Wilderness Conditions Update

General Conditions

October 20, 2024

As temperatures drop, we begin to see dogwoods turn red and aspens turn yellow. Prepare for cooler days and nights. Check water availability, weather and fire conditions before starting your hike. Water availability in smaller streams is less reliable. Gnats can be more abundant now in some zones. Additionally, summer services begin to close as we enter fall.

Learn more about exploring the Yosemite Wilderness in winter.

Yosemite Valley and the Merced River Drainage

• Trails are clear and dry.

• On the north rim, the flows in Cascade Creek, Yosemite Creek, Lehamite Creek, and Snow Creek are decreasing. The smaller creeks in between are not reliable.

• The cables on Half Dome are down for the season.

Wawona

• Chilnualna Creek above the falls and Alder Creek is flowing at approximately 1 foot deep.

Hetch Hetchy

• Due to bear activity, camping is discouraged around Lake Vernon.

• Bring adequate water until you reach year-round water sources.

Glacier Point Road

• Glacier Point Road is closed to overnight parking. This closure includes all pullouts, parking lots, and side roads.

• The trails along the south rim of the Valley from Pohono Trailhead (via Taft and Dewey Points towards Tunnel View) are damaged by flooding. At times, rock is loose and makes the trail hard to discern from the surrounding slab.

• The trail to Ostrander Lake has been cleared of fallen trees. Due to low or no water availability, plan to carry enough water to make it to the lake.

• On the Pohono Trail, Bridalveil Creek is the reliable water source. Minimal water available between the footbridge and Dewey Point. Minimal water flows in Meadow Brook. Bears are present around McGurk Meadow and near the Bridalveil Creek footbridge.

• Illilioutte Creek has adequate water and is passable.

• Bridalveil Creek Campground is closed. Parking for the Bridalveil Creek Campground trailhead is available at McGurk or Westfall Meadow and then walk through the campground.

Tioga Road and Tuolumne Meadows

• Tioga Road closes is closed to overnight parking. This closure includes all pullouts, parking lots, and side roads.

• Rafferty Creek is dry.

• Composting toilets at Sunrise and Glen Aulin High Sierra Camps will remain open year-round.

• En route to Glen Aulin or Young Lakes, Delaney Creek, and Dingley Creek are dry except occasional pools.

• Cold Canyon along the PCT heading north from Glen Aulin is completely dry. Fill enough water at Glen Aulin for approximately seven miles.

• Between Sunrise Lakes and Clouds Rest, a seasonal creek has limited water.

• The approach from the east to Tuolumne Peak has limited water found in tarns (small pools).

• Rafferty Creek is dry.

• Morrison Creek, near White Wolf, has limited water.

• All services in Tuolumne Meadows are closed for the season. The Tuolumne Meadows Hikers Bus and Highway 120 East YARTS bus have also stopped operating for the season.

Outside of Yosemite

• Devils Postpile/Reds Meadow Valley: shuttle service is limited to Saturday and Sunday without access during other days. Learn more about the closure and shuttle schedule.

Current Closures

All current trail closures are listed on the current conditions page.

Tuolumne Meadows Campground, including the backpackers campground, will be closed for the 2024 season. There will be no camping of any kind in Tuolumne Meadows nor any exceptions for backpackers or hikers. Backpackers will have to camp at least four trail miles from Tuolumne Meadows.

Full or partial meadow closures to free-range grazing are in effect at Crescent Lake, Hook Lake North, Isberg Lake, Miller Lake, Rodger's Lake, Turner Meadow, and Upper Kerrick Meadow to align with the 2020 Biological Opinion for Yosemite toads and mountain yellow-legged frogs, and Virginia Canyon - Castle Camp for protection of sensitive vegetation resources. Further guidance is provided in the Superintendent's Compendium; detailed maps of meadow closures are at the stock use page.

Trails in Yosemite may be closed when there are hidden hazards or are impassable due to rock fall, snow, ice, or fire. Open trails are not necessarily free of hazards. By entering the wilderness, you are assuming responsibility for your safety and must use good judgment.

General Conditions by Season

If you're looking for an idea of what to expect at a different time of year, we have information about general conditions by season. Keep in mind that there is no "normal" condition for any particular season, so conditions often vary considerably from year to year.

Wilderness Permits

Wilderness permits are required for overnight stays in the Yosemite Wilderness. Reserved permits can be picked up at the following locations:

Wilderness Permit Reservations

All wilderness permits are available by reservation at Recreation.gov (help desk available Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm). Reservations are available up to 24 (168 Days) weeks to 3 days ahead of your entry date. Reservations are available for the areas covered by each wilderness center listed below until the closure date of the wilderness center. Then, permits are still required by available by self-registration.

Yosemite Valley Wilderness Center

Closed for the season as of October 21. Will reopen spring 2025. For winter wilderness permits, visit the Yosemite Valley Welcome Center (open 9 am to 5 pm) for permits and bear canisters.

Tuolumne Meadows Wilderness Center

Closed for the season. Will reopen spring 2025 when Tioga Pass opens. Wilderness permits for the Tuolumne Meadows area only are available on the porch (self-registration). Be prepared with your own bear canister.

Big Oak Flat Information Station

Closed for the season. Will reopen spring 2025. Wilderness permits for the Tioga Road area only are available on the porch (self-registration). Be prepared with your own bear canister.

Wawona Visitor Center at Hill's Studio

Closed for the season. Will reopen spring 2025. Wilderness permits for the Wawona area only are available on the porch (self-registration). Be prepared with your own bear canister.

Hetch Hetchy Entrance Station

Hetch Hetchy Road is open from sunrise to sunset. Wilderness permits for the Hetch Hetchy area and bear canister rentals are available at the entrance station from 8 am to 5 pm through October 27. There is no access to Hetch Hetchy beyond open hours (overnight parking is permitted in the overnight parking lot near the backpackers campground). Starting October 28, self-registration permits are required and available at the entrance station.

Food Storage

Bear resistant food canisters are required in the Yosemite Wilderness. Use a canister to store all food or scented items when left unattended. Remember that anything used in, on, or around the body is considered a food item. Whenever food or scented items are out, please keep them within arm's reach, even while day hiking.

If a bear approaches your camp, act immediately to scare it away. Maintain a safe distance while making as much noise as possible. Throw small stones or pines cones toward the bear, being careful not to strike the bear on the head. If the bear returns, repeat. Do not attempt to retrieve food or gear from a bear until it abandons the items.

After wilderness centers close for the season, please come prepared with your own allowed container or rent one at the Yosemite Valley Welcome Center.