release reads, “between Newsom’s commitment to make parks accessible and the Trump administration’s policies.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Newsom specifically called out new Trump-era policies that charge\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12065737/yosemite-national-park-new-fees-international-tourists-foreigners-annual-pass-2026\"> foreigners extra to access national parks\u003c/a> and require ID checks, which the governor said run contrary to King’s legacy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“While the Trump administration tries to erase his legacy and turn national parks and monuments into places of exclusion and fear, California answers with light,” Newsom said.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"heresahandylist\">\u003c/a> Which fee-free California state parks should I visit?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Need some ideas for which California state parks to visit on Monday? We’ve got you covered:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>North Bay:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Mount Tamalpais State Park\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>China Camp State Park\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Angel Island State Park\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Samuel P Taylor State Park\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Tomales Bay State Park\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Oolompali State Park\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Sonoma Coast State Park\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>East Bay:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>McLaughlin Eastshore State Park\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Mount Diablo State Park\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Lake Del Valle\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Peninsula:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Montara State Beach\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Pacifica State Beach\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Half Moon Bay State Beach\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Portola Redwoods State Park\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Burleigh H. Murray Ranch\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/news/12070184/california-state-parks-are-free-this-mlk-day",
"authors": [
"11956"
],
"categories": [
"news_31795",
"news_19906",
"news_28250",
"news_8",
"news_13"
],
"tags": [
"news_24345",
"news_16",
"news_20138",
"news_20755",
"news_2715",
"news_17996"
],
"featImg": "news_12070202",
"label": "news"
},
"news_12069155": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_12069155",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12069155",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1767960026000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "reserve-california-camping-reservations-login-not-working-locked-outfix-campsite",
"title": "Trying to Make a Camping Reservation, but Your ReserveCalifornia Login Won’t Work? Here’s the Fix",
"publishDate": 1767960026,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "Trying to Make a Camping Reservation, but Your ReserveCalifornia Login Won’t Work? Here’s the Fix | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"site": "news"
},
"content": "\u003cp>An upgrade to the website used to make camping reservations within California State Parks may have you locked out of your account — \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11973183/want-to-go-camping-near-the-bay-area-this-summer-make-your-reservations-now\">just as highly-sought-after campsites are being released for the summer. \u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The overhaul, which happened in late October of last year, requires anyone who had a ReserveCalifornia account before the change to reauthenticate their account before making any camping reservations.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That means if you’re planning on logging on at 8 a.m. to snag a campsite for a busy summer weekend, you may get caught in login troubles while other people are snapping up your top choice.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you have a ReserveCalifornia account, keep reading for step-by-step instructions on what to do now — so you’ll be ready when summer reservations become available.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#WhatshouldpeoplewithexistingReserveCaliforniaaccountsdo\">What should people with existing ReserveCalifornia accounts do?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#Whataboutthosewhoneverhadanaccount\">What about those who never had an account?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>What happened to the California State Parks reservation website?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>On Oct. 29, 2025, the \u003ca href=\"https://reservecalifornia.com/\">ReserveCalifornia website\u003c/a>, which California State Parks uses to help visitors book campsites and other park amenities, underwent a system upgrade, said Adeline Yee, a spokesperson for the agency.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That upgrade helped improve the system’s operations and incorporated multi-factor authentication for users, requiring anyone trying to log into an account to provide a code sent to their email address to improve system security.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12069168\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12069168\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/CampingGetty1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/CampingGetty1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/CampingGetty1-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/CampingGetty1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A public campground near Camp Richardson is shown on Aug. 4, 2013, in South Lake Tahoe, California. \u003ccite>(George Rose/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>An email about the changes was sent to ReserveCalifornia account holders in advance of the Oct. 29 switchover, Yee said — but the initial instructions it contained for reauthenticating accounts, encouraging users to use a “Forgot Password?” link, didn’t actually work on the version of the website that went live on that date.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The day after the update went live, Yee said, state parks added a banner alert to ReserveCalifornia with updated login directions – which now required even existing account-holders to hit “Create Account” to reauthenticate their details.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Yee said while the update affected all 1.2 million ReserveCalifornia accounts, only around 400,000 of those accounts have been active in the past two years. During the first five days after the update, the ReserveCalifornia customer service line saw a 30% increase in calls and emails, Yee said — around 300 more inquiries per day than normal.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“State Parks apologizes for the confusion and inconvenience and will work with ReserveCalifornia so future website updates and account enhancements go smoother,” Yee said.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"WhatshouldpeoplewithexistingReserveCaliforniaaccountsdo\">\u003c/a>I have a ReserveCalifornia account, and I want to reserve a state parks campsite soon. What should I do?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>First, don’t panic. Your account is still active, and your reservation and account history haven’t been lost — so \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12044161/bay-area-camping-alternatives-glamping-yurts-cabins-big-sur#F\">if you were signed up for the lottery of a must-have spot like the Steep Ravine Cabins\u003c/a>, you’re still on the list.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But you will have to go through a couple of steps to log back in – and it may take a few minutes, so it’s best to do it \u003cem>before \u003c/em>you’re racing others to get a prime camping spot this summer.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12069170\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12069170\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/CampingGetty2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1311\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/CampingGetty2.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/CampingGetty2-160x105.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/CampingGetty2-1536x1007.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Campsites are filled at Half Moon Bay State Beach in Half Moon Bay, California, on June 29, 2010. \u003ccite>(Paul Chinn/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>How to reauthenticate and reactivate your ReserveCalifornia account:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Go to “Log In/Sign Up” on the top right of \u003ca href=\"http://reservecalifornia.com\">ReserveCalifornia.com\u003c/a>, and click the “Create an Account” link.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Then, use the same email address of your existing account, and re-set up your profile. You can use the password you previously used for your ReserveCalifornia account, or create a new one.[aside postID=news_11973183 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/GettyImages-531284647-1020x680.jpg']Once you do so, your new ReserveCalifornia account should be automatically linked to your old one, Yee said — and you’ll be immediately able to make campsite reservations once more.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you got an email or searched the web and got different instructions, like those saying to hit the “Forgot Password” button — ignore those.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And if you’re still having trouble or are stuck in password reset purgatory, try refreshing the page and starting over — or call ReserveCalifornia between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. PST at 800-444-7275.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"Whataboutthosewhoneverhadanaccount\">\u003c/a>I’m new to ReserveCalifornia. What should I know?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>New account users shouldn’t have any issues. Simply \u003ca href=\"https://reservecalifornia.com/\">go to ReserveCalifornia.com\u003c/a>, hit the “Sign Up” button in the top right corner and create a new account.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Make sure you know the reservation policies at state parks, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11973183/want-to-go-camping-near-the-bay-area-this-summer-make-your-reservations-now\">as they’ve just changed this year\u003c/a> — and make canceling campsites more costly in an effort to keep more reservations open.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And you should know that campsite and cabin reservations open up to six months in advance at 8 a.m., so if you have big summer plans to get out into the wilderness, you may want to check now for availability. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11973183/want-to-go-camping-near-the-bay-area-this-summer-make-your-reservations-now\">Read our full guide on how to snag desirable California campsites for summer 2026\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n",
"blocks": [],
"excerpt": "After a system update snafu, existing users need to recreate their accounts to reserve state park campsites.",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1767986563,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 23,
"wordCount": 886
},
"headData": {
"title": "Trying to Make a Camping Reservation, but Your ReserveCalifornia Login Won’t Work? Here’s the Fix | KQED",
"description": "After a system update snafu, existing users need to recreate their accounts to reserve state park campsites.",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "Trying to Make a Camping Reservation, but Your ReserveCalifornia Login Won’t Work? Here’s the Fix",
"datePublished": "2026-01-09T04:00:26-08:00",
"dateModified": "2026-01-09T11:22:43-08:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"primaryCategory": {
"termId": 34168,
"slug": "guides-and-explainers",
"name": "Guides and Explainers"
},
"sticky": false,
"nprStoryId": "kqed-12069155",
"templateType": "standard",
"featuredImageType": "standard",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/12069155/reserve-california-camping-reservations-login-not-working-locked-outfix-campsite",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>An upgrade to the website used to make camping reservations within California State Parks may have you locked out of your account — \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11973183/want-to-go-camping-near-the-bay-area-this-summer-make-your-reservations-now\">just as highly-sought-after campsites are being released for the summer. \u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The overhaul, which happened in late October of last year, requires anyone who had a ReserveCalifornia account before the change to reauthenticate their account before making any camping reservations.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That means if you’re planning on logging on at 8 a.m. to snag a campsite for a busy summer weekend, you may get caught in login troubles while other people are snapping up your top choice.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you have a ReserveCalifornia account, keep reading for step-by-step instructions on what to do now — so you’ll be ready when summer reservations become available.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#WhatshouldpeoplewithexistingReserveCaliforniaaccountsdo\">What should people with existing ReserveCalifornia accounts do?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#Whataboutthosewhoneverhadanaccount\">What about those who never had an account?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>What happened to the California State Parks reservation website?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>On Oct. 29, 2025, the \u003ca href=\"https://reservecalifornia.com/\">ReserveCalifornia website\u003c/a>, which California State Parks uses to help visitors book campsites and other park amenities, underwent a system upgrade, said Adeline Yee, a spokesperson for the agency.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That upgrade helped improve the system’s operations and incorporated multi-factor authentication for users, requiring anyone trying to log into an account to provide a code sent to their email address to improve system security.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12069168\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12069168\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/CampingGetty1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/CampingGetty1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/CampingGetty1-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/CampingGetty1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A public campground near Camp Richardson is shown on Aug. 4, 2013, in South Lake Tahoe, California. \u003ccite>(George Rose/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>An email about the changes was sent to ReserveCalifornia account holders in advance of the Oct. 29 switchover, Yee said — but the initial instructions it contained for reauthenticating accounts, encouraging users to use a “Forgot Password?” link, didn’t actually work on the version of the website that went live on that date.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The day after the update went live, Yee said, state parks added a banner alert to ReserveCalifornia with updated login directions – which now required even existing account-holders to hit “Create Account” to reauthenticate their details.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Yee said while the update affected all 1.2 million ReserveCalifornia accounts, only around 400,000 of those accounts have been active in the past two years. During the first five days after the update, the ReserveCalifornia customer service line saw a 30% increase in calls and emails, Yee said — around 300 more inquiries per day than normal.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“State Parks apologizes for the confusion and inconvenience and will work with ReserveCalifornia so future website updates and account enhancements go smoother,” Yee said.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"WhatshouldpeoplewithexistingReserveCaliforniaaccountsdo\">\u003c/a>I have a ReserveCalifornia account, and I want to reserve a state parks campsite soon. What should I do?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>First, don’t panic. Your account is still active, and your reservation and account history haven’t been lost — so \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12044161/bay-area-camping-alternatives-glamping-yurts-cabins-big-sur#F\">if you were signed up for the lottery of a must-have spot like the Steep Ravine Cabins\u003c/a>, you’re still on the list.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But you will have to go through a couple of steps to log back in – and it may take a few minutes, so it’s best to do it \u003cem>before \u003c/em>you’re racing others to get a prime camping spot this summer.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12069170\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12069170\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/CampingGetty2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1311\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/CampingGetty2.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/CampingGetty2-160x105.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/CampingGetty2-1536x1007.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Campsites are filled at Half Moon Bay State Beach in Half Moon Bay, California, on June 29, 2010. \u003ccite>(Paul Chinn/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>How to reauthenticate and reactivate your ReserveCalifornia account:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Go to “Log In/Sign Up” on the top right of \u003ca href=\"http://reservecalifornia.com\">ReserveCalifornia.com\u003c/a>, and click the “Create an Account” link.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Then, use the same email address of your existing account, and re-set up your profile. You can use the password you previously used for your ReserveCalifornia account, or create a new one.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "aside",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"postid": "news_11973183",
