Yosemite National Park is closed to the general public through Friday following a powerful winter storm that dumped heavy snow across the Sierra Nevada, creating dangerous conditions and causing trees to fall throughout the park.
Park officials announced the temporary closure as crews work to clear roadways, assess storm damage, and address safety hazards caused by snow-laden trees and debris. The combination of deep snowfall and weakened tree limbs has made travel within the park unsafe.
Visitors with confirmed lodging reservations inside Yosemite will still be permitted to enter the park via the Highway 140 Arch Rock Entrance, the lowest-elevation access point into Yosemite Valley and typically the most reliable route during winter storms.
All other entrances are currently closed and park officials are urging would-be visitors to postpone travel plans until conditions improve and roads can be safely reopened.
Travelers heading toward Yosemite or other mountain destinations are advised to:
- Check Caltrans road conditions before departure.
- Carry tire chains and know how to install them.
- Prepare for delays and possible additional closures.
- Monitor the National Park Service website and social media for updates.
Yosemite National Park officials have not announced a specific reopening date beyond Friday, noting that reopening depends on weather conditions and the completion of safety assessments.
