Yosemite National Park Expects Busy Holiday Weekend

Recent Snowfall Providing Lots of Winter Recreation Opportunities

Yosemite National Park is expecting to welcome an increase in visitors this upcoming holiday weekend. Recent storms have left ample snow for visitors to enjoy the many winter recreation activities Yosemite National Park has to offer. Below are a few tips and guidelines to follow if you are planning a trip for the upcoming New Year weekend.

Carry chains in your vehicle - Snow and ice are currently present on many roads within Yosemite National Park. All vehicles, including four wheel and all-wheel drive vehicles, are required to carry traction devices in chain control areas.

Arrive before 10:00 a.m. - Most vehicle congestion occurs during the middle of the day and there may be longer lines at the entrance stations. If you can’t arrive early, try after 4 p.m. when traffic has subsided.

Drive Slowly - Ice may be present even if chain restrictions are not in place.

Take YARTS - YARTS is the Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (http://www.yarts.com). YARTS picks up passengers at multiple locations along Highway 140 (from Merced) and along Highway 41 (from Fresno). YARTS buses provide multiple drop-off locations throughout the park and in Yosemite Valley. Once visitors are in Yosemite Valley, they can enjoy the free shuttle throughout the Valley or walk to enjoy many of park’s most famous sites and destinations.

Wear shoes with good traction - There may be slippery areas along walkways and trails.

Dress warmly - The temperatures have been cold in the park. Layered clothing is a great idea as the temperature drops in the evening and warms around mid-day.

Winter is a beautiful time to visit Yosemite National Park with unmatched scenery and diverse recreation opportunities. Yosemite is open 365 days a year and provides many exciting ranger-led programs year-round. For more information about planning your visit to Yosemite National Park, please visit http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/index.htm.

For the most current road conditions, please call 209-372-0200. Press option “1” and then “1” again to go directly to the road conditions report.