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"title": "Lawsuit Brought by Yosemite Ranger Fired After Hanging a Giant Transgender Flag Is Dismissed",
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"content": "\u003cp>A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit brought by a former Yosemite National Park ranger who was \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12053078/yosemite-biologist-fired-after-hanging-transgender-pride-flag-from-el-capitan\">fired after flying a giant transgender pride flag\u003c/a> from a rock wall that looms over the California park’s main thoroughfare.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>U.S. District Judge Jennifer Thurston found on Friday that Shannon “SJ” Joslin, who identifies as nonbinary and uses the pronoun they, must follow the process set out by the Civil Service Reform Act. Since Joslin was still a probationary employee at the time of their firing last year, that means they must file a complaint with the Office of Special Counsel, which they have done.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Office of Special Counsel denied Joslin’s initial request to put their termination on hold while investigating whether the Park Service broke the law, according to court filings. A final determination is due in August.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Joslin, a biologist who studied bats, said they helped hang a 66-foot wide transgender pride flag on El Capitan for about two hours on May 20, 2025, before taking it down voluntarily. Joslin hung the flag on their day off, not while they were on duty.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>They told The Associated Press last year that hanging the flag was their way of saying, “We’re all safe in national parks.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12074490\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12074490\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/SJ-with-Trans-Flag-in-Background-Photographer-Miya-Tsudome.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/SJ-with-Trans-Flag-in-Background-Photographer-Miya-Tsudome.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/SJ-with-Trans-Flag-in-Background-Photographer-Miya-Tsudome-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/SJ-with-Trans-Flag-in-Background-Photographer-Miya-Tsudome-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">SJ Joslin, Yosemite National Park ranger and biologist, was fired in August after hanging a transgender pride flag on El Capitan. Joslin is now suing the Department of the Interior, alleging First Amendment and Privacy Act violations. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of Miya Tsudome)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Joslin’s termination letter, received in August of 2025, accused them of “failing to demonstrate acceptable conduct” and cited the flag incident. “You participated in a small group demonstration in an area outside the designated protest and demonstration area without a permit … and thus circumvented rules applicable to all park visitors,” the letter stated.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Many parks have designated “First Amendment areas” where groups of 25 or fewer people can protest without permits. Yosemite has several of those areas, including one in Yosemite Valley, where El Capitan is located.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Joslin’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12074453/yosemite-park-ranger-who-was-fired-after-hanging-transgender-flag-files-lawsuit\">lawsuit accuses\u003c/a> the National Park Service, the Department of Interior and other defendants of constitutional violations, including violating Joslin’s right to free speech. It says Joslin’s termination was “vindictive, retaliatory, intended to communicate disapproval of a particular point of view,” according to court filings. While others have flown flags on El Capitan, Joslin says they know of no one else who has been punished for it.[aside postID=news_12086884 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/MariaSuAP1.jpg']In her Friday ruling, Thurston acknowledged that the procedure for challenging a termination set out in federal civil service rules leaves probationary employees like Joslin with very limited recourse when a decision goes against them. But the judge noted that allowing probationary employees to take complaints directly to the courts would give them more options than tenured employees have.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A day after Joslin’s flag display, the park instituted a \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/management/upload/yose-compendium.pdf\">rule prohibiting people from hanging\u003c/a> banners, flags or signs larger than 15 square feet in park areas designated as “wilderness” or “potential wilderness.” That covers 94% of the park, according to Yosemite’s website.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The rule followed another high-profile demonstration from February 2025 when a group of demonstrators hung an upside down American flag on El Capitan to protest the \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/trump-national-park-firings-yosemite-california-yosemite-89cb4ae304446a0de22fbebae05ce057\">firing of National Park Service employees\u003c/a> by President Donald Trump’s administration.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Joslin issued a statement saying they have dedicated their life to caring for Yosemite National Park.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“So it doesn’t matter if it takes months or years to get back to working for Yosemite and the people who want to visit the park, I will fight as long as I have to,” Joslin said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit brought by a former Yosemite National Park ranger who was \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12053078/yosemite-biologist-fired-after-hanging-transgender-pride-flag-from-el-capitan\">fired after flying a giant transgender pride flag\u003c/a> from a rock wall that looms over the California park’s main thoroughfare.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>U.S. District Judge Jennifer Thurston found on Friday that Shannon “SJ” Joslin, who identifies as nonbinary and uses the pronoun they, must follow the process set out by the Civil Service Reform Act. Since Joslin was still a probationary employee at the time of their firing last year, that means they must file a complaint with the Office of Special Counsel, which they have done.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Office of Special Counsel denied Joslin’s initial request to put their termination on hold while investigating whether the Park Service broke the law, according to court filings. A final determination is due in August.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Joslin, a biologist who studied bats, said they helped hang a 66-foot wide transgender pride flag on El Capitan for about two hours on May 20, 2025, before taking it down voluntarily. Joslin hung the flag on their day off, not while they were on duty.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>They told The Associated Press last year that hanging the flag was their way of saying, “We’re all safe in national parks.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12074490\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12074490\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/SJ-with-Trans-Flag-in-Background-Photographer-Miya-Tsudome.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/SJ-with-Trans-Flag-in-Background-Photographer-Miya-Tsudome.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/SJ-with-Trans-Flag-in-Background-Photographer-Miya-Tsudome-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/SJ-with-Trans-Flag-in-Background-Photographer-Miya-Tsudome-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">SJ Joslin, Yosemite National Park ranger and biologist, was fired in August after hanging a transgender pride flag on El Capitan. Joslin is now suing the Department of the Interior, alleging First Amendment and Privacy Act violations. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of Miya Tsudome)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Joslin’s termination letter, received in August of 2025, accused them of “failing to demonstrate acceptable conduct” and cited the flag incident. “You participated in a small group demonstration in an area outside the designated protest and demonstration area without a permit … and thus circumvented rules applicable to all park visitors,” the letter stated.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Many parks have designated “First Amendment areas” where groups of 25 or fewer people can protest without permits. Yosemite has several of those areas, including one in Yosemite Valley, where El Capitan is located.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Joslin’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12074453/yosemite-park-ranger-who-was-fired-after-hanging-transgender-flag-files-lawsuit\">lawsuit accuses\u003c/a> the National Park Service, the Department of Interior and other defendants of constitutional violations, including violating Joslin’s right to free speech. It says Joslin’s termination was “vindictive, retaliatory, intended to communicate disapproval of a particular point of view,” according to court filings. While others have flown flags on El Capitan, Joslin says they know of no one else who has been punished for it.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>In her Friday ruling, Thurston acknowledged that the procedure for challenging a termination set out in federal civil service rules leaves probationary employees like Joslin with very limited recourse when a decision goes against them. But the judge noted that allowing probationary employees to take complaints directly to the courts would give them more options than tenured employees have.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A day after Joslin’s flag display, the park instituted a \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/management/upload/yose-compendium.pdf\">rule prohibiting people from hanging\u003c/a> banners, flags or signs larger than 15 square feet in park areas designated as “wilderness” or “potential wilderness.” That covers 94% of the park, according to Yosemite’s website.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The rule followed another high-profile demonstration from February 2025 when a group of demonstrators hung an upside down American flag on El Capitan to protest the \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/trump-national-park-firings-yosemite-california-yosemite-89cb4ae304446a0de22fbebae05ce057\">firing of National Park Service employees\u003c/a> by President Donald Trump’s administration.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Joslin issued a statement saying they have dedicated their life to caring for Yosemite National Park.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“So it doesn’t matter if it takes months or years to get back to working for Yosemite and the people who want to visit the park, I will fight as long as I have to,” Joslin said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"slug": "yosemite-national-park-visitor-congestion-crowding-camping-reservations-where-to-visit-outside-yosemite-valley-yarts",
"title": "Worried About Yosemite Crowds? The Tips That Could Save Your Summer Trip",
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"headTitle": "Worried About Yosemite Crowds? The Tips That Could Save Your Summer Trip | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cp>If you have a trip to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/yosemite\">Yosemite National Park\u003c/a> planned this year, you might be watching recent headlines about crowding in the park with mounting concern for your own visit.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Yosemite’s summer season is already in full swing, \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjfrmPiWvJ8\">as crowds descended on the popular valley trails\u003c/a> this Memorial Day, with some visitors \u003ca href=\"https://www.reddit.com/r/Yosemite/comments/1tmfn0t/parking_full_at_739am/\">reporting parking lots completely full each weekend morning.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Videos captured by visitors of the popular Mist Trail show \u003ca href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/@trailblazingaby/video/7643941000976616735\">shoulder-to-shoulder lines\u003c/a> to see the park’s famous waterfalls at peak flow during the springtime. Other videos showed\u003ca href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/@ramireztreeservice512/video/7643256604854340877\"> long lines at park entrance gates\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Some advocacy groups, including the \u003ca href=\"https://protectnps.org/2026/05/26/national-parks-face-a-strained-summer-as-staffing-shortages-deepen/\">Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks\u003c/a>, blame the overcrowding on the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12074364/yosemite-national-park-no-reservations-2026-glacier-arches-timed-entry\">park’s decision to end its vehicle reservation system\u003c/a> this year — and continue to raise concerns about seasonal and full-time \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12066741/a-morale-bomb-national-park-workers-face-wage-cuts-and-dubiously-legal-review-system\">staffing at parks\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In response, a spokesperson from the National Park Service told KQED that high visitation and traffic delays during holiday weekends like Memorial Day are common and “not evidence of operational failure.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Instead, “they reflect the reality of managing one of the nation’s most-visited national parks during peak demand,” the spokesperson said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12074513\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12074513\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/YosemiteGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/YosemiteGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/YosemiteGetty-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/YosemiteGetty-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 Yosemite National Park, California. \u003ccite>(Apu Gomes/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>If Memorial Day is an indication of what’s to come, visitors to Yosemite over the next few months should expect similar wait times and crowds during peak days and times all summer long.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But if \u003cem>you \u003c/em>already have a Yosemite trip planned, luckily there are things you can do to — hopefully — make your visit as stress-free as possible.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>We talked to the experts for their tips on visiting Yosemite this summer, and the ways you can try to avoid the now-inevitable crowds.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"#Gobybus\"> Go by bus\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"#Packyourownfood\"> Pack your own food\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"#Bringabike\"> Bring a bike\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>Consider your trip timing — and which entrance to use\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The key thing for any visitor planning on heading to Yosemite this summer is to be \u003cem>prepared \u003c/em>for the crowds, said Cory Goehring, a senior naturalist with the Yosemite Conservancy, the nonprofit organization that partners with the park on conservation and programs for visitors.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Being prepared means expecting delays and full parking lots at the park’s main attractions in Yosemite Valley, the iconic loop containing some of the park’s most famous landmarks like El Capitan, as well as hotels and visitor centers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12060163\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12060163\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/YosemiteGetty3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/YosemiteGetty3.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/YosemiteGetty3-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/YosemiteGetty3-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Views over the Yosemite Valley floor at sunset. \u003ccite>(Matthew Micah Wright/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Haven’t actually planned your Yosemite trip yet? Try to pick off-peak times to visit, like mid-week when crowds will be significantly more scarce.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Goehring said his typical advice is to arrive early to beat the crowds, but he said so far this year, “we are starting to see lines start to form at 7 a.m.,” he said. “So people are hearing that advice and taking it.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>These days, he tells visitors to check their traffic and map apps to see how long the delay at the entry gate might be.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can also try entering the park via a less-popular entrance, like Big Oak Flat, Hetch Hetchy or via Tioga Pass. But be aware: These entrances are multiple hours from one another and from Yosemite Valley, so be sure to double-check your destination and accommodation before taking the long way around.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Look beyond Yosemite Valley\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Being realistic about visitor levels this summer means “it’s a good time to have a plan B,” Goehring said — and to be ready to explore further afield than the common tourist track.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I know that everyone wants to come to Yosemite Valley,” he said. “But there’s still magic to be had outside of Yosemite Valley if you need to pivot because of the parking lots filling.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The park is a huge 1,200 square miles, and you should take advantage of it, Goehring said. Attractions in the valley like Half Dome or El Cap will be slammed with visitors, so consider checking out less-trafficked — but often equally beautiful —areas like \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hh.htm\">Hetch Hetchy\u003c/a> or \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/nature/tuolumne.htm\">Tuolumne Meadows\u003c/a> instead.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12086278\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1980px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12086278\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GettyImages-1350909997.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1980\" height=\"1343\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GettyImages-1350909997.jpg 1980w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GettyImages-1350909997-160x109.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GettyImages-1350909997-1536x1042.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1980px) 100vw, 1980px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The “Gateway” sign at Camp Mather points to the road to Hetch Hetchy reservoir on Oct. 28, 2021, in Yosemite National Park, California. \u003ccite>(George Rose/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>And while, yes, the valley offers some of the park’s most stunning views, you should know: many of its trails are actually extremely steep and just as crowded.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Over the Memorial Day weekend, \u003ca href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/@trailblazingaby/video/7643941000976616735\">the popular Mist Trail in particular\u003c/a> saw a major traffic jam as visitors packed the popular day hike, which takes hikers up steep stone steps to views of Vernal and Nevada Falls.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Outside of the valley, Goehring suggested less crowded alternatives for hikes like:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/lyell-canyon--3\">Lyell Canyon\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/may-lake--7\">May Lake\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.yosemitehikes.com/glacier-point-road/mcgurk-meadow/mcgurk-meadow.htm\">McGurk Meadow\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Goehring also recommended finding \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/glacierhikes.htm\">day hikes off the Glacier Point Road like the Ostrander Trail\u003c/a>, which take hikers off the beaten path and deeper into the wild parts of the park.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“You can get some really nice, peaceful wilderness experiences by going on day hikes on some of those trails,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"Gobybus\">\u003c/a>Leave your car behind\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you don’t have a car — or just don’t want to brave the difficult parking situation inside the park — \u003ca href=\"https://www.yarts.com/\">you can take public transportation via YARTS\u003c/a> into Yosemite and take advantage of the many shuttle services once inside the park.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Mary-Michal Rawlings, public affairs manager for YARTS, said with Yosemite “such an iconic, pristine environment … we want to do our part to preserve it by keeping as many cars off the road as possible.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The park is just inundated with cars,” she said. “People aren’t parking appropriately, there are no parking spaces, and so obviously a big benefit to riding YARTS this year is that you don’t have to worry about that.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12086279\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1980px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12086279\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GettyImages-2276435266.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1980\" height=\"1320\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GettyImages-2276435266.jpg 1980w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GettyImages-2276435266-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GettyImages-2276435266-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1980px) 100vw, 1980px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">People ride the shuttle in Yosemite National Park on Saturday, May 16, 2026 in Yosemite, California. The National Park Service announced it will be doing away with summer reservation requirements at several popular parks, including Yosemite, leading to a surge in crowds. \u003ccite>(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>As well as knowing you’re choosing a more environmentally conscious option for getting into and around Yosemite, using public transit like this also “just takes that stress of the trip away,” Rawlings said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>During the summer, YARTS has four lines that take riders into the park from all four of its entrances, both east and west of the Sierra Nevada.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>There are stops at other iconic destinations and gateway towns along the way, like in June Lake and Lee Vining on the east side and Wawona and Mariposa to the west.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re coming from the Merced area, \u003ca href=\"https://www.yarts.com/plan-your-trip/how-to-ride/\">YARTS offers free extended parking\u003c/a> at several locations in the city. There are also free Park & Ride facilities in Mariposa and Midpines.[aside postID=news_12047124 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Sonora-Pass-3-1-scaled.jpg']Or, if you’re coming from even farther away using public transit, YARTS offers connections to Greyhound and Amtrak and to cities like Sonora, Merced and Fresno, where you can continue your journey.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Just remember: YARTS is using the same roads as all those cars, and there are no special bus lanes approaching Yosemite or inside the park itself — so you still may experience some traffic and a wait to get through the entry gate.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But one big benefit of being on the bus instead of in your car, Rawlings said, is the bathroom: “There’s lavatories on board. So you’re not sitting in the middle of nowhere thinking, ‘Uh-oh, I’ve got to go to the bathroom, now what?’ You sit back in that relaxed, comfortable AC, you look out the window, and hopefully that takes the stress out of the journey.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While YARTS sets aside half a bus’s tickets for walk-ons, Rawlings advises \u003ca href=\"https://tickets.yarts.com/\">making a reservation in advance\u003c/a> to secure your spot. \u003ca href=\"https://www.yarts.com/tickets-and-fares/\">Fares vary by starting and ending point\u003c/a>, but are generally anywhere from $10-$60 each way depending on the length of your trip.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Once inside the park, you can take the \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/publictransportation.htm\">Yosemite Valley Shuttle\u003c/a>, which has two different lines — one short and one long loop — and is completely free. There are also a number of shuttles and tour buses that can get you nearly anywhere you’d like to be in the park, including to Tuolumne Meadows, Glacier Point and Mariposa Grove.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Snag an $8 Yosemite campsite by entering on public transit\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Camping in Yosemite is notoriously competitive, and reservations for the high season are booked up months in advance. But another benefit of using YARTS to enter: you get automatic access to the\u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/bpcamp.htm\"> four backpackers campgrounds\u003c/a> throughout the park when you arrive, with no advance reservations required.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>These campgrounds, which include locations in Yosemite Valley and Tuolumne Meadows, are typically set aside for people entering the park on foot or by bike.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12086280\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1980px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12086280\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GettyImages-2276435220.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1980\" height=\"1320\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GettyImages-2276435220.jpg 1980w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GettyImages-2276435220-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GettyImages-2276435220-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1980px) 100vw, 1980px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">People look for parking near Curry Village in Yosemite National Park on Saturday, May 16, 2026, in Yosemite, California. The National Park Service announced it will be doing away with summer reservation requirements at several popular parks, including Yosemite, leading to a surge in crowds. \u003ccite>(Eric Thayer/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>But users of public transportation like YARTS are \u003cem>also \u003c/em>allowed to stay in them for consecutive nights — so long as they don’t stay more than one night in any one campground.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Staying a night in one of these backpackers campgrounds costs $8 per person, and you can pay the fee using the Recreation.gov mobile app onsite, which will work without internet access if you’ve already downloaded it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And you can bring all the gear you need for that overnight stay, too, Rawlings said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While first-come, first-served, YARTS buses have a decent amount of capacity for gear and even space for a couple of larger pieces of equipment like bikes.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"Packyourownfood\">\u003c/a>Bring your own food — but keep it safe\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>It isn’t just the entrances and parking that attract long lines in the park. Yosemite Valley’s limited infrastructure, including its kiosks, cafes and restaurants, is also bound to be busy this summer.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One solution that will also help you avoid the high prices charged at these concessionaires: Pack your own food in a cooler for the day or weekend.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/bears.htm\">But make sure you’re not just leaving your food outside at a campsite or in your car overnight\u003c/a>, since bears are notoriously determined to source a meal — and can even force their way into a locked vehicle.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12002438\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12002438\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/BearCollarCamp.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/BearCollarCamp.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/BearCollarCamp-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/BearCollarCamp-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/BearCollarCamp-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/BearCollarCamp-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/BearCollarCamp-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A bear wearing a tag and transmitter collar walks near a campground in Yosemite National Park. \u003ccite>(Apu Gomes/AFP via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Goehring said all of the major trailheads and parking lots have bear storage lockers, so you can leave your food securely while you head out on any adventure.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But don’t forget: It’s not just food that you should be storing, Goehring said. Anything that’s scented — like chapstick, deodorant, or even empty coolers — should all be stored safely away from where bears can access them.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“If you have an empty cooler with no food in it, bears are really, really smart, so \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12002429/california-camping-tahoe-yosemite-bears-safety-what-to-do-bear-spray\">they can recognize those\u003c/a>, so you definitely want to store those properly,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"Bringabike\">\u003c/a>If you have to drive, use a bike (maybe even for free)\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>You’ll have a much nicer time, Goehring said, if you can park your car at your campsite, accommodation or in another secure spot inside the park for the day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>From there, remember you can take the \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/publictransportation.htm\">Yosemite Valley Shuttle\u003c/a> — or one of those other shuttles and tour buses — around the park to your adventures each day, or you can simply ride a bike.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you don’t have your own bike to bring,\u003ca href=\"https://www.travelyosemite.com/things-to-do/biking\"> there are several locations offering rental bikes around the park\u003c/a>, including Curry Village, Yosemite Village and the Yosemite Valley Lodge.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12065956\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1999px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12065956\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/251027-YosemiteShutdown-51-BL_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1999\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/251027-YosemiteShutdown-51-BL_qed.jpg 1999w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/251027-YosemiteShutdown-51-BL_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/251027-YosemiteShutdown-51-BL_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1999px) 100vw, 1999px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Souvenirs, books, hiking gear and other items line the shelves at the Welcome Center in Yosemite National Park on Oct. 27, 2025. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>The Yosemite Conservancy even has a \u003ca href=\"https://yosemite.org/yosemite-bike-share/\">free bicycle borrowing program. \u003c/a>Available from June through October in good weather from the Yosemite Village Day Use Parking Area and Camp 4, you can use the nonprofit’s bikes for up to two hours at a time in the valley.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To snag a free bike, download the \u003ca href=\"https://apps.apple.com/us/app/linka-go/id1300433189\">LINKA GO\u003c/a> app, create an account and scan the bike’s QR code to unlock it. Just be sure to obey traffic laws and remember to return it locked up to one of the two hubs, helmet and all.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“That is an awesome way to move around the valley and help reduce congestion,” Goehring said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
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"excerpt": "The Memorial Day weekend, with no reservation system, spelled long lines and no parking for the rest of the season. Here’s how to maximize your chances of still having a good time in the park this summer.",
