Yosemite Valley Closed As Powerful Spring Storm Moves Across California

The park service issued an alert to anyone planning a trip to the park – DON’T!

By Marilyn Nelson on April 6, 2018

(Photo by David McNew /Newsmakers)

Yosemite National Park officials are bracing for torrential rains. In preparation for potential flooding, the park service issued an alert to anyone planning a trip to the park – DON’T!

Yosemite Valley will be closed by 5pm to all visitors. All visitors within the park are being asked to leave by that time.

The upcoming storm system is expected to dump up to a months worth of rain this weekend. Meanwhile, rangers in Yosemite are preparing for the Merced River to rise above flood stage and flood some roads and campgrounds.

“All campgrounds and visitor lodging in Yosemite Valley will close Friday afternoon and reservations for Friday evening, April 6, and Saturday evening, April 7, have been cancelled,” according to the NPS press release.

All other areas of the park will remain open, weather permitting. You can call 209-372-0200 (then press 1) for road updates.

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Update on the incoming storm and expected flooding: Yosemite Valley will be closed to visitation beginning on Friday at 5 pm. Visitors will no longer be able to enter Yosemite Valley beginning at noon on Friday. All other areas of the park will remain open, conditions permitting. Call 209/372-0200 (then 1, 1) to check road conditions.

A post shared by Yosemite National Park (@yosemitenps) on Apr 5, 2018 at 5:47pm PDT