Majestic Mountain Loop

15/11/2024

15/11/2024

Winter road closure alerts for Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Update: The Generals Highway has reopened and is currently in R2 conditions from Red Fir to Woodward gates. A map and current conditions can be found in the link below.

Winter weather road closure alert!

The Generals Highway will close between the parks, from the Red Fir to Woodward gates, mile markers 25 to 38, at 5 p.m. tonight, Nov. 14, in anticipation of a major winter storm.

Updated road conditions can be found online at https://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/road-conditions.htm.

14/11/2024

14/11/2024

Head's up if you are planning on heading to Yosemite next February for the Horsetail Fall Event.

Yosemite National Park will require day-use entrance reservations for the last three weekends of February 2025 to manage the Horsetail Fall event.

During February, thousands of visitors visit Horsetail Fall, a waterfall that can glow orange when it's backlit by sunset, which can make it appear to be on fire. This unique lighting effect happens only on evenings with a clear sky when the waterfall is flowing and when the sun is at the right angle in mid– to late February. This event attracts many visitors to a small area, causing traffic congestion, parking issues, safety concerns, and impacts to natural and cultural resources. To manage this event, a reservation will be required to enter Yosemite National Park on the weekends of February 8–9, February 15–17, and February 22–23, 2025, even for those not visiting Horsetail Fall. Visitors who arrive Mondays through Fridays (except Monday, February 17) won't need a reservation. The $35/car entrance fee is valid for entry for seven days, regardless of day of arrival. A similar system has been implemented for this event the past several years.

Beginning at 8 am Pacific time on November 18, 50% of day-use reservations will be available for all three weekends at https://www.recreation.gov/timed-entry/10086745. Beginning at 8 am Pacific time two days prior to a day-use reservation date, the remaining 50% of day-use reservations will be available. For example, on February 21 at 8 am, day-use reservations for February 23 will be available.

If you have a lodging reservation for Yosemite Valley, Wawona, Foresta, or Yosemite West, you don’t need an additional entrance reservation.

Campground reservations will be required for Camp 4, Hodgdon Meadow, and Wawona Campgrounds from February 8 through February 23, 2025 (these campgrounds normally operate on a first-come, first-served basis in February). Campground reservations will be released on December 15 at 7 am PST on recreation.gov. If you have a reservation for a campground inside the park, you don’t need an additional entrance reservation.

Learn more: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/reservations.htm

12/11/2024

08/11/2024

Fall is settling in here in Yosemite Valley! Leaf peeping, a seasonal tradition among many, is a great way to enjoy the park this time of year. Seasonal transitions are a great reminder to plan ahead and prepare for your visit to Yosemite. Checking the weather before you leave for your trip, bringing extra layers, and being flexible with your trip plan can all be important ways to enjoy the park safely!

Tioga Road (continuation of Highway 120 through the park) and Glacier Point Road will temporarily close today, November 1, at 6 pm due to a forecast of snow. Call 209/372-0200 (then 1, 1) to check road conditions in the park.
You can take a look at our webcams and weather forecast map online to keep up to date with current conditions:
www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

What's your favorite part of visiting Yosemite in the fall?

08/11/2024

In honor of Veterans Day, the National Park Service is waiving entrance fees to parks for everyone on November 11.

A free America the Beautiful military pass is