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"title": "Worried About Yosemite Crowds? The Tips That Could Save Your Summer Trip | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>If you have a trip to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/yosemite\">Yosemite National Park\u003c/a> planned this year, you might be watching recent headlines about crowding in the park with mounting concern for your own visit.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Yosemite’s summer season is already in full swing, \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjfrmPiWvJ8\">as crowds descended on the popular valley trails\u003c/a> this Memorial Day, with some visitors \u003ca href=\"https://www.reddit.com/r/Yosemite/comments/1tmfn0t/parking_full_at_739am/\">reporting parking lots completely full each weekend morning.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Videos captured by visitors of the popular Mist Trail show \u003ca href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/@trailblazingaby/video/7643941000976616735\">shoulder-to-shoulder lines\u003c/a> to see the park’s famous waterfalls at peak flow during the springtime. Other videos showed\u003ca href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/@ramireztreeservice512/video/7643256604854340877\"> long lines at park entrance gates\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Some advocacy groups, including the \u003ca href=\"https://protectnps.org/2026/05/26/national-parks-face-a-strained-summer-as-staffing-shortages-deepen/\">Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks\u003c/a>, blame the overcrowding on the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12074364/yosemite-national-park-no-reservations-2026-glacier-arches-timed-entry\">park’s decision to end its vehicle reservation system\u003c/a> this year — and continue to raise concerns about seasonal and full-time \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12066741/a-morale-bomb-national-park-workers-face-wage-cuts-and-dubiously-legal-review-system\">staffing at parks\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In response, a spokesperson from the National Park Service told KQED that high visitation and traffic delays during holiday weekends like Memorial Day are common and “not evidence of operational failure.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Instead, “they reflect the reality of managing one of the nation’s most-visited national parks during peak demand,” the spokesperson said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12074513\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12074513\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/YosemiteGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/YosemiteGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/YosemiteGetty-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/YosemiteGetty-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 Yosemite National Park, California. \u003ccite>(Apu Gomes/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>If Memorial Day is an indication of what’s to come, visitors to Yosemite over the next few months should expect similar wait times and crowds during peak days and times all summer long.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But if \u003cem>you \u003c/em>already have a Yosemite trip planned, luckily there are things you can do to — hopefully — make your visit as stress-free as possible.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>We talked to the experts for their tips on visiting Yosemite this summer, and the ways you can try to avoid the now-inevitable crowds.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"#Gobybus\"> Go by bus\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"#Packyourownfood\"> Pack your own food\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"#Bringabike\"> Bring a bike\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>Consider your trip timing — and which entrance to use\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The key thing for any visitor planning on heading to Yosemite this summer is to be \u003cem>prepared \u003c/em>for the crowds, said Cory Goehring, a senior naturalist with the Yosemite Conservancy, the nonprofit organization that partners with the park on conservation and programs for visitors.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Being prepared means expecting delays and full parking lots at the park’s main attractions in Yosemite Valley, the iconic loop containing some of the park’s most famous landmarks like El Capitan, as well as hotels and visitor centers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12060163\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12060163\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/YosemiteGetty3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/YosemiteGetty3.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/YosemiteGetty3-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/YosemiteGetty3-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Views over the Yosemite Valley floor at sunset. \u003ccite>(Matthew Micah Wright/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Haven’t actually planned your Yosemite trip yet? Try to pick off-peak times to visit, like mid-week when crowds will be significantly more scarce.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Goehring said his typical advice is to arrive early to beat the crowds, but he said so far this year, “we are starting to see lines start to form at 7 a.m.,” he said. “So people are hearing that advice and taking it.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>These days, he tells visitors to check their traffic and map apps to see how long the delay at the entry gate might be.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can also try entering the park via a less-popular entrance, like Big Oak Flat, Hetch Hetchy or via Tioga Pass. But be aware: These entrances are multiple hours from one another and from Yosemite Valley, so be sure to double-check your destination and accommodation before taking the long way around.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Look beyond Yosemite Valley\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Being realistic about visitor levels this summer means “it’s a good time to have a plan B,” Goehring said — and to be ready to explore further afield than the common tourist track.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I know that everyone wants to come to Yosemite Valley,” he said. “But there’s still magic to be had outside of Yosemite Valley if you need to pivot because of the parking lots filling.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The park is a huge 1,200 square miles, and you should take advantage of it, Goehring said. Attractions in the valley like Half Dome or El Cap will be slammed with visitors, so consider checking out less-trafficked — but often equally beautiful —areas like \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hh.htm\">Hetch Hetchy\u003c/a> or \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/nature/tuolumne.htm\">Tuolumne Meadows\u003c/a> instead.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12086278\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1980px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12086278\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GettyImages-1350909997.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1980\" height=\"1343\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GettyImages-1350909997.jpg 1980w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GettyImages-1350909997-160x109.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GettyImages-1350909997-1536x1042.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1980px) 100vw, 1980px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The “Gateway” sign at Camp Mather points to the road to Hetch Hetchy reservoir on Oct. 28, 2021, in Yosemite National Park, California. \u003ccite>(George Rose/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>And while, yes, the valley offers some of the park’s most stunning views, you should know: many of its trails are actually extremely steep and just as crowded.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Over the Memorial Day weekend, \u003ca href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/@trailblazingaby/video/7643941000976616735\">the popular Mist Trail in particular\u003c/a> saw a major traffic jam as visitors packed the popular day hike, which takes hikers up steep stone steps to views of Vernal and Nevada Falls.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Outside of the valley, Goehring suggested less crowded alternatives for hikes like:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/lyell-canyon--3\">Lyell Canyon\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/may-lake--7\">May Lake\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.yosemitehikes.com/glacier-point-road/mcgurk-meadow/mcgurk-meadow.htm\">McGurk Meadow\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Goehring also recommended finding \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/glacierhikes.htm\">day hikes off the Glacier Point Road like the Ostrander Trail\u003c/a>, which take hikers off the beaten path and deeper into the wild parts of the park.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“You can get some really nice, peaceful wilderness experiences by going on day hikes on some of those trails,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"Gobybus\">\u003c/a>Leave your car behind\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you don’t have a car — or just don’t want to brave the difficult parking situation inside the park — \u003ca href=\"https://www.yarts.com/\">you can take public transportation via YARTS\u003c/a> into Yosemite and take advantage of the many shuttle services once inside the park.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Mary-Michal Rawlings, public affairs manager for YARTS, said with Yosemite “such an iconic, pristine environment … we want to do our part to preserve it by keeping as many cars off the road as possible.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The park is just inundated with cars,” she said. “People aren’t parking appropriately, there are no parking spaces, and so obviously a big benefit to riding YARTS this year is that you don’t have to worry about that.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12086279\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1980px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12086279\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GettyImages-2276435266.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1980\" height=\"1320\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GettyImages-2276435266.jpg 1980w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GettyImages-2276435266-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GettyImages-2276435266-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1980px) 100vw, 1980px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">People ride the shuttle in Yosemite National Park on Saturday, May 16, 2026 in Yosemite, California. The National Park Service announced it will be doing away with summer reservation requirements at several popular parks, including Yosemite, leading to a surge in crowds. \u003ccite>(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>As well as knowing you’re choosing a more environmentally conscious option for getting into and around Yosemite, using public transit like this also “just takes that stress of the trip away,” Rawlings said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>During the summer, YARTS has four lines that take riders into the park from all four of its entrances, both east and west of the Sierra Nevada.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>There are stops at other iconic destinations and gateway towns along the way, like in June Lake and Lee Vining on the east side and Wawona and Mariposa to the west.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re coming from the Merced area, \u003ca href=\"https://www.yarts.com/plan-your-trip/how-to-ride/\">YARTS offers free extended parking\u003c/a> at several locations in the city. There are also free Park & Ride facilities in Mariposa and Midpines.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>Or, if you’re coming from even farther away using public transit, YARTS offers connections to Greyhound and Amtrak and to cities like Sonora, Merced and Fresno, where you can continue your journey.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Just remember: YARTS is using the same roads as all those cars, and there are no special bus lanes approaching Yosemite or inside the park itself — so you still may experience some traffic and a wait to get through the entry gate.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But one big benefit of being on the bus instead of in your car, Rawlings said, is the bathroom: “There’s lavatories on board. So you’re not sitting in the middle of nowhere thinking, ‘Uh-oh, I’ve got to go to the bathroom, now what?’ You sit back in that relaxed, comfortable AC, you look out the window, and hopefully that takes the stress out of the journey.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While YARTS sets aside half a bus’s tickets for walk-ons, Rawlings advises \u003ca href=\"https://tickets.yarts.com/\">making a reservation in advance\u003c/a> to secure your spot. \u003ca href=\"https://www.yarts.com/tickets-and-fares/\">Fares vary by starting and ending point\u003c/a>, but are generally anywhere from $10-$60 each way depending on the length of your trip.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Once inside the park, you can take the \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/publictransportation.htm\">Yosemite Valley Shuttle\u003c/a>, which has two different lines — one short and one long loop — and is completely free. There are also a number of shuttles and tour buses that can get you nearly anywhere you’d like to be in the park, including to Tuolumne Meadows, Glacier Point and Mariposa Grove.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Snag an $8 Yosemite campsite by entering on public transit\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Camping in Yosemite is notoriously competitive, and reservations for the high season are booked up months in advance. But another benefit of using YARTS to enter: you get automatic access to the\u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/bpcamp.htm\"> four backpackers campgrounds\u003c/a> throughout the park when you arrive, with no advance reservations required.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>These campgrounds, which include locations in Yosemite Valley and Tuolumne Meadows, are typically set aside for people entering the park on foot or by bike.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12086280\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1980px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12086280\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GettyImages-2276435220.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1980\" height=\"1320\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GettyImages-2276435220.jpg 1980w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GettyImages-2276435220-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GettyImages-2276435220-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1980px) 100vw, 1980px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">People look for parking near Curry Village in Yosemite National Park on Saturday, May 16, 2026, in Yosemite, California. The National Park Service announced it will be doing away with summer reservation requirements at several popular parks, including Yosemite, leading to a surge in crowds. \u003ccite>(Eric Thayer/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>But users of public transportation like YARTS are \u003cem>also \u003c/em>allowed to stay in them for consecutive nights — so long as they don’t stay more than one night in any one campground.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Staying a night in one of these backpackers campgrounds costs $8 per person, and you can pay the fee using the Recreation.gov mobile app onsite, which will work without internet access if you’ve already downloaded it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And you can bring all the gear you need for that overnight stay, too, Rawlings said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While first-come, first-served, YARTS buses have a decent amount of capacity for gear and even space for a couple of larger pieces of equipment like bikes.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"Packyourownfood\">\u003c/a>Bring your own food — but keep it safe\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>It isn’t just the entrances and parking that attract long lines in the park. Yosemite Valley’s limited infrastructure, including its kiosks, cafes and restaurants, is also bound to be busy this summer.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One solution that will also help you avoid the high prices charged at these concessionaires: Pack your own food in a cooler for the day or weekend.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/bears.htm\">But make sure you’re not just leaving your food outside at a campsite or in your car overnight\u003c/a>, since bears are notoriously determined to source a meal — and can even force their way into a locked vehicle.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12002438\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12002438\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/BearCollarCamp.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/BearCollarCamp.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/BearCollarCamp-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/BearCollarCamp-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/BearCollarCamp-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/BearCollarCamp-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/BearCollarCamp-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A bear wearing a tag and transmitter collar walks near a campground in Yosemite National Park. \u003ccite>(Apu Gomes/AFP via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Goehring said all of the major trailheads and parking lots have bear storage lockers, so you can leave your food securely while you head out on any adventure.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But don’t forget: It’s not just food that you should be storing, Goehring said. Anything that’s scented — like chapstick, deodorant, or even empty coolers — should all be stored safely away from where bears can access them.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“If you have an empty cooler with no food in it, bears are really, really smart, so \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12002429/california-camping-tahoe-yosemite-bears-safety-what-to-do-bear-spray\">they can recognize those\u003c/a>, so you definitely want to store those properly,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"Bringabike\">\u003c/a>If you have to drive, use a bike (maybe even for free)\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>You’ll have a much nicer time, Goehring said, if you can park your car at your campsite, accommodation or in another secure spot inside the park for the day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>From there, remember you can take the \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/publictransportation.htm\">Yosemite Valley Shuttle\u003c/a> — or one of those other shuttles and tour buses — around the park to your adventures each day, or you can simply ride a bike.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you don’t have your own bike to bring,\u003ca href=\"https://www.travelyosemite.com/things-to-do/biking\"> there are several locations offering rental bikes around the park\u003c/a>, including Curry Village, Yosemite Village and the Yosemite Valley Lodge.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12065956\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1999px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12065956\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/251027-YosemiteShutdown-51-BL_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1999\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/251027-YosemiteShutdown-51-BL_qed.jpg 1999w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/251027-YosemiteShutdown-51-BL_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/251027-YosemiteShutdown-51-BL_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1999px) 100vw, 1999px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Souvenirs, books, hiking gear and other items line the shelves at the Welcome Center in Yosemite National Park on Oct. 27, 2025. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>The Yosemite Conservancy even has a \u003ca href=\"https://yosemite.org/yosemite-bike-share/\">free bicycle borrowing program. \u003c/a>Available from June through October in good weather from the Yosemite Village Day Use Parking Area and Camp 4, you can use the nonprofit’s bikes for up to two hours at a time in the valley.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To snag a free bike, download the \u003ca href=\"https://apps.apple.com/us/app/linka-go/id1300433189\">LINKA GO\u003c/a> app, create an account and scan the bike’s QR code to unlock it. Just be sure to obey traffic laws and remember to return it locked up to one of the two hubs, helmet and all.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“That is an awesome way to move around the valley and help reduce congestion,” Goehring said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"title": "Yosemite Won't Require Car Reservations in 2026. Park Advocates Are Worried",
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"headTitle": "Yosemite Won’t Require Car Reservations in 2026. Park Advocates Are Worried | KQED",
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"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",
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"excerpt": "Park advocates say Yosemite scrapping timed tickets could mean overcrowding and long wait times this summer — and even damage to the park.",
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"title": "Yosemite Won't Require Car Reservations in 2026. Park Advocates Are Worried | KQED",
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"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>",
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"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>",
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"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>",
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"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>",
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"content": "\u003cp>A Yosemite National Park ranger and biologist who was \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12053078/yosemite-biologist-fired-after-hanging-transgender-pride-flag-from-el-capitan\">fired last year\u003c/a> after hanging a transgender pride flag on El Capitan has filed a civil rights lawsuit against the Department of the Interior.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Last spring, SJ Joslin and several others lugged the 58-pound flag up the imposing granite wall and flew it on a heart-shaped feature of the rock for several hours. Joslin did so in an off-duty capacity, they said in an interview with KQED last year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Then, in August, Joslin received a termination letter, which said they had “failed to demonstrate acceptable conduct.” At the time, a National Park Service representative told KQED it was “pursuing administrative action against multiple employees for failing to follow National Park Service regulations” and that there had been multiple “unauthorized demonstrations involving El Capitan,” which require a permit.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Joslin told KQED in August that flying the flag was not a demonstration but a celebration of their transgender identity. They criticized the park service for taking action against them but not others who have similarly displayed flags on the prominent rock wall facing Yosemite Valley.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://peer.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2_23_26-Joslin-v-DOI-Complaint.pdf\">complaint\u003c/a>, filed on Monday, points out a “tradition” of flying flags across Yosemite — none of which, to Joslin and her team’s knowledge, have led to any legal or other consequences.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11947774\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11947774\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/RS64733_GettyImages-1244209043-qut.jpg\" alt=\"A view of El Capitan in Yosemite, a sheer rock face with a bright blue sky behind it. An orange car drives on the road in the foreground.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/RS64733_GettyImages-1244209043-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/RS64733_GettyImages-1244209043-qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/RS64733_GettyImages-1244209043-qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/RS64733_GettyImages-1244209043-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/RS64733_GettyImages-1244209043-qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A view of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park on Oct. 23, 2022. \u003ccite>(Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“Nobody had ever been disciplined before, much less fired and subject to criminal investigation,” said Paula Dinerstein, senior counsel at Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, which is representing Joslin.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The question of whether or not it was a demonstration also doesn’t matter, Dinerstein said, because Joslin’s First Amendment rights were violated.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Our claim is that the only reason that SJ and their fellow climbers were singled out was because of the message affirming transgender rights,” she said.[aside postID=news_12053078 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/YosemiteTransFlagGetty.jpg']The lawsuit also alleges that Joslin’s rights under the Privacy Act were violated, stemming from claims that the National Park Service’s records describing Joslin’s actions include false or harmful information, Dinerstein said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While the Department of the Interior would not comment on the specific case, a spokesperson emphasized in a statement to KQED that department officials “take the protection of the park’s resources and the experience of our visitors very seriously and will not tolerate violations of laws and regulations that impact those resources and experiences.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“No matter the cause, demonstrating without a permit outside of designated First-Amendment areas detracts from the visitor experience and the protection of the park,” the statement said. “To safeguard the protection of visitors, visitor experiences, and park resources, many demonstrations require a permit.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Dinerstein also noted that the National Park Service told Joslin it had opened a criminal investigation, which the complaint in the suit calls part of a “vindictive campaign” that “continues to chill their expressive conduct and speech.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Dinerstein said that because they filed a preliminary injunction, the parties are meeting now with lawyers from the Department of the Interior to set a schedule to begin legal proceedings.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>A Yosemite National Park ranger and biologist who was \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12053078/yosemite-biologist-fired-after-hanging-transgender-pride-flag-from-el-capitan\">fired last year\u003c/a> after hanging a transgender pride flag on El Capitan has filed a civil rights lawsuit against the Department of the Interior.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Last spring, SJ Joslin and several others lugged the 58-pound flag up the imposing granite wall and flew it on a heart-shaped feature of the rock for several hours. Joslin did so in an off-duty capacity, they said in an interview with KQED last year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Then, in August, Joslin received a termination letter, which said they had “failed to demonstrate acceptable conduct.” At the time, a National Park Service representative told KQED it was “pursuing administrative action against multiple employees for failing to follow National Park Service regulations” and that there had been multiple “unauthorized demonstrations involving El Capitan,” which require a permit.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Joslin told KQED in August that flying the flag was not a demonstration but a celebration of their transgender identity. They criticized the park service for taking action against them but not others who have similarly displayed flags on the prominent rock wall facing Yosemite Valley.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://peer.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2_23_26-Joslin-v-DOI-Complaint.pdf\">complaint\u003c/a>, filed on Monday, points out a “tradition” of flying flags across Yosemite — none of which, to Joslin and her team’s knowledge, have led to any legal or other consequences.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11947774\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11947774\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/RS64733_GettyImages-1244209043-qut.jpg\" alt=\"A view of El Capitan in Yosemite, a sheer rock face with a bright blue sky behind it. An orange car drives on the road in the foreground.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/RS64733_GettyImages-1244209043-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/RS64733_GettyImages-1244209043-qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/RS64733_GettyImages-1244209043-qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/RS64733_GettyImages-1244209043-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/RS64733_GettyImages-1244209043-qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A view of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park on Oct. 23, 2022. \u003ccite>(Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“Nobody had ever been disciplined before, much less fired and subject to criminal investigation,” said Paula Dinerstein, senior counsel at Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, which is representing Joslin.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The question of whether or not it was a demonstration also doesn’t matter, Dinerstein said, because Joslin’s First Amendment rights were violated.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Our claim is that the only reason that SJ and their fellow climbers were singled out was because of the message affirming transgender rights,” she said.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>The lawsuit also alleges that Joslin’s rights under the Privacy Act were violated, stemming from claims that the National Park Service’s records describing Joslin’s actions include false or harmful information, Dinerstein said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While the Department of the Interior would not comment on the specific case, a spokesperson emphasized in a statement to KQED that department officials “take the protection of the park’s resources and the experience of our visitors very seriously and will not tolerate violations of laws and regulations that impact those resources and experiences.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“No matter the cause, demonstrating without a permit outside of designated First-Amendment areas detracts from the visitor experience and the protection of the park,” the statement said. “To safeguard the protection of visitors, visitor experiences, and park resources, many demonstrations require a permit.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Dinerstein also noted that the National Park Service told Joslin it had opened a criminal investigation, which the complaint in the suit calls part of a “vindictive campaign” that “continues to chill their expressive conduct and speech.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Dinerstein said that because they filed a preliminary injunction, the parties are meeting now with lawyers from the Department of the Interior to set a schedule to begin legal proceedings.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"slug": "winter-camping-reservations-where-to-go-campsites-near-san-francisco-bay-area",
"title": "Yes, Winter Camping Is Worth It — and Here’s Where to Go",
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"content": "\u003cp>Summer may be long over, but what if I told you that camping in the wintertime in \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/california\">California\u003c/a> can be just as magical as in the warmer months — or even more so?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And you don’t even have to embark upon camping in snow, like you might be envisioning. While that’s certainly available if you want it, there are also a wealth of incredible campsites right here in the Bay Area — or close at hand — where the weather isn’t even all that cold in winter.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>From firsthand experience, I can tell you that it doesn’t take much to convert your normal summer setup to a winter one — and it’s also much easier to get reservations to hard-to-get spots during the winter months.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It can be a lot of fun as long as you come prepared,” said Lillie Oravetz, a state park interpreter II at \u003ca href=\"https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=551\">Calaveras Big Trees State Park\u003c/a> in Calaveras and Tuolumne counties. “You’re gonna get cold, but it’s really beautiful.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Read on for tips from the experts, or jump straight to five great winter camping spots to start planning your winter excursion now. And remember: If you read this and the idea of pitching your tent in the colder months still doesn’t appeal, you can always \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12044161/bay-area-camping-alternatives-glamping-yurts-cabins-big-sur\">go glamping instead.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#Yourwintercampingequipmentchecklist\">Your winter camping equipment checklist\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#5greatwintercampgroundsneartheBayArea\">5 great winter campgrounds near the Bay Area\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>Expert tips on planning a successful winter camping trip\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Tip: For warmer winter climates, head to the coast — but still check the weather forecast\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Therese Cools, park aide for \u003ca href=\"http://parks.ca.gov/?page_id=451\">Sonoma Coast State Park\u003c/a>, said the Sonoma Coast can get some of its best weather in the winter, with blue skies overhead and less wind than usual.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But be aware: That area does get heavy rains starting in January, so don’t forget to check the weather forecast ahead of time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12064308\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12064308\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/11/Costanoa-camping.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/11/Costanoa-camping.png 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/11/Costanoa-camping-160x107.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/11/Costanoa-camping-1536x1024.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Costanoa Lodge & Camp offers year-round hot showers, hot meals and even a sauna. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of Costanoa Lodge & Camp)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“If it’s raining heavily, it’s not a great place” for camping, Cools said, “But when there’s not a storm coming through, it’s beautiful.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>November is also crabbing season on the coast, so if you’d like a fresh catch, come this month. Or for a front seat for \u003ca href=\"https://www.bodegabay.com/tides/what-is-a-king-tide/\">California’s famed King Tides\u003c/a>, plan your trip for January, she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Wintertime isn’t the best for water sports, so unless you’re an expert, you may want to leave your surfboard at home and plan to stay out of the ocean altogether. But you should bring your binoculars, as there’s a wealth of seabirds and other wildlife to explore on the Sonoma Coast, many of which spend the \u003ca href=\"https://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/451/files/SonomaCoastSPFinalWebLayout2017.pdf\">winter on the coast in large flocks.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Tip: Unless you’re ready for snow, avoid the mountains\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re planning on heading to higher ground, know it’s likely to snow. In Calaveras, which is 4,600 feet above sea level, “it’s pretty unpredictable when we will get snow,” Oravetz said — “but we can guarantee at \u003cem>some \u003c/em>point there’ll be snow.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And conditions can change rapidly at high elevations, so don’t just check the weather once a few weeks out, Oravetz warned. Double check the forecast regularly, “a couple of days in advance” for a more accurate forecast, she cautioned.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Don’t forget: No matter where you’re going, but especially if you are planning to go up high in elevation, be sure to check nighttime temperatures ahead of time and be prepared for below-freezing nights.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Tip: Make a plan — and a plan B\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Rachel Borick, operations manager at private campground \u003ca href=\"https://www.costanoa.com/\">Costanoa\u003c/a> on the San Mateo County coast, said her number one piece of advice for winter camping is: “Be prepared and always have a backup plan.”[aside postID=news_11972590 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/GettyImages-1358858502-1020x507.jpg']On the coast, that might mean preparing for heavy rains in the winter. In the mountains, you’ll need to prepare for snow and below-freezing conditions as well.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But even “a rainy day spent in a tent with the right supplies can be more memorable than a perfectly sunny day on the trails,” she said. “Having an open mind and leaning in to what Mother Nature provides is vital.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Know where you’re going and what you’re planning to do, but make sure you have other options in case your trailhead is no longer accessible — or if \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11937204/lake-tahoe-weather-forecast-road-conditions-snow-chains\">winter weather makes travel downright unsafe\u003c/a>. Take note of towns with services like gas stations and hotels near your camping destination, just in case you need to bail on your plans outright and hunker down.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Don’t forget that many campgrounds and wilderness areas have no cellphone service — so in winter, it’s especially important to know your exit routes and bailout points ahead of time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Tip: Bring layers\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>No matter where you’re going, remember to bring waterproof and windproof gear.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Calaveras’ Oravetz went one step further and advised campers to come prepared for almost \u003cem>any \u003c/em>weather. “Sometimes it might snow, but then be pretty warm the next day, and we don’t want people to overheat,” she cautioned\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Brian Low is the general manager at \u003ca href=\"https://www.club.urbandiversion.com/\">Club Urban Diversion,\u003c/a> a Bay Area-based social club that organizes all sorts of outdoor trips, including winter camping. Low said his winter packing list varies by location, but “no matter what the forecast is showing, you’re always going to want to pack some sort of rain gear,” he said. And don’t forget insulating layers to go underneath for warmth, too, urged Low.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Layers are the most efficient way to pack for winter camping “because it’s easy to either layer up to get warmer, or easy to take off layers to adjust your body heat to make sure that you’re not getting too warm or too cold,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12064309\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12064309\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/11/Sierra-snow-camping.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1297\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/11/Sierra-snow-camping.png 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/11/Sierra-snow-camping-160x108.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/11/Sierra-snow-camping-1536x1038.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A camper digs out a tent site from snow in the Sierra Nevada, on the Tahoe Rim Trail. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of Brian Low)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Tip: Pack smart, and bring backup gear\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Calaveras’ Oravetz said starting in November, anyone traveling up to the higher elevations should bring chains for their car, “just in case.” That goes for extra fuel in your car, too.