Yosemite National Park will be forced to close yet again due to weather conditions. Most of Yosemite Valley will be closed starting at 10pm on Friday and will remain so until May 3, though the National Parks Service (NPS) may have to extend the closure.
It’s been a tough year for the park, and for visitors hoping to enjoy its grandeur. In February, above-average snowfall (Yosemite's snowpack is over 240 percent of its average and the deepest ever recorded at above 8,000 feet, according to the park) is now expected to rapidly melt as warmer-than-average temperatures peak this weekend. All that melting snow will likely result in dangerous flooding.
The California Nevada River Forecast Center (CNRFC) forecasts “flows on the Merced River through the park will be increasing due to a higher rate of snow melt.” The park closes Yosemite Valley whenever the waters of Merced River at Pohono Bridge are predicted to exceed 10 feet when, according to NPS, “roads and other critical infrastructure begin flooding.”
Western Yosemite Valley will remain open, but the NPS tweeted that if traffic congestion or parking issues become unmanageable, they may have to close that part as well. Wawona, hiking access to the Mariposa Grove, the Crane Flat area and Hetch Hetchy will also remain open, but visitors should expect heavy congestion, traffic delays and extremely limited parking.
Visitors with reservations for lodging or campgrounds in eastern Yosemite Valley during the closure will automatically receive refunds.
As announced yesterday, much of Yosemite Valley will close starting Friday, April 28, at 10 pm, due to a forecast of flooding. Western Yosemite Valley will remain open but could close if traffic congestion or parking issues become unmanageable. (1/3)
— Yosemite National Park (@YosemiteNPS) April 27, 2023