"hero": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/GettyImages-531284647-1020x680.jpg",
"label": ""
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>Once you do so, your new ReserveCalifornia account should be automatically linked to your old one, Yee said — and you’ll be immediately able to make campsite reservations once more.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you got an email or searched the web and got different instructions, like those saying to hit the “Forgot Password” button — ignore those.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And if you’re still having trouble or are stuck in password reset purgatory, try refreshing the page and starting over — or call ReserveCalifornia between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. PST at 800-444-7275.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"Whataboutthosewhoneverhadanaccount\">\u003c/a>I’m new to ReserveCalifornia. What should I know?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>New account users shouldn’t have any issues. Simply \u003ca href=\"https://reservecalifornia.com/\">go to ReserveCalifornia.com\u003c/a>, hit the “Sign Up” button in the top right corner and create a new account.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Make sure you know the reservation policies at state parks, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11973183/want-to-go-camping-near-the-bay-area-this-summer-make-your-reservations-now\">as they’ve just changed this year\u003c/a> — and make canceling campsites more costly in an effort to keep more reservations open.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And you should know that campsite and cabin reservations open up to six months in advance at 8 a.m., so if you have big summer plans to get out into the wilderness, you may want to check now for availability. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11973183/want-to-go-camping-near-the-bay-area-this-summer-make-your-reservations-now\">Read our full guide on how to snag desirable California campsites for summer 2026\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/news/12069155/reserve-california-camping-reservations-login-not-working-locked-outfix-campsite",
"authors": [
"11956"
],
"categories": [
"news_31795",
"news_34168",
"news_8"
],
"tags": [
"news_32707",
"news_18538",
"news_24345",
"news_35888",
"news_27626",
"news_29828",
"news_17925",
"news_2715",
"news_21950",
"news_1855"
],
"featImg": "news_11973193",
"label": "news"
},
"news_12065737": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_12065737",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12065737",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1767822020000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "yosemite-national-park-new-fees-international-tourists-foreigners-annual-pass-2026",
"title": "Trump’s $100 National Park Fee for International Tourists is Now in Effect. What to Know",
"publishDate": 1767822020,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "Trump’s $100 National Park Fee for International Tourists is Now in Effect. What to Know | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"site": "news"
},
"content": "\u003cp>As of Jan. 1, visitors to the United States will have to pay $100 each to enter some of the country’s most popular \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/national-parks\">national parks\u003c/a> — on top of existing entry fees.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum \u003ca href=\"https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/department-interior-announces-modernized-more-affordable-national-park-access\">announced\u003c/a> late last year that entry fees for 11 national parks — including Yosemite National Park — were going up for foreign visitors only in 2026.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And while park entry fees for U.S. residents will remain the same, typically $35 per vehicle or $80 for an annual pass, as of Jan. 1, anyone who can’t prove their U.S. residency with a government-issued ID will have to pay the additional $100 at major national parks.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The announcement means a steep increase in national park fees for tourists to the U.S., who will also see the cost of buying an annual pass for themselves rise. So, if you’re a U.S. resident who’s planning on welcoming family or friends from abroad, and were hoping to take them to Yosemite, what should you know about these latest costs?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Keep reading for what we know about the new national park fees for 2026.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#Howwillfeesforinternationaltravelersbeenforced\">How will fees for international travelers be enforced?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#WhatshouldUSresidentsknowaboutenteringnationalparksin2026\">What should U.S. residents know about entering national parks in 2026? \u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>At which national parks do non-U.S. residents have to pay higher fees?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Starting Jan. 1, 2026, a $100 per-person fee — charged on top of the typical fee of $35 per vehicle — will apply to entry for foreigners ages 16 and older at 11 of the country’s most-visited national parks (see below).\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A spokesperson for the Department of the Interior confirmed in an email to KQED that the new fees will apply for the amount of time the entry ticket is valid. For Yosemite, for example, the $100 per-person fee would be valid for seven days of entry to the park, just like the $35 vehicle fee.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12062225\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12062225 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251028-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-114-BL_QED-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251028-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-114-BL_QED-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251028-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-114-BL_QED-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251028-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-114-BL_QED-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Visitors stand at Tunnel View overlook in Yosemite National Park in the Sierra Nevada Mountains on Oct. 28, 2025. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>In California, Yosemite National Park and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks will be affected.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Elsewhere, other national parks where non U.S. residents will have to pay the extra fees are:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Acadia National Park, Maine\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Everglades National Park, Florida\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Glacier National Park, Montana\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Zion National Park, Utah\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Last year, these 11 parks have seen around a combined 23 million visitors. The National Park Service doesn’t currently track the proportion of visitors coming to parks from outside the U.S.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>How much will an annual pass be for tourists to the U.S.?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Before these recent changes, \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm\">an $80 annual National Park Service pass\u003c/a> was available to all, with no residency requirements.\u003cbr>\nBut as of Jan. 1, an annual national parks pass for non U.S. residents, which allows free entry at any national park, is $250 per passholder.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12062211\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1999px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12062211\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251027-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-18-BL_QED-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1999\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251027-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-18-BL_QED-KQED.jpg 1999w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251027-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-18-BL_QED-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251027-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-18-BL_QED-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1999px) 100vw, 1999px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Visitors look at a welcome at the entrance to Yosemite National Park in the Sierra Nevada Mountains on Oct. 27, 2025. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"Howwillfeesforinternationaltravelersbeenforced\">\u003c/a>How are these fees for international travelers be enforced?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>According to the Department of the Interior, all visitors age 16 and older with annual passes are asked to present a U.S. government-issued photo ID at the entrance of every national park, such as a passport or state driver’s license.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Those who don’t have a U.S. ID to present “will be asked to upgrade to the nonresident annual pass,” a DOI spokesperson told KQED by email.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Visitors will confirm their residency by providing a ZIP code when purchasing a pass online and must present a U.S. government-issued photo ID when using it,” the DOI spokesperson said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The new fees also apply to visitors taking YARTS, the public Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System, the Department of the Interior confirmed to KQED.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A spokesperson for YARTS said it’s too early to know if the fee is changing ridership on its service — but declined to comment on how fees and bus passengers’ IDs are being collected.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"WhatshouldUSresidentsknowaboutenteringnationalparksin2026\">\u003c/a>What should U.S. residents know about changes to national parks entry this year?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>To enforce annual pass compliance for non-U.S. residents, starting Jan. 1, all visitors age 16 and older with annual passes are now asked to present a U.S. government-issued photo ID to prove their U.S. residency. Currently, a national parks annual pass bears a message requiring the pass to be signed by the passholder, who must be present and provide “Valid Photo ID.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Last year’s DOI announcement also included the launch of \u003ca href=\"https://www.doi.gov/video/digital-park-passes\">digital annual passes\u003c/a> for national parks, which can be bought and accessed online.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12062221\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12062221 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251028-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-61-BL_QED-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251028-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-61-BL_QED-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251028-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-61-BL_QED-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251028-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-61-BL_QED-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Visitors stand at Tunnel View overlook in Yosemite National Park in the Sierra Nevada Mountains on Oct. 28, 2025. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>The new entry policies will also allow two motorcycles, rather than just one, to enter under a single annual park pass in 2026.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The lineup of the national parks’ fee-free days has also been altered. The lineup of the national parks’ fee-free days has also been altered. Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth have been removed from the list of days on which visitors can enter the park for free — a move condemned by organizations including the NAACP and the Sierra Club.\u003cbr>\nFlag Day on June 16, which is also President Trump’s birthday, has been added, as has Constitution Day on Sept. 17. The fee-free days, \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm\">listed here\u003c/a>, do not apply to non-U.S. residents.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This year’s annual passes now also feature new graphics on the cards to commemorate the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, featuring the faces of former President George Washington and President Trump.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Is there any way for international visitors to avoid the higher fees?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The new fees go into effect Jan. 1, 2026. But because annual passes are punched on the date of purchase and are valid for 12 months on a rolling basis, any annual pass that was already purchased before the new year will be exempt from the new fee.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A spokesperson for the DOI confirmed to KQED by email that “international visitors with a valid 2025 pass can use that pass until it expires.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12062224\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1999px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12062224 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251028-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-112-BL_QED-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1999\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251028-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-112-BL_QED-KQED.jpg 1999w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251028-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-112-BL_QED-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251028-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-112-BL_QED-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1999px) 100vw, 1999px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A person fishes in the Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park in the Sierra Nevada Mountains on Oct. 28, 2025. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>In response to the announcement, the Mariposa County Tourism Bureau published \u003ca href=\"https://www.yosemite.com/nonresident-and-international-fees/\">a guide to help foreign travelers navigate the new fee structure\u003c/a>. In it, the organization recommends that most groups of international visitors who plan to visit more than one national park in 2026 purchase the $250 annual pass for non U.S. residents — but that solo travelers or couples who are only planning to visit one park, like Yosemite, should probably swallow the $100 per-person fee.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Elisabeth Barton, founding member and CEO of tour company Echo Adventure Cooperative, which operates guided tours in and around Yosemite and Stanislaus National Forest, said tour groups like hers are already facing confusion and longer wait times at entrances due to the changes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Her group normally prefers to take care of entrance fees on the backend, but Barton said the groups of visitors they’ve led into the park so far this year have had to pony up the extra money at the gate themselves in addition to their IDs if they are U.S. residents — spending a lengthy 10 minutes sorting through who pays what.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The whole situation just feels very haphazard and like they don’t quite know how to handle it,” Barton said. “You can tell too that all the rangers were really uncomfortable and they were already very brow beaten.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The rules for tour groups like hers have also changed, upping the usual $20-per person entrance fee to $100 per person for international travelers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Plus non-residents can no longer purchase annual Yosemite-only passes, which are $70 for the whole year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Barton said communication from the park to the general public and tour groups has been slow and even conflicting at times — so much so that international tourists are arriving completely unaware of the quadrupled fee.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“They won’t know until they arrive – and I have a feeling that’s going to happen a lot,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Why is the U.S. government increasing national park fees for international travelers?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>According to a DOI spokesperson, the fee increase is a direct response to President Donald Trump’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/07/making-america-beautiful-again-by-improving-our-national-parks/\">July 3 executive order\u003c/a> that instructed the Interior Secretary to increase park pass rates for nonresidents.