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“You could come up for a couple of days here or go further up the mountain, and then a snowstorm comes in,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re parking on the side of the road and not at a campsite, be aware of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11972590/with-tahoe-winter-storm-warning-this-weekend-what-to-know-about-avalanche-risk\">potential avalanche areas\u003c/a> and snowplow routes. Low warned — you don’t want to return to your car only to find it buried.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Low said some auto shops like Les Schwab even allow you to buy chains and return them at the end of the season for a full refund if you never end up using them. You can \u003ca href=\"https://dot.ca.gov/travel/winter-driving-tips/chain-controls\">check chain controls\u003c/a> online and learn how to properly install chains on \u003ca href=\"https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/\">Caltrans’s website\u003c/a>, and read more about \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11937204/lake-tahoe-weather-forecast-road-conditions-snow-chains\">preparing to drive in wintry conditions with our KQED guide\u003c/a>.[aside postID=news_11937204 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/02/GettyImages-2013486739-1020x765-1-672x372.jpg']Bring or plan to store extra water, Oravetz said, since the pipes at some campgrounds, like Calaveras’, can freeze, so the only available water is at a central location. And remember that even in the winter, you need to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12002429/california-camping-tahoe-yosemite-bears-safety-what-to-do-bear-spray\">store your food safely away from bears \u003c/a>in bear canisters or food lockers provided at each campsite.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The upside? There shouldn’t be too many bugs in the winter, so you can leave your DEET at home. But remember that the sun sets early in the winter, so make sure to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12040242/start-backpacking-trails-bay-area-near-me-permits#backpacking-gear\">bring ample light and something to do \u003c/a>during the night hours, like a deck of cards or a book to read.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Staying warm at night is important, Low said — and one way to stay toasty that might surprise you is to get up and out of your tent as soon as you realize you have to pee.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That’s because your body is sending energy to your bladder that could otherwise be used to keep you warm, he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s a lot better to just actually bite the bullet, get out of your tent, put on your shoes and just go pee,” he said. “At the end of the day, you’ll be a lot happier because you’ll sleep better, you’ll be warmer.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Just remember that even in winter, you have to properly dispose of any and all waste — that includes any trash, food waste and especially poop — as \u003cem>anything \u003c/em>buried in snow is \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1995954/at-hidden-tahoe-lab-scientists-learn-the-art-of-measuring-snow\">headed for a waterway come spring. \u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In general, if you have any questions — or are at all worried about winter camping — you can always call ahead to the campground or wilderness area for advice on that particular spot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Winters, especially snow camping, can be very intimidating for people just because of the temperatures,” Low said. “But with the right gear list and the right techniques, then you can really have an amazing time.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"Yourwintercampingequipmentchecklist\">\u003c/a>Your winter and snow camping gear checklist\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>As an expert in \u003ca href=\"https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/winter-camping.html\">winter camping\u003c/a>, Low recommends bringing these items for your next cold-weather or snow trip:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>A zero-degree sleeping bag, or warmer\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Remember:\u003ca href=\"https://seatosummit.eu/blogs/technical-features/sleeping-bag-temperature-ratings-explained?srsltid=AfmBOoq8aSMfu00UzxMidRbQTDFIPJwqxUtbJFjMSDxLe_JBQzMxRtj9\"> the ratings on sleeping bags\u003c/a> tell you the temperature at which it will keep you \u003cem>alive\u003c/em>, not comfortable: “Generally speaking, you want a zero-degree bag for anywhere that it’s going to be below 30 degrees,” Low said. “It’s better to have a bag that is a little too warm and not warm enough.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12064310\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1939px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12064310\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/11/Pescadero-Creek-Memorial-Park.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1939\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/11/Pescadero-Creek-Memorial-Park.png 1939w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/11/Pescadero-Creek-Memorial-Park-160x106.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/11/Pescadero-Creek-Memorial-Park-1536x1014.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1939px) 100vw, 1939px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Pescadero Creek in San Mateo County’s Memorial Park, which maintains an all-year campground. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of San Mateo County Parks Department)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>If you’re still worried about warmth, a \u003cstrong>sleeping bag liner\u003c/strong> can add five or 10 degrees of warmth to the bag you might already have.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Synthetic or wool clothing to hike and sleep in\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Forget cotton, Low said, because once you sweat in it, or it gets wet, cotton takes a really long time to dry out. If you’re backpacking or going for a long hike, abide by the saying “be bold, start cold” by peeling off layers before they get drenched in sweat.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And if you’ve just gotten back from a hike and are overly warm, take that opportunity to remove any sweaty items and change into your warmest clothes, including a beanie and gloves — to best retain your body heat all evening long.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sunglasses \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So you can avoid \u003ca href=\"https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/photokeratitis-snow-blindness\">snow blindness\u003c/a> when it’s sunny out.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>A first aid kit \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>… and knowledge of not only what’s in it, but how to use it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>A bear canister \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For food storage, if one is required, where you’re camping.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>A \u003c/strong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/how-to-choose-backpacking-fuel.html\">\u003cstrong>liquid fuel stove\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Low recommends this type of stove over a more typical backpacking gas fuel stove because the fuel canister will maintain its pressure and perform better at cold temperatures.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In addition to cooking, you can use your stove to melt snow for drinking water, but remember to find a clean, undisturbed patch of snow — and to be extra safe, you can always boil the water before drinking it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Microspikes, crampons or snowshoes\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For traction underfoot, \u003ca href=\"https://www.backpacker.com/skills/beginner-skills/choosing-between-microspikes-crampons-snowshoes-for-winter-hikes/\">depending on your activity.\u003c/a> Low said he loves using microspikes for walking around camp in slippery conditions because they keep you on your feet while not being as clunky as snowshoes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lots of food\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Eating a good amount of calories will keep you warm, and cooking up a hot meal of fresh — not dehydrated — food can make your evening that much more enjoyable, Low said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>A doubled-up sleeping pad\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Low said that one of his guiding colleagues — who’s summited Denali, the highest mountain in North America — swears by putting an inflatable pad underneath a foam pad for the warmest night’s sleep. (Don’t forget to check the “\u003ca href=\"https://www.switchbacktravel.com/info/sleeping-pad-r-value\">R value\u003c/a>” of any pad you bring — that will tell you its warmth).\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Low even recommends inflating your pad with a small pump instead of blowing it up by mouth, to keep out condensation, which can freeze inside your pad.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>A small shovel\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If the snow is deep where you’re camping, bring something with which you can dig out a seating area, kitchen and even a trash bag-lined toilet to use, as recommended by Low.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Any durable tent \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Any model \u003c/strong>will do, Low said — even \u003ca href=\"https://winterbackpacking.com/3-season-vs-4-season-tents/\">\u003cstrong>a three-season tent\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>, so long as heavy snow isn’t in the forecast. When to consider a four-season tent instead: If you know you’ll be out in a heavy storm with the risk of high winds, or snowfall that could pile up and break your tent poles.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>A Nalgene-style water bottle \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Before going to bed, a bottle like this can be filled up with boiling water, screwed nice and tight and placed inside your sleeping bag to act as a heater. Just remember to wrap it in a sock, so you don’t get burned by accident.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Hand and toe warmers\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Typically used by skiers, these are perfect for placing inside clothes or a sleeping bag for warmth.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Plastic bags\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Use these to keep your socks dry in your boots, if they’re not as waterproof as they need to be.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/gaiters.html\">\u003cstrong>Gaiters\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To keep snow out of low-cut shoes.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"5greatwintercampgroundsneartheBayArea\">\u003c/a>5 beautiful wintertime camping spots to try this year\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sonoma Coast State Park\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Both \u003ca href=\"https://www.sonomacounty.com/profiles/bodega-dunes-campground/\">Bodega Dunes\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.sonomacounty.com/profiles/wrights-beach-campgrounds/\">Wright’s Beach\u003c/a> at \u003ca href=\"https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=451\">Sonoma Coast State Park\u003c/a> are open all winter long to campers and RVers, although they don’t have hookups. Campsites start at $45 per night and reservations can be made on \u003ca href=\"https://reservecalifornia.com/Web/\">ReserveCalifornia.\u003c/a> Both campgrounds allow campfires all year round.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Park aid Cools said while Wright’s Beach fills up more quickly, Bodega Dunes tends to have more availability on winter weekends — and weekday reservations are easy to get in the winter.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12064314\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12064314\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/11/Homestead-Trail-Memorial-Park.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1276\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/11/Homestead-Trail-Memorial-Park.png 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/11/Homestead-Trail-Memorial-Park-160x106.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/11/Homestead-Trail-Memorial-Park-1536x1021.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Homestead Trail in San Mateo County’s Memorial Park, which maintains an all-year campground. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of San Mateo County Parks Department)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“During the winter, the Sonoma Coast can be really nice with blue skies — and it tends to be less windy,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Yosemite National Park\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Itching to experience \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/winter.htm\">Yosemite\u003c/a> without the craziness of summer crowds? Winter might be your best bet.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I love to go to Yosemite in the wintertime,” Low said. “It is so beautiful, and you can get a piece of Yosemite all to yourself without a person in sight.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Tioga Road and the road to Glacier Point — and much of the upper areas of the park — close during the early months of winter. But if you want to soak in the snow-dusted granite walls from Yosemite Valley, you can \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/camping.htm\">make a reservation (typically $35 per night) or try your luck at first-come, first-served campgrounds\u003c/a> in the park.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Or, take Low’s suggestion and get a wilderness permit to \u003ca href=\"https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/dewey-point-trail--4\">backpack into Dewey Point\u003c/a> or along any route off Glacier Point Road once the first five miles of road to Badger Pass Ski Area are plowed (check the \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm\">park website \u003c/a>or call 209-372-0200 for status updates) and the rest is groomed for cross-country skiing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Just remember: \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wildwinter.htm\">You must camp at least one mile away from any plowed road. \u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“How often do you get to go to a place that’s as busy as Yosemite and camp in a spot where there’s not another soul around for as far as you can see?” Low said. “Waking up to see Half Dome or to see El Cap and watching the sun rise on the dawn wall while having a cup of coffee or tea is spectacular.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Calaveras Big Trees State Park\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Located on Highway 4 in the Sierra Nevada range, \u003ca href=\"https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=551\">Calaveras Big Trees State Park\u003c/a> — known for its massive sequoia trees — is open all year round. That said, some camp spots and parts of the park \u003ca href=\"https://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/551/files/CalaverasSkiCampgrdFlyerLR.pdf\">close to cars\u003c/a> after the first significant snowfall or by Dec. 1, Oravetz said. This includes Parkway Road, which closes off access to the Stanislaus River and two groves of big trees, plus a couple of picnic areas and some camping. But those areas are still accessible to snowshoers and cross-country skiers, she said — so your sense of adventure could be rewarded by having these beautiful areas devoid of summer crowds.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Oravetz recommends the \u003ca class=\"c-link\" href=\"https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/calaveras-north-grove-trail\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-stringify-link=\"https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/calaveras-north-grove-trail\" data-sk=\"tooltip_parent\">North Grove Trail\u003c/a> for visitors looking to wander among the big trees on snowshoes or cross-country skis.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The snow is beautiful against the giant sequoias,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But be warned, the trail is popular with visitors and locals alike, and can get quite busy between Christmas and the New Year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That area is not open to general snowplay, so Oravetz recommends heading to \u003ca class=\"c-link\" href=\"https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=22403\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-stringify-link=\"https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=22403\" data-sk=\"tooltip_parent\">Parkway Road\u003c/a> instead to sled, build snowmen or start a snowball fight.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Reservations for family campsites are $35 and can be made on \u003ca class=\"c-link\" href=\"http://reservecalifornia.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-stringify-link=\"http://ReserveCalifornia.com\" data-sk=\"tooltip_parent\">ReserveCalifornia.com\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>San Mateo’s Memorial Park\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Among the redwoods of \u003ca href=\"https://www.smcgov.org/parks/memorial-park\">Memorial Park\u003c/a> in San Mateo County, the \u003ca href=\"https://www.smcgov.org/parks/facility/family-camping-memorial-park\">Azalea Flat\u003c/a> campground stays open all year long while other nearby camping areas close for the winter. RVs, trailers and campfires are allowed, and buying wood to burn at the park is recommended to avoid spreading bugs from park to park, said Carla Schoof, spokesperson for San Mateo County Parks Department.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Schoof said while the park gets crowded in summer, it’s not so full in the winter, which can make it feel extra peaceful.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s relatively easy to get to, but you really do feel like you’re far away,” she said. “You are deep in the Santa Cruz Mountain Range, surrounded by redwoods.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Plus, the nearby towns of Loma Mar and Pescadero offer opportunities to get supplies and explore — which may be extra necessary in the winter, when Memorial Park’s camp store is closed, she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At \u003ca href=\"https://www.smcgov.org/parks/memorial-park-history\">over a century old\u003c/a>, the park is “a special place to a lot of people … who’ve been going camping there since they were pretty small,” Schoof said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Park rangers are happy to answer questions about park conditions and camping. They can be reached at 650-879-0238, Schoof said, and reservations can also be made \u003ca href=\"https://secure.itinio.com/sanmateo/memorial-park\">online\u003c/a> and are $32 per night in the off-season.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Costanoa Lodge & Camp\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’d like a more bougie experience (and who could blame you?), the \u003ca href=\"https://www.costanoa.com/\">Costanoa\u003c/a> private campgrounds on the San Mateo County coast are known for their “failproof camping,” Borick, the camping and glamping resort’s operations manager, said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But still, prepare for anything: “You could end up with a full storm, huddled with your campmates, hot cocoa in hand, with a story to tell — or out on a muddy trail with the spectacular view of a clear winter’s day, she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Having a beach all to yourself, or the top of a viewpoint with the silence surrounding you, can be truly worth the invigoration of a winter camping trip,” Borick said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And the winter season brings abundant bird migrations and elephant seal pupping at nearby \u003ca href=\"https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=523\">Año Nuevo State Park\u003c/a> that can even be heard from the property, Borick said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In any case, the private campground has year-round hot showers, hot meals and even a sauna. And if you get tired of braving the elements, you can always \u003ca href=\"https://reservations.costanoa.com/costanoa/?dl_cd=eyJrdiI6IktWX2MxYTExZjBhZTg2Y2M1YTQ3ZmJkNGY4MDExYmMwN2ViIiwiYWNjSWQiOiJhYzZmZWEyZi1hMjcxLTRlNmUtOTUxNy00YTQxNzMwYWJiNjEiLCJpc1ByZXZpZXciOmZhbHNlLCJleHAiOjE3NjIyMTc5MzQyMzd9&_gl=1*utn68e*_ga*Nzc2NzI0MTM5LjE3NjIyMDUwNTI.*_ga_GZX22LK6FD*czE3NjIyMTY4MTgkbzIkZzEkdDE3NjIyMTc5MTYkajYwJGwwJGgw\">upgrade to a glamping tent, cabin or a room in the lodge. \u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
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"excerpt": "Whether you want actual snow or not, here are expert tips to make your cold-weather camping trip memorable — plus five great winter campgrounds.",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>Summer may be long over, but what if I told you that camping in the wintertime in \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/california\">California\u003c/a> can be just as magical as in the warmer months — or even more so?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And you don’t even have to embark upon camping in snow, like you might be envisioning. While that’s certainly available if you want it, there are also a wealth of incredible campsites right here in the Bay Area — or close at hand — where the weather isn’t even all that cold in winter.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>From firsthand experience, I can tell you that it doesn’t take much to convert your normal summer setup to a winter one — and it’s also much easier to get reservations to hard-to-get spots during the winter months.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It can be a lot of fun as long as you come prepared,” said Lillie Oravetz, a state park interpreter II at \u003ca href=\"https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=551\">Calaveras Big Trees State Park\u003c/a> in Calaveras and Tuolumne counties. “You’re gonna get cold, but it’s really beautiful.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Read on for tips from the experts, or jump straight to five great winter camping spots to start planning your winter excursion now. And remember: If you read this and the idea of pitching your tent in the colder months still doesn’t appeal, you can always \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12044161/bay-area-camping-alternatives-glamping-yurts-cabins-big-sur\">go glamping instead.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#Yourwintercampingequipmentchecklist\">Your winter camping equipment checklist\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#5greatwintercampgroundsneartheBayArea\">5 great winter campgrounds near the Bay Area\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>Expert tips on planning a successful winter camping trip\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Tip: For warmer winter climates, head to the coast — but still check the weather forecast\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Therese Cools, park aide for \u003ca href=\"http://parks.ca.gov/?page_id=451\">Sonoma Coast State Park\u003c/a>, said the Sonoma Coast can get some of its best weather in the winter, with blue skies overhead and less wind than usual.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But be aware: That area does get heavy rains starting in January, so don’t forget to check the weather forecast ahead of time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12064308\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12064308\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/11/Costanoa-camping.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/11/Costanoa-camping.png 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/11/Costanoa-camping-160x107.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/11/Costanoa-camping-1536x1024.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Costanoa Lodge & Camp offers year-round hot showers, hot meals and even a sauna. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of Costanoa Lodge & Camp)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“If it’s raining heavily, it’s not a great place” for camping, Cools said, “But when there’s not a storm coming through, it’s beautiful.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>November is also crabbing season on the coast, so if you’d like a fresh catch, come this month. Or for a front seat for \u003ca href=\"https://www.bodegabay.com/tides/what-is-a-king-tide/\">California’s famed King Tides\u003c/a>, plan your trip for January, she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Wintertime isn’t the best for water sports, so unless you’re an expert, you may want to leave your surfboard at home and plan to stay out of the ocean altogether. But you should bring your binoculars, as there’s a wealth of seabirds and other wildlife to explore on the Sonoma Coast, many of which spend the \u003ca href=\"https://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/451/files/SonomaCoastSPFinalWebLayout2017.pdf\">winter on the coast in large flocks.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Tip: Unless you’re ready for snow, avoid the mountains\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re planning on heading to higher ground, know it’s likely to snow. In Calaveras, which is 4,600 feet above sea level, “it’s pretty unpredictable when we will get snow,” Oravetz said — “but we can guarantee at \u003cem>some \u003c/em>point there’ll be snow.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And conditions can change rapidly at high elevations, so don’t just check the weather once a few weeks out, Oravetz warned. Double check the forecast regularly, “a couple of days in advance” for a more accurate forecast, she cautioned.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Don’t forget: No matter where you’re going, but especially if you are planning to go up high in elevation, be sure to check nighttime temperatures ahead of time and be prepared for below-freezing nights.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Tip: Make a plan — and a plan B\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Rachel Borick, operations manager at private campground \u003ca href=\"https://www.costanoa.com/\">Costanoa\u003c/a> on the San Mateo County coast, said her number one piece of advice for winter camping is: “Be prepared and always have a backup plan.”\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>On the coast, that might mean preparing for heavy rains in the winter. In the mountains, you’ll need to prepare for snow and below-freezing conditions as well.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But even “a rainy day spent in a tent with the right supplies can be more memorable than a perfectly sunny day on the trails,” she said. “Having an open mind and leaning in to what Mother Nature provides is vital.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Know where you’re going and what you’re planning to do, but make sure you have other options in case your trailhead is no longer accessible — or if \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11937204/lake-tahoe-weather-forecast-road-conditions-snow-chains\">winter weather makes travel downright unsafe\u003c/a>. Take note of towns with services like gas stations and hotels near your camping destination, just in case you need to bail on your plans outright and hunker down.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Don’t forget that many campgrounds and wilderness areas have no cellphone service — so in winter, it’s especially important to know your exit routes and bailout points ahead of time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Tip: Bring layers\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>No matter where you’re going, remember to bring waterproof and windproof gear.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Calaveras’ Oravetz went one step further and advised campers to come prepared for almost \u003cem>any \u003c/em>weather. “Sometimes it might snow, but then be pretty warm the next day, and we don’t want people to overheat,” she cautioned\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Brian Low is the general manager at \u003ca href=\"https://www.club.urbandiversion.com/\">Club Urban Diversion,\u003c/a> a Bay Area-based social club that organizes all sorts of outdoor trips, including winter camping. Low said his winter packing list varies by location, but “no matter what the forecast is showing, you’re always going to want to pack some sort of rain gear,” he said. And don’t forget insulating layers to go underneath for warmth, too, urged Low.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Layers are the most efficient way to pack for winter camping “because it’s easy to either layer up to get warmer, or easy to take off layers to adjust your body heat to make sure that you’re not getting too warm or too cold,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12064309\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12064309\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/11/Sierra-snow-camping.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1297\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/11/Sierra-snow-camping.png 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/11/Sierra-snow-camping-160x108.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/11/Sierra-snow-camping-1536x1038.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A camper digs out a tent site from snow in the Sierra Nevada, on the Tahoe Rim Trail. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of Brian Low)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Tip: Pack smart, and bring backup gear\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Calaveras’ Oravetz said starting in November, anyone traveling up to the higher elevations should bring chains for their car, “just in case.” That goes for extra fuel in your car, too.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“You could come up for a couple of days here or go further up the mountain, and then a snowstorm comes in,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re parking on the side of the road and not at a campsite, be aware of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11972590/with-tahoe-winter-storm-warning-this-weekend-what-to-know-about-avalanche-risk\">potential avalanche areas\u003c/a> and snowplow routes. Low warned — you don’t want to return to your car only to find it buried.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Low said some auto shops like Les Schwab even allow you to buy chains and return them at the end of the season for a full refund if you never end up using them. You can \u003ca href=\"https://dot.ca.gov/travel/winter-driving-tips/chain-controls\">check chain controls\u003c/a> online and learn how to properly install chains on \u003ca href=\"https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/\">Caltrans’s website\u003c/a>, and read more about \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11937204/lake-tahoe-weather-forecast-road-conditions-snow-chains\">preparing to drive in wintry conditions with our KQED guide\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>Bring or plan to store extra water, Oravetz said, since the pipes at some campgrounds, like Calaveras’, can freeze, so the only available water is at a central location. And remember that even in the winter, you need to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12002429/california-camping-tahoe-yosemite-bears-safety-what-to-do-bear-spray\">store your food safely away from bears \u003c/a>in bear canisters or food lockers provided at each campsite.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The upside? There shouldn’t be too many bugs in the winter, so you can leave your DEET at home. But remember that the sun sets early in the winter, so make sure to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12040242/start-backpacking-trails-bay-area-near-me-permits#backpacking-gear\">bring ample light and something to do \u003c/a>during the night hours, like a deck of cards or a book to read.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Staying warm at night is important, Low said — and one way to stay toasty that might surprise you is to get up and out of your tent as soon as you realize you have to pee.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That’s because your body is sending energy to your bladder that could otherwise be used to keep you warm, he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s a lot better to just actually bite the bullet, get out of your tent, put on your shoes and just go pee,” he said. “At the end of the day, you’ll be a lot happier because you’ll sleep better, you’ll be warmer.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Just remember that even in winter, you have to properly dispose of any and all waste — that includes any trash, food waste and especially poop — as \u003cem>anything \u003c/em>buried in snow is \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1995954/at-hidden-tahoe-lab-scientists-learn-the-art-of-measuring-snow\">headed for a waterway come spring. \u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In general, if you have any questions — or are at all worried about winter camping — you can always call ahead to the campground or wilderness area for advice on that particular spot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Winters, especially snow camping, can be very intimidating for people just because of the temperatures,” Low said. “But with the right gear list and the right techniques, then you can really have an amazing time.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"Yourwintercampingequipmentchecklist\">\u003c/a>Your winter and snow camping gear checklist\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>As an expert in \u003ca href=\"https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/winter-camping.html\">winter camping\u003c/a>, Low recommends bringing these items for your next cold-weather or snow trip:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>A zero-degree sleeping bag, or warmer\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Remember:\u003ca href=\"https://seatosummit.eu/blogs/technical-features/sleeping-bag-temperature-ratings-explained?srsltid=AfmBOoq8aSMfu00UzxMidRbQTDFIPJwqxUtbJFjMSDxLe_JBQzMxRtj9\"> the ratings on sleeping bags\u003c/a> tell you the temperature at which it will keep you \u003cem>alive\u003c/em>, not comfortable: “Generally speaking, you want a zero-degree bag for anywhere that it’s going to be below 30 degrees,” Low said. “It’s better to have a bag that is a little too warm and not warm enough.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12064310\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1939px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12064310\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/11/Pescadero-Creek-Memorial-Park.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1939\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/11/Pescadero-Creek-Memorial-Park.png 1939w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/11/Pescadero-Creek-Memorial-Park-160x106.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/11/Pescadero-Creek-Memorial-Park-1536x1014.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1939px) 100vw, 1939px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Pescadero Creek in San Mateo County’s Memorial Park, which maintains an all-year campground. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of San Mateo County Parks Department)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>If you’re still worried about warmth, a \u003cstrong>sleeping bag liner\u003c/strong> can add five or 10 degrees of warmth to the bag you might already have.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Synthetic or wool clothing to hike and sleep in\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Forget cotton, Low said, because once you sweat in it, or it gets wet, cotton takes a really long time to dry out. If you’re backpacking or going for a long hike, abide by the saying “be bold, start cold” by peeling off layers before they get drenched in sweat.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And if you’ve just gotten back from a hike and are overly warm, take that opportunity to remove any sweaty items and change into your warmest clothes, including a beanie and gloves — to best retain your body heat all evening long.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sunglasses \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So you can avoid \u003ca href=\"https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/photokeratitis-snow-blindness\">snow blindness\u003c/a> when it’s sunny out.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>A first aid kit \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>… and knowledge of not only what’s in it, but how to use it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>A bear canister \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For food storage, if one is required, where you’re camping.