Yosemite Prepares For Peak Summer With Expanded Access & Infrastructure Improvements
Yosemite National Park is preparing for its peak summer season with trail restorations, campground availability, and two major road openings giving visitors broader access across the park.
Tioga Road is set to open to vehicle traffic on May 15th, the earliest opening in 16 years, giving visitors access to Tuolumne Meadows and the high country. Glacier Point Road opened on May 9th, connecting drivers to sweeping views of Yosemite Valley and high-elevation trailheads.
All front-country campgrounds are open and reservable through Recreation.gov. Most High Sierra Camps have returned to operation as well. A section of the Valley Loop Trail near Royal Arches has reopened, along with several climbing routes that had been closed for safety monitoring. The Ice Cut section of the John Muir Trail is expected to reopen in July following safety and trail improvements.
Half Dome hiking permits opened via daily lottery today, with the cables set to go up May 15th. Applications must be submitted two days before the intended hiking date. Overnight wilderness trips require a separate wilderness permit, also available through Recreation.gov.
“We’re excited to welcome visitors to more areas of the park this summer and encourage everyone to plan ahead for a safe and enjoyable experience.” – Superintendent Ray McPadden.
Park officials are warning visitors to expect heavy traffic on weekend mornings. To reduce congestion, they strongly encourage arriving early or midweek, purchasing digital entrance passes in advance through Recreation.gov, and exploring areas outside Yosemite Valley. Parking in the valley fills quickly on peak days.
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