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Revenue from the increased fees is slated to go to park facility upgrades, maintenance and services, according to the Department of the Interior’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/department-interior-announces-modernized-more-affordable-national-park-access\">press release\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>https://twitter.com/SecretaryBurgum/status/1993381881380061610\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In their email to KQED, a DOI spokesperson argued that revenue from passes sold will “help keep our parks beautiful and running well, including for … \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/subjects/infrastructure/deferred-maintenance.htm\">the deferred maintenance backlog\u003c/a>.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The nonresident surcharge is a small fraction of total trip costs (airfare, lodging, transport) for foreign tourists,” the statement read.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What concerns are already being raised about levying higher fees for parks on international tourists?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>In response to the announcement, parks advocacy groups, including the \u003ca href=\"https://www.sierraclub.org/press-releases/2025/11/sierra-club-statement-trump-administration-hike-nps-entrance-fees\">Sierra Club\u003c/a> and the Coalition to Protect National Parks, released statements condemning the coming changes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In particular, these groups raised concerns about the burden of checking IDs on already overworked parks staff — as well as the potential that increased fees for foreigners could deter international travel to parks.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11997996\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11997996\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/GETTYIMAGES-2021284785-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/GETTYIMAGES-2021284785-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/GETTYIMAGES-2021284785-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/GETTYIMAGES-2021284785-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/GETTYIMAGES-2021284785-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/GETTYIMAGES-2021284785-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/GETTYIMAGES-2021284785-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Upper Yosemite Fall is reflected in the Merced River at Swinging Bridge in Yosemite National Park on June 13, 2023. \u003ccite>(Tracy Barbutes/The Washington Post via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“If the administration wants to support the National Park System, we urge them to help ensure our national parks are fully funded and fully staffed,” Coalition to Protect National Parks Executive Director Emily Thompson said in an emailed statement to KQED. “That’s the answer rather than focusing on complicated directives that will only increase the workload for park staff already overstretched to keep everything running.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Center for Biological Diversity has also pushed back, \u003ca href=\"https://biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press-releases/lawsuit-challenges-trump-use-of-headshot-on-national-parks-pass-2025-12-10/\">filing a lawsuit on Dec. 10 \u003c/a>that argues that both the America the Beautiful pass’s new graphics bearing President Trump’s face and the creation of a new non-resident pass option violate the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act of 2004. \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While \u003c/span>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sfgate.com/national-parks/article/sticker-covering-trump-void-national-park-pass-21278091.php\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">some artists have begun selling stickers to cover the new graphics\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the National Park Service confirmed in an email to KQED that altered passes are void.\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Yosemite-based tour guides have also expressed concern that the new policy could create long wait times at park gates while IDs are being checked.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>John DeGrazio, owner of Yosemite tour provider YExplore, said the rules may put park rangers — and even guiding businesses like his — in the uncomfortable position of asking for identification to determine U.S. residency, calling it “a stripping away of freedoms.”[aside postID=news_12062476 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251028-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-93-BL_QED-KQED-1536x1024.jpg']The policy, fears DeGrazio, “could be a gateway: Are they gonna now position ICE agents at the entrance of national parks?”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It kind of goes against the whole idea of going out and visiting our national parks,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The new policies could also put a deeper dent in the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12040535/canadians-tourists-say-they-are-avoiding-the-united-states-due-to-fear\">already precipitous drop in international tourism \u003c/a>reported this year — with \u003ca href=\"https://www.forbes.com/sites/suzannerowankelleher/2025/07/03/us-tourism-lose-29-billion-trump-policies/\">estimates as high as $30 billion lost\u003c/a> this year due to fewer international visitors.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>DeGrazio said he’s worried the parks fee increase will be an even further “inhibitor of visitation” to parks nationwide, shrinking demand for businesses like his.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And Echo Adventure Cooperative’s Barton said she’d already fielded a cancellation following the announcement, from an international tourist who’d planned to visit Yosemite in March.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Quoting the visitor, she said, “‘The cost is one thing, but just feeling that we get that we’re not wanted in the United States was enough for us to cancel our visit,’” Barton said. “And that broke my heart.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>How many foreigners typically visit these U.S. National Parks?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>While the DOI doesn’t collect statistics on international parks visitorship, a spokesperson told KQED by email that the agency plans to begin doing so next year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>According to \u003ca href=\"https://www.ustravel.org/sites/default/files/media_root/document/NPS_Overseas_Highlights_V1%20%281%29.pdf\">estimates\u003c/a> from the U.S. Travel Association, around 35% of international travelers visited national parks as part of their trips in 2016 — and more than 14 million foreigners visited national parks in 2018.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12059389\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12059389\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/YosemiteGetty2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/YosemiteGetty2.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/YosemiteGetty2-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/YosemiteGetty2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Visitors hike the Mist Trail toward Vernal Falls on Aug. 31, 2025, in the Yosemite National Park, California. \u003ccite>(Apu Gomes/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>DeGrazio said the number of international customers his Yosemite tour company sees has been going down steadily, from around 30% “a couple of years ago” to less than 10% this year — and is worried it could decrease even more as a result of the new fees.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“This is a terrible, short-sighted idea that will damage local businesses in and around the national parks,” he said. “Everyone believes that there is no positive outcome for a move like this.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Barton said that changes to travel and immigration policies under President Trump had even left one family who had reserved cabins in the Yosemite area through her company with half their group unable to get into the country.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We’re already seeing these policies affect our gateway communities, and this is just going to take it another step forward,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>She also fears that \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/immigration\">Trump’s rhetoric around immigration \u003c/a>has fueled what she calls “us versus them” conversations happening in rural communities where these national parks are located.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“What permission does that give folks, and how will that change the visitor experience?” she said. “I think that’s my biggest concern.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
"blocks": [],
"excerpt": "Starting this year, international visitors to U.S. parks like Yosemite will face steeper-than-ever fees.",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1767822397,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 57,
"wordCount": 2437
},
"headData": {
"title": "Trump’s $100 National Park Fee for International Tourists is Now in Effect. What to Know | KQED",
"description": "Starting this year, international visitors to U.S. parks like Yosemite will face steeper-than-ever fees.",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "Trump’s $100 National Park Fee for International Tourists is Now in Effect. What to Know",
"datePublished": "2026-01-07T13:40:20-08:00",
"dateModified": "2026-01-07T13:46:37-08:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"primaryCategory": {
"termId": 34168,
"slug": "guides-and-explainers",
"name": "Guides and Explainers"
},
"sticky": false,
"nprStoryId": "kqed-12065737",
"templateType": "standard",
"featuredImageType": "standard",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/12065737/yosemite-national-park-new-fees-international-tourists-foreigners-annual-pass-2026",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>As of Jan. 1, visitors to the United States will have to pay $100 each to enter some of the country’s most popular \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/national-parks\">national parks\u003c/a> — on top of existing entry fees.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum \u003ca href=\"https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/department-interior-announces-modernized-more-affordable-national-park-access\">announced\u003c/a> late last year that entry fees for 11 national parks — including Yosemite National Park — were going up for foreign visitors only in 2026.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And while park entry fees for U.S. residents will remain the same, typically $35 per vehicle or $80 for an annual pass, as of Jan. 1, anyone who can’t prove their U.S. residency with a government-issued ID will have to pay the additional $100 at major national parks.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The announcement means a steep increase in national park fees for tourists to the U.S., who will also see the cost of buying an annual pass for themselves rise. So, if you’re a U.S. resident who’s planning on welcoming family or friends from abroad, and were hoping to take them to Yosemite, what should you know about these latest costs?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Keep reading for what we know about the new national park fees for 2026.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#Howwillfeesforinternationaltravelersbeenforced\">How will fees for international travelers be enforced?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#WhatshouldUSresidentsknowaboutenteringnationalparksin2026\">What should U.S. residents know about entering national parks in 2026? \u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>At which national parks do non-U.S. residents have to pay higher fees?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Starting Jan. 1, 2026, a $100 per-person fee — charged on top of the typical fee of $35 per vehicle — will apply to entry for foreigners ages 16 and older at 11 of the country’s most-visited national parks (see below).\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A spokesperson for the Department of the Interior confirmed in an email to KQED that the new fees will apply for the amount of time the entry ticket is valid. For Yosemite, for example, the $100 per-person fee would be valid for seven days of entry to the park, just like the $35 vehicle fee.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12062225\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12062225 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251028-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-114-BL_QED-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251028-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-114-BL_QED-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251028-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-114-BL_QED-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251028-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-114-BL_QED-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Visitors stand at Tunnel View overlook in Yosemite National Park in the Sierra Nevada Mountains on Oct. 28, 2025. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>In California, Yosemite National Park and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks will be affected.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Elsewhere, other national parks where non U.S. residents will have to pay the extra fees are:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Acadia National Park, Maine\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Everglades National Park, Florida\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Glacier National Park, Montana\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Zion National Park, Utah\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Last year, these 11 parks have seen around a combined 23 million visitors. The National Park Service doesn’t currently track the proportion of visitors coming to parks from outside the U.S.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>How much will an annual pass be for tourists to the U.S.?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Before these recent changes, \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm\">an $80 annual National Park Service pass\u003c/a> was available to all, with no residency requirements.\u003cbr>\nBut as of Jan. 1, an annual national parks pass for non U.S. residents, which allows free entry at any national park, is $250 per passholder.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12062211\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1999px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12062211\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251027-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-18-BL_QED-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1999\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251027-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-18-BL_QED-KQED.jpg 1999w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251027-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-18-BL_QED-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251027-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-18-BL_QED-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1999px) 100vw, 1999px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Visitors look at a welcome at the entrance to Yosemite National Park in the Sierra Nevada Mountains on Oct. 27, 2025. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"Howwillfeesforinternationaltravelersbeenforced\">\u003c/a>How are these fees for international travelers be enforced?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>According to the Department of the Interior, all visitors age 16 and older with annual passes are asked to present a U.S. government-issued photo ID at the entrance of every national park, such as a passport or state driver’s license.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Those who don’t have a U.S. ID to present “will be asked to upgrade to the nonresident annual pass,” a DOI spokesperson told KQED by email.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Visitors will confirm their residency by providing a ZIP code when purchasing a pass online and must present a U.S. government-issued photo ID when using it,” the DOI spokesperson said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The new fees also apply to visitors taking YARTS, the public Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System, the Department of the Interior confirmed to KQED.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A spokesperson for YARTS said it’s too early to know if the fee is changing ridership on its service — but declined to comment on how fees and bus passengers’ IDs are being collected.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"WhatshouldUSresidentsknowaboutenteringnationalparksin2026\">\u003c/a>What should U.S. residents know about changes to national parks entry this year?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>To enforce annual pass compliance for non-U.S. residents, starting Jan. 1, all visitors age 16 and older with annual passes are now asked to present a U.S. government-issued photo ID to prove their U.S. residency. Currently, a national parks annual pass bears a message requiring the pass to be signed by the passholder, who must be present and provide “Valid Photo ID.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Last year’s DOI announcement also included the launch of \u003ca href=\"https://www.doi.gov/video/digital-park-passes\">digital annual passes\u003c/a> for national parks, which can be bought and accessed online.