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>A \u003c/strong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/how-to-choose-backpacking-fuel.html\">\u003cstrong>liquid fuel stove\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Low recommends this type of stove over a more typical backpacking gas fuel stove because the fuel canister will maintain its pressure and perform better at cold temperatures.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In addition to cooking, you can use your stove to melt snow for drinking water, but remember to find a clean, undisturbed patch of snow — and to be extra safe, you can always boil the water before drinking it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Microspikes, crampons or snowshoes\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For traction underfoot, \u003ca href=\"https://www.backpacker.com/skills/beginner-skills/choosing-between-microspikes-crampons-snowshoes-for-winter-hikes/\">depending on your activity.\u003c/a> Low said he loves using microspikes for walking around camp in slippery conditions because they keep you on your feet while not being as clunky as snowshoes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lots of food\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Eating a good amount of calories will keep you warm, and cooking up a hot meal of fresh — not dehydrated — food can make your evening that much more enjoyable, Low said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>A doubled-up sleeping pad\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Low said that one of his guiding colleagues — who’s summited Denali, the highest mountain in North America — swears by putting an inflatable pad underneath a foam pad for the warmest night’s sleep. (Don’t forget to check the “\u003ca href=\"https://www.switchbacktravel.com/info/sleeping-pad-r-value\">R value\u003c/a>” of any pad you bring — that will tell you its warmth).\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Low even recommends inflating your pad with a small pump instead of blowing it up by mouth, to keep out condensation, which can freeze inside your pad.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>A small shovel\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If the snow is deep where you’re camping, bring something with which you can dig out a seating area, kitchen and even a trash bag-lined toilet to use, as recommended by Low.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Any durable tent \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Any model \u003c/strong>will do, Low said — even \u003ca href=\"https://winterbackpacking.com/3-season-vs-4-season-tents/\">\u003cstrong>a three-season tent\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>, so long as heavy snow isn’t in the forecast. When to consider a four-season tent instead: If you know you’ll be out in a heavy storm with the risk of high winds, or snowfall that could pile up and break your tent poles.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>A Nalgene-style water bottle \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Before going to bed, a bottle like this can be filled up with boiling water, screwed nice and tight and placed inside your sleeping bag to act as a heater. Just remember to wrap it in a sock, so you don’t get burned by accident.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Hand and toe warmers\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Typically used by skiers, these are perfect for placing inside clothes or a sleeping bag for warmth.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Plastic bags\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Use these to keep your socks dry in your boots, if they’re not as waterproof as they need to be.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/gaiters.html\">\u003cstrong>Gaiters\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To keep snow out of low-cut shoes.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"5greatwintercampgroundsneartheBayArea\">\u003c/a>5 beautiful wintertime camping spots to try this year\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sonoma Coast State Park\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Both \u003ca href=\"https://www.sonomacounty.com/profiles/bodega-dunes-campground/\">Bodega Dunes\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.sonomacounty.com/profiles/wrights-beach-campgrounds/\">Wright’s Beach\u003c/a> at \u003ca href=\"https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=451\">Sonoma Coast State Park\u003c/a> are open all winter long to campers and RVers, although they don’t have hookups. Campsites start at $45 per night and reservations can be made on \u003ca href=\"https://reservecalifornia.com/Web/\">ReserveCalifornia.\u003c/a> Both campgrounds allow campfires all year round.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Park aid Cools said while Wright’s Beach fills up more quickly, Bodega Dunes tends to have more availability on winter weekends — and weekday reservations are easy to get in the winter.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12064314\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12064314\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/11/Homestead-Trail-Memorial-Park.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1276\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/11/Homestead-Trail-Memorial-Park.png 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/11/Homestead-Trail-Memorial-Park-160x106.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/11/Homestead-Trail-Memorial-Park-1536x1021.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Homestead Trail in San Mateo County’s Memorial Park, which maintains an all-year campground. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of San Mateo County Parks Department)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“During the winter, the Sonoma Coast can be really nice with blue skies — and it tends to be less windy,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Yosemite National Park\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Itching to experience \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/winter.htm\">Yosemite\u003c/a> without the craziness of summer crowds? Winter might be your best bet.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I love to go to Yosemite in the wintertime,” Low said. “It is so beautiful, and you can get a piece of Yosemite all to yourself without a person in sight.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Tioga Road and the road to Glacier Point — and much of the upper areas of the park — close during the early months of winter. But if you want to soak in the snow-dusted granite walls from Yosemite Valley, you can \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/camping.htm\">make a reservation (typically $35 per night) or try your luck at first-come, first-served campgrounds\u003c/a> in the park.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Or, take Low’s suggestion and get a wilderness permit to \u003ca href=\"https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/dewey-point-trail--4\">backpack into Dewey Point\u003c/a> or along any route off Glacier Point Road once the first five miles of road to Badger Pass Ski Area are plowed (check the \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm\">park website \u003c/a>or call 209-372-0200 for status updates) and the rest is groomed for cross-country skiing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Just remember: \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wildwinter.htm\">You must camp at least one mile away from any plowed road. \u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“How often do you get to go to a place that’s as busy as Yosemite and camp in a spot where there’s not another soul around for as far as you can see?” Low said. “Waking up to see Half Dome or to see El Cap and watching the sun rise on the dawn wall while having a cup of coffee or tea is spectacular.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Calaveras Big Trees State Park\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Located on Highway 4 in the Sierra Nevada range, \u003ca href=\"https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=551\">Calaveras Big Trees State Park\u003c/a> — known for its massive sequoia trees — is open all year round. That said, some camp spots and parts of the park \u003ca href=\"https://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/551/files/CalaverasSkiCampgrdFlyerLR.pdf\">close to cars\u003c/a> after the first significant snowfall or by Dec. 1, Oravetz said. This includes Parkway Road, which closes off access to the Stanislaus River and two groves of big trees, plus a couple of picnic areas and some camping. But those areas are still accessible to snowshoers and cross-country skiers, she said — so your sense of adventure could be rewarded by having these beautiful areas devoid of summer crowds.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Oravetz recommends the \u003ca class=\"c-link\" href=\"https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/calaveras-north-grove-trail\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-stringify-link=\"https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/calaveras-north-grove-trail\" data-sk=\"tooltip_parent\">North Grove Trail\u003c/a> for visitors looking to wander among the big trees on snowshoes or cross-country skis.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The snow is beautiful against the giant sequoias,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But be warned, the trail is popular with visitors and locals alike, and can get quite busy between Christmas and the New Year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That area is not open to general snowplay, so Oravetz recommends heading to \u003ca class=\"c-link\" href=\"https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=22403\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-stringify-link=\"https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=22403\" data-sk=\"tooltip_parent\">Parkway Road\u003c/a> instead to sled, build snowmen or start a snowball fight.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Reservations for family campsites are $35 and can be made on \u003ca class=\"c-link\" href=\"http://reservecalifornia.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-stringify-link=\"http://ReserveCalifornia.com\" data-sk=\"tooltip_parent\">ReserveCalifornia.com\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>San Mateo’s Memorial Park\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Among the redwoods of \u003ca href=\"https://www.smcgov.org/parks/memorial-park\">Memorial Park\u003c/a> in San Mateo County, the \u003ca href=\"https://www.smcgov.org/parks/facility/family-camping-memorial-park\">Azalea Flat\u003c/a> campground stays open all year long while other nearby camping areas close for the winter. RVs, trailers and campfires are allowed, and buying wood to burn at the park is recommended to avoid spreading bugs from park to park, said Carla Schoof, spokesperson for San Mateo County Parks Department.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Schoof said while the park gets crowded in summer, it’s not so full in the winter, which can make it feel extra peaceful.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s relatively easy to get to, but you really do feel like you’re far away,” she said. “You are deep in the Santa Cruz Mountain Range, surrounded by redwoods.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Plus, the nearby towns of Loma Mar and Pescadero offer opportunities to get supplies and explore — which may be extra necessary in the winter, when Memorial Park’s camp store is closed, she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At \u003ca href=\"https://www.smcgov.org/parks/memorial-park-history\">over a century old\u003c/a>, the park is “a special place to a lot of people … who’ve been going camping there since they were pretty small,” Schoof said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Park rangers are happy to answer questions about park conditions and camping. They can be reached at 650-879-0238, Schoof said, and reservations can also be made \u003ca href=\"https://secure.itinio.com/sanmateo/memorial-park\">online\u003c/a> and are $32 per night in the off-season.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Costanoa Lodge & Camp\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’d like a more bougie experience (and who could blame you?), the \u003ca href=\"https://www.costanoa.com/\">Costanoa\u003c/a> private campgrounds on the San Mateo County coast are known for their “failproof camping,” Borick, the camping and glamping resort’s operations manager, said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But still, prepare for anything: “You could end up with a full storm, huddled with your campmates, hot cocoa in hand, with a story to tell — or out on a muddy trail with the spectacular view of a clear winter’s day, she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Having a beach all to yourself, or the top of a viewpoint with the silence surrounding you, can be truly worth the invigoration of a winter camping trip,” Borick said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And the winter season brings abundant bird migrations and elephant seal pupping at nearby \u003ca href=\"https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=523\">Año Nuevo State Park\u003c/a> that can even be heard from the property, Borick said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In any case, the private campground has year-round hot showers, hot meals and even a sauna. And if you get tired of braving the elements, you can always \u003ca href=\"https://reservations.costanoa.com/costanoa/?dl_cd=eyJrdiI6IktWX2MxYTExZjBhZTg2Y2M1YTQ3ZmJkNGY4MDExYmMwN2ViIiwiYWNjSWQiOiJhYzZmZWEyZi1hMjcxLTRlNmUtOTUxNy00YTQxNzMwYWJiNjEiLCJpc1ByZXZpZXciOmZhbHNlLCJleHAiOjE3NjIyMTc5MzQyMzd9&_gl=1*utn68e*_ga*Nzc2NzI0MTM5LjE3NjIyMDUwNTI.*_ga_GZX22LK6FD*czE3NjIyMTY4MTgkbzIkZzEkdDE3NjIyMTc5MTYkajYwJGwwJGgw\">upgrade to a glamping tent, cabin or a room in the lodge. \u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cp>There have been mixed reports of the situation at Yosemite National Park since the federal government shutdown began on Oct. 1. Some say the park is rife with unruly visitors, trash, and illegal behavior, while others say it’s perfectly normal. So KQED reporter Sarah Wright went to go see for herself.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c!-- iframe plugin v.4.3 wordpress.org/plugins/iframe/ -->\u003cbr>\n\u003ciframe loading=\"lazy\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"200\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https://playlist.megaphone.fm?e=KQINC4983641517&light=true\" width=\"100%\" class=\"iframe-class\">\u003c/iframe>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ci>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Some members of the KQED podcast team are represented by The Screen Actors Guild, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, San Francisco-Northern California Local.\u003c/span>\u003c/i>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:01:39] What did you see when you arrived?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright \u003c/strong>[00:01:41] So when we arrived, all of the entrance stations were closed up. There were signs there saying, you know, go ahead and enter. There are also signs encouraging people to donate their entrance fee, which I thought was interesting. And there were no rangers staffed at those normal drive-thru areas. Once you got in the park, there was one person collecting campground fees, but most people make those reservations online. So I don’t think that they were necessarily stopping there. And in fact, I went up to a group of tourists while I was parking and They asked me for recommendations of what to see in the park because no one was there to give them a map.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:02:33] I know you met someone out there from Yosemite Conservancy who is kind of trying to fill that gap. Can you tell me about what Yosamite Conservency is and what they’re really trying to do out there?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright \u003c/strong>[00:02:47] Yeah so Yosemite Conservancy is a non-profit partner of the park and every national park has these sort of non-profits, friends of groups, and the conservancy for the past couple years actually has been staffing a welcome center in the valley so right now that center is fully staffed with employees.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Cory Coehring \u003c/strong>[00:03:06] Thank you again.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:03:09] Cory Goehring who’s a senior naturalist with the non-profit told me that they’ve seen a bit of a longer line than usual maybe at the Welcome Center given that the regular visitor center is not open and there aren’t as many rangers roaming around so they’re trying to fill in that gap of kind of educating and answering questions for people.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Cory Coehring \u003c/strong>[00:03:30] We’re providing just general park information right now. You know, what are the sites for people to see? We’re bringing out maps and helping people navigate around their national park and enjoy their visit. The most frequent question, of course, is the most frequent question at almost everywhere is where’s the bathroom? But yeah, a lot of questions of what is open, what is accessible that we can do right now in the park. So what we’re seeing now is the continuation of our work that we normally do, but just our lines are a little bit longer now that we don’t have our colleagues from the National Park Service by our side.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:04:05] So Sarah, it’s been nearly a month since the government shutdown started. Remind us why Yosemite is still open in the first place.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright \u003c/strong>[00:04:15] The sort of plan that the Trump administration came up with in case of a shutdown has basically instructions for any park that can stay open, should stay open. And it really is prioritizing sort of the visitor experience. So at a place like Yosemite, the park is open and anybody who is working sort of with or without pay. Is going to be focused on things like taking out the trash, cleaning the bathroom, kind of making sure that visitors are having an okay experience. What isn’t happening is all the work that the furloughed scientists, biologists, naturalists are normally doing in the park that isn’t as visitor-facing. So research or trail maintenance, for example. And so the parks are open, people are able to recreate, but what I’ve heard from from folks who have worked in parks for a long time is that there is a sort of underneath that’s just not happening.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:05:20] And of course we’re hearing about some of these horror stories as well, of people sort of taking advantage of the park still being open without park rangers around, the sort of stories of these free-for-alls, I mean, how do these horror-stories sort of square with what you and also the visitors that you’re speaking with out there are really scene.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright \u003c/strong>[00:05:44] Yeah, so a lot of people that I’ve spoken to and I have noticed myself have said, things seem normal. And I think that that’s true. The most reported thing that I’ve heard is, it seems a little busy for October. And some people attribute that to the shutdown, not charging fares at the entrance has attracted people. The fall colors are really popping right now. And it’s also peak climbing, Susan. So all of those things might, you know, have some influence on why it’s so busy. I could see definitely with fewer rangers roaming around and just the knowledge that it’s during a government shutdown and there’s less enforcement ability that people would be more inclined to try to bend or even break the rules in terms of camping in their cars or bringing dogs on trails or flying drones. I personally haven’t seen this activity yet, but I have talked to a couple of people who say that they have. If you’ve ever been to Yosemite, there’s sort of the valley and there’s the upper areas and right now the valley seems to be pretty well maintained and pretty in control and it’s possible that these other incidents are kind of happening one-off in the higher elevations of the park.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:07:06] And what about the bathroom situation? I feel like I gotta ask you about that. What are the bathrooms looking like?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright \u003c/strong>[00:07:12] All the bathrooms that I’ve used have been great. So no complaints there. I also, yeah, I haven’t seen any major trash overflowing, no major sewage issues. And to be clear, the priority of the Trump administration during the shutdown has been to keep on essential staff to deal with these types of maintenance issues so that visitors can have an enjoyable experience. So. That is what they’re prioritizing, say, over having a Ranger stationed at an entrance.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:07:47] And I know you talk with two tourists who had a reservation to Yosemite. Can you tell me about Katie Cook and Susan Bennet?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Katie Cook \u003c/strong>[00:07:57] I mean, I’ve traveled with other people into Yosemite over the years, but this is our first trip together.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Susan Bennet \u003c/strong>[00:08:03] We’re sister in-laws.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright \u003c/strong>[00:08:06] Oh my gosh, how sweet.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Katie Cook \u003c/strong>[00:08:07] She’s married to my brother. Thank goodness for her.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:08:11] So Katie and Susan are sister-in-laws and I met them at the Yosemite Valley Lodge at the courtyard there.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Susan Bennet \u003c/strong>[00:08:18] Before I came from Monterey, I read all sorts of stuff online about how all the scary things about people squatting in campgrounds and illegal base jumping, people forcing their way up on the half.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:08:31] They told me that they had heard the horror stories, and they almost didn’t come to the park, but their main motivation for almost canceling their trip was they didn’t want to be part of the problem.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Susan Bennet \u003c/strong>[00:08:42] So we thought about it. And what if the bathrooms are closed? And we were lucky enough, my husband Dave and I, had a girlfriend that came in the beginning of the week. So we were in contact with her.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:08:54] You know, they said that they actually reached out to folks working in and around the park who said, look, things are okay, it’s a good experience here still. And so they said they’ve had a great visit so far.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Katie Cook \u003c/strong>[00:09:07] Our experience here has really been quite pleasant. I’m just astounded with all the fall colors. They’re just gorgeous.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:09:15] They felt that sort of the reports of illegal activity were a bit overblown.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Susan Bennet \u003c/strong>[00:09:21] Things were okay in the campground areas in the happy aisle areas you know all the camp grounds are there and i knew there wouldn’t be anybody at the main gate knew that there would be a bit there but we had a we had arranger at the camp ground so it’s all good\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright \u003c/strong>[00:09:39] You know, one thing I talk to Corey Goehrig at Yosemite Conservancy about is if you are going to come right now, just be a good steward of the park. And I feel like they were really taking that to heart.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Susan Bennet \u003c/strong>[00:09:52] Part of my research online was I stumbled upon the Yosemite Conservancy website, and they were animate about, you know, please consider donating your entrance fee to the conservancy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:10:12] Coming up, the long-term effects of the shutdown on Yosemite and park staff. Stay with us.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:10:29] Sarah, it seems like things are mostly normal for visitors at Yosemite, but as you mentioned earlier, there’s a lot of stuff not happening sort of beneath the surface that maybe most visitors are not privy to. How long do you think this can go on, and what happens if this drags on even longer?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright \u003c/strong>[00:10:51] Well, I think in some ways there is a bit of luck in the timing of this shutdown, you know, here in California, the winter months are when a lot of our national parks go a little bit dormant, although that’s not true for Southern California, of course, but if this were the peak of summer, I would be really worried because the impact I think would really start start to pile up. As far as how long can it go on, I mean, I spoke to some folks, for example, a former superintendent at Channel Islands who told me, you know, that’s a whole month of research that’s just lost. So like when we look back at the records of the fish biology or the algae biology, like there’s just going to be a month of records missing. So it’s kind of a question of how much longer are we willing to just kind of not be investing in the future. Of these parks and instead sort of band-aiding over them for the full purpose of the visitor experience. The worries that we’ve actually seen in the Bay Area, for example, with Muir Woods and Alcatraz, what has happened as a result is private companies have stepped in to reopen those parks. And so it’s really a question of who’s going to foot the bill in the long term. And here in Yosemite, they’re using, you know, fee dollars from things like campground fees to continue funding these sort of visitor-facing… Expenses. And that also will, you know, presumably run out at some point.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:12:31] And I mean, do we know anything also about morale among National Park staff as well? I mean the Trump administration has also been talking about more layoffs for the National Park Service, right?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright \u003c/strong>[00:12:43] The only national park service employees, including Rangers, that I’ve been able to speak to have only been able speak to me anonymously. Staffing has been decimated over the course of this year. It’s down by 24% estimated amount throughout all national parks. So the Trump administration, as we know, has also been trying to permanently eliminate some positions during the furlough. And that has a lot of people concerned that, you know, places like Yosemite are already working off of a barebone staff, and if you actually lay off the folks that are currently furloughed, that’s just going to cut even deeper to a point that is not at all sustainable.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:13:29] I guess Sarah, I mean, what is your main takeaway for people who are interested in visiting Yosemite, but I mean who are also hearing, I mean what you just said about what this shutdown is gonna mean for the parks in the long run heading into the winter.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright \u003c/strong>[00:13:47] Yeah, I think my main takeaway has been things on the surface are functioning, and if you want to visit, you certainly can. I definitely take Corey’s advice to heart, which is just visit mindfully and also just know that if you’re somebody who really cares about the longevity of national parks and building towards a better understanding of the wild places that they protect, a lot of that work is not happening. It is going to take time to recover from the shutdown, from the current staffing cuts. So a lot of people are… fearful, a lot of people are worried about their jobs, are not able to basically carry out their mission as rangers and as educators.\u003c/p>\n\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>There have been mixed reports of the situation at Yosemite National Park since the federal government shutdown began on Oct. 1. Some say the park is rife with unruly visitors, trash, and illegal behavior, while others say it’s perfectly normal. So KQED reporter Sarah Wright went to go see for herself.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c!-- iframe plugin v.4.3 wordpress.org/plugins/iframe/ -->\u003cbr>\n\u003ciframe loading=\"lazy\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"200\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https://playlist.megaphone.fm?e=KQINC4983641517&light=true\" width=\"100%\" class=\"iframe-class\">\u003c/iframe>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ci>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Some members of the KQED podcast team are represented by The Screen Actors Guild, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, San Francisco-Northern California Local.\u003c/span>\u003c/i>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:01:39] What did you see when you arrived?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright \u003c/strong>[00:01:41] So when we arrived, all of the entrance stations were closed up. There were signs there saying, you know, go ahead and enter. There are also signs encouraging people to donate their entrance fee, which I thought was interesting. And there were no rangers staffed at those normal drive-thru areas. Once you got in the park, there was one person collecting campground fees, but most people make those reservations online. So I don’t think that they were necessarily stopping there. And in fact, I went up to a group of tourists while I was parking and They asked me for recommendations of what to see in the park because no one was there to give them a map.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:02:33] I know you met someone out there from Yosemite Conservancy who is kind of trying to fill that gap. Can you tell me about what Yosamite Conservency is and what they’re really trying to do out there?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright \u003c/strong>[00:02:47] Yeah so Yosemite Conservancy is a non-profit partner of the park and every national park has these sort of non-profits, friends of groups, and the conservancy for the past couple years actually has been staffing a welcome center in the valley so right now that center is fully staffed with employees.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Cory Coehring \u003c/strong>[00:03:06] Thank you again.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:03:09] Cory Goehring who’s a senior naturalist with the non-profit told me that they’ve seen a bit of a longer line than usual maybe at the Welcome Center given that the regular visitor center is not open and there aren’t as many rangers roaming around so they’re trying to fill in that gap of kind of educating and answering questions for people.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Cory Coehring \u003c/strong>[00:03:30] We’re providing just general park information right now. You know, what are the sites for people to see? We’re bringing out maps and helping people navigate around their national park and enjoy their visit. The most frequent question, of course, is the most frequent question at almost everywhere is where’s the bathroom? But yeah, a lot of questions of what is open, what is accessible that we can do right now in the park. So what we’re seeing now is the continuation of our work that we normally do, but just our lines are a little bit longer now that we don’t have our colleagues from the National Park Service by our side.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:04:05] So Sarah, it’s been nearly a month since the government shutdown started. Remind us why Yosemite is still open in the first place.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright \u003c/strong>[00:04:15] The sort of plan that the Trump administration came up with in case of a shutdown has basically instructions for any park that can stay open, should stay open. And it really is prioritizing sort of the visitor experience. So at a place like Yosemite, the park is open and anybody who is working sort of with or without pay. Is going to be focused on things like taking out the trash, cleaning the bathroom, kind of making sure that visitors are having an okay experience. What isn’t happening is all the work that the furloughed scientists, biologists, naturalists are normally doing in the park that isn’t as visitor-facing. So research or trail maintenance, for example. And so the parks are open, people are able to recreate, but what I’ve heard from from folks who have worked in parks for a long time is that there is a sort of underneath that’s just not happening.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:05:20] And of course we’re hearing about some of these horror stories as well, of people sort of taking advantage of the park still being open without park rangers around, the sort of stories of these free-for-alls, I mean, how do these horror-stories sort of square with what you and also the visitors that you’re speaking with out there are really scene.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright \u003c/strong>[00:05:44] Yeah, so a lot of people that I’ve spoken to and I have noticed myself have said, things seem normal. And I think that that’s true. The most reported thing that I’ve heard is, it seems a little busy for October. And some people attribute that to the shutdown, not charging fares at the entrance has attracted people. The fall colors are really popping right now. And it’s also peak climbing, Susan. So all of those things might, you know, have some influence on why it’s so busy. I could see definitely with fewer rangers roaming around and just the knowledge that it’s during a government shutdown and there’s less enforcement ability that people would be more inclined to try to bend or even break the rules in terms of camping in their cars or bringing dogs on trails or flying drones. I personally haven’t seen this activity yet, but I have talked to a couple of people who say that they have. If you’ve ever been to Yosemite, there’s sort of the valley and there’s the upper areas and right now the valley seems to be pretty well maintained and pretty in control and it’s possible that these other incidents are kind of happening one-off in the higher elevations of the park.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:07:06] And what about the bathroom situation? I feel like I gotta ask you about that. What are the bathrooms looking like?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright \u003c/strong>[00:07:12] All the bathrooms that I’ve used have been great. So no complaints there. I also, yeah, I haven’t seen any major trash overflowing, no major sewage issues. And to be clear, the priority of the Trump administration during the shutdown has been to keep on essential staff to deal with these types of maintenance issues so that visitors can have an enjoyable experience. So. That is what they’re prioritizing, say, over having a Ranger stationed at an entrance.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:07:47] And I know you talk with two tourists who had a reservation to Yosemite. Can you tell me about Katie Cook and Susan Bennet?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Katie Cook \u003c/strong>[00:07:57] I mean, I’ve traveled with other people into Yosemite over the years, but this is our first trip together.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Susan Bennet \u003c/strong>[00:08:03] We’re sister in-laws.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright \u003c/strong>[00:08:06] Oh my gosh, how sweet.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Katie Cook \u003c/strong>[00:08:07] She’s married to my brother. Thank goodness for her.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:08:11] So Katie and Susan are sister-in-laws and I met them at the Yosemite Valley Lodge at the courtyard there.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Susan Bennet \u003c/strong>[00:08:18] Before I came from Monterey, I read all sorts of stuff online about how all the scary things about people squatting in campgrounds and illegal base jumping, people forcing their way up on the half.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:08:31] They told me that they had heard the horror stories, and they almost didn’t come to the park, but their main motivation for almost canceling their trip was they didn’t want to be part of the problem.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Susan Bennet \u003c/strong>[00:08:42] So we thought about it. And what if the bathrooms are closed? And we were lucky enough, my husband Dave and I, had a girlfriend that came in the beginning of the week. So we were in contact with her.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:08:54] You know, they said that they actually reached out to folks working in and around the park who said, look, things are okay, it’s a good experience here still. And so they said they’ve had a great visit so far.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Katie Cook \u003c/strong>[00:09:07] Our experience here has really been quite pleasant. I’m just astounded with all the fall colors. They’re just gorgeous.