Yosemite National Park Expects Busy Fourth of July Weekend

Yosemite National Park Expects Busy Fourth of July Weekend
Date: June 30, 2010

Visitors traveling to Yosemite National Park over the Fourth of July holiday weekend should expect the park to be very busy. The Fourth of July weekend is traditionally one of the busiest weekends of the year.

All campsites on the reservation system are full. There are a limited number of first-come, first-served campsites available throughout the park and along the Tioga Road. Visitors should arrive early to secure a campsite. The Tuolumne Meadows Campground, Yosemite Creek Campground, and Tamarack Flat Campground will be open for the busy weekend. All other first-come, first-served campgrounds along the Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road remain closed due to snow impacts and water.

All trails within Yosemite are open. Trails located in the higher elevations of the park may still be under several feet of snow. Hikers along these trails should be able to read a map and use a compass. In addition, hikers should be aware of increased water on the trails and the possibility of high water crossings along numerous trails in the park.

Park visitors in the park over the holiday weekend should be aware that the possession and discharge of any type of fireworks is prohibited in Yosemite National Park.

Increase in visitation over the Fourth of July weekend can lead to traffic congestion in multiple locations throughout the park, as well as at the entrances to the park. Visitors are strongly encouraged to arrive in the park before 10:00 a.m. or after 2:00 p.m. to avoid long waits at the entrance stations. People visiting the park may also choose to ride the Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (http://www.yarts.com), which picks up in multiple locations along Highway 140 from Merced and provides multiple drop-off locations throughout Yosemite Valley. Once visitors arrive in the park, they are encouraged to ride the free shuttle throughout Yosemite Valley, utilize the bike paths, or walk.

Yosemite National Park has received above average precipitation this year, with the snowpack at 115% of average. It is estimated that the snowmelt is three weeks behind normal melting trends. Visitors within the park should be aware of higher than normal water level for this time of year and are urged to use caution when in or near water.