Yosemite National Park Closure Due to Flooding
Starting Friday, April 28 at 10 p.m., a majority of Yosemite National Park will temporarily close due to forecasted flooding caused by snowmelt.
Impact of Closure
The Yosemite Valley closure is currently planned through May 3; however, the park may extend this if necessary. Visitors with reservations for campgrounds and lodging during this period will receive full refunds, and those holding wilderness permits can reschedule their plans.
Weather Conditions
The Sierra Nevada region, which encompasses Lake Tahoe and Mount Whitney, has reported historically high snowfall levels this winter. Moreover, temperatures in the area are currently around 15 degrees higher than normal, attributed to an early-season heat wave. As a consequence, the park’s Merced River is projected to reach flood levels by Thursday night.
Affected Areas and Open Spaces
The closure affects areas east of the El Capitan Crossover, notably Yosemite Village, Curry Village, The Ahwahnee, Mist Trail, and Mirror Lake. Nonetheless, some locations will remain open to the public, including:
- Wawona
- Mariposa Grove (hiking only)
- Crane Flat area
- Hetch Hetchy
- Western Yosemite Valley
Future Considerations
The closure comes during what is typically considered the “perfect season for waterfalls,” marking the onset of the busy season that lasts from May to October. Yosemite is just beginning to recover from a winter of record-breaking snowfall and the lingering effects of prior summer wildfires. Therefore, the park has been proactive in managing its closures based on past experiences, such as the severe flooding in 1997 that affected thousands of visitors and damaged park infrastructure.
Additionally, the park’s Twitter account highlighted that traffic in western Yosemite Valley may become severely congested due to the closure of other areas. Consequently, visitors are urged to anticipate “very limited opportunities for hiking and other recreation” during this time. Important safety alerts include warnings against entering or approaching rapidly flowing rivers, which pose extreme dangers.
Wider Context
Across California, various regions are experiencing what is being termed “The Big Melt” by UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain, as an early heat wave follows a winter marked by record low temperatures and significant snowfall.