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12062221\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12062221 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251028-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-61-BL_QED-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251028-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-61-BL_QED-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251028-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-61-BL_QED-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251028-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-61-BL_QED-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Visitors stand at Tunnel View overlook in Yosemite National Park in the Sierra Nevada Mountains on Oct. 28, 2025. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>The new entry policies will also allow two motorcycles, rather than just one, to enter under a single annual park pass in 2026.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The lineup of the national parks’ fee-free days has also been altered. The lineup of the national parks’ fee-free days has also been altered. Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth have been removed from the list of days on which visitors can enter the park for free — a move condemned by organizations including the NAACP and the Sierra Club.\u003cbr>\nFlag Day on June 16, which is also President Trump’s birthday, has been added, as has Constitution Day on Sept. 17. The fee-free days, \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm\">listed here\u003c/a>, do not apply to non-U.S. residents.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This year’s annual passes now also feature new graphics on the cards to commemorate the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, featuring the faces of former President George Washington and President Trump.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Is there any way for international visitors to avoid the higher fees?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The new fees go into effect Jan. 1, 2026. But because annual passes are punched on the date of purchase and are valid for 12 months on a rolling basis, any annual pass that was already purchased before the new year will be exempt from the new fee.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A spokesperson for the DOI confirmed to KQED by email that “international visitors with a valid 2025 pass can use that pass until it expires.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12062224\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1999px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12062224 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251028-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-112-BL_QED-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1999\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251028-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-112-BL_QED-KQED.jpg 1999w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251028-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-112-BL_QED-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251028-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-112-BL_QED-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1999px) 100vw, 1999px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A person fishes in the Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park in the Sierra Nevada Mountains on Oct. 28, 2025. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>In response to the announcement, the Mariposa County Tourism Bureau published \u003ca href=\"https://www.yosemite.com/nonresident-and-international-fees/\">a guide to help foreign travelers navigate the new fee structure\u003c/a>. In it, the organization recommends that most groups of international visitors who plan to visit more than one national park in 2026 purchase the $250 annual pass for non U.S. residents — but that solo travelers or couples who are only planning to visit one park, like Yosemite, should probably swallow the $100 per-person fee.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Elisabeth Barton, founding member and CEO of tour company Echo Adventure Cooperative, which operates guided tours in and around Yosemite and Stanislaus National Forest, said tour groups like hers are already facing confusion and longer wait times at entrances due to the changes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Her group normally prefers to take care of entrance fees on the backend, but Barton said the groups of visitors they’ve led into the park so far this year have had to pony up the extra money at the gate themselves in addition to their IDs if they are U.S. residents — spending a lengthy 10 minutes sorting through who pays what.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The whole situation just feels very haphazard and like they don’t quite know how to handle it,” Barton said. “You can tell too that all the rangers were really uncomfortable and they were already very brow beaten.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The rules for tour groups like hers have also changed, upping the usual $20-per person entrance fee to $100 per person for international travelers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Plus non-residents can no longer purchase annual Yosemite-only passes, which are $70 for the whole year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Barton said communication from the park to the general public and tour groups has been slow and even conflicting at times — so much so that international tourists are arriving completely unaware of the quadrupled fee.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“They won’t know until they arrive – and I have a feeling that’s going to happen a lot,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Why is the U.S. government increasing national park fees for international travelers?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>According to a DOI spokesperson, the fee increase is a direct response to President Donald Trump’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/07/making-america-beautiful-again-by-improving-our-national-parks/\">July 3 executive order\u003c/a> that instructed the Interior Secretary to increase park pass rates for nonresidents.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Revenue from the increased fees is slated to go to park facility upgrades, maintenance and services, according to the Department of the Interior’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/department-interior-announces-modernized-more-affordable-national-park-access\">press release\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "singleTwitterStatus",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"id": "1993381881380061610"
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp>In their email to KQED, a DOI spokesperson argued that revenue from passes sold will “help keep our parks beautiful and running well, including for … \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/subjects/infrastructure/deferred-maintenance.htm\">the deferred maintenance backlog\u003c/a>.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The nonresident surcharge is a small fraction of total trip costs (airfare, lodging, transport) for foreign tourists,” the statement read.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What concerns are already being raised about levying higher fees for parks on international tourists?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>In response to the announcement, parks advocacy groups, including the \u003ca href=\"https://www.sierraclub.org/press-releases/2025/11/sierra-club-statement-trump-administration-hike-nps-entrance-fees\">Sierra Club\u003c/a> and the Coalition to Protect National Parks, released statements condemning the coming changes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In particular, these groups raised concerns about the burden of checking IDs on already overworked parks staff — as well as the potential that increased fees for foreigners could deter international travel to parks.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11997996\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11997996\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/GETTYIMAGES-2021284785-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/GETTYIMAGES-2021284785-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/GETTYIMAGES-2021284785-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/GETTYIMAGES-2021284785-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/GETTYIMAGES-2021284785-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/GETTYIMAGES-2021284785-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/GETTYIMAGES-2021284785-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Upper Yosemite Fall is reflected in the Merced River at Swinging Bridge in Yosemite National Park on June 13, 2023. \u003ccite>(Tracy Barbutes/The Washington Post via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“If the administration wants to support the National Park System, we urge them to help ensure our national parks are fully funded and fully staffed,” Coalition to Protect National Parks Executive Director Emily Thompson said in an emailed statement to KQED. “That’s the answer rather than focusing on complicated directives that will only increase the workload for park staff already overstretched to keep everything running.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Center for Biological Diversity has also pushed back, \u003ca href=\"https://biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press-releases/lawsuit-challenges-trump-use-of-headshot-on-national-parks-pass-2025-12-10/\">filing a lawsuit on Dec. 10 \u003c/a>that argues that both the America the Beautiful pass’s new graphics bearing President Trump’s face and the creation of a new non-resident pass option violate the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act of 2004. \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While \u003c/span>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sfgate.com/national-parks/article/sticker-covering-trump-void-national-park-pass-21278091.php\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">some artists have begun selling stickers to cover the new graphics\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the National Park Service confirmed in an email to KQED that altered passes are void.\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Yosemite-based tour guides have also expressed concern that the new policy could create long wait times at park gates while IDs are being checked.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>John DeGrazio, owner of Yosemite tour provider YExplore, said the rules may put park rangers — and even guiding businesses like his — in the uncomfortable position of asking for identification to determine U.S. residency, calling it “a stripping away of freedoms.”\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "aside",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"postid": "news_12062476",
"hero": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251028-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-93-BL_QED-KQED-1536x1024.jpg",
"label": ""
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>The policy, fears DeGrazio, “could be a gateway: Are they gonna now position ICE agents at the entrance of national parks?”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It kind of goes against the whole idea of going out and visiting our national parks,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The new policies could also put a deeper dent in the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12040535/canadians-tourists-say-they-are-avoiding-the-united-states-due-to-fear\">already precipitous drop in international tourism \u003c/a>reported this year — with \u003ca href=\"https://www.forbes.com/sites/suzannerowankelleher/2025/07/03/us-tourism-lose-29-billion-trump-policies/\">estimates as high as $30 billion lost\u003c/a> this year due to fewer international visitors.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>DeGrazio said he’s worried the parks fee increase will be an even further “inhibitor of visitation” to parks nationwide, shrinking demand for businesses like his.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And Echo Adventure Cooperative’s Barton said she’d already fielded a cancellation following the announcement, from an international tourist who’d planned to visit Yosemite in March.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Quoting the visitor, she said, “‘The cost is one thing, but just feeling that we get that we’re not wanted in the United States was enough for us to cancel our visit,’” Barton said. “And that broke my heart.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>How many foreigners typically visit these U.S. National Parks?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>While the DOI doesn’t collect statistics on international parks visitorship, a spokesperson told KQED by email that the agency plans to begin doing so next year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>According to \u003ca href=\"https://www.ustravel.org/sites/default/files/media_root/document/NPS_Overseas_Highlights_V1%20%281%29.pdf\">estimates\u003c/a> from the U.S. Travel Association, around 35% of international travelers visited national parks as part of their trips in 2016 — and more than 14 million foreigners visited national parks in 2018.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12059389\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12059389\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/YosemiteGetty2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/YosemiteGetty2.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/YosemiteGetty2-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/YosemiteGetty2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Visitors hike the Mist Trail toward Vernal Falls on Aug. 31, 2025, in the Yosemite National Park, California. \u003ccite>(Apu Gomes/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>DeGrazio said the number of international customers his Yosemite tour company sees has been going down steadily, from around 30% “a couple of years ago” to less than 10% this year — and is worried it could decrease even more as a result of the new fees.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“This is a terrible, short-sighted idea that will damage local businesses in and around the national parks,” he said. “Everyone believes that there is no positive outcome for a move like this.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Barton said that changes to travel and immigration policies under President Trump had even left one family who had reserved cabins in the Yosemite area through her company with half their group unable to get into the country.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We’re already seeing these policies affect our gateway communities, and this is just going to take it another step forward,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>She also fears that \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/immigration\">Trump’s rhetoric around immigration \u003c/a>has fueled what she calls “us versus them” conversations happening in rural communities where these national parks are located.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“What permission does that give folks, and how will that change the visitor experience?” she said. “I think that’s my biggest concern.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "floatright"
},
"numeric": [
"floatright"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/news/12065737/yosemite-national-park-new-fees-international-tourists-foreigners-annual-pass-2026",
"authors": [
"11956"
],
"categories": [
"news_31795",
"news_34168",
"news_1169",
"news_8",
"news_13"
],
"tags": [
"news_32707",
"news_18538",
"news_1323",
"news_35888",
"news_20202",
"news_2715",
"news_21950",
"news_2905",
"news_17968",
"news_1855"
],
"featImg": "news_12058519",
"label": "news"
}
},
"programsReducer": {
"all-things-considered": {
"id": "all-things-considered",
"title": "All Things Considered",
"info": "Every weekday, \u003cem>All Things Considered\u003c/em> hosts Robert Siegel, Audie Cornish, Ari Shapiro, and Kelly McEvers present the program's trademark mix of news, interviews, commentaries, reviews, and offbeat features. Michel Martin hosts on the weekends.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 1pm-2pm, 4:30pm-6:30pm\u003cbr />SAT-SUN 5pm-6pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/All-Things-Considered-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/all-things-considered/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/all-things-considered"
},
"american-suburb-podcast": {
"id": "american-suburb-podcast",
"title": "American Suburb: The Podcast",
"tagline": "The flip side of gentrification, told through one town",
"info": "Gentrification is changing cities across America, forcing people from neighborhoods they have long called home. Call them the displaced. Now those priced out of the Bay Area are looking for a better life in an unlikely place. American Suburb follows this migration to one California town along the Delta, 45 miles from San Francisco. But is this once sleepy suburb ready for them?",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/American-Suburb-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/news/series/american-suburb-podcast",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 19
},
"link": "/news/series/american-suburb-podcast/",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/RBrW",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?mt=2&id=1287748328",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/American-Suburb-p1086805/",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/series/american-suburb-podcast/feed/podcast",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vS1FJTkMzMDExODgxNjA5"
}
},
"baycurious": {
"id": "baycurious",
"title": "Bay Curious",
"tagline": "Exploring the Bay Area, one question at a time",