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:09:15] They felt that sort of the reports of illegal activity were a bit overblown.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Susan Bennet \u003c/strong>[00:09:21] Things were okay in the campground areas in the happy aisle areas you know all the camp grounds are there and i knew there wouldn’t be anybody at the main gate knew that there would be a bit there but we had a we had arranger at the camp ground so it’s all good\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright \u003c/strong>[00:09:39] You know, one thing I talk to Corey Goehrig at Yosemite Conservancy about is if you are going to come right now, just be a good steward of the park. And I feel like they were really taking that to heart.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Susan Bennet \u003c/strong>[00:09:52] Part of my research online was I stumbled upon the Yosemite Conservancy website, and they were animate about, you know, please consider donating your entrance fee to the conservancy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:10:12] Coming up, the long-term effects of the shutdown on Yosemite and park staff. Stay with us.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:10:29] Sarah, it seems like things are mostly normal for visitors at Yosemite, but as you mentioned earlier, there’s a lot of stuff not happening sort of beneath the surface that maybe most visitors are not privy to. How long do you think this can go on, and what happens if this drags on even longer?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright \u003c/strong>[00:10:51] Well, I think in some ways there is a bit of luck in the timing of this shutdown, you know, here in California, the winter months are when a lot of our national parks go a little bit dormant, although that’s not true for Southern California, of course, but if this were the peak of summer, I would be really worried because the impact I think would really start start to pile up. As far as how long can it go on, I mean, I spoke to some folks, for example, a former superintendent at Channel Islands who told me, you know, that’s a whole month of research that’s just lost. So like when we look back at the records of the fish biology or the algae biology, like there’s just going to be a month of records missing. So it’s kind of a question of how much longer are we willing to just kind of not be investing in the future. Of these parks and instead sort of band-aiding over them for the full purpose of the visitor experience. The worries that we’ve actually seen in the Bay Area, for example, with Muir Woods and Alcatraz, what has happened as a result is private companies have stepped in to reopen those parks. And so it’s really a question of who’s going to foot the bill in the long term. And here in Yosemite, they’re using, you know, fee dollars from things like campground fees to continue funding these sort of visitor-facing… Expenses. And that also will, you know, presumably run out at some point.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:12:31] And I mean, do we know anything also about morale among National Park staff as well? I mean the Trump administration has also been talking about more layoffs for the National Park Service, right?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright \u003c/strong>[00:12:43] The only national park service employees, including Rangers, that I’ve been able to speak to have only been able speak to me anonymously. Staffing has been decimated over the course of this year. It’s down by 24% estimated amount throughout all national parks. So the Trump administration, as we know, has also been trying to permanently eliminate some positions during the furlough. And that has a lot of people concerned that, you know, places like Yosemite are already working off of a barebone staff, and if you actually lay off the folks that are currently furloughed, that’s just going to cut even deeper to a point that is not at all sustainable.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:13:29] I guess Sarah, I mean, what is your main takeaway for people who are interested in visiting Yosemite, but I mean who are also hearing, I mean what you just said about what this shutdown is gonna mean for the parks in the long run heading into the winter.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright \u003c/strong>[00:13:47] Yeah, I think my main takeaway has been things on the surface are functioning, and if you want to visit, you certainly can. I definitely take Corey’s advice to heart, which is just visit mindfully and also just know that if you’re somebody who really cares about the longevity of national parks and building towards a better understanding of the wild places that they protect, a lot of that work is not happening. It is going to take time to recover from the shutdown, from the current staffing cuts. So a lot of people are… fearful, a lot of people are worried about their jobs, are not able to basically carry out their mission as rangers and as educators.\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"content": "\u003cp>When Santa Rosa resident Sean Jennings arrived at Yosemite National Park last week on a weekday during the ongoing \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/government-shutdown\">government shutdown\u003c/a>, he was shocked by how busy the park was: “There were people everywhere,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Jennings had planned a leaf peeping trip through the Sierra with his daughter Sugar and had reserved one night’s stay in Yosemite itself at Porcupine Flats campground, near Tioga Pass.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As frequent visitors to national parks, Jennings said he and his daughter were surprised to find bumper-to-bumper traffic, full parking lots and piled-up garbage — especially for a Monday in October. He also reported “a general undercurrent of, I wouldn’t say hostility, but unease” among their fellow visitors.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And on top of it all, when the family pulled into their campground, with no rangers around to check in campground guests and enforce bookings, there was somebody already set up in the spot that they had reserved and paid for weeks ago.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Jennings said the person did politely pack up and leave when confronted. But overall, “there was definitely a level of brusqueness” to most of his interactions with other visitors in the park, he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11970738\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11970738\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/12/GettyImages-1846156476-scaled-e1759449061670.jpg\" alt=\"state parks\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A welcome sign is seen at the Yosemite National Park on Dec. 13, 2023. \u003ccite>(Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“It didn’t feel as welcoming, as open as it has in the past for us,” he said. “It felt disorganized and had sort of a ‘first-come-first-serve,’ ‘screw you’ type of feeling to it.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058298/at-muir-woods-tourists-heartbroken-over-national-park-closure-during-shutdown\">Unlike other national parks\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058508/yes-yosemite-is-open-during-the-shutdown-but-with-lots-of-changes-for-visitors\">Yosemite has remained open during the federal government shutdown\u003c/a>, albeit with a drastically reduced workforce. And more than two weeks in, with many of their workers off the job, \u003ca href=\"http://kqed.org/news/12059380/should-i-still-visit-yosemite-and-other-questions-about-national-parks-during-the-shutdown\">national parks are starting to feel the effects\u003c/a> of the federal government shutdown.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While some say reports of unpermitted activity at Yosemite National Park are overblown, others say an uptick in visitors has been significant and noticeable – so much that they’re worried about the long-term effects not just on the park, but on the behavior of future park visitors.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>‘Eerie’ in the Valley\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Mark Rose, Sierra Nevada program manager for the National Parks Conservation Association, visited Yosemite late last week and said most things appeared normal. For the most part, the bathrooms he saw were clean, and the trash had been taken out, and a volunteer was even on duty as his campground host. But the park had an “eerie” feel, Rose said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It almost felt like you showed up to class and none of the teachers were there,” he said. “I didn’t see a single National Park Service employee — not a single ranger wearing a ranger suit, walking around or helping visitors.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12059383\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12059383\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/YosemiteGetty-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/YosemiteGetty-1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/YosemiteGetty-1-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/YosemiteGetty-1-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A motorist passes through the Tioga Pass fee station at the eastern entrance to Yosemite National Park, which is vacant of available employees to collect fees that help fund the park, on the first day of the government shutdown on Oct. 1, 2025, in Yosemite National Park, California. \u003ccite>(David McNew/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>That’s because most park rangers, particularly “interpretive rangers” — those that share park information with the public — \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12057777/government-shutdown-who-affected-bay-area-california-social-security-airports-national-parks-courts-fleet-week-sf\">have been furloughed during the shutdown\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In the interim, volunteers and employees from the nonprofit Yosemite Conservancy are staffing a single welcome center in the Valley. But all other visitor centers and museums, as well as the park entrance kiosks, are closed. There are no ranger programs, no maps being handed out and some Yosemite campgrounds don’t even have a volunteer making sure that reservations are being honored — or that \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12002429/california-camping-tahoe-yosemite-bears-safety-what-to-do-bear-spray\">people are storing their food away from bears \u003c/a>and other wildlife.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Many weekend visitors to Yosemite posting \u003ca href=\"https://www.reddit.com/r/Yosemite/comments/1o6mltd/current_state_of_campgrounds/\">to Reddit\u003c/a> reported that, like Rose, they saw nothing out of the ordinary in the park during the shutdown. But nonetheless, Rose said, just one bad actor can have a major impact — and with \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101910047/yosemite-and-other-ca-national-parks-underfunded-understaffed-this-summer\">staffing already down this year\u003c/a> in national parks, added to President Donald Trump’s threats to cut even more employees during the shutdown, Rose is worried about the bigger picture.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We saw before the shutdown and during the shutdown, \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/27/us/politics/trump-cuts-national-parks.html\">we don’t have adequate levels of staffing\u003c/a> to protect visitors and protect resources,” Rose said. “The concern is the longer this drags on, the more of these impacts we’re going to continue to see.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Short on staff\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>As the shutdown loomed in late September, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058137/government-shutdown-2025-national-parks-planning-memo\">a group of former national parks superintendents sounded the alarm\u003c/a> about the effect that keeping parks open without full staff could have.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>With so many of their colleagues off the job, the few people deemed essential and still working in Yosemite — including fire and search-and-rescue crews — are under strain. One federal worker in the park, who spoke to KQED on condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation and losing their job, said the park has been busy, “like all the time,” since the shutdown, with visitorship more resembling the park’s summer peaks.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12058519\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12058519\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/YosemiteGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1298\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/YosemiteGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/YosemiteGetty-160x104.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/YosemiteGetty-1536x997.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Visitors look up at El Capitan from El Capitan Meadow in Yosemite National Park, California, on May 20, 2025. \u003ccite>(Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“There’s nobody to stop them at the gate,” they said. With nobody on duty to collect entrance fees, “everybody knows that it’s free, so they’re just coming.” KQED reached out to Yosemite National Park representatives for comment, but received no response.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Also still working are law enforcement rangers, essentially the police at parks, but Elisabeth Barton, founding member and CEO of tour company Echo Adventure Cooperative, said they are doing “double duty,” as they attempt to enforce rules that visitors were never apprised of.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Barton, whose group guides trips in Yosemite and Stanislaus National Forest, described the scene in Yosemite during the last two weeks as “wild.”[aside postID=news_12059380 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251001-NATIONAL-PARKS-SHUTDOWN-MD-04-KQED-1536x1024.jpg']Barton said she fears the shutdown has actually attracted a more “aggressive” type of visitor — one that saw that parks would be open but unstaffed, and decided to come anyway. And for some, to take the opportunity to do an activity that’s normally banned or requires a permit.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://theoxfordblue.co.uk/why-does-everyone-suddenly-want-to-rock-climb/\">soaring popularity of climbing as a sport\u003c/a>, which is in one of its \u003ca href=\"https://wildlandtrekking.com/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-rock-climbing-in-yosemite/\">peak seasons\u003c/a> in the park, may explain the lines she’s seen during the shutdown at popular Yosemite routes like “The Nose” of El Capitan, she said. And while you’ll find people doing unpermitted things in the park all year round, Barton said, she thinks people have gotten more bold — \u003ca href=\"https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/10/15/yosemite-national-park-base-jumpers-government-shutdown/86703269007/\">BASE jumping off cliffs without a permit in broad daylight\u003c/a> and flying drones, \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/news/use-of-unmanned-aircraft-systems-drones-prohibited-in-yosemite-national-park.htm%3Fcmpid%3Dpscau\">an activity that’s banned in national parks\u003c/a> — knowing there aren’t enough staff to enforce the rules.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Members of her guiding company have “been trying to do our part and just remind people that [drones are] illegal, and they do not care,” she said. “And they have told us such.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“This past weekend felt like the Fourth of July, it was so busy,” the anonymous park worker said — and is especially concerned about the unchecked visitor behavior they’ve witnessed during the shutdown. “There are so many people parked all over the place, parked in the dirt, parked on plants and other resources.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In the campgrounds themselves, “there’s definitely been an uptick in people squatting,” they said — just like the Jennings family encountered at Porcupine Flats.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>A bad standard\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The Yosemite shutdown crowds have Barton feeling “very conflicted,” she said. On the one hand, her co-op’s guiding business, hotel and outdoor shop have thrived during this period. “It’s incredibly beneficial to my company to have the shutdown when it’s happening, because the shoulder season is now busier than it’s ever been,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And Barton believes everyone should experience the beauty of national parks, especially those who’ve never been to one before.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11740802\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11740802\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2019/04/RS1491_STA_629-e1555526819429.jpg\" alt=\"El Capitan in Yosemite National Park.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1440\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. \u003ccite>(Craig Miller/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“But at the same time, I’m seeing unprecedented damage to my park,” she said. And while the number of people actually breaking the rules — intentionally or unintentionally — may be relatively small, Barton worries that bad actors are setting a particularly bad example for those first-time visitors, who may build undesirable habits and cause damage at parks in the future.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“There is a standard being set for a national park visitor — the folks who would never dare pull a drone out of their vehicle because it’s just against the rules and they know it,” she said. “While they’re in the park, they’re seeing all these drones moving and they’re like, ‘You know what, maybe it’s not that big of a deal?’”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The anonymous park worker said there’s not much they can do to stop the behavior. Law enforcement is generally too busy to ticket everyone, and they’re skeptical they’ll receive word of changes from park leadership anytime soon. “Information is not being disseminated,” they said — and the leadership above them “doesn’t know anything.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Rose, too, worries this may just be the start of bigger impacts for national parks.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The last shutdown was 35 days,” he said. “And it wasn’t until we got about 3 weeks into it that you really started to see some of the impacts.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
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"excerpt": "During the government shutdown, some parkgoers are being flagrant about unpermitted activity, according to visitors, workers and advocates.",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>When Santa Rosa resident Sean Jennings arrived at Yosemite National Park last week on a weekday during the ongoing \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/government-shutdown\">government shutdown\u003c/a>, he was shocked by how busy the park was: “There were people everywhere,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Jennings had planned a leaf peeping trip through the Sierra with his daughter Sugar and had reserved one night’s stay in Yosemite itself at Porcupine Flats campground, near Tioga Pass.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As frequent visitors to national parks, Jennings said he and his daughter were surprised to find bumper-to-bumper traffic, full parking lots and piled-up garbage — especially for a Monday in October. He also reported “a general undercurrent of, I wouldn’t say hostility, but unease” among their fellow visitors.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And on top of it all, when the family pulled into their campground, with no rangers around to check in campground guests and enforce bookings, there was somebody already set up in the spot that they had reserved and paid for weeks ago.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Jennings said the person did politely pack up and leave when confronted. But overall, “there was definitely a level of brusqueness” to most of his interactions with other visitors in the park, he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11970738\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11970738\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/12/GettyImages-1846156476-scaled-e1759449061670.jpg\" alt=\"state parks\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A welcome sign is seen at the Yosemite National Park on Dec. 13, 2023. \u003ccite>(Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“It didn’t feel as welcoming, as open as it has in the past for us,” he said. “It felt disorganized and had sort of a ‘first-come-first-serve,’ ‘screw you’ type of feeling to it.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058298/at-muir-woods-tourists-heartbroken-over-national-park-closure-during-shutdown\">Unlike other national parks\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058508/yes-yosemite-is-open-during-the-shutdown-but-with-lots-of-changes-for-visitors\">Yosemite has remained open during the federal government shutdown\u003c/a>, albeit with a drastically reduced workforce. And more than two weeks in, with many of their workers off the job, \u003ca href=\"http://kqed.org/news/12059380/should-i-still-visit-yosemite-and-other-questions-about-national-parks-during-the-shutdown\">national parks are starting to feel the effects\u003c/a> of the federal government shutdown.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While some say reports of unpermitted activity at Yosemite National Park are overblown, others say an uptick in visitors has been significant and noticeable – so much that they’re worried about the long-term effects not just on the park, but on the behavior of future park visitors.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>‘Eerie’ in the Valley\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Mark Rose, Sierra Nevada program manager for the National Parks Conservation Association, visited Yosemite late last week and said most things appeared normal. For the most part, the bathrooms he saw were clean, and the trash had been taken out, and a volunteer was even on duty as his campground host. But the park had an “eerie” feel, Rose said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It almost felt like you showed up to class and none of the teachers were there,” he said. “I didn’t see a single National Park Service employee — not a single ranger wearing a ranger suit, walking around or helping visitors.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12059383\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12059383\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/YosemiteGetty-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/YosemiteGetty-1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/YosemiteGetty-1-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/YosemiteGetty-1-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A motorist passes through the Tioga Pass fee station at the eastern entrance to Yosemite National Park, which is vacant of available employees to collect fees that help fund the park, on the first day of the government shutdown on Oct. 1, 2025, in Yosemite National Park, California. \u003ccite>(David McNew/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>That’s because most park rangers, particularly “interpretive rangers” — those that share park information with the public — \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12057777/government-shutdown-who-affected-bay-area-california-social-security-airports-national-parks-courts-fleet-week-sf\">have been furloughed during the shutdown\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In the interim, volunteers and employees from the nonprofit Yosemite Conservancy are staffing a single welcome center in the Valley. But all other visitor centers and museums, as well as the park entrance kiosks, are closed. There are no ranger programs, no maps being handed out and some Yosemite campgrounds don’t even have a volunteer making sure that reservations are being honored — or that \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12002429/california-camping-tahoe-yosemite-bears-safety-what-to-do-bear-spray\">people are storing their food away from bears \u003c/a>and other wildlife.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Many weekend visitors to Yosemite posting \u003ca href=\"https://www.reddit.com/r/Yosemite/comments/1o6mltd/current_state_of_campgrounds/\">to Reddit\u003c/a> reported that, like Rose, they saw nothing out of the ordinary in the park during the shutdown. But nonetheless, Rose said, just one bad actor can have a major impact — and with \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101910047/yosemite-and-other-ca-national-parks-underfunded-understaffed-this-summer\">staffing already down this year\u003c/a> in national parks, added to President Donald Trump’s threats to cut even more employees during the shutdown, Rose is worried about the bigger picture.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We saw before the shutdown and during the shutdown, \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/27/us/politics/trump-cuts-national-parks.html\">we don’t have adequate levels of staffing\u003c/a> to protect visitors and protect resources,” Rose said. “The concern is the longer this drags on, the more of these impacts we’re going to continue to see.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Short on staff\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>As the shutdown loomed in late September, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058137/government-shutdown-2025-national-parks-planning-memo\">a group of former national parks superintendents sounded the alarm\u003c/a> about the effect that keeping parks open without full staff could have.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>With so many of their colleagues off the job, the few people deemed essential and still working in Yosemite — including fire and search-and-rescue crews — are under strain. One federal worker in the park, who spoke to KQED on condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation and losing their job, said the park has been busy, “like all the time,” since the shutdown, with visitorship more resembling the park’s summer peaks.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12058519\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12058519\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/YosemiteGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1298\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/YosemiteGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/YosemiteGetty-160x104.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/YosemiteGetty-1536x997.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Visitors look up at El Capitan from El Capitan Meadow in Yosemite National Park, California, on May 20, 2025. \u003ccite>(Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“There’s nobody to stop them at the gate,” they said. With nobody on duty to collect entrance fees, “everybody knows that it’s free, so they’re just coming.” KQED reached out to Yosemite National Park representatives for comment, but received no response.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Also still working are law enforcement rangers, essentially the police at parks, but Elisabeth Barton, founding member and CEO of tour company Echo Adventure Cooperative, said they are doing “double duty,” as they attempt to enforce rules that visitors were never apprised of.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Barton, whose group guides trips in Yosemite and Stanislaus National Forest, described the scene in Yosemite during the last two weeks as “wild.”\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>Barton said she fears the shutdown has actually attracted a more “aggressive” type of visitor — one that saw that parks would be open but unstaffed, and decided to come anyway. And for some, to take the opportunity to do an activity that’s normally banned or requires a permit.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://theoxfordblue.co.uk/why-does-everyone-suddenly-want-to-rock-climb/\">soaring popularity of climbing as a sport\u003c/a>, which is in one of its \u003ca href=\"https://wildlandtrekking.com/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-rock-climbing-in-yosemite/\">peak seasons\u003c/a> in the park, may explain the lines she’s seen during the shutdown at popular Yosemite routes like “The Nose” of El Capitan, she said. And while you’ll find people doing unpermitted things in the park all year round, Barton said, she thinks people have gotten more bold — \u003ca href=\"https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/10/15/yosemite-national-park-base-jumpers-government-shutdown/86703269007/\">BASE jumping off cliffs without a permit in broad daylight\u003c/a> and flying drones, \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/news/use-of-unmanned-aircraft-systems-drones-prohibited-in-yosemite-national-park.htm%3Fcmpid%3Dpscau\">an activity that’s banned in national parks\u003c/a> — knowing there aren’t enough staff to enforce the rules.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Members of her guiding company have “been trying to do our part and just remind people that [drones are] illegal, and they do not care,” she said. “And they have told us such.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“This past weekend felt like the Fourth of July, it was so busy,” the anonymous park worker said — and is especially concerned about the unchecked visitor behavior they’ve witnessed during the shutdown. “There are so many people parked all over the place, parked in the dirt, parked on plants and other resources.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In the campgrounds themselves, “there’s definitely been an uptick in people squatting,” they said — just like the Jennings family encountered at Porcupine Flats.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>A bad standard\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The Yosemite shutdown crowds have Barton feeling “very conflicted,” she said. On the one hand, her co-op’s guiding business, hotel and outdoor shop have thrived during this period. “It’s incredibly beneficial to my company to have the shutdown when it’s happening, because the shoulder season is now busier than it’s ever been,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And Barton believes everyone should experience the beauty of national parks, especially those who’ve never been to one before.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11740802\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11740802\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2019/04/RS1491_STA_629-e1555526819429.jpg\" alt=\"El Capitan in Yosemite National Park.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1440\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. \u003ccite>(Craig Miller/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“But at the same time, I’m seeing unprecedented damage to my park,” she said. And while the number of people actually breaking the rules — intentionally or unintentionally — may be relatively small, Barton worries that bad actors are setting a particularly bad example for those first-time visitors, who may build undesirable habits and cause damage at parks in the future.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“There is a standard being set for a national park visitor — the folks who would never dare pull a drone out of their vehicle because it’s just against the rules and they know it,” she said. “While they’re in the park, they’re seeing all these drones moving and they’re like, ‘You know what, maybe it’s not that big of a deal?’”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The anonymous park worker said there’s not much they can do to stop the behavior. Law enforcement is generally too busy to ticket everyone, and they’re skeptical they’ll receive word of changes from park leadership anytime soon. “Information is not being disseminated,” they said — and the leadership above them “doesn’t know anything.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Rose, too, worries this may just be the start of bigger impacts for national parks.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The last shutdown was 35 days,” he said. “And it wasn’t until we got about 3 weeks into it that you really started to see some of the impacts.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cp>More than a week in, the federal \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/government-shutdown\">government shutdown\u003c/a> has affected national parks in an often-confusing variety of ways.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While many \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058291/san-francisco-national-parks-government-shutdown-bay-area-muir-woods-redwoods-fort-point\">National Park Service sites are fully open,\u003c/a> like \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058592/alcatraz-island-is-open-again-after-several-false-starts\">Alcatraz\u003c/a>, other sites are completely closed during the shutdown — including \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058298/at-muir-woods-tourists-heartbroken-over-national-park-closure-during-shutdown\">Muir Woods National Monument.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And then, there are the other parks that remain technically open but with \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058508/yes-yosemite-is-open-during-the-shutdown-but-with-lots-of-changes-for-visitors\">vastly reduced staffing levels and limited services\u003c/a>. What’s more, with many NPS staff furloughed, these parks’ websites are not being updated during the shutdown, making it even more difficult to find up-to-date information, especially for first-time visitors.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you have plans to visit a national park soon — having secured a coveted camping Yosemite reservation, for example — it might feel hard right now to know what’s happening on the ground at parks, and how you can prepare for your trip.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>We talked to the experts, who shared what you should know about visiting national parks during the shutdown.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Jump straight to:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"#ShouldIstillgotoaNationalParkduringtheshutdown\">Should I still go to a National Park during the shutdown?\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"#Willmyreservationbehonored\">Will my reservation be honored?\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"#HowwillIknowifatrailisopenorclosed\">How will I know if a trail is open or closed?\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"#HowcanIrecreateresponsibly\">How can I recreate responsibly?\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"#WhereelsecanIgoonmyvacation\">Where else can I go on my vacation?\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"#HowcanIsupportNationalParksrightnow\">How can I support National Parks right now?\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"ShouldIstillgotoaNationalParkduringtheshutdown\">\u003c/a>Should I still go to a national park that’s open?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>First things first — check whether the park you’re planning to visit \u003cem>is \u003c/em>actually open, as \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058291/san-francisco-national-parks-government-shutdown-bay-area-muir-woods-redwoods-fort-point\">several parks have experienced something of a back-and-forth\u003c/a> with closing and opening in the last week.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If the park of your choice is open, make sure you know of any other closures that may still be in place within it, like bathrooms, parking lots, campsites and other amenities.\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>For example, \u003ca href=\"https://www.yosemite.com/current-conditions/\">Yosemite\u003c/a> has open gates but no rangers on duty at the entry to collect fees, and all visitor centers are locked. \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/goga/planyourvisit/park-status-during-2025-lapse.htm\">A full list of closures of Golden Gate National Recreation\u003c/a> sites in the Bay Area can be found here.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Remember that many national parks websites are not being updated during the shutdown. What’s more, communications staff for parks have been furloughed, with many only checking email for urgent safety issues — so updates to the public, including on social media, will be slow to get out.[aside postID=news_12058291 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/GGBridgeGetty.jpg']Mark Rose, the \u003ca href=\"https://www.npca.org/articles/11003-parks-group-warns-shutdown-leaves-national-parks-open-and-unprotected-while\">National Parks Conservation Association’\u003c/a>s Sierra Nevada program manager, said his organization is encouraging visitors who \u003cem>can \u003c/em>change their plans to do so.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Canceling your trip isn’t just to protect the park, he said — but also because you may miss out on some attractions like visitor centers, ranger programs and museums that aren’t operating during the shutdown.