"info": "KQED’s new podcast, Bay Curious, gets to the bottom of the mysteries — both profound and peculiar — that give the Bay Area its unique identity. And we’ll do it with your help! You ask the questions. You decide what Bay Curious investigates. And you join us on the journey to find the answers.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Bay-Curious-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Bay Curious",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/news/series/baycurious",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 3
},
"link": "/podcasts/baycurious",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bay-curious/id1172473406",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/500557090/bay-curious",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/category/bay-curious-podcast/feed/podcast",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9a90d476-aa04-455d-9a4c-0871ed6216d4/bay-curious",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/bay-curious",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/6O76IdmhixfijmhTZLIJ8k"
}
},
"bbc-world-service": {
"id": "bbc-world-service",
"title": "BBC World Service",
"info": "The day's top stories from BBC News compiled twice daily in the week, once at weekends.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 9pm-10pm, TUE-FRI 1am-2am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/BBC-World-Service-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live:bbc_world_service",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "BBC World Service"
},
"link": "/radio/program/bbc-world-service",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/global-news-podcast/id135067274?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/BBC-World-Service-p455581/",
"rss": "https://podcasts.files.bbci.co.uk/p02nq0gn.rss"
}
},
"californiareport": {
"id": "californiareport",
"title": "The California Report",
"tagline": "California, day by day",
"info": "KQED’s statewide radio news program providing daily coverage of issues, trends and public policy decisions.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-California-Report-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED The California Report",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/californiareport",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 8
},
"link": "/californiareport",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kqeds-the-california-report/id79681292",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/26099305-72af-4542-9dde-ac1807fe36d5/kqed-s-the-california-report",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/432285393/the-california-report",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqedfm-kqeds-the-california-report-podcast-8838",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/tag/tcram/feed/podcast"
}
},
"californiareportmagazine": {
"id": "californiareportmagazine",
"title": "The California Report Magazine",
"tagline": "Your state, your stories",
"info": "Every week, The California Report Magazine takes you on a road trip for the ears: to visit the places and meet the people who make California unique. The in-depth storytelling podcast from the California Report.",
"airtime": "FRI 4:30pm-5pm, 6:30pm-7pm, 11pm-11:30pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-California-Report-Magazine-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED The California Report Magazine",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/californiareportmagazine",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 10
},
"link": "/californiareportmagazine",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-california-report-magazine/id1314750545",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vS1FJTkM3NjkwNjk1OTAz",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/564733126/the-california-report-magazine",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/the-california-report-magazine",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/tag/tcrmag/feed/podcast"
}
},
"city-arts": {
"id": "city-arts",
"title": "City Arts & Lectures",
"info": "A one-hour radio program to hear celebrated writers, artists and thinkers address contemporary ideas and values, often discussing the creative process. Please note: tapes or transcripts are not available",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/05/cityartsandlecture-300x300.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.cityarts.net/",
"airtime": "SUN 1pm-2pm, TUE 10pm, WED 1am",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "City Arts & Lectures"
},
"link": "https://www.cityarts.net",
"subscribe": {
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/City-Arts-and-Lectures-p692/",
"rss": "https://www.cityarts.net/feed/"
}
},
"closealltabs": {
"id": "closealltabs",
"title": "Close All Tabs",
"tagline": "Your irreverent guide to the trends redefining our world",
"info": "Close All Tabs breaks down how digital culture shapes our world through thoughtful insights and irreverent humor.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/CAT_2_Tile-scaled.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Close All Tabs",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/closealltabs",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 1
},
"link": "/podcasts/closealltabs",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/close-all-tabs/id214663465",
"rss": "https://feeds.megaphone.fm/KQINC6993880386",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/92d9d4ac-67a3-4eed-b10a-fb45d45b1ef2/close-all-tabs",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/6LAJFHnGK1pYXYzv6SIol6?si=deb0cae19813417c"
}
},
"code-switch-life-kit": {
"id": "code-switch-life-kit",
"title": "Code Switch / Life Kit",
"info": "\u003cem>Code Switch\u003c/em>, which listeners will hear in the first part of the hour, has fearless and much-needed conversations about race. Hosted by journalists of color, the show tackles the subject of race head-on, exploring how it impacts every part of society — from politics and pop culture to history, sports and more.\u003cbr />\u003cbr />\u003cem>Life Kit\u003c/em>, which will be in the second part of the hour, guides you through spaces and feelings no one prepares you for — from finances to mental health, from workplace microaggressions to imposter syndrome, from relationships to parenting. The show features experts with real world experience and shares their knowledge. Because everyone needs a little help being human.\u003cbr />\u003cbr />\u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510312/codeswitch\">\u003cem>Code Switch\u003c/em> offical site and podcast\u003c/a>\u003cbr />\u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/lifekit\">\u003cem>Life Kit\u003c/em> offical site and podcast\u003c/a>\u003cbr />",
"airtime": "SUN 9pm-10pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Code-Switch-Life-Kit-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/code-switch-life-kit",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/1112190608?mt=2&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnByLm9yZy9yc3MvcG9kY2FzdC5waHA_aWQ9NTEwMzEy",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/3bExJ9JQpkwNhoHvaIIuyV",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510312/podcast.xml"
}
},
"commonwealth-club": {
"id": "commonwealth-club",
"title": "Commonwealth Club of California Podcast",
"info": "The Commonwealth Club of California is the nation's oldest and largest public affairs forum. As a non-partisan forum, The Club brings to the public airwaves diverse viewpoints on important topics. The Club's weekly radio broadcast - the oldest in the U.S., dating back to 1924 - is carried across the nation on public radio stations and is now podcasting. Our website archive features audio of our recent programs, as well as selected speeches from our long and distinguished history. This podcast feed is usually updated twice a week and is always un-edited.",
"airtime": "THU 10pm, FRI 1am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Commonwealth-Club-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.commonwealthclub.org/podcasts",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "Commonwealth Club of California"
},
"link": "/radio/program/commonwealth-club",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/commonwealth-club-of-california-podcast/id976334034?mt=2",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5jb21tb253ZWFsdGhjbHViLm9yZy9hdWRpby9wb2RjYXN0L3dlZWtseS54bWw",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Commonwealth-Club-of-California-p1060/"
}
},
"forum": {
"id": "forum",
"title": "Forum",
"tagline": "The conversation starts here",
"info": "KQED’s live call-in program discussing local, state, national and international issues, as well as in-depth interviews.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 9am-11am, 10pm-11pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Forum-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Forum with Mina Kim and Alexis Madrigal",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/forum",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 9
},
"link": "/forum",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kqeds-forum/id73329719",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vS1FJTkM5NTU3MzgxNjMz",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/432307980/forum",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqedfm-kqeds-forum-podcast",
"rss": "https://feeds.megaphone.fm/KQINC9557381633"
}
},
"freakonomics-radio": {
"id": "freakonomics-radio",
"title": "Freakonomics Radio",
"info": "Freakonomics Radio is a one-hour award-winning podcast and public-radio project hosted by Stephen Dubner, with co-author Steve Levitt as a regular guest. It is produced in partnership with WNYC.",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/05/freakonomicsRadio.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "http://freakonomics.com/",
"airtime": "SUN 1am-2am, SAT 3pm-4pm",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "WNYC"
},
"link": "/radio/program/freakonomics-radio",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/4s8b",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/freakonomics-radio/id354668519",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/WNYC-Podcasts/Freakonomics-Radio-p272293/",
"rss": "https://feeds.feedburner.com/freakonomicsradio"
}
},
"fresh-air": {
"id": "fresh-air",
"title": "Fresh Air",
"info": "Hosted by Terry Gross, \u003cem>Fresh Air from WHYY\u003c/em> is the Peabody Award-winning weekday magazine of contemporary arts and issues. One of public radio's most popular programs, Fresh Air features intimate conversations with today's biggest luminaries.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 7pm-8pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Fresh-Air-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/fresh-air/",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/fresh-air",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/4s8b",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=214089682&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Fresh-Air-p17/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/381444908/podcast.xml"
}
},
"here-and-now": {
"id": "here-and-now",
"title": "Here & Now",
"info": "A live production of NPR and WBUR Boston, in collaboration with stations across the country, Here & Now reflects the fluid world of news as it's happening in the middle of the day, with timely, in-depth news, interviews and conversation. Hosted by Robin Young, Jeremy Hobson and Tonya Mosley.",
"airtime": "MON-THU 11am-12pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Here-And-Now-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "http://www.wbur.org/hereandnow",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/here-and-now",
"subsdcribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?mt=2&id=426698661",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Here--Now-p211/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510051/podcast.xml"
}
},
"hidden-brain": {
"id": "hidden-brain",
"title": "Hidden Brain",
"info": "Shankar Vedantam uses science and storytelling to reveal the unconscious patterns that drive human behavior, shape our choices and direct our relationships.",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/05/hiddenbrain.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/series/423302056/hidden-brain",
"airtime": "SUN 7pm-8pm",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "NPR"
},
"link": "/radio/program/hidden-brain",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/hidden-brain/id1028908750?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/Science-Podcasts/Hidden-Brain-p787503/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510308/podcast.xml"
}
},
"how-i-built-this": {
"id": "how-i-built-this",
"title": "How I Built This with Guy Raz",
"info": "Guy Raz dives into the stories behind some of the world's best known companies. How I Built This weaves a narrative journey about innovators, entrepreneurs and idealists—and the movements they built.",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/05/howIBuiltThis.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510313/how-i-built-this",
"airtime": "SUN 7:30pm-8pm",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/how-i-built-this",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/3zxy",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-built-this-with-guy-raz/id1150510297?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/Arts--Culture-Podcasts/How-I-Built-This-p910896/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510313/podcast.xml"
}
},
"hyphenacion": {
"id": "hyphenacion",
"title": "Hyphenación",
"tagline": "Where conversation and cultura meet",
"info": "What kind of no sabo word is Hyphenación? For us, it’s about living within a hyphenation. Like being a third-gen Mexican-American from the Texas border now living that Bay Area Chicano life. Like Xorje! Each week we bring together a couple of hyphenated Latinos to talk all about personal life choices: family, careers, relationships, belonging … everything is on the table. ",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Hyphenacion_FinalAssets_PodcastTile.png",
"imageAlt": "KQED Hyphenación",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/hyphenacion",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 15
},
"link": "/podcasts/hyphenacion",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hyphenaci%C3%B3n/id1191591838",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/2p3Fifq96nw9BPcmFdIq0o?si=39209f7b25774f38",
"youtube": "https://www.youtube.com/c/kqedarts",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/6c3dd23c-93fb-4aab-97ba-1725fa6315f1/hyphenaci%C3%B3n",
"rss": "https://feeds.megaphone.fm/KQINC2275451163"
}
},
"jerrybrown": {
"id": "jerrybrown",
"title": "The Political Mind of Jerry Brown",
"tagline": "Lessons from a lifetime in politics",
"info": "The Political Mind of Jerry Brown brings listeners the wisdom of the former Governor, Mayor, and presidential candidate. Scott Shafer interviewed Brown for more than 40 hours, covering the former governor's life and half-century in the political game – and Brown has some lessons he'd like to share. ",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Political-Mind-of-Jerry-Brown-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED The Political Mind of Jerry Brown",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/jerrybrown",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 18
},
"link": "/podcasts/jerrybrown",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/790253322/the-political-mind-of-jerry-brown",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id1492194549",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/series/jerrybrown/feed/podcast/",
"tuneIn": "http://tun.in/pjGcK",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/the-political-mind-of-jerry-brown",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/54C1dmuyFyKMFttY6X2j6r?si=K8SgRCoISNK6ZbjpXrX5-w",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/44420f75-3b0e-4301-ab3b-16da6b09e543/the-political-mind-of-jerry-brown"
}
},
"latino-usa": {
"id": "latino-usa",
"title": "Latino USA",
"airtime": "MON 1am-2am, SUN 6pm-7pm",
"info": "Latino USA, the radio journal of news and culture, is the only national, English-language radio program produced from a Latino perspective.",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/latinoUsa.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "http://latinousa.org/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/latino-usa",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/xtTd",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=79681317&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Latino-USA-p621/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510016/podcast.xml"
}
},
"marketplace": {
"id": "marketplace",
"title": "Marketplace",
"info": "Our flagship program, helmed by Kai Ryssdal, examines what the day in money delivered, through stories, conversations, newsworthy numbers and more. Updated Monday through Friday at about 3:30 p.m. PT.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 4pm-4:30pm, MON-WED 6:30pm-7pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Marketplace-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.marketplace.org/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "American Public Media"
},
"link": "/radio/program/marketplace",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=201853034&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/APM-Marketplace-p88/",
"rss": "https://feeds.publicradio.org/public_feeds/marketplace-pm/rss/rss"
}
},
"masters-of-scale": {
"id": "masters-of-scale",
"title": "Masters of Scale",
"info": "Masters of Scale is an original podcast in which LinkedIn co-founder and Greylock Partner Reid Hoffman sets out to describe and prove theories that explain how great entrepreneurs take their companies from zero to a gazillion in ingenious fashion.",
"airtime": "Every other Wednesday June 12 through October 16 at 8pm (repeats Thursdays at 2am)",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Masters-of-Scale-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://mastersofscale.com/",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "WaitWhat"