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But, “if you have a reservation, or this is a once-in-a-lifetime trip and you’re flying across the country, we’re not going to say, ‘Don’t go to the park,’” Rose said. “If you are going to go, do everything you can to plan ahead and be prepared.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>However, he did warn against taking on a more risky adventure right now — like a multi-day backpacking trip — because staffing is low and response times may be delayed in an emergency.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As for more local and urban national park sites like those within the Bay Area, Chris Lehnertz, president and CEO of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, said it’s OK to visit, but be sure to focus on minimizing damage.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I think people should continue to go to parks — \u003cem>and \u003c/em>they should be thoughtful visitors,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"Willmyreservationbehonored\">\u003c/a>Will my national parks reservation be honored?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>It \u003cem>should \u003c/em>be. But if it isn’t, you may unfortunately have trouble finding out ahead of time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Since the government shutdown on Oct. 1, reservations for NPS lands — like camping sites and backcountry permits — have been thrown into confusion, \u003ca href=\"https://www.reddit.com/r/JoshuaTree/comments/1nw8pmp/reservation_automatically_cancelled/\">with Reddit threads like this one\u003c/a> full of people struggling to find definitive answers on whether their reservations will be honored.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12058253\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12058253\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251001-NATIONAL-PARKS-SHUTDOWN-MD-04-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251001-NATIONAL-PARKS-SHUTDOWN-MD-04-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251001-NATIONAL-PARKS-SHUTDOWN-MD-04-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251001-NATIONAL-PARKS-SHUTDOWN-MD-04-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A visitor peeks past the barriers at the entrance of Muir Woods National Monument in Marin County, California, which is closed as a consequence of the government shutdown on Oct. 1, 2025. \u003ccite>(Martin do Nascimento/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>The simplest answer is that if the park is open, you can still go — and your reservation should still be valid. But Rose warned that due to reduced staff, there may be fewer rangers available to check that everyone is complying with the reservation system.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In a worst-case scenario, this could mean there’s nobody to make sure someone isn’t taking your campsite, either inadvertently or deliberately.[aside postID=news_12058508 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/YosemiteGetty.jpg']A message on \u003ca href=\"http://recreation.gov\">Recreation.gov\u003c/a>, which manages reservations for national parks, states that \u003ca href=\"https://www.recreation.gov/government-shutdown-info\">the agency isn’t able to keep track of current closures\u003c/a>, and that understaffing may, in fact, cancel your reservation even at a park that’s otherwise open.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Cory Goehring, outdoor programs manager and senior naturalist at nonprofit Yosemite Conservancy, said that while services are limited within the park, he’s heard that people are generally respecting reservations — and hasn’t seen reports of overcrowding or damage just yet.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Wilderness reservations for backcountry trips are still valid, Goehring said. But most wilderness centers — other than the one in Yosemite Valley — won’t have rangers there to help you register your trip ahead of time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This means it’s important that you self-register your trip and let others know about your plans ahead of time in case of an emergency, Goehring said. You’ll also need to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058508/yes-yosemite-is-open-during-the-shutdown-but-with-lots-of-changes-for-visitors\">bring your own bear canister\u003c/a>, as rentals will not be available outside of Yosemite Valley, and be sure to abide by food storage regulations.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"HowwillIknowifatrailisopenorclosed\">\u003c/a>How will I know which trails are open in a park?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>During the shutdown, those parts of parks that are already physically accessible are staying open. Think of it as “an open-air closure,” Lehnertz said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So while certain visitor centers and entire welcome areas are closed, including parking lots, many trails remain open and technically accessible.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12049693\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12049693\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Fog-2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Fog-2.png 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Fog-2-160x107.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Fog-2-1536x1024.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Hikers explore Point Reyes shrouded in fog on July 20, 2025. \u003ccite>(Sarah Wright/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>So long as there’s no “closed” sign, these trails can be accessed, but Lehnertz noted that since you may find some areas are unexpectedly closed, be sure to respect any signs you \u003cem>do \u003c/em>see.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Basically, whether it’s at a park entrance or within the park itself, “don’t go past any sign that has the word ‘Closed’ on it,” urged Lehnertz.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>She also warned that you could encounter slower response times if there’s an emergency due to reduced staffing, and amenities like bathrooms and trash cans may not be serviced as frequently.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"HowcanIrecreateresponsibly\">\u003c/a>How can I recreate responsibly?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>“The most important thing to keep in mind is: these are public lands, and we all have a responsibility to tend to them,” Goehring said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While Yosemite remains open, he urged visitors to follow \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/lnt.htm\">Leave No Trace\u003c/a> principles by respecting the park’s natural and cultural sites.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Looking at the seven pillars of Leave No Trace, the very first one is to plan ahead and prepare,” he said. “That’s going to be the most important thing for people to do if they’re going to make their way to Yosemite.”\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>While the park’s website might not be fully up to date, Lehnertz recommended checking out the “\u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/alca/planyourvisit/index.htm\">Plan Your Visit\u003c/a>” section to get advice ahead of your trip. Think about the timing of your visit, and what your bathroom and trash needs will be ahead of time. If you’re traveling with kids or pets, consider what their needs will be, too.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Most of all, don’t go off trails or damage the park, she reiterated.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A \u003ca href=\"https://yosemite.org/yosemite-during-the-government-shutdown/\">guide published by the Yosemite Conservancy\u003c/a> also urges visitors to stay patient, as “fewer staff means slower or reduced service.” Goehring recommends \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/upload/Yosemite-Guide-50-8-508V1.pdf\">downloading the park map and guide\u003c/a> ahead of time, since no one will be there to give directions at the entrance of the park.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Many parks have limited cell phone service, so the National Parks Conservation Association advises \u003ca href=\"https://www.npca.org/articles/7670-2025-park-visitation-prepare-for-the-unexpected\">bringing extra water and being especially careful to respect wildlife\u003c/a> during the shutdown.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>NPCA’s Rose urged visitors to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12002429/california-camping-tahoe-yosemite-bears-safety-what-to-do-bear-spray\">store their food away from bears\u003c/a> and to be extra cautious about wildfires amid limited staffing to help guard against those hazards. “All it takes is one bad actor” to “undo decades of progress,” he warned.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So far, Lehnertz said, who works with national park sites in the Bay Area, “our community members are being very respectful of park resources.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>I want to stay away from national parks during the shutdown. \u003ca id=\"WhereelsecanIgoonmyvacation\">\u003c/a>Where can I go instead?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>While some national parks are closed or operating with limited staff, California’s 280 state parks are all functional and operating as usual. That includes more than 340 miles of coastline, 970 miles of lake and river frontage and more than 15,000 campsites and 4,500 miles of trail, according to California State Parks spokesperson Adeline Yee.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When it comes to state-run alternatives to popular national parks in the Sierra, Yee particularly recommended \u003ca href=\"https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=514\">Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve\u003c/a> near the eastern entrance to Yosemite.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12046849\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12046849\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/MonoLakeGullsGetty1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1458\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/MonoLakeGullsGetty1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/MonoLakeGullsGetty1-160x117.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/MonoLakeGullsGetty1-1536x1120.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A California gull soars above Mono Lake in Lee Vining, California, on July 18, 2011. \u003ccite>(Paul Chinn/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>For a taste of Gold Rush history and some very big trees, you can stop by \u003ca href=\"https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=552\">Columbia State Historic Park\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=551\">Calaveras Big Trees State Park\u003c/a> near Yosemite’s western entrances, Yee said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And amid the changing fall colors, state parks even published its own list of autumn \u003ca href=\"https://www.parks.ca.gov/NewsRelease/1430\">recommendations to catch the best of the vibrant foliage, \u003c/a>which includes Bay Area parks like Angel Island, Henry Coe and Castle Rock state parks.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.parks.ca.gov/Find-a-Park\">See the list of all state parks within California\u003c/a> and take a look at \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058291/san-francisco-national-parks-government-shutdown-bay-area-muir-woods-redwoods-fort-point\">KQED’s other recommendations for Bay Area landmarks\u003c/a> that aren’t affected by the shutdown, including the Presidio.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"HowcanIsupportNationalParksrightnow\">\u003c/a>How can I support National Parks right now?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The NPCA estimates that parks \u003ca href=\"https://www.npca.org/articles/3590-what-a-federal-government-shutdown-means-for-national-parks\">could lose as much as $1 million per day\u003c/a> while not collecting entrance and other fees during the shutdown. That’s not even including the potential impacts to local economies — an estimated $80 million daily — that will lose their own revenue as visitorship pauses, the organization said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In addition to the nationwide nonprofit \u003ca href=\"https://give.nationalparks.org/site/Donation2?df_id=9065&9065.donation=form1&mfc_pref=T&s_subsrc=25D00WGG-X0G2X&utm_source=ck-ad&utm_medium=GG&utm_campaign=evg25&rc=CKNPF-SEARCH-GG-BRAND-US-X0G2X&g_acctid=334-377-6810&g_keyword=national%20parks%20foundation&g_network=g&g_adgroupid=144572029880&g_keywordid=kwd-354898249845&g_adtype=search&g_campaignid=18504611475&g_adid=727503475416&g_campaign=NPF+Paid+Search+-+Brand+-+EXACT&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=18504611475&gbraid=0AAAAADtLNwL-71r6J9kImJF9VCRDauhx7&gclid=CjwKCAjwup3HBhAAEiwA7euZunIHMAH9ENxAOcGigmLM09UNNMlQPeG-Ys4c40TxOpDgkUlICO2uexoCa98QAvD_BwE\">National Park Foundation\u003c/a>, every national park has its own nonprofit arm that organizes volunteers, runs bookstores and often fills gaps left by the National Park Service. Some of those groups are even using their own funds to keep parks open, like Lehnertz’s group, which is now \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12059259/san-franciscos-fort-point-will-partially-reopen-amid-national-parks-shutdown\">paying to keep Fort Point available to the public again\u003c/a> on weekends.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12029489\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12029489\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/CaliforniaPublicLandsGetty1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1335\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/CaliforniaPublicLandsGetty1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/CaliforniaPublicLandsGetty1-800x534.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/CaliforniaPublicLandsGetty1-1020x681.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/CaliforniaPublicLandsGetty1-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/CaliforniaPublicLandsGetty1-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/CaliforniaPublicLandsGetty1-1920x1282.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A volunteer for the National Park Service welcomes visitors at the Exploration Center in Yosemite Valley, at Yosemite National Park on March 1, 2025. \u003ccite>(Laure Andrillon/AFP via Getty)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Plus, these organizations are still operating their own programs within national parks during the shutdown. These include the \u003ca href=\"https://yosemite.org/experience/outdoor-adventures/\">Yosemite Conservancy\u003c/a>, which is staffing its own centers in the park to field visitor questions and is continuing to run its art and guided tour programs.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So for those inclined to donate money or time, you can find information online on how to help the nonprofit affiliate for your park of choice.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>NPCA is also urging park supporters to contact their members of Congress to call on them to pass a funding bill to keep the government open — and to support \u003ca href=\"https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/news/majority/senate-committee-approves-fy-2026-interior-and-environment-appropriations-bill\">a Senate bill that averts future funding cuts for parks. \u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
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"excerpt": "Parks advocates say: Plan ahead, pack out your trash and be prepared to cancel your trip to a national park right now.",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>More than a week in, the federal \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/government-shutdown\">government shutdown\u003c/a> has affected national parks in an often-confusing variety of ways.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While many \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058291/san-francisco-national-parks-government-shutdown-bay-area-muir-woods-redwoods-fort-point\">National Park Service sites are fully open,\u003c/a> like \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058592/alcatraz-island-is-open-again-after-several-false-starts\">Alcatraz\u003c/a>, other sites are completely closed during the shutdown — including \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058298/at-muir-woods-tourists-heartbroken-over-national-park-closure-during-shutdown\">Muir Woods National Monument.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And then, there are the other parks that remain technically open but with \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058508/yes-yosemite-is-open-during-the-shutdown-but-with-lots-of-changes-for-visitors\">vastly reduced staffing levels and limited services\u003c/a>. What’s more, with many NPS staff furloughed, these parks’ websites are not being updated during the shutdown, making it even more difficult to find up-to-date information, especially for first-time visitors.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you have plans to visit a national park soon — having secured a coveted camping Yosemite reservation, for example — it might feel hard right now to know what’s happening on the ground at parks, and how you can prepare for your trip.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>We talked to the experts, who shared what you should know about visiting national parks during the shutdown.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Jump straight to:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"#ShouldIstillgotoaNationalParkduringtheshutdown\">Should I still go to a National Park during the shutdown?\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"#Willmyreservationbehonored\">Will my reservation be honored?\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"#HowwillIknowifatrailisopenorclosed\">How will I know if a trail is open or closed?\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"#HowcanIrecreateresponsibly\">How can I recreate responsibly?\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"#WhereelsecanIgoonmyvacation\">Where else can I go on my vacation?\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"#HowcanIsupportNationalParksrightnow\">How can I support National Parks right now?\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"ShouldIstillgotoaNationalParkduringtheshutdown\">\u003c/a>Should I still go to a national park that’s open?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>First things first — check whether the park you’re planning to visit \u003cem>is \u003c/em>actually open, as \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058291/san-francisco-national-parks-government-shutdown-bay-area-muir-woods-redwoods-fort-point\">several parks have experienced something of a back-and-forth\u003c/a> with closing and opening in the last week.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If the park of your choice is open, make sure you know of any other closures that may still be in place within it, like bathrooms, parking lots, campsites and other amenities.\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>For example, \u003ca href=\"https://www.yosemite.com/current-conditions/\">Yosemite\u003c/a> has open gates but no rangers on duty at the entry to collect fees, and all visitor centers are locked. \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/goga/planyourvisit/park-status-during-2025-lapse.htm\">A full list of closures of Golden Gate National Recreation\u003c/a> sites in the Bay Area can be found here.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Remember that many national parks websites are not being updated during the shutdown. What’s more, communications staff for parks have been furloughed, with many only checking email for urgent safety issues — so updates to the public, including on social media, will be slow to get out.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>Mark Rose, the \u003ca href=\"https://www.npca.org/articles/11003-parks-group-warns-shutdown-leaves-national-parks-open-and-unprotected-while\">National Parks Conservation Association’\u003c/a>s Sierra Nevada program manager, said his organization is encouraging visitors who \u003cem>can \u003c/em>change their plans to do so.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Canceling your trip isn’t just to protect the park, he said — but also because you may miss out on some attractions like visitor centers, ranger programs and museums that aren’t operating during the shutdown.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But, “if you have a reservation, or this is a once-in-a-lifetime trip and you’re flying across the country, we’re not going to say, ‘Don’t go to the park,’” Rose said. “If you are going to go, do everything you can to plan ahead and be prepared.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>However, he did warn against taking on a more risky adventure right now — like a multi-day backpacking trip — because staffing is low and response times may be delayed in an emergency.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As for more local and urban national park sites like those within the Bay Area, Chris Lehnertz, president and CEO of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, said it’s OK to visit, but be sure to focus on minimizing damage.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I think people should continue to go to parks — \u003cem>and \u003c/em>they should be thoughtful visitors,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"Willmyreservationbehonored\">\u003c/a>Will my national parks reservation be honored?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>It \u003cem>should \u003c/em>be. But if it isn’t, you may unfortunately have trouble finding out ahead of time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Since the government shutdown on Oct. 1, reservations for NPS lands — like camping sites and backcountry permits — have been thrown into confusion, \u003ca href=\"https://www.reddit.com/r/JoshuaTree/comments/1nw8pmp/reservation_automatically_cancelled/\">with Reddit threads like this one\u003c/a> full of people struggling to find definitive answers on whether their reservations will be honored.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12058253\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12058253\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251001-NATIONAL-PARKS-SHUTDOWN-MD-04-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251001-NATIONAL-PARKS-SHUTDOWN-MD-04-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251001-NATIONAL-PARKS-SHUTDOWN-MD-04-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251001-NATIONAL-PARKS-SHUTDOWN-MD-04-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A visitor peeks past the barriers at the entrance of Muir Woods National Monument in Marin County, California, which is closed as a consequence of the government shutdown on Oct. 1, 2025. \u003ccite>(Martin do Nascimento/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>The simplest answer is that if the park is open, you can still go — and your reservation should still be valid. But Rose warned that due to reduced staff, there may be fewer rangers available to check that everyone is complying with the reservation system.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In a worst-case scenario, this could mean there’s nobody to make sure someone isn’t taking your campsite, either inadvertently or deliberately.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>A message on \u003ca href=\"http://recreation.gov\">Recreation.gov\u003c/a>, which manages reservations for national parks, states that \u003ca href=\"https://www.recreation.gov/government-shutdown-info\">the agency isn’t able to keep track of current closures\u003c/a>, and that understaffing may, in fact, cancel your reservation even at a park that’s otherwise open.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Cory Goehring, outdoor programs manager and senior naturalist at nonprofit Yosemite Conservancy, said that while services are limited within the park, he’s heard that people are generally respecting reservations — and hasn’t seen reports of overcrowding or damage just yet.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Wilderness reservations for backcountry trips are still valid, Goehring said. But most wilderness centers — other than the one in Yosemite Valley — won’t have rangers there to help you register your trip ahead of time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This means it’s important that you self-register your trip and let others know about your plans ahead of time in case of an emergency, Goehring said. You’ll also need to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058508/yes-yosemite-is-open-during-the-shutdown-but-with-lots-of-changes-for-visitors\">bring your own bear canister\u003c/a>, as rentals will not be available outside of Yosemite Valley, and be sure to abide by food storage regulations.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"HowwillIknowifatrailisopenorclosed\">\u003c/a>How will I know which trails are open in a park?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>During the shutdown, those parts of parks that are already physically accessible are staying open. Think of it as “an open-air closure,” Lehnertz said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So while certain visitor centers and entire welcome areas are closed, including parking lots, many trails remain open and technically accessible.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12049693\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12049693\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Fog-2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Fog-2.png 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Fog-2-160x107.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/Fog-2-1536x1024.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Hikers explore Point Reyes shrouded in fog on July 20, 2025. \u003ccite>(Sarah Wright/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>So long as there’s no “closed” sign, these trails can be accessed, but Lehnertz noted that since you may find some areas are unexpectedly closed, be sure to respect any signs you \u003cem>do \u003c/em>see.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Basically, whether it’s at a park entrance or within the park itself, “don’t go past any sign that has the word ‘Closed’ on it,” urged Lehnertz.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>She also warned that you could encounter slower response times if there’s an emergency due to reduced staffing, and amenities like bathrooms and trash cans may not be serviced as frequently.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"HowcanIrecreateresponsibly\">\u003c/a>How can I recreate responsibly?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>“The most important thing to keep in mind is: these are public lands, and we all have a responsibility to tend to them,” Goehring said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While Yosemite remains open, he urged visitors to follow \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/lnt.htm\">Leave No Trace\u003c/a> principles by respecting the park’s natural and cultural sites.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Looking at the seven pillars of Leave No Trace, the very first one is to plan ahead and prepare,” he said. “That’s going to be the most important thing for people to do if they’re going to make their way to Yosemite.”\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>While the park’s website might not be fully up to date, Lehnertz recommended checking out the “\u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/alca/planyourvisit/index.htm\">Plan Your Visit\u003c/a>” section to get advice ahead of your trip. Think about the timing of your visit, and what your bathroom and trash needs will be ahead of time. If you’re traveling with kids or pets, consider what their needs will be, too.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Most of all, don’t go off trails or damage the park, she reiterated.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A \u003ca href=\"https://yosemite.org/yosemite-during-the-government-shutdown/\">guide published by the Yosemite Conservancy\u003c/a> also urges visitors to stay patient, as “fewer staff means slower or reduced service.” Goehring recommends \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/upload/Yosemite-Guide-50-8-508V1.pdf\">downloading the park map and guide\u003c/a> ahead of time, since no one will be there to give directions at the entrance of the park.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Many parks have limited cell phone service, so the National Parks Conservation Association advises \u003ca href=\"https://www.npca.org/articles/7670-2025-park-visitation-prepare-for-the-unexpected\">bringing extra water and being especially careful to respect wildlife\u003c/a> during the shutdown.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>NPCA’s Rose urged visitors to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12002429/california-camping-tahoe-yosemite-bears-safety-what-to-do-bear-spray\">store their food away from bears\u003c/a> and to be extra cautious about wildfires amid limited staffing to help guard against those hazards. “All it takes is one bad actor” to “undo decades of progress,” he warned.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So far, Lehnertz said, who works with national park sites in the Bay Area, “our community members are being very respectful of park resources.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>I want to stay away from national parks during the shutdown. \u003ca id=\"WhereelsecanIgoonmyvacation\">\u003c/a>Where can I go instead?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>While some national parks are closed or operating with limited staff, California’s 280 state parks are all functional and operating as usual. That includes more than 340 miles of coastline, 970 miles of lake and river frontage and more than 15,000 campsites and 4,500 miles of trail, according to California State Parks spokesperson Adeline Yee.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When it comes to state-run alternatives to popular national parks in the Sierra, Yee particularly recommended \u003ca href=\"https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=514\">Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve\u003c/a> near the eastern entrance to Yosemite.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12046849\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12046849\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/MonoLakeGullsGetty1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1458\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/MonoLakeGullsGetty1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/MonoLakeGullsGetty1-160x117.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/MonoLakeGullsGetty1-1536x1120.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A California gull soars above Mono Lake in Lee Vining, California, on July 18, 2011. \u003ccite>(Paul Chinn/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>For a taste of Gold Rush history and some very big trees, you can stop by \u003ca href=\"https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=552\">Columbia State Historic Park\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=551\">Calaveras Big Trees State Park\u003c/a> near Yosemite’s western entrances, Yee said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And amid the changing fall colors, state parks even published its own list of autumn \u003ca href=\"https://www.parks.ca.gov/NewsRelease/1430\">recommendations to catch the best of the vibrant foliage, \u003c/a>which includes Bay Area parks like Angel Island, Henry Coe and Castle Rock state parks.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.parks.ca.gov/Find-a-Park\">See the list of all state parks within California\u003c/a> and take a look at \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058291/san-francisco-national-parks-government-shutdown-bay-area-muir-woods-redwoods-fort-point\">KQED’s other recommendations for Bay Area landmarks\u003c/a> that aren’t affected by the shutdown, including the Presidio.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"HowcanIsupportNationalParksrightnow\">\u003c/a>How can I support National Parks right now?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The NPCA estimates that parks \u003ca href=\"https://www.npca.org/articles/3590-what-a-federal-government-shutdown-means-for-national-parks\">could lose as much as $1 million per day\u003c/a> while not collecting entrance and other fees during the shutdown. That’s not even including the potential impacts to local economies — an estimated $80 million daily — that will lose their own revenue as visitorship pauses, the organization said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In addition to the nationwide nonprofit \u003ca href=\"https://give.nationalparks.org/site/Donation2?df_id=9065&9065.donation=form1&mfc_pref=T&s_subsrc=25D00WGG-X0G2X&utm_source=ck-ad&utm_medium=GG&utm_campaign=evg25&rc=CKNPF-SEARCH-GG-BRAND-US-X0G2X&g_acctid=334-377-6810&g_keyword=national%20parks%20foundation&g_network=g&g_adgroupid=144572029880&g_keywordid=kwd-354898249845&g_adtype=search&g_campaignid=18504611475&g_adid=727503475416&g_campaign=NPF+Paid+Search+-+Brand+-+EXACT&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=18504611475&gbraid=0AAAAADtLNwL-71r6J9kImJF9VCRDauhx7&gclid=CjwKCAjwup3HBhAAEiwA7euZunIHMAH9ENxAOcGigmLM09UNNMlQPeG-Ys4c40TxOpDgkUlICO2uexoCa98QAvD_BwE\">National Park Foundation\u003c/a>, every national park has its own nonprofit arm that organizes volunteers, runs bookstores and often fills gaps left by the National Park Service. Some of those groups are even using their own funds to keep parks open, like Lehnertz’s group, which is now \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12059259/san-franciscos-fort-point-will-partially-reopen-amid-national-parks-shutdown\">paying to keep Fort Point available to the public again\u003c/a> on weekends.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12029489\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12029489\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/CaliforniaPublicLandsGetty1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1335\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/CaliforniaPublicLandsGetty1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/CaliforniaPublicLandsGetty1-800x534.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/CaliforniaPublicLandsGetty1-1020x681.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/CaliforniaPublicLandsGetty1-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/CaliforniaPublicLandsGetty1-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/CaliforniaPublicLandsGetty1-1920x1282.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A volunteer for the National Park Service welcomes visitors at the Exploration Center in Yosemite Valley, at Yosemite National Park on March 1, 2025. \u003ccite>(Laure Andrillon/AFP via Getty)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Plus, these organizations are still operating their own programs within national parks during the shutdown. These include the \u003ca href=\"https://yosemite.org/experience/outdoor-adventures/\">Yosemite Conservancy\u003c/a>, which is staffing its own centers in the park to field visitor questions and is continuing to run its art and guided tour programs.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So for those inclined to donate money or time, you can find information online on how to help the nonprofit affiliate for your park of choice.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>NPCA is also urging park supporters to contact their members of Congress to call on them to pass a funding bill to keep the government open — and to support \u003ca href=\"https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/news/majority/senate-committee-approves-fy-2026-interior-and-environment-appropriations-bill\">a Senate bill that averts future funding cuts for parks. \u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cp>\u003cb>Here are the morning’s top stories on Friday, October 3, 2025…\u003c/b>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">The 2018 Camp Fire in Paradise remains California’s deadliest and most destructive wildfire in history. The Northern California fire claimed the lives of 85 people. Now, \u003c/span>\u003ca href=\"https://www.mynspr.org/news/2025-09-26/paradise-bus-driver-survivors-relive-camp-fire-escape-as-the-lost-bus-premieres-at-fires-epicenter\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">a new movie\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> depicts the real-life heroic escape of one local bus driver. \u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Yosemite National Park \u003c/span>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058508/yes-yosemite-is-open-during-the-shutdown-but-with-lots-of-changes-for-visitors\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">remains open during the government shutdown\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, but there won’t be many rangers there to help visitors.