},
"link": "/radio/program/masters-of-scale",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "http://mastersofscale.app.link/",
"rss": "https://rss.art19.com/masters-of-scale"
}
},
"mindshift": {
"id": "mindshift",
"title": "MindShift",
"tagline": "A podcast about the future of learning and how we raise our kids",
"info": "The MindShift podcast explores the innovations in education that are shaping how kids learn. Hosts Ki Sung and Katrina Schwartz introduce listeners to educators, researchers, parents and students who are developing effective ways to improve how kids learn. We cover topics like how fed-up administrators are developing surprising tactics to deal with classroom disruptions; how listening to podcasts are helping kids develop reading skills; the consequences of overparenting; and why interdisciplinary learning can engage students on all ends of the traditional achievement spectrum. This podcast is part of the MindShift education site, a division of KQED News. KQED is an NPR/PBS member station based in San Francisco. You can also visit the MindShift website for episodes and supplemental blog posts or tweet us \u003ca href=\"https://twitter.com/MindShiftKQED\">@MindShiftKQED\u003c/a> or visit us at \u003ca href=\"/mindshift\">MindShift.KQED.org\u003c/a>",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Mindshift-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED MindShift: How We Will Learn",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/mindshift/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 12
},
"link": "/podcasts/mindshift",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mindshift-podcast/id1078765985",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vS1FJTkM1NzY0NjAwNDI5",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/464615685/mind-shift-podcast",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/stories-teachers-share",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/0MxSpNYZKNprFLCl7eEtyx"
}
},
"morning-edition": {
"id": "morning-edition",
"title": "Morning Edition",
"info": "\u003cem>Morning Edition\u003c/em> takes listeners around the country and the world with multi-faceted stories and commentaries every weekday. Hosts Steve Inskeep, David Greene and Rachel Martin bring you the latest breaking news and features to prepare you for the day.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 3am-9am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Morning-Edition-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/morning-edition/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/morning-edition"
},
"onourwatch": {
"id": "onourwatch",
"title": "On Our Watch",
"tagline": "Deeply-reported investigative journalism",
"info": "For decades, the process for how police police themselves has been inconsistent – if not opaque. In some states, like California, these proceedings were completely hidden. After a new police transparency law unsealed scores of internal affairs files, our reporters set out to examine these cases and the shadow world of police discipline. On Our Watch brings listeners into the rooms where officers are questioned and witnesses are interrogated to find out who this system is really protecting. Is it the officers, or the public they've sworn to serve?",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/On-Our-Watch-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "On Our Watch from NPR and KQED",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/onourwatch",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 11
},
"link": "/podcasts/onourwatch",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1567098962",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5ucHIub3JnLzUxMDM2MC9wb2RjYXN0LnhtbD9zYz1nb29nbGVwb2RjYXN0cw",
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/onourwatch",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/0OLWoyizopu6tY1XiuX70x",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/On-Our-Watch-p1436229/",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/show/on-our-watch",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510360/podcast.xml"
}
},
"on-the-media": {
"id": "on-the-media",
"title": "On The Media",
"info": "Our weekly podcast explores how the media 'sausage' is made, casts an incisive eye on fluctuations in the marketplace of ideas, and examines threats to the freedom of information and expression in America and abroad. For one hour a week, the show tries to lift the veil from the process of \"making media,\" especially news media, because it's through that lens that we see the world and the world sees us",
"airtime": "SUN 2pm-3pm, MON 12am-1am",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/onTheMedia.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.wnycstudios.org/shows/otm",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "wnyc"
},
"link": "/radio/program/on-the-media",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/on-the-media/id73330715?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/On-the-Media-p69/",
"rss": "http://feeds.wnyc.org/onthemedia"
}
},
"pbs-newshour": {
"id": "pbs-newshour",
"title": "PBS NewsHour",
"info": "Analysis, background reports and updates from the PBS NewsHour putting today's news in context.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 3pm-4pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PBS-News-Hour-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.pbs.org/newshour/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "pbs"
},
"link": "/radio/program/pbs-newshour",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/pbs-newshour-full-show/id394432287?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/PBS-NewsHour---Full-Show-p425698/",
"rss": "https://www.pbs.org/newshour/feeds/rss/podcasts/show"
}
},
"perspectives": {
"id": "perspectives",
"title": "Perspectives",
"tagline": "KQED's series of daily listener commentaries since 1991",
"info": "KQED's series of daily listener commentaries since 1991.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Perspectives_Tile_Final.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Perspectives",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/perspectives/",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 14
},
"link": "/perspectives",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id73801135",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/432309616/perspectives",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/perspectives/category/perspectives/feed/",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93dzIua3FlZC5vcmcvcGVyc3BlY3RpdmVzL2NhdGVnb3J5L3BlcnNwZWN0aXZlcy9mZWVkLw"
}
},
"planet-money": {
"id": "planet-money",
"title": "Planet Money",
"info": "The economy explained. Imagine you could call up a friend and say, Meet me at the bar and tell me what's going on with the economy. Now imagine that's actually a fun evening.",
"airtime": "SUN 3pm-4pm",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/planetmoney.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/sections/money/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/planet-money",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/M4f5",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/planet-money/id290783428?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/Business--Economics-Podcasts/Planet-Money-p164680/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510289/podcast.xml"
}
},
"politicalbreakdown": {
"id": "politicalbreakdown",
"title": "Political Breakdown",
"tagline": "Politics from a personal perspective",
"info": "Political Breakdown is a new series that explores the political intersection of California and the nation. Each week hosts Scott Shafer and Marisa Lagos are joined with a new special guest to unpack politics -- with personality — and offer an insider’s glimpse at how politics happens.",
"airtime": "THU 6:30pm-7pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Political-Breakdown-2024-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Political Breakdown",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/politicalbreakdown",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 5
},
"link": "/podcasts/politicalbreakdown",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/political-breakdown/id1327641087",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/e0c2d153-ad36-4c8d-901d-f1da6a724824/political-breakdown",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/572155894/political-breakdown",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/political-breakdown",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/07RVyIjIdk2WDuVehvBMoN",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/tag/political-breakdown/feed/podcast"
}
},
"possible": {
"id": "possible",
"title": "Possible",
"info": "Possible is hosted by entrepreneur Reid Hoffman and writer Aria Finger. Together in Possible, Hoffman and Finger lead enlightening discussions about building a brighter collective future. The show features interviews with visionary guests like Trevor Noah, Sam Altman and Janette Sadik-Khan. Possible paints an optimistic portrait of the world we can create through science, policy, business, art and our shared humanity. It asks: What if everything goes right for once? How can we get there? Each episode also includes a short fiction story generated by advanced AI GPT-4, serving as a thought-provoking springboard to speculate how humanity could leverage technology for good.",
"airtime": "SUN 2pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Possible-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.possible.fm/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "Possible"
},
"link": "/radio/program/possible",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/possible/id1677184070",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/730YpdUSNlMyPQwNnyjp4k"
}
},
"pri-the-world": {
"id": "pri-the-world",
"title": "PRI's The World: Latest Edition",
"info": "Each weekday, host Marco Werman and his team of producers bring you the world's most interesting stories in an hour of radio that reminds us just how small our planet really is.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 2pm-3pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-World-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.pri.org/programs/the-world",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "PRI"
},
"link": "/radio/program/pri-the-world",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/pris-the-world-latest-edition/id278196007?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/News--Politics-Podcasts/PRIs-The-World-p24/",
"rss": "http://feeds.feedburner.com/pri/theworld"
}
},
"radiolab": {
"id": "radiolab",
"title": "Radiolab",
"info": "A two-time Peabody Award-winner, Radiolab is an investigation told through sounds and stories, and centered around one big idea. In the Radiolab world, information sounds like music and science and culture collide. Hosted by Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich, the show is designed for listeners who demand skepticism, but appreciate wonder. WNYC Studios is the producer of other leading podcasts including Freakonomics Radio, Death, Sex & Money, On the Media and many more.",
"airtime": "SUN 12am-1am, SAT 2pm-3pm",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/radiolab1400.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.wnycstudios.org/shows/radiolab/",
"meta": {
"site": "science",
"source": "WNYC"
},
"link": "/radio/program/radiolab",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/radiolab/id152249110?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/RadioLab-p68032/",
"rss": "https://feeds.wnyc.org/radiolab"
}
},
"reveal": {
"id": "reveal",
"title": "Reveal",
"info": "Created by The Center for Investigative Reporting and PRX, Reveal is public radios first one-hour weekly radio show and podcast dedicated to investigative reporting. Credible, fact based and without a partisan agenda, Reveal combines the power and artistry of driveway moment storytelling with data-rich reporting on critically important issues. The result is stories that inform and inspire, arming our listeners with information to right injustices, hold the powerful accountable and improve lives.Reveal is hosted by Al Letson and showcases the award-winning work of CIR and newsrooms large and small across the nation. In a radio and podcast market crowded with choices, Reveal focuses on important and often surprising stories that illuminate the world for our listeners.",
"airtime": "SAT 4pm-5pm",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/reveal300px.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.revealnews.org/episodes/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/reveal",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/reveal/id886009669",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Reveal-p679597/",
"rss": "http://feeds.revealradio.org/revealpodcast"
}
},
"rightnowish": {
"id": "rightnowish",
"title": "Rightnowish",
"tagline": "Art is where you find it",
"info": "Rightnowish digs into life in the Bay Area right now… ish. Journalist Pendarvis Harshaw takes us to galleries painted on the sides of liquor stores in West Oakland. We'll dance in warehouses in the Bayview, make smoothies with kids in South Berkeley, and listen to classical music in a 1984 Cutlass Supreme in Richmond. Every week, Pen talks to movers and shakers about how the Bay Area shapes what they create, and how they shape the place we call home.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Rightnowish-Podcast-Tile-500x500-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Rightnowish with Pendarvis Harshaw",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/rightnowish",
"meta": {
"site": "arts",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 16
},
"link": "/podcasts/rightnowish",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/721590300/rightnowish",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/arts/programs/rightnowish/feed/podcast",
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rightnowish/id1482187648",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/rightnowish",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vS1FJTkMxMjU5MTY3NDc4",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/7kEJuafTzTVan7B78ttz1I"
}
},
"science-friday": {
"id": "science-friday",
"title": "Science Friday",
"info": "Science Friday is a weekly science talk show, broadcast live over public radio stations nationwide. Each week, the show focuses on science topics that are in the news and tries to bring an educated, balanced discussion to bear on the scientific issues at hand. Panels of expert guests join host Ira Flatow, a veteran science journalist, to discuss science and to take questions from listeners during the call-in portion of the program.",
"airtime": "FRI 11am-1pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Science-Friday-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.wnycstudios.org/shows/science-friday",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/science-friday",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=73329284&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Science-Friday-p394/",
"rss": "http://feeds.wnyc.org/science-friday"
}
},
"snap-judgment": {
"id": "snap-judgment",
"title": "Snap Judgment",
"tagline": "Real stories with killer beats",
"info": "The Snap Judgment radio show and podcast mixes real stories with killer beats to produce cinematic, dramatic radio. Snap's musical brand of storytelling dares listeners to see the world through the eyes of another. This is storytelling... with a BEAT!! Snap first aired on public radio stations nationwide in July 2010. Today, Snap Judgment airs on over 450 public radio stations and is brought to the airwaves by KQED & PRX.",
"airtime": "SAT 1pm-2pm, 9pm-10pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Snap-Judgment-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Snap Judgment",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://snapjudgment.org",
"meta": {
"site": "arts",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 4
},
"link": "https://snapjudgment.org",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/snap-judgment/id283657561",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/449018144/snap-judgment",
"stitcher": "https://www.pandora.com/podcast/snap-judgment/PC:241?source=stitcher-sunset",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/3Cct7ZWmxHNAtLgBTqjC5v",
"rss": "https://snap.feed.snapjudgment.org/"
}
},
"soldout": {
"id": "soldout",
"title": "SOLD OUT: Rethinking Housing in America",
"tagline": "A new future for housing",
"info": "Sold Out: Rethinking Housing in America",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Sold-Out-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Sold Out: Rethinking Housing in America",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/soldout",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 13
},
"link": "/podcasts/soldout",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/911586047/s-o-l-d-o-u-t-a-new-future-for-housing",
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/introducing-sold-out-rethinking-housing-in-america/id1531354937",
"rss": "https://feeds.megaphone.fm/soldout",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/38dTBSk2ISFoPiyYNoKn1X",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/sold-out-rethinking-housing-in-america",
"tunein": "https://tunein.com/radio/SOLD-OUT-Rethinking-Housing-in-America-p1365871/"
}
},
"spooked": {
"id": "spooked",
"title": "Spooked",
"tagline": "True-life supernatural stories",
"info": "",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Spooked-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Spooked",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://spookedpodcast.org/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 7
},
"link": "https://spookedpodcast.org/",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spooked/id1279361017",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/549547848/snap-judgment-presents-spooked",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/76571Rfl3m7PLJQZKQIGCT",
"rss": "https://feeds.simplecast.com/TBotaapn"
}
},
"tech-nation": {
"id": "tech-nation",
"title": "Tech Nation Radio Podcast",
"info": "Tech Nation is a weekly public radio program, hosted by Dr. Moira Gunn. Founded in 1993, it has grown from a simple interview show to a multi-faceted production, featuring conversations with noted technology and science leaders, and a weekly science and technology-related commentary.",
"airtime": "FRI 10pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Tech-Nation-Radio-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "http://technation.podomatic.com/",
"meta": {
"site": "science",
"source": "Tech Nation Media"
},
"link": "/radio/program/tech-nation",
"subscribe": {
"rss": "https://technation.podomatic.com/rss2.xml"
}
},
"ted-radio-hour": {
"id": "ted-radio-hour",
"title": "TED Radio Hour",
"info": "The TED Radio Hour is a journey through fascinating ideas, astonishing inventions, fresh approaches to old problems, and new ways to think and create.",
"airtime": "SUN 3pm-4pm, SAT 10pm-11pm",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/tedRadioHour.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/ted-radio-hour/?showDate=2018-06-22",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/ted-radio-hour",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/8vsS",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=523121474&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/TED-Radio-Hour-p418021/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510298/podcast.xml"
}
},
"thebay": {
"id": "thebay",
"title": "The Bay",
"tagline": "Local news to keep you rooted",
"info": "Host Devin Katayama walks you through the biggest story of the day with reporters and newsmakers.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Bay-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED The Bay",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/thebay",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 2
},
"link": "/podcasts/thebay",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bay/id1350043452",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d800ea4c-7a2c-42f2-b861-edaf78a5db0b/the-bay",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/586725995/the-bay",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/the-bay",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/4BIKBKIujizLHlIlBNaAqQ",
"rss": "https://feeds.megaphone.fm/KQINC8259786327"
}
},
"thelatest": {
"id": "thelatest",
"title": "The Latest",
"tagline": "Trusted local news in real time",
"info": "",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/The-Latest-2025-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED The Latest",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/thelatest",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 6
},
"link": "/thelatest",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-latest-from-kqed/id1197721799",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/1257949365/the-latest-from-k-q-e-d",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/5KIIXMgM9GTi5AepwOYvIZ?si=bd3053fec7244dba",
"rss": "https://feeds.megaphone.fm/KQINC9137121918"
}
},
"theleap": {
"id": "theleap",
"title": "The Leap",
"tagline": "What if you closed your eyes, and jumped?",
"info": "Stories about people making dramatic, risky changes, told by award-winning public radio reporter Judy Campbell.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Leap-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED The Leap",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/theleap",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 17
},
"link": "/podcasts/theleap",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-leap/id1046668171",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/447248267/the-leap",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/the-leap",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/3sSlVHHzU0ytLwuGs1SD1U",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/programs/the-leap/feed/podcast"
}
},
"the-moth-radio-hour": {
"id": "the-moth-radio-hour",
"title": "The Moth Radio Hour",
"info": "Since its launch in 1997, The Moth has presented thousands of true stories, told live and without notes, to standing-room-only crowds worldwide. Moth storytellers stand alone, under a spotlight, with only a microphone and a roomful of strangers. The storyteller and the audience embark on a high-wire act of shared experience which is both terrifying and exhilarating. Since 2008, The Moth podcast has featured many of our favorite stories told live on Moth stages around the country. For information on all of our programs and live events, visit themoth.org.",
"airtime": "SAT 8pm-9pm and SUN 11am-12pm",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/theMoth.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://themoth.org/",
"meta": {
"site": "arts",
"source": "prx"
},
"link": "/radio/program/the-moth-radio-hour",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-moth-podcast/id275699983?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/The-Moth-p273888/",
"rss": "http://feeds.themoth.org/themothpodcast"
}
},
"the-new-yorker-radio-hour": {
"id": "the-new-yorker-radio-hour",
"title": "The New Yorker Radio Hour",
"info": "The New Yorker Radio Hour is a weekly program presented by the magazine's editor, David Remnick, and produced by WNYC Studios and The New Yorker. Each episode features a diverse mix of interviews, profiles, storytelling, and an occasional burst of humor inspired by the magazine, and shaped by its writers, artists, and editors. This isn't a radio version of a magazine, but something all its own, reflecting the rich possibilities of audio storytelling and conversation. Theme music for the show was composed and performed by Merrill Garbus of tUnE-YArDs.",
"airtime": "SAT 10am-11am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-New-Yorker-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.wnycstudios.org/shows/tnyradiohour",
"meta": {
"site": "arts",
"source": "WNYC"
},
"link": "/radio/program/the-new-yorker-radio-hour",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id1050430296",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/WNYC-Podcasts/New-Yorker-Radio-Hour-p803804/",
"rss": "https://feeds.feedburner.com/newyorkerradiohour"
}
},
"the-sam-sanders-show": {
"id": "the-sam-sanders-show",
"title": "The Sam Sanders Show",
"info": "One of public radio's most dynamic voices, Sam Sanders helped launch The NPR Politics Podcast and hosted NPR's hit show It's Been A Minute. Now, the award-winning host returns with something brand new, The Sam Sanders Show. Every week, Sam Sanders and friends dig into the culture that shapes our lives: what's driving the biggest trends, how artists really think, and even the memes you can't stop scrolling past. Sam is beloved for his way of unpacking the world and bringing you up close to fresh currents and engaging conversations. The Sam Sanders Show is smart, funny and always a good time.",
"airtime": "FRI 12-1pm AND SAT 11am-12pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/The-Sam-Sanders-Show-Podcast-Tile-400x400-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.kcrw.com/shows/the-sam-sanders-show/latest",
"meta": {
"site": "arts",
"source": "KCRW"
},
"link": "https://www.kcrw.com/shows/the-sam-sanders-show/latest",
"subscribe": {
"rss": "https://feed.cdnstream1.com/zjb/feed/download/ac/28/59/ac28594c-e1d0-4231-8728-61865cdc80e8.xml"
}
},
"the-splendid-table": {
"id": "the-splendid-table",
"title": "The Splendid Table",
"info": "\u003cem>The Splendid Table\u003c/em> hosts our nation's conversations about cooking, sustainability and food culture.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Splendid-Table-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.splendidtable.org/",
"airtime": "SUN 10-11 pm",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/the-splendid-table"
},
"this-american-life": {
"id": "this-american-life",
"title": "This American Life",
"info": "This American Life is a weekly public radio show, heard by 2.2 million people on more than 500 stations. Another 2.5 million people download the weekly podcast. It is hosted by Ira Glass, produced in collaboration with Chicago Public Media, delivered to stations by PRX The Public Radio Exchange, and has won all of the major broadcasting awards.",
"airtime": "SAT 12pm-1pm, 7pm-8pm",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/thisAmericanLife.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.thisamericanlife.org/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "wbez"
},
"link": "/radio/program/this-american-life",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=201671138&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"rss": "https://www.thisamericanlife.org/podcast/rss.xml"
}
},
"tinydeskradio": {
"id": "tinydeskradio",
"title": "Tiny Desk Radio",
"info": "We're bringing the best of Tiny Desk to the airwaves, only on public radio.",
"airtime": "SUN 8pm and SAT 9pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/300x300-For-Member-Station-Logo-Tiny-Desk-Radio-@2x.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/series/g-s1-52030/tiny-desk-radio",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/tinydeskradio",
"subscribe": {
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/g-s1-52030/rss.xml"
}
},
"wait-wait-dont-tell-me": {
"id": "wait-wait-dont-tell-me",
"title": "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!",
"info": "Peter Sagal and Bill Kurtis host the weekly NPR News quiz show alongside some of the best and brightest news and entertainment personalities.",
"airtime": "SUN 10am-11am, SAT 11am-12pm, SAT 6pm-7pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Wait-Wait-Podcast-Tile-300x300-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/wait-wait-dont-tell-me/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/wait-wait-dont-tell-me",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/Xogv",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=121493804&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Wait-Wait-Dont-Tell-Me-p46/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/344098539/podcast.xml"
}
},
"weekend-edition-saturday": {
"id": "weekend-edition-saturday",
"title": "Weekend Edition Saturday",
"info": "Weekend Edition Saturday wraps up the week's news and offers a mix of analysis and features on a wide range of topics, including arts, sports, entertainment, and human interest stories. The two-hour program is hosted by NPR's Peabody Award-winning Scott Simon.",
"airtime": "SAT 5am-10am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Weekend-Edition-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/weekend-edition-saturday/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/weekend-edition-saturday"
},
"weekend-edition-sunday": {
"id": "weekend-edition-sunday",
"title": "Weekend Edition Sunday",
"info": "Weekend Edition Sunday features interviews with newsmakers, artists, scientists, politicians, musicians, writers, theologians and historians. The program has covered news events from Nelson Mandela's 1990 release from a South African prison to the capture of Saddam Hussein.",
"airtime": "SUN 5am-10am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Weekend-Edition-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/weekend-edition-sunday/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/weekend-edition-sunday"
}
},
"racesReducer": {},
"racesGenElectionReducer": {},
"radioSchedulesReducer": {},
"listsReducer": {
"posts/news?tag=national-parks": {
"isFetching": false,
"latestQuery": {
"from": 0,
"postsToRender": 9
},
"tag": null,
"vitalsOnly": true,
"totalRequested": 9,
"isLoading": false,
"isLoadingMore": true,
"total": {
"value": 77,
"relation": "eq"
},
"items": [
"news_12082396",
"news_12047124",
"news_12078183",
"news_12046806",
"news_12074364",
"news_12073343",
"news_12070184",
"news_12069155",
"news_12065737"
]
}
},
"recallGuideReducer": {
"intros": {},
"policy": {},
"candidates": {}
},
"savedArticleReducer": {
"articles": [],
"status": {}
},
"pfsSessionReducer": {},
"subscriptionsReducer": {},
"termsReducer": {
"about": {
"name": "About",
"type": "terms",
"id": "about",
"slug": "about",
"link": "/about",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"arts": {
"name": "Arts & Culture",
"grouping": [
"arts",
"pop",
"trulyca"
],
"description": "KQED Arts provides daily in-depth coverage of the Bay Area's music, art, film, performing arts, literature and arts news, as well as cultural commentary and criticism.",
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts",
"slug": "arts",
"link": "/arts",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"artschool": {
"name": "Art School",
"parent": "arts",
"type": "terms",
"id": "artschool",
"slug": "artschool",
"link": "/artschool",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"bayareabites": {
"name": "KQED food",
"grouping": [
"food",
"bayareabites",
"checkplease"
],
"parent": "food",
"type": "terms",
"id": "bayareabites",
"slug": "bayareabites",
"link": "/food",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"bayareahiphop": {
"name": "Bay Area Hiphop",
"type": "terms",
"id": "bayareahiphop",
"slug": "bayareahiphop",
"link": "/bayareahiphop",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"campaign21": {
"name": "Campaign 21",
"type": "terms",
"id": "campaign21",
"slug": "campaign21",
"link": "/campaign21",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"checkplease": {
"name": "KQED food",
"grouping": [
"food",
"bayareabites",
"checkplease"
],
"parent": "food",
"type": "terms",
"id": "checkplease",
"slug": "checkplease",
"link": "/food",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"education": {
"name": "Education",
"grouping": [
"education"
],
"type": "terms",
"id": "education",
"slug": "education",
"link": "/education",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"elections": {
"name": "Elections",
"type": "terms",
"id": "elections",
"slug": "elections",
"link": "/elections",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"events": {
"name": "Events",
"type": "terms",
"id": "events",
"slug": "events",
"link": "/events",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"event": {
"name": "Event",
"alias": "events",
"type": "terms",
"id": "event",
"slug": "event",
"link": "/event",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"filmschoolshorts": {
"name": "Film School Shorts",
"type": "terms",
"id": "filmschoolshorts",
"slug": "filmschoolshorts",
"link": "/filmschoolshorts",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"food": {
"name": "KQED food",
"grouping": [
"food",
"bayareabites",
"checkplease"
],
"type": "terms",
"id": "food",
"slug": "food",
"link": "/food",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"forum": {
"name": "Forum",
"relatedContentQuery": "posts/forum?",
"parent": "news",
"type": "terms",
"id": "forum",
"slug": "forum",
"link": "/forum",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"futureofyou": {
"name": "Future of You",
"grouping": [
"science",
"futureofyou"
],
"parent": "science",
"type": "terms",
"id": "futureofyou",
"slug": "futureofyou",
"link": "/futureofyou",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"jpepinheart": {
"name": "KQED food",
"relatedContentQuery": "posts/food,bayareabites,checkplease",
"parent": "food",
"type": "terms",
"id": "jpepinheart",
"slug": "jpepinheart",
"link": "/food",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"liveblog": {
"name": "Live Blog",
"type": "terms",
"id": "liveblog",
"slug": "liveblog",
"link": "/liveblog",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"livetv": {
"name": "Live TV",
"parent": "tv",
"type": "terms",
"id": "livetv",
"slug": "livetv",
"link": "/livetv",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"lowdown": {
"name": "The Lowdown",
"relatedContentQuery": "posts/lowdown?",
"parent": "news",
"type": "terms",
"id": "lowdown",
"slug": "lowdown",
"link": "/lowdown",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"mindshift": {
"name": "Mindshift",
"parent": "news",
"description": "MindShift explores the future of education by highlighting the innovative – and sometimes counterintuitive – ways educators and parents are helping all children succeed.",
"type": "terms",
"id": "mindshift",
"slug": "mindshift",
"link": "/mindshift",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"news": {
"name": "News",
"grouping": [
"news",
"forum"
],
"type": "terms",
"id": "news",
"slug": "news",
"link": "/news",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"perspectives": {
"name": "Perspectives",
"parent": "radio",
"type": "terms",
"id": "perspectives",
"slug": "perspectives",
"link": "/perspectives",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"podcasts": {
"name": "Podcasts",
"type": "terms",
"id": "podcasts",
"slug": "podcasts",
"link": "/podcasts",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"pop": {
"name": "Pop",
"parent": "arts",
"type": "terms",
"id": "pop",
"slug": "pop",
"link": "/pop",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"pressroom": {
"name": "Pressroom",
"type": "terms",
"id": "pressroom",
"slug": "pressroom",
"link": "/pressroom",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"quest": {
"name": "Quest",
"parent": "science",
"type": "terms",
"id": "quest",
"slug": "quest",
"link": "/quest",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"radio": {
"name": "Radio",
"grouping": [
"forum",
"perspectives"
],
"description": "Listen to KQED Public Radio – home of Forum and The California Report – on 88.5 FM in San Francisco, 89.3 FM in Sacramento, 88.3 FM in Santa Rosa and 88.1 FM in Martinez.",
"type": "terms",
"id": "radio",
"slug": "radio",
"link": "/radio",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"root": {
"name": "KQED",
"image": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"imageWidth": 1200,
"imageHeight": 630,
"headData": {
"title": "KQED | News, Radio, Podcasts, TV | Public Media for Northern California",
"description": "KQED provides public radio, television, and independent reporting on issues that matter to the Bay Area. We’re the NPR and PBS member station for Northern California."