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">The US Department of Education is ending several grant programs that support minority-serving institutions. Department officials say these programs are discriminatory. \u003c/span>\u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/education/higher-education/2025/09/minority-student-funding-california/\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">California stands to lose more grant money \u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">than any other state – for programs that support Black, Latino, Asian and Native American students on college campuses.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2 class=\"ArtP-headline\">\u003cstrong>Paradise Bus Driver, Survivors Relive Camp Fire Escape As ‘The Lost Bus’ Premieres \u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>“The Lost Bus” tells the story of a Paradise school bus driver and a teacher who helped 22 kids escape the Camp Fire in 2018. The fire killed 85 people and remains the most deadly and destructive in California’s history.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At the movie premiere last month, the film resonated in Chico and Oroville — two cities close to Paradise where many survivors relocated after the fire. Crowds packed into theaters to witness a film about their community’s experience. A line wrapped around The Pageant Theater in Chico, and Feather River Cinemas in Oroville also drew a full house.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Kevin McKay, the real-life bus driver at the heart of the film played by Matthew McConaughey, showed up to Feather River Cinemas with family and friends, many from Cal Fire. He told NSPR what it was like to watch his story on the big screen nearly seven years later.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s super surreal for me, being that the core storyline is about my life,” McKay said. “But at the same time, I’m a Camp Fire survivor, and so, honestly, there’s so many different ways that I connect to the film.” McKay said he hopes other survivors who see the movie feel seen and heard. He also hopes people leave with the message of “normal people, helping other people.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2 class=\"routes-Site-routes-Post-Title-__Title__title\">\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058508/yes-yosemite-is-open-during-the-shutdown-but-with-lots-of-changes-for-visitors\">\u003cstrong>Yosemite Is Open During The Shutdown — But With Lots Of Changes For Visitors\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12057777\">The shutdown of the federal government\u003c/a> has brought \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058291/san-francisco-national-parks-government-shutdown-bay-area-muir-woods-redwoods-fort-point\">the full or partial closure of many National Park Service sites\u003c/a> across California — including \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058298/at-muir-woods-tourists-heartbroken-over-national-park-closure-during-shutdown\">Muir Woods\u003c/a>, where visitors on Wednesday were \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058298/at-muir-woods-tourists-heartbroken-over-national-park-closure-during-shutdown\">met with locked gates\u003c/a>, and \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/alca/index.htm\">Alcatraz Island\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And the closures have many people, especially curious about the state’s most visited national park, asking: “Is Yosemite National Park open right now?”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The quick answer is \u003ca href=\"https://www.yosemite.com/current-conditions/\">yes, Yosemite is still open to the public\u003c/a>. But because of the shutdown, many federal employees who staff the park aren’t working. That means many buildings, facilities and resources aren’t currently available in Yosemite, in a way that could have real consequences for a person’s visit. Instead of being stopped and greeted by a park staffer at the Yosemite gates, you’ll now drive straight through. This means there’s nobody in those booths to collect your entry fee (\u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/fees.htm\">usually $35 per vehicle\u003c/a>) or to offer you guidance on your visit — including timely updates on weather conditions and any road closures.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Such expert advice is helpful even for seasoned park-goers, and this is where the visitor centers \u003cem>outside\u003c/em> Yosemite really come in handy, said Kim Lawson, director of communications and content at the Yosemite Mariposa County Tourism Bureau. “What we’re recommending is visitors to stop in the gateway communities as they come through,” Lawson said, especially since the Yosemite Welcome Center in Yosemite Valley will be closed during the shutdown.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2 class=\"entry-title \">\u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/education/higher-education/2025/09/minority-student-funding-california/\">\u003cstrong>California Faces Steepest Cuts As Trump Ends Diversity Grants\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>In a few weeks, over 100 colleges and universities across California will lose access to essential funding for tutoring, academic counseling and other support services aimed at helping Black, Latino, Asian and Native American students succeed in college.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The change comes after the U.S. Department of Education said last month that it was ending \u003ca href=\"https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-ends-funding-racially-discriminatory-discretionary-grant-programs-minority-serving-institutions\">a grant program \u003c/a>that supports “minority-serving institutions,” claiming that it illegally favors certain racial or ethnic groups.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Every state will lose money, but the Education Department’s decision hits California hardest. The state receives over a quarter of all of these diversity grants, since it has a high percentage of minority students, especially Latinos, and it has more college campuses than any other state.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The state’s community college system could lose $20 million next year as a result of the funding cuts, said Chris Ferguson, who supports finance and strategic relations at the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office. The Cal State University and the University of California systems, which also receive this money, did not respond to questions about the amount of funding at risk.\u003c/p>\n\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003cb>Here are the morning’s top stories on Friday, October 3, 2025…\u003c/b>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">The 2018 Camp Fire in Paradise remains California’s deadliest and most destructive wildfire in history. The Northern California fire claimed the lives of 85 people. Now, \u003c/span>\u003ca href=\"https://www.mynspr.org/news/2025-09-26/paradise-bus-driver-survivors-relive-camp-fire-escape-as-the-lost-bus-premieres-at-fires-epicenter\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">a new movie\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> depicts the real-life heroic escape of one local bus driver. \u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Yosemite National Park \u003c/span>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058508/yes-yosemite-is-open-during-the-shutdown-but-with-lots-of-changes-for-visitors\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">remains open during the government shutdown\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, but there won’t be many rangers there to help visitors.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">The US Department of Education is ending several grant programs that support minority-serving institutions. Department officials say these programs are discriminatory. \u003c/span>\u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/education/higher-education/2025/09/minority-student-funding-california/\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">California stands to lose more grant money \u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">than any other state – for programs that support Black, Latino, Asian and Native American students on college campuses.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2 class=\"ArtP-headline\">\u003cstrong>Paradise Bus Driver, Survivors Relive Camp Fire Escape As ‘The Lost Bus’ Premieres \u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>“The Lost Bus” tells the story of a Paradise school bus driver and a teacher who helped 22 kids escape the Camp Fire in 2018. The fire killed 85 people and remains the most deadly and destructive in California’s history.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At the movie premiere last month, the film resonated in Chico and Oroville — two cities close to Paradise where many survivors relocated after the fire. Crowds packed into theaters to witness a film about their community’s experience. A line wrapped around The Pageant Theater in Chico, and Feather River Cinemas in Oroville also drew a full house.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Kevin McKay, the real-life bus driver at the heart of the film played by Matthew McConaughey, showed up to Feather River Cinemas with family and friends, many from Cal Fire. He told NSPR what it was like to watch his story on the big screen nearly seven years later.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s super surreal for me, being that the core storyline is about my life,” McKay said. “But at the same time, I’m a Camp Fire survivor, and so, honestly, there’s so many different ways that I connect to the film.” McKay said he hopes other survivors who see the movie feel seen and heard. He also hopes people leave with the message of “normal people, helping other people.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2 class=\"routes-Site-routes-Post-Title-__Title__title\">\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058508/yes-yosemite-is-open-during-the-shutdown-but-with-lots-of-changes-for-visitors\">\u003cstrong>Yosemite Is Open During The Shutdown — But With Lots Of Changes For Visitors\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12057777\">The shutdown of the federal government\u003c/a> has brought \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058291/san-francisco-national-parks-government-shutdown-bay-area-muir-woods-redwoods-fort-point\">the full or partial closure of many National Park Service sites\u003c/a> across California — including \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058298/at-muir-woods-tourists-heartbroken-over-national-park-closure-during-shutdown\">Muir Woods\u003c/a>, where visitors on Wednesday were \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058298/at-muir-woods-tourists-heartbroken-over-national-park-closure-during-shutdown\">met with locked gates\u003c/a>, and \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/alca/index.htm\">Alcatraz Island\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And the closures have many people, especially curious about the state’s most visited national park, asking: “Is Yosemite National Park open right now?”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The quick answer is \u003ca href=\"https://www.yosemite.com/current-conditions/\">yes, Yosemite is still open to the public\u003c/a>. But because of the shutdown, many federal employees who staff the park aren’t working. That means many buildings, facilities and resources aren’t currently available in Yosemite, in a way that could have real consequences for a person’s visit. Instead of being stopped and greeted by a park staffer at the Yosemite gates, you’ll now drive straight through. This means there’s nobody in those booths to collect your entry fee (\u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/fees.htm\">usually $35 per vehicle\u003c/a>) or to offer you guidance on your visit — including timely updates on weather conditions and any road closures.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Such expert advice is helpful even for seasoned park-goers, and this is where the visitor centers \u003cem>outside\u003c/em> Yosemite really come in handy, said Kim Lawson, director of communications and content at the Yosemite Mariposa County Tourism Bureau. “What we’re recommending is visitors to stop in the gateway communities as they come through,” Lawson said, especially since the Yosemite Welcome Center in Yosemite Valley will be closed during the shutdown.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2 class=\"entry-title \">\u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/education/higher-education/2025/09/minority-student-funding-california/\">\u003cstrong>California Faces Steepest Cuts As Trump Ends Diversity Grants\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>In a few weeks, over 100 colleges and universities across California will lose access to essential funding for tutoring, academic counseling and other support services aimed at helping Black, Latino, Asian and Native American students succeed in college.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The change comes after the U.S. Department of Education said last month that it was ending \u003ca href=\"https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-ends-funding-racially-discriminatory-discretionary-grant-programs-minority-serving-institutions\">a grant program \u003c/a>that supports “minority-serving institutions,” claiming that it illegally favors certain racial or ethnic groups.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Every state will lose money, but the Education Department’s decision hits California hardest. The state receives over a quarter of all of these diversity grants, since it has a high percentage of minority students, especially Latinos, and it has more college campuses than any other state.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The state’s community college system could lose $20 million next year as a result of the funding cuts, said Chris Ferguson, who supports finance and strategic relations at the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office. The Cal State University and the University of California systems, which also receive this money, did not respond to questions about the amount of funding at risk.\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"slug": "yes-yosemite-is-open-during-the-shutdown-but-with-lots-of-changes-for-visitors",
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"content": "\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12057777\">The shutdown of the federal government\u003c/a> has brought \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058291/san-francisco-national-parks-government-shutdown-bay-area-muir-woods-redwoods-fort-point\">the full or partial closure of many National Park Service sites\u003c/a> across California — including \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058298/at-muir-woods-tourists-heartbroken-over-national-park-closure-during-shutdown\">Muir Woods\u003c/a>, where visitors on Wednesday were \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058298/at-muir-woods-tourists-heartbroken-over-national-park-closure-during-shutdown\">met with locked gates\u003c/a>, and \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/alca/index.htm\">Alcatraz Island\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And the closures have many people, especially curious about the state’s most visited national park, asking: “Is Yosemite National Park open right now?”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The quick answer is \u003ca href=\"https://www.yosemite.com/current-conditions/\">yes, Yosemite is still open to the public\u003c/a>. But because of the shutdown, many federal employees who staff the park aren’t working. That means many buildings, facilities and resources aren’t currently available in Yosemite, in a way that could have real consequences for a person’s visit.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://irma.nps.gov/Stats/SSRSReports/Park%20Specific%20Reports/Annual%20Park%20Recreation%20Visitation%20(1904%20-%20Last%20Calendar%20Year)?Park=YOSE\">Over 4 million people visited Yosemite last year\u003c/a>, and \u003ca href=\"https://irma.nps.gov/Stats/SSRSReports/Park%20Specific%20Reports/Monthly%20Public%20Use?Park=YOSE\">almost 12% of those made their trips in the month of October\u003c/a>. So if you’re one of those hoping to visit the park in the coming days, keep reading for what to know about visiting Yosemite National Park during the government shutdown — and how to stay safe doing so.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#Findingmapsandadvice\">Finding maps and advice\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#Hotelandcampgroundreservations\">Hotel and campground reservations\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#Wildernesspermits\">Wilderness permits\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>There will be no rangers at the gates to meet you — or collect your entry fee\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Instead of being stopped and greeted by a park staffer at the Yosemite gates, you’ll now drive straight through. This means there’s nobody in those booths to collect your entry fee (\u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/fees.htm\">usually $35 per vehicle\u003c/a>) or to offer you guidance on your visit — including timely updates on weather conditions and any road closures.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Such expert advice is helpful even for seasoned park-goers, and this is where the visitor centers \u003cem>outside\u003c/em> Yosemite really come in handy, said Kim Lawson, director of communications and content at the Yosemite Mariposa County Tourism Bureau.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11715469\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11715469\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/12/GettyImages-178312467-e1546294307457.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1281\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/12/GettyImages-178312467-e1546294307457.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/12/GettyImages-178312467-e1546294307457-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/12/GettyImages-178312467-e1546294307457-800x534.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/12/GettyImages-178312467-e1546294307457-1020x681.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/12/GettyImages-178312467-e1546294307457-1200x801.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Yosemite National Park. \u003ccite>(Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“What we’re recommending is visitors to stop in the gateway communities as they come through,” Lawson said, especially since the Yosemite Welcome Center in Yosemite Valley will be closed during the shutdown. Resources outside the park include:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.yosemitethisyear.com/\">\u003cstrong>Visit Yosemite Madera County: Oakhurst Visitor Center\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>40343 Highway 41, Oakhurst, CA 93644\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Phone: 559.683.4636\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.yosemite.com/things-to-do/mariposa-county-visitor-center/\">\u003cstrong>Mariposa County Visitor Center\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>5158 California 140, Mariposa, CA 95338\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Phone: 209.966.2456\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.visittuolumne.com/\">\u003cstrong>Visit Tuolumne County Visitor Center\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>193 S Washington St., Sonora, CA 95370\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Phone: 800.446.1333 or 209.533.4420\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Lawson said visitors can also consult \u003ca href=\"https://www.yosemite.com/current-conditions/\">the Yosemite shutdown information\u003c/a> on the Yosemite Mariposa County Tourism Bureau’s website, which contains info taken from a call this week with Yosemite’s acting superintendent, Ray McPadden.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"Findingmapsandadvice\">\u003c/a>You should bring your own maps into Yosemite (which has very little phone signal)\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Lawson recommends either \u003ca href=\"https://www.yosemite.com/yosemite-mariposa-county-region/maps/\">downloading a map of the park on your phone\u003c/a> you can access offline, bringing a print-out from home or picking up a map at one of the visitor centers outside the park, “since they’re not handing them out at the gateway.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11970738\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11970738\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/12/GettyImages-1846156476-scaled-e1759449061670.jpg\" alt=\"state parks\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A welcome sign is seen at the Yosemite National Park on Dec. 13, 2023. \u003ccite>(Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>You can also \u003ca href=\"https://support.google.com/maps/answer/6291838?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid\">download Google Maps for offline GPS navigation\u003c/a>, although this navigation will not reflect live updates such as road closures or traffic.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Make sure you download any maps or information you need well ahead of entering Yosemite, where cellphone signal ranges from patchy to nonexistent. You might be able to find some signal in Yosemite Village itself, Lawson said.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>You’ll still be able to buy food in Yosemite\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The National Park Service’s concessionaire, \u003ca href=\"https://www.yosemitethisyear.com/account/yosemite-hospitality-dining-lodging-attractions-in-yosemite\">Yosemite Hospitality\u003c/a>, will continue operating its food and lodging services within the park.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>(If it’s your first time visiting Yosemite, prepare for higher-than-average prices at cafes and restaurants, given its location.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[aside postID=news_12058291 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/GGBridgeGetty.jpg']\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"Hotelandcampgroundreservations\">\u003c/a>Hotel and campground reservations will be honored\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.travelyosemite.com/\">Yosemite Hospitality’s website confirms:\u003c/a> “If you have a reservation for lodging at The Ahwahnee, Yosemite Valley Lodge, Curry Village or Housekeeping Camp, your reservation will remain unchanged.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>The bathrooms are open and maintenance services are continuing\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>During the last government shutdown in December 2018 and January 2019, visitors \u003ca href=\"https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/national-parks-suffer-vandalism-overflowing-toilets-during-government-shutdown#:~:text=National%20parks%20suffer%20vandalism%2C%20overflowing,Wayne%20is%20your%20local%20station.\">reported overflowing bathrooms and unsanitary conditions \u003c/a>in Yosemite due to lack of staff. This time around, the National Park Service said that \u003ca href=\"https://www.yosemite.com/current-conditions/\">“sanitation facilities” will remain open \u003c/a>and that staff will still be performing maintenance.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But remember: Just because these services are technically continuing doesn’t mean they’ll necessarily be running at normal levels or on their regular service. You may consider packing extra hand sanitizer, soap and water just in case you encounter an unmaintained bathroom. If you bring wet wipes, remember to securely dispose of them or pack them out.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Emergency services will continue in Yosemite\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>While emergency services — like medical attention — aren’t being stopped in Yosemite during the shutdown, \u003ca href=\"https://www.doi.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2025-09/doi-nps-lapse-plan2025930508.pdf\">the Department of the Interior’s contingency plan for parks \u003c/a>makes clear these services could be limited during this period.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This is especially important to bear in mind if you’re attempting anything athletic within Yosemite or planning to be in the backcountry. Make sure you’re even more prepared than usual to take care of yourself in all circumstances: Check the weather, make sure you’re adequately dressed for the elements, bring a first-aid kit and figure out your communications plan between group members.\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\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"Wildernesspermits\">\u003c/a>Wilderness permits are still available but only on a self-serve basis\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>While\u003ca href=\"https://www.politico.com/news/2025/10/01/yosemite-government-shutdown-national-parks-00591258\"> Yosemite rangers were still personally handing out backcountry permits on Wednesday\u003c/a>, no new permits will be issued at this time, Lawson said — and a self-check-in system is now in place for existing permits.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Like many visitor centers within Yosemite, the park’s wilderness centers are closed. This means that anyone with an existing permit should pick it up at a self-registration station, which are located at:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Big Oak Flat Information Station\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Tuolumne Meadows Wilderness Center\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Hill’s Studio in Wawona\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Outside the Welcome Center in Yosemite Valley.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>You should pick up your permit at the station closest to your trailhead, Lawson said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Another thing to remember: There are no bear canister rentals available in Yosemite during the shutdown, meaning that anyone planning to enter the backcountry must come prepared with their own\u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/containers.htm\"> approved bear canister\u003c/a>. You may also find bear canisters for sale outside the park.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>If you’re going to visit right now, protect the landscape as much as you can\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Previous government shutdowns have been grueling on national parks, even when some staffing remains in place.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11740797\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11740797\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2019/04/RS29765__FB-24-of-69-qut.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2019/04/RS29765__FB-24-of-69-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2019/04/RS29765__FB-24-of-69-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2019/04/RS29765__FB-24-of-69-qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2019/04/RS29765__FB-24-of-69-qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2019/04/RS29765__FB-24-of-69-qut-1200x800.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Joshua Tree National Park. \u003ccite>(Ashley Urdang/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>During the 2018–19 government shutdown, unsupervised visitors caused serious damage to Joshua Tree National Park, where pounds of trash accumulated, vehicles went off-road and \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/29/us/joshua-tree-shutdown.html\">iconic Joshua trees were cut down\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At Yosemite this time around, “the staff is very, very limited,” stressed Lawson. “So it’s really helpful if guests come in aware and knowing, ‘Hey, I have an impact and how can I be a part of protecting this amazing, extraordinary place?’”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This means: Leave no trace, pack out your trash and stay patient with the park rangers that are still working unpaid through the shutdown. “That’s for all of us,” Lawson said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
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"excerpt": "Visitors to Yosemite right now will find open gates, but also a lack of rangers and facilities. Here’s what to know.",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12057777\">The shutdown of the federal government\u003c/a> has brought \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058291/san-francisco-national-parks-government-shutdown-bay-area-muir-woods-redwoods-fort-point\">the full or partial closure of many National Park Service sites\u003c/a> across California — including \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058298/at-muir-woods-tourists-heartbroken-over-national-park-closure-during-shutdown\">Muir Woods\u003c/a>, where visitors on Wednesday were \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058298/at-muir-woods-tourists-heartbroken-over-national-park-closure-during-shutdown\">met with locked gates\u003c/a>, and \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/alca/index.htm\">Alcatraz Island\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And the closures have many people, especially curious about the state’s most visited national park, asking: “Is Yosemite National Park open right now?”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The quick answer is \u003ca href=\"https://www.yosemite.com/current-conditions/\">yes, Yosemite is still open to the public\u003c/a>. But because of the shutdown, many federal employees who staff the park aren’t working. That means many buildings, facilities and resources aren’t currently available in Yosemite, in a way that could have real consequences for a person’s visit.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://irma.nps.gov/Stats/SSRSReports/Park%20Specific%20Reports/Annual%20Park%20Recreation%20Visitation%20(1904%20-%20Last%20Calendar%20Year)?Park=YOSE\">Over 4 million people visited Yosemite last year\u003c/a>, and \u003ca href=\"https://irma.nps.gov/Stats/SSRSReports/Park%20Specific%20Reports/Monthly%20Public%20Use?Park=YOSE\">almost 12% of those made their trips in the month of October\u003c/a>. So if you’re one of those hoping to visit the park in the coming days, keep reading for what to know about visiting Yosemite National Park during the government shutdown — and how to stay safe doing so.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#Findingmapsandadvice\">Finding maps and advice\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#Hotelandcampgroundreservations\">Hotel and campground reservations\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#Wildernesspermits\">Wilderness permits\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>There will be no rangers at the gates to meet you — or collect your entry fee\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Instead of being stopped and greeted by a park staffer at the Yosemite gates, you’ll now drive straight through. This means there’s nobody in those booths to collect your entry fee (\u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/fees.htm\">usually $35 per vehicle\u003c/a>) or to offer you guidance on your visit — including timely updates on weather conditions and any road closures.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Such expert advice is helpful even for seasoned park-goers, and this is where the visitor centers \u003cem>outside\u003c/em> Yosemite really come in handy, said Kim Lawson, director of communications and content at the Yosemite Mariposa County Tourism Bureau.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11715469\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11715469\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/12/GettyImages-178312467-e1546294307457.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1281\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/12/GettyImages-178312467-e1546294307457.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/12/GettyImages-178312467-e1546294307457-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/12/GettyImages-178312467-e1546294307457-800x534.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/12/GettyImages-178312467-e1546294307457-1020x681.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/12/GettyImages-178312467-e1546294307457-1200x801.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Yosemite National Park. \u003ccite>(Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“What we’re recommending is visitors to stop in the gateway communities as they come through,” Lawson said, especially since the Yosemite Welcome Center in Yosemite Valley will be closed during the shutdown. Resources outside the park include:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.yosemitethisyear.com/\">\u003cstrong>Visit Yosemite Madera County: Oakhurst Visitor Center\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>40343 Highway 41, Oakhurst, CA 93644\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Phone: 559.683.4636\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.yosemite.com/things-to-do/mariposa-county-visitor-center/\">\u003cstrong>Mariposa County Visitor Center\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>5158 California 140, Mariposa, CA 95338\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Phone: 209.966.2456\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.visittuolumne.com/\">\u003cstrong>Visit Tuolumne County Visitor Center\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>193 S Washington St., Sonora, CA 95370\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Phone: 800.446.1333 or 209.533.4420\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Lawson said visitors can also consult \u003ca href=\"https://www.yosemite.com/current-conditions/\">the Yosemite shutdown information\u003c/a> on the Yosemite Mariposa County Tourism Bureau’s website, which contains info taken from a call this week with Yosemite’s acting superintendent, Ray McPadden.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"Findingmapsandadvice\">\u003c/a>You should bring your own maps into Yosemite (which has very little phone signal)\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Lawson recommends either \u003ca href=\"https://www.yosemite.com/yosemite-mariposa-county-region/maps/\">downloading a map of the park on your phone\u003c/a> you can access offline, bringing a print-out from home or picking up a map at one of the visitor centers outside the park, “since they’re not handing them out at the gateway.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11970738\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11970738\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/12/GettyImages-1846156476-scaled-e1759449061670.jpg\" alt=\"state parks\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A welcome sign is seen at the Yosemite National Park on Dec. 13, 2023. \u003ccite>(Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>You can also \u003ca href=\"https://support.google.com/maps/answer/6291838?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid\">download Google Maps for offline GPS navigation\u003c/a>, although this navigation will not reflect live updates such as road closures or traffic.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Make sure you download any maps or information you need well ahead of entering Yosemite, where cellphone signal ranges from patchy to nonexistent. You might be able to find some signal in Yosemite Village itself, Lawson said.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>You’ll still be able to buy food in Yosemite\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The National Park Service’s concessionaire, \u003ca href=\"https://www.yosemitethisyear.com/account/yosemite-hospitality-dining-lodging-attractions-in-yosemite\">Yosemite Hospitality\u003c/a>, will continue operating its food and lodging services within the park.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>(If it’s your first time visiting Yosemite, prepare for higher-than-average prices at cafes and restaurants, given its location.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"Hotelandcampgroundreservations\">\u003c/a>Hotel and campground reservations will be honored\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.travelyosemite.com/\">Yosemite Hospitality’s website confirms:\u003c/a> “If you have a reservation for lodging at The Ahwahnee, Yosemite Valley Lodge, Curry Village or Housekeeping Camp, your reservation will remain unchanged.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>The bathrooms are open and maintenance services are continuing\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>During the last government shutdown in December 2018 and January 2019, visitors \u003ca href=\"https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/national-parks-suffer-vandalism-overflowing-toilets-during-government-shutdown#:~:text=National%20parks%20suffer%20vandalism%2C%20overflowing,Wayne%20is%20your%20local%20station.\">reported overflowing bathrooms and unsanitary conditions \u003c/a>in Yosemite due to lack of staff. This time around, the National Park Service said that \u003ca href=\"https://www.yosemite.com/current-conditions/\">“sanitation facilities” will remain open \u003c/a>and that staff will still be performing maintenance.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But remember: Just because these services are technically continuing doesn’t mean they’ll necessarily be running at normal levels or on their regular service. You may consider packing extra hand sanitizer, soap and water just in case you encounter an unmaintained bathroom. If you bring wet wipes, remember to securely dispose of them or pack them out.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Emergency services will continue in Yosemite\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>While emergency services — like medical attention — aren’t being stopped in Yosemite during the shutdown, \u003ca href=\"https://www.doi.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2025-09/doi-nps-lapse-plan2025930508.pdf\">the Department of the Interior’s contingency plan for parks \u003c/a>makes clear these services could be limited during this period.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This is especially important to bear in mind if you’re attempting anything athletic within Yosemite or planning to be in the backcountry. Make sure you’re even more prepared than usual to take care of yourself in all circumstances: Check the weather, make sure you’re adequately dressed for the elements, bring a first-aid kit and figure out your communications plan between group members.\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\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"Wildernesspermits\">\u003c/a>Wilderness permits are still available but only on a self-serve basis\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>While\u003ca href=\"https://www.politico.com/news/2025/10/01/yosemite-government-shutdown-national-parks-00591258\"> Yosemite rangers were still personally handing out backcountry permits on Wednesday\u003c/a>, no new permits will be issued at this time, Lawson said — and a self-check-in system is now in place for existing permits.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Like many visitor centers within Yosemite, the park’s wilderness centers are closed. This means that anyone with an existing permit should pick it up at a self-registration station, which are located at:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Big Oak Flat Information Station\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Tuolumne Meadows Wilderness Center\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Hill’s Studio in Wawona\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Outside the Welcome Center in Yosemite Valley.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>You should pick up your permit at the station closest to your trailhead, Lawson said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Another thing to remember: There are no bear canister rentals available in Yosemite during the shutdown, meaning that anyone planning to enter the backcountry must come prepared with their own\u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/containers.htm\"> approved bear canister\u003c/a>. You may also find bear canisters for sale outside the park.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>If you’re going to visit right now, protect the landscape as much as you can\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Previous government shutdowns have been grueling on national parks, even when some staffing remains in place.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11740797\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11740797\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2019/04/RS29765__FB-24-of-69-qut.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2019/04/RS29765__FB-24-of-69-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2019/04/RS29765__FB-24-of-69-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2019/04/RS29765__FB-24-of-69-qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2019/04/RS29765__FB-24-of-69-qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2019/04/RS29765__FB-24-of-69-qut-1200x800.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Joshua Tree National Park. \u003ccite>(Ashley Urdang/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>During the 2018–19 government shutdown, unsupervised visitors caused serious damage to Joshua Tree National Park, where pounds of trash accumulated, vehicles went off-road and \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/29/us/joshua-tree-shutdown.html\">iconic Joshua trees were cut down\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At Yosemite this time around, “the staff is very, very limited,” stressed Lawson. “So it’s really helpful if guests come in aware and knowing, ‘Hey, I have an impact and how can I be a part of protecting this amazing, extraordinary place?’”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This means: Leave no trace, pack out your trash and stay patient with the park rangers that are still working unpaid through the shutdown. “That’s for all of us,” Lawson said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"slug": "trump-directs-national-parks-to-erase-histories-that-disparage-americans",