},
"type": "terms",
"id": "root",
"slug": "root",
"link": "/root",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"science": {
"name": "Science",
"grouping": [
"science",
"futureofyou"
],
"description": "KQED Science brings you award-winning science and environment coverage from the Bay Area and beyond.",
"type": "terms",
"id": "science",
"slug": "science",
"link": "/science",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"stateofhealth": {
"name": "State of Health",
"parent": "science",
"type": "terms",
"id": "stateofhealth",
"slug": "stateofhealth",
"link": "/stateofhealth",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"support": {
"name": "Support",
"type": "terms",
"id": "support",
"slug": "support",
"link": "/support",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"thedolist": {
"name": "The Do List",
"parent": "arts",
"type": "terms",
"id": "thedolist",
"slug": "thedolist",
"link": "/thedolist",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"trulyca": {
"name": "Truly CA",
"grouping": [
"arts",
"pop",
"trulyca"
],
"parent": "arts",
"type": "terms",
"id": "trulyca",
"slug": "trulyca",
"link": "/trulyca",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"tv": {
"name": "TV",
"type": "terms",
"id": "tv",
"slug": "tv",
"link": "/tv",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"voterguide": {
"name": "Voter Guide",
"parent": "elections",
"alias": "elections",
"type": "terms",
"id": "voterguide",
"slug": "voterguide",
"link": "/voterguide",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"guiaelectoral": {
"name": "Guia Electoral",
"parent": "elections",
"alias": "elections",
"type": "terms",
"id": "guiaelectoral",
"slug": "guiaelectoral",
"link": "/guiaelectoral",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"news_2715": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_2715",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "2715",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "national parks",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "national parks Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null,
"imageData": {
"ogImageSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"width": 1200,
"height": 630
},
"twImageSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png"
},
"twitterCard": "summary_large_image"
}
},
"ttid": 2733,
"slug": "national-parks",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/national-parks"
},
"news_31795": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_31795",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "31795",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "California",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "California Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 31812,
"slug": "california",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/category/california"
},
"news_34168": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_34168",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "34168",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "Guides and Explainers",
"slug": "guides-and-explainers",
"taxonomy": "category",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "Guides and Explainers Archives | KQED News",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null
},
"ttid": 34185,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/category/guides-and-explainers"
},
"news_8": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_8",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "8",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "News",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "News Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 8,
"slug": "news",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/category/news"
},
"news_26598": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_26598",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "26598",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "affordability",
"slug": "affordability",
"taxonomy": "tag",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "affordability | KQED News",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null,
"metaRobotsNoIndex": "noindex"
},
"ttid": 26615,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/affordability"
},
"news_32707": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_32707",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "32707",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "audience-news",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "audience-news Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 32724,
"slug": "audience-news",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/audience-news"
},
"news_1386": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_1386",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "1386",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Bay Area",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Bay Area Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 1398,
"slug": "bay-area",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/bay-area"
},
"news_18538": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_18538",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "18538",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "California",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "California Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 31,
"slug": "california",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/california"
},
"news_24345": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_24345",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "24345",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "California State Parks",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "California State Parks Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 24362,
"slug": "california-state-parks",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/california-state-parks"
},
"news_36350": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_36350",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "36350",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "featured-affordability",
"slug": "featured-affordability",
"taxonomy": "tag",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "featured-affordability | KQED News",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null
},
"ttid": 36367,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/featured-affordability"
},
"news_35888": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_35888",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "35888",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "featured-audience-news",
"slug": "featured-audience-news",
"taxonomy": "tag",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "featured-audience-news | KQED News",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null
},
"ttid": 35905,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/featured-audience-news"
},
"news_27626": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_27626",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "27626",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "featured-news",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "featured-news Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 27643,
"slug": "featured-news",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/featured-news"
},
"news_36379": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_36379",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "36379",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "outdoors",
"slug": "outdoors",
"taxonomy": "tag",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "outdoors | KQED News",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null
},
"ttid": 36396,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/outdoors"
},
"news_1855": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_1855",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "1855",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "travel",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "travel Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 1870,
"slug": "travel",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/travel"
},
"news_33738": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_33738",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "33738",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "California",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "interest",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "California Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 33755,
"slug": "california",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/interest/california"
},
"news_33749": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_33749",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "33749",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Entertainment",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "interest",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Entertainment Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 33766,
"slug": "entertainment",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/interest/entertainment"
},
"news_33733": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_33733",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "33733",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "News",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "interest",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "News Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 33750,
"slug": "news",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/interest/news"
},
"news_19906": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_19906",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "19906",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Environment",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Environment Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 19923,
"slug": "environment",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/category/environment"
},
"news_17925": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_17925",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "17925",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "hiking",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "hiking Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 17959,
"slug": "hiking",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/hiking"
},
"news_20138": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_20138",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "20138",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "holidays",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "holidays Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 20155,
"slug": "holidays",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/holidays"
},
"news_26702": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_26702",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "26702",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "KQED guides",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "KQED guides Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 26719,
"slug": "kqed-guides",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/kqed-guides"
},
"news_2905": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_2905",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "2905",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "parks",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "parks Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 2923,
"slug": "parks",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/parks"
},
"news_2672": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_2672",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "2672",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Photography",
"description": "Witness the Bay Area through captivating images and compelling narratives. Explore the latest visually-driven storytelling by KQED and immerse yourself in the heart of our community.",
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": "Witness the Bay Area through captivating images and compelling narratives. Explore the latest visually-driven storytelling by KQED and immerse yourself in the heart of our community.",
"title": "Photography Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 2689,
"slug": "photography",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/photography"
},
"news_3869": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_3869",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "3869",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Pinnacles National Park",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Pinnacles National Park Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 3888,
"slug": "pinnacles-national-park",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/pinnacles-national-park"
},
"news_34165": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_34165",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "34165",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "Climate",
"slug": "climate",
"taxonomy": "category",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "Climate Archives | KQED News",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null
},
"ttid": 34182,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/category/climate"
},
"news_28250": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_28250",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "28250",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Local",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Local Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 28267,
"slug": "local",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/category/local"
},
"news_34985": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_34985",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "34985",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "coyotes",
"slug": "coyotes",
"taxonomy": "tag",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "coyotes | KQED News",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null
},
"ttid": 35002,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/coyotes"
},
"news_18352": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_18352",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "18352",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "East Bay",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "East Bay Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 18386,
"slug": "east-bay",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/east-bay"
},
"news_6938": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_6938",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "6938",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "East Bay Regional Park District",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "East Bay Regional Park District Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 6962,
"slug": "east-bay-regional-park-district",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/east-bay-regional-park-district"
},
"news_5663": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_5663",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "5663",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Presidio",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Presidio Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 5687,
"slug": "presidio",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/presidio"
},
"news_22456": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_22456",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "22456",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "public safety",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "public safety Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 22473,
"slug": "public-safety",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/public-safety"
},
"news_38": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_38",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "38",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "San Francisco",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "San Francisco Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 58,
"slug": "san-francisco",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/san-francisco"
},
"news_4170": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_4170",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "4170",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "the Presidio",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "the Presidio Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 4189,
"slug": "the-presidio",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/the-presidio"
},
"news_33729": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_33729",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "33729",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "San Francisco",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "interest",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "San Francisco Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 33746,
"slug": "san-francisco",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/interest/san-francisco"
},
"news_35725": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_35725",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "35725",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "National Parks Service",
"slug": "national-parks-service",
"taxonomy": "tag",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "National Parks Service | KQED News",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null
},
"ttid": 35742,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/national-parks-service"
},
"news_17603": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_17603",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "17603",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Yosemite",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Yosemite Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 17637,
"slug": "yosemite",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/yosemite"
},
"news_4746": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_4746",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "4746",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Yosemite National Park",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Yosemite National Park Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 4765,
"slug": "yosemite-national-park",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/yosemite-national-park"
},
"news_28199": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_28199",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "28199",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "featured-science",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "featured-science Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 28216,
"slug": "featured-science",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/featured-science"
},
"news_29828": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_29828",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "29828",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "hikes",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "hikes Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 29845,
"slug": "hikes",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/hikes"
},
"news_3187": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_3187",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "3187",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "science",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "science Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 3205,
"slug": "science-2",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/science-2"
},
"news_13": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_13",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "13",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "Politics",
"slug": "politics",
"taxonomy": "category",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "Politics | KQED News",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null
},
"ttid": 13,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/category/politics"
},
"news_16": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_16",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "16",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Gavin Newsom",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Gavin Newsom Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 16,
"slug": "gavin-newsom",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/gavin-newsom"
},
"news_20755": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_20755",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "20755",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Martin Luther King Jr.",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Martin Luther King Jr. Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 20772,
"slug": "martin-luther-king-jr",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/martin-luther-king-jr"
},
"news_17996": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_17996",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "17996",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "News",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "News Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 18030,
"slug": "news",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/news"
},
"news_33734": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_33734",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "33734",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Local Politics",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "interest",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Local Politics Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 33751,
"slug": "local-politics",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/interest/local-politics"
},
"news_21950": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_21950",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "21950",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "nature",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "nature Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 21967,
"slug": "nature",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/nature"
},
"news_1169": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_1169",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "1169",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Immigration",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Immigration Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 1180,
"slug": "immigration",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/category/immigration"
},
"news_1323": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_1323",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "1323",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Donald Trump",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Donald Trump Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 1335,
"slug": "donald-trump",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/donald-trump"
},
"news_20202": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_20202",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "20202",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "immigration",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "immigration Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 20219,
"slug": "immigration",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/immigration"
},
"news_17968": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_17968",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "17968",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "Politics",
"slug": "politics",
"taxonomy": "tag",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "Politics | KQED News",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null
},
"ttid": 18002,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/politics"
},
"news_33748": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_33748",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "33748",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Immigration",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "interest",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Immigration Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 33765,
"slug": "immigration",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/interest/immigration"
}
},
"userAgentReducer": {
"userAgent": "Mozilla/5.0 AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko; compatible; ClaudeBot/1.0; +claudebot@anthropic.com)",
"isBot": true
},
"userPermissionsReducer": {
"wpLoggedIn": false
},
"localStorageReducer": {},
"browserHistoryReducer": [],
"eventsReducer": {},
"fssReducer": {},
"tvDailyScheduleReducer": {},
"tvWeeklyScheduleReducer": {},
"tvPrimetimeScheduleReducer": {},
"tvMonthlyScheduleReducer": {},
"userAccountReducer": {
"user": {
"email": null,
"emailStatus": "EMAIL_UNVALIDATED",
"loggedStatus": "LOGGED_OUT",
"loggingChecked": false,
"articles": [],
"firstName": null,
"lastName": null,
"phoneNumber": null,
"fetchingMembership": false,
"membershipError": false,
"memberships": [
{
"id": null,
"startDate": null,
"firstName": null,
"lastName": null,
"familyNumber": null,
"memberNumber": null,
"memberSince": null,
"expirationDate": null,
"pfsEligible": false,
"isSustaining": false,
"membershipLevel": "Prospect",
"membershipStatus": "Non Member",
"lastGiftDate": null,
"renewalDate": null,
"lastDonationAmount": null
}
]
},
"authModal": {
"isOpen": false,
"view": "LANDING_VIEW"
},
"error": null
},
"youthMediaReducer": {},
"checkPleaseReducer": {
"filterData": {
"region": {
"key": "Restaurant Region",
"filters": [
"Any Region"
]
},
"cuisine": {
"key": "Restaurant Cuisine",
"filters": [
"Any Cuisine"
]
}
},
"restaurantDataById": {},
"restaurantIdsSorted": [],
"error": null
},
"location": {
"pathname": "/news/tag/national-parks",
"previousPathname": "/"
}
}