"title": "Trump Directs National Parks to Erase Histories That ‘Disparage Americans’",
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"headTitle": "Trump Directs National Parks to Erase Histories That ‘Disparage Americans’ | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cp class=\"e-91036-text encore-text-body-medium\" data-encore-id=\"text\" data-slate-node=\"element\">\u003cspan data-slate-node=\"text\">\u003cspan class=\"sc-dhKdcB cgUUbz\" data-slate-leaf=\"true\">Earlier this Spring, the Trump Administration issued an Executive Order telling U.S. National Park Service staff, including those in California, to scrub parks of any materials that “inappropriately disparage Americans past or living.” Advocates and park workers say following through has been confusing and chaotic, and many worry that a true record of California’s history is at stake. \u003c/span>\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-encore-id=\"text\" data-slate-node=\"element\">\n\u003c!-- iframe plugin v.4.3 wordpress.org/plugins/iframe/ -->\u003cbr>\n\u003ciframe loading=\"lazy\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"200\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https://playlist.megaphone.fm?e=KQINC4323114838&light=true\" width=\"100%\" class=\"iframe-class\">\u003c/iframe>\n\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-encore-id=\"text\" data-slate-node=\"element\">\u003cstrong>Links:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli style=\"list-style-type: none\">\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli data-encore-id=\"text\" data-slate-node=\"element\">\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12055659/national-park-service-california-yosemite-muir-woods-trump-executive-order\">As Trump Targets National Parks that ‘Disparage Americans,’ Advocates Warn California History Is At Stake\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli data-encore-id=\"text\" data-slate-node=\"element\">\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12049405/muir-woods-national-monument-exhibit-removal-trump-executive-order-national-parks-history-under-construction-sticky-notes\">What’s Going on With the Muir Woods Exhibit Removal?\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp class=\"e-91036-text encore-text-body-medium\" data-encore-id=\"text\" data-slate-node=\"element\" data-slate-fragment=\"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\">\u003cem>\u003ci>Some members of the KQED podcast team are represented by The Screen Actors Guild, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. San Francisco Northern California Local.\u003c/i>\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>This transcript is computer-generated. While our team has reviewed it, there may be errors.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright \u003c/strong>[00:02:05] Ever since January, the president’s inauguration, there has been wave after wave of issues within national parks.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:02:17] Sarah Wright covers the outdoors for KQED.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright \u003c/strong>[00:02:22] It kind of started with the February mass firing of National Parks employees. Many of those employees were reinstated to their positions, but many chose to leave and take other opportunities because they weren’t sure about the future of their work and many others retired early. So just to start off the year, staffing kind of plummeted by 25%, according to some estimates. After that, Trump started discussing budget cuts, and then he also started to come out with this series of executive orders. And the orders attempt to change what’s going on inside national parks. And one of the main ways he’s trying to do this is by changing the stories that they tell.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:03:10] I want to step back just a little bit, Sarah, and go back to March when Trump first issued this executive order that we’re talking about today. What is it exactly, and what did it do?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright \u003c/strong>[00:03:23] So in March, President Trump issued an executive order called Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History. And the idea was that parks everywhere across the nation had to flag anything that might be critical of U.S. History or Americans past or living. The rationale was to focus on what he calls the beauty and grandeur of America. So he’s trying to shape this narrative that What we should focus on in these celebratory places, which many parks are, is how great the US is. And that’s in line with a lot of Trump’s rhetoric, Trump’s policies, is to emphasize the good and not put too much weight or spend too much time talking about the bad.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:04:12] So after this executive order, how did it actually play out in practice? Like what were park staff told to do?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright \u003c/strong>[00:04:19] First staff were told to post these signs with QR codes on them. That was to solicit feedback from the public about how the park is doing, anything they like or dislike, but mostly to ask them to identify anything about the park that disparages Americans. After that, over the summer, parks were told to basically document every single piece of content in the parks, maybe a wayside sign that you see on the road. That’s maybe a sign when you’re entering an exhibit. That could be a brochure you get. Even books in the bookstores and films that are shown in parks were part of this. And submit basically a big Excel sheet to their higher ups. And so that took a couple of weeks. They had a deadline to submit that over the summer and then they were told to wait. What happened next is a few parks got information back saying, thank you for flagging this. You need to come up with a plan to remove it. So they’re having to make these decisions kind of on their own with no real guidance.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:05:37] Which is awkward in so many ways, including the fact that probably many of the people who are being asked to remove these things are the same people who worked really hard to put them together or put them up so that the public could understand and know about these histories of these parks, right?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright \u003c/strong>[00:05:54] Yeah, in fact, that could be exactly what happened here in California at Muir Woods. There was an exhibit put up in 2021 in response to a lot of the conversations around Black Lives Matter. And staff worked really hard to create this exhibit that showed we used to have this sign, it didn’t have enough context on the history of this park. And so they added sticky notes and other information to sort of annotate the sign. To let visitors know all of this is true on this sign, but it’s not the complete story. So let’s add the contributions of women to creating this park, the contributions to the indigenous people, and some of the context around the founder’s often racist past. And so that was an effort that the whole park supported, that the park was excited about. And this year when Muir Woods staff were asked to take down those sticky notes, we don’t know if those are the exact same staff who put them up, but there was a lot of confusion, surprise, and even anger about this directive.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Chris Lehnertz \u003c/strong>[00:07:00] We were surprised that changes happened at Muir Woods so quickly.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright \u003c/strong>[00:07:04] Chris Lehnertz is the president and CEO of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. It’s the nonprofit that partners with the Golden gate National Recreation Area. That group manages Muir Woods. It manages lots of other parks here in the Bay area.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Chris Lehnertz \u003c/strong>[00:07:20] You know, I can tell you that it’s a very big lift for parks. There are some parks that have 500 interpretive signs.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright \u003c/strong>[00:07:29] Chris told me that when she found out that the signage was changed at Muir Woods, it was shocking.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Chris Lehnertz \u003c/strong>[00:07:38] I don’t think that the histories told in parks are a threat to America. They share multiple human experiences. So I hope that in the coming weeks what we see come out of Washington, D.C. Is an embrace of that multifaceted history, not a judgment of it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:08:06] I know you actually talked to National Park Service workers directly about how these Trump directives are sort of playing out on the ground. But many of them only spoke with you anonymously. Why was that?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright \u003c/strong>[00:08:28] Yeah, so it’s a really fearful time inside of parks. Speaking with the parks superintendents who I did, they were really careful not to say anything in our interview that might be specific to their park site and they’re worried about retaliation.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:08:46] What did they tell you, what did you hear from them about what it’s been like on the ground to follow these executive orders from the Trump administration? And it sounds like these are really confusing orders.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright \u003c/strong>[00:08:59] That was kind of the main theme of a lot of our conversations was like chaos and confusion. One superintendent told me every single week it felt like, and even every single day we were getting new directives. And we weren’t really sure which ones to act on first or how to act on them. And when we would ask follow up questions, we wouldn’t get answers. And that’s what I experienced as well in reporting this story. I asked the National Park Service to clarify a couple of points, including, who is reviewing the signage up in the national office somewhere, and I didn’t get a response to that. It’s been kind of a cloud of uncertainty, and that’s not even to mention the lack of staffing in parks right now, the fear for the future of budget cuts, and the uncertainty about whether or not parks will have the capacity to carry out their mission even next year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:09:55] What did other rangers or park staff that you talked to say about their worries around all this?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright \u003c/strong>[00:10:02] Yeah, so a lot of people were worried here in California about the narratives around our Indigenous history. There was a major effort to get those stories into parks. So those histories are the types of histories that sometimes discuss how genocide occurred here in California against Indigenous people, or in the case of Manzanar, how incarceration of hundred thousand people occurred here in the state.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Bruce Embrey \u003c/strong>[00:10:29] It’s dangerous because the false narratives lead to great harm to communities of color in particular.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright \u003c/strong>[00:10:37] I also spoke to Bruce Embrey. He co-chairs the Manzanar Committee that his mother, who is incarcerated there, co-founded in 1970.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Bruce Embrey \u003c/strong>[00:10:46] The site was created by the Paiute and Shoshoni people whose land Manzanar sits on and Japanese Americans who were incarcerated there during World War II. It took decades of work to create that site.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright \u003c/strong>[00:11:01] He and other Manzanar advocates have been among the most vocal against the Trump administration because they’re worried that this attempt to cover up or erase history might in fact cause it to be repeated.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Bruce Embrey \u003c/strong>[00:11:15] Our story is a cautionary tale, one that shows the dangers to our country when the constitution is torn up and tossed aside. I think the Trump administration and its allies want nothing more than to erase anything from our history that will show how what they’re doing is dangerous to our country.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright \u003c/strong>[00:11:44] Over in the South, they’re worried about the conversations around slavery. And in fact, the Washington Post reported this week that the Trump administration did direct some national park sites in West Virginia and Pennsylvania to start taking down signs. So it’s all of those stories are kind of what’s at stake.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:12:11] I mean, I’m even thinking about myself and maybe how I might’ve taken for granted seeing some of those, these signs or these histories that are just, that were just present. When do you think it might become obvious for people like me or visitors that these changes are happening, or will they notice you?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright \u003c/strong>[00:12:30] That is a huge question. A lot of people told me they’re worried that people won’t notice because they won’t know what they’re missing in a park. They won’t know the stories that aren’t being told. And Jesse Chakrin, who’s the executive director for Fund for People In Parks, he told me that getting signage created is very expensive and a very lengthy process.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jesse Chakrin \u003c/strong>[00:12:51] This is not a funded mandate. There’s no money behind this secretarial order to actually do the work that would be necessary if this were in good faith even to tell a more full and complete story.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright \u003c/strong>[00:13:05] A single sign can cost up to $5,000 and months of work. So more likely what you’ll see is signs starting to be covered up, which will just kind of, in my opinion, create a weird visitor experience because you’re like tempted to peel back the tape like what was there. But it might be quieter than that, in fact. It might just be a new sign that was on the docket to be created in the next year or so is just no longer gonna happen. Or a new exhibit that people have worked hard to think about is just gonna die before it can even be created.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jesse Chakrin \u003c/strong>[00:13:40] People will stop telling full and complete stories. People will start to think about the ways that they can be careful so as to not offend. And so much of the work of the last 20, 30, 40, 60 years to really explore what it means to be an American, we’re just gonna erase those because we’re afraid.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:14:02] And I mean, we’re talking about national parks, but it’s not the only place where the Trump administration has been removing history and information, right?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright \u003c/strong>[00:14:10] It’s part of a larger effort that we’ve seen from the Trump administration to scrub public sites. In the past, we’ve see this with the CDC, the EPA sites, and other public agencies. We saw it with websites on LGBTQ history at the Smithsonian. The worry is that if these histories aren’t in the public consciousness, people will forget. They won’t know the contributions of trans activists to Stonewall if the word trans is removed from a website. I also talked to some advocates who said, you know, the NPS isn’t the only keeper of these stories. We have a lot of private museums, we have a lotta state-run groups that, you know are really, really dedicating to holding onto these histories and so we may have to get creative in where we’re going for our sourcing. In the meantime while these sites are being edited, changed, or taken down.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:15:09] It’s crazy because I guess it hadn’t even really occurred to me like how big of a role a national park might play in telling histories like this and I guess I’m curious what’s your sense of how park goers or visitors are feeling about these executive orders.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright \u003c/strong>[00:15:26] We actually got back the results from the QR codes. We got a document that was basically full of people advocating for parks. And so it seems like visitors are just as surprised as many parks workers that the Trump administration would seek to change signage in parks. And they’re really outspoken about loving the national parks that they’re visiting. So it really is heartening, I think, to a lot of parks advocates. While the impetus for the QR codes wasn’t very exciting, the results of them actually, I think, reaffirmed their work.\u003c/p>\n\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright \u003c/strong>[00:02:05] Ever since January, the president’s inauguration, there has been wave after wave of issues within national parks.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:02:17] Sarah Wright covers the outdoors for KQED.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright \u003c/strong>[00:02:22] It kind of started with the February mass firing of National Parks employees. Many of those employees were reinstated to their positions, but many chose to leave and take other opportunities because they weren’t sure about the future of their work and many others retired early. So just to start off the year, staffing kind of plummeted by 25%, according to some estimates. After that, Trump started discussing budget cuts, and then he also started to come out with this series of executive orders. And the orders attempt to change what’s going on inside national parks. And one of the main ways he’s trying to do this is by changing the stories that they tell.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:03:10] I want to step back just a little bit, Sarah, and go back to March when Trump first issued this executive order that we’re talking about today. What is it exactly, and what did it do?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright \u003c/strong>[00:03:23] So in March, President Trump issued an executive order called Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History. And the idea was that parks everywhere across the nation had to flag anything that might be critical of U.S. History or Americans past or living. The rationale was to focus on what he calls the beauty and grandeur of America. So he’s trying to shape this narrative that What we should focus on in these celebratory places, which many parks are, is how great the US is. And that’s in line with a lot of Trump’s rhetoric, Trump’s policies, is to emphasize the good and not put too much weight or spend too much time talking about the bad.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:04:12] So after this executive order, how did it actually play out in practice? Like what were park staff told to do?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright \u003c/strong>[00:04:19] First staff were told to post these signs with QR codes on them. That was to solicit feedback from the public about how the park is doing, anything they like or dislike, but mostly to ask them to identify anything about the park that disparages Americans. After that, over the summer, parks were told to basically document every single piece of content in the parks, maybe a wayside sign that you see on the road. That’s maybe a sign when you’re entering an exhibit. That could be a brochure you get. Even books in the bookstores and films that are shown in parks were part of this. And submit basically a big Excel sheet to their higher ups. And so that took a couple of weeks. They had a deadline to submit that over the summer and then they were told to wait. What happened next is a few parks got information back saying, thank you for flagging this. You need to come up with a plan to remove it. So they’re having to make these decisions kind of on their own with no real guidance.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:05:37] Which is awkward in so many ways, including the fact that probably many of the people who are being asked to remove these things are the same people who worked really hard to put them together or put them up so that the public could understand and know about these histories of these parks, right?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright \u003c/strong>[00:05:54] Yeah, in fact, that could be exactly what happened here in California at Muir Woods. There was an exhibit put up in 2021 in response to a lot of the conversations around Black Lives Matter. And staff worked really hard to create this exhibit that showed we used to have this sign, it didn’t have enough context on the history of this park. And so they added sticky notes and other information to sort of annotate the sign. To let visitors know all of this is true on this sign, but it’s not the complete story. So let’s add the contributions of women to creating this park, the contributions to the indigenous people, and some of the context around the founder’s often racist past. And so that was an effort that the whole park supported, that the park was excited about. And this year when Muir Woods staff were asked to take down those sticky notes, we don’t know if those are the exact same staff who put them up, but there was a lot of confusion, surprise, and even anger about this directive.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Chris Lehnertz \u003c/strong>[00:07:00] We were surprised that changes happened at Muir Woods so quickly.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright \u003c/strong>[00:07:04] Chris Lehnertz is the president and CEO of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. It’s the nonprofit that partners with the Golden gate National Recreation Area. That group manages Muir Woods. It manages lots of other parks here in the Bay area.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Chris Lehnertz \u003c/strong>[00:07:20] You know, I can tell you that it’s a very big lift for parks. There are some parks that have 500 interpretive signs.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright \u003c/strong>[00:07:29] Chris told me that when she found out that the signage was changed at Muir Woods, it was shocking.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Chris Lehnertz \u003c/strong>[00:07:38] I don’t think that the histories told in parks are a threat to America. They share multiple human experiences. So I hope that in the coming weeks what we see come out of Washington, D.C. Is an embrace of that multifaceted history, not a judgment of it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:08:06] I know you actually talked to National Park Service workers directly about how these Trump directives are sort of playing out on the ground. But many of them only spoke with you anonymously. Why was that?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright \u003c/strong>[00:08:28] Yeah, so it’s a really fearful time inside of parks. Speaking with the parks superintendents who I did, they were really careful not to say anything in our interview that might be specific to their park site and they’re worried about retaliation.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:08:46] What did they tell you, what did you hear from them about what it’s been like on the ground to follow these executive orders from the Trump administration? And it sounds like these are really confusing orders.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright \u003c/strong>[00:08:59] That was kind of the main theme of a lot of our conversations was like chaos and confusion. One superintendent told me every single week it felt like, and even every single day we were getting new directives. And we weren’t really sure which ones to act on first or how to act on them. And when we would ask follow up questions, we wouldn’t get answers. And that’s what I experienced as well in reporting this story. I asked the National Park Service to clarify a couple of points, including, who is reviewing the signage up in the national office somewhere, and I didn’t get a response to that. It’s been kind of a cloud of uncertainty, and that’s not even to mention the lack of staffing in parks right now, the fear for the future of budget cuts, and the uncertainty about whether or not parks will have the capacity to carry out their mission even next year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:09:55] What did other rangers or park staff that you talked to say about their worries around all this?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright \u003c/strong>[00:10:02] Yeah, so a lot of people were worried here in California about the narratives around our Indigenous history. There was a major effort to get those stories into parks. So those histories are the types of histories that sometimes discuss how genocide occurred here in California against Indigenous people, or in the case of Manzanar, how incarceration of hundred thousand people occurred here in the state.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Bruce Embrey \u003c/strong>[00:10:29] It’s dangerous because the false narratives lead to great harm to communities of color in particular.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright \u003c/strong>[00:10:37] I also spoke to Bruce Embrey. He co-chairs the Manzanar Committee that his mother, who is incarcerated there, co-founded in 1970.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Bruce Embrey \u003c/strong>[00:10:46] The site was created by the Paiute and Shoshoni people whose land Manzanar sits on and Japanese Americans who were incarcerated there during World War II. It took decades of work to create that site.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright \u003c/strong>[00:11:01] He and other Manzanar advocates have been among the most vocal against the Trump administration because they’re worried that this attempt to cover up or erase history might in fact cause it to be repeated.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Bruce Embrey \u003c/strong>[00:11:15] Our story is a cautionary tale, one that shows the dangers to our country when the constitution is torn up and tossed aside. I think the Trump administration and its allies want nothing more than to erase anything from our history that will show how what they’re doing is dangerous to our country.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright \u003c/strong>[00:11:44] Over in the South, they’re worried about the conversations around slavery. And in fact, the Washington Post reported this week that the Trump administration did direct some national park sites in West Virginia and Pennsylvania to start taking down signs. So it’s all of those stories are kind of what’s at stake.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:12:11] I mean, I’m even thinking about myself and maybe how I might’ve taken for granted seeing some of those, these signs or these histories that are just, that were just present. When do you think it might become obvious for people like me or visitors that these changes are happening, or will they notice you?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright \u003c/strong>[00:12:30] That is a huge question. A lot of people told me they’re worried that people won’t notice because they won’t know what they’re missing in a park. They won’t know the stories that aren’t being told. And Jesse Chakrin, who’s the executive director for Fund for People In Parks, he told me that getting signage created is very expensive and a very lengthy process.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jesse Chakrin \u003c/strong>[00:12:51] This is not a funded mandate. There’s no money behind this secretarial order to actually do the work that would be necessary if this were in good faith even to tell a more full and complete story.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright \u003c/strong>[00:13:05] A single sign can cost up to $5,000 and months of work. So more likely what you’ll see is signs starting to be covered up, which will just kind of, in my opinion, create a weird visitor experience because you’re like tempted to peel back the tape like what was there. But it might be quieter than that, in fact. It might just be a new sign that was on the docket to be created in the next year or so is just no longer gonna happen. Or a new exhibit that people have worked hard to think about is just gonna die before it can even be created.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jesse Chakrin \u003c/strong>[00:13:40] People will stop telling full and complete stories. People will start to think about the ways that they can be careful so as to not offend. And so much of the work of the last 20, 30, 40, 60 years to really explore what it means to be an American, we’re just gonna erase those because we’re afraid.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:14:02] And I mean, we’re talking about national parks, but it’s not the only place where the Trump administration has been removing history and information, right?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright \u003c/strong>[00:14:10] It’s part of a larger effort that we’ve seen from the Trump administration to scrub public sites. In the past, we’ve see this with the CDC, the EPA sites, and other public agencies. We saw it with websites on LGBTQ history at the Smithsonian. The worry is that if these histories aren’t in the public consciousness, people will forget. They won’t know the contributions of trans activists to Stonewall if the word trans is removed from a website. I also talked to some advocates who said, you know, the NPS isn’t the only keeper of these stories. We have a lot of private museums, we have a lotta state-run groups that, you know are really, really dedicating to holding onto these histories and so we may have to get creative in where we’re going for our sourcing. In the meantime while these sites are being edited, changed, or taken down.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:15:09] It’s crazy because I guess it hadn’t even really occurred to me like how big of a role a national park might play in telling histories like this and I guess I’m curious what’s your sense of how park goers or visitors are feeling about these executive orders.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright \u003c/strong>[00:15:26] We actually got back the results from the QR codes. We got a document that was basically full of people advocating for parks. And so it seems like visitors are just as surprised as many parks workers that the Trump administration would seek to change signage in parks. And they’re really outspoken about loving the national parks that they’re visiting. So it really is heartening, I think, to a lot of parks advocates. While the impetus for the QR codes wasn’t very exciting, the results of them actually, I think, reaffirmed their work.\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"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. ",
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"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. ",
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"marketplace": {
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"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",
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"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>",
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"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?",
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"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",
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"politicalbreakdown": {
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"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",
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"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",
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"pri-the-world": {
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"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.",
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"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-World-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
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"radiolab": {
"id": "radiolab",
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"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.",
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"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.",
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},
"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.",
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},
"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.",
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"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.",
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},
"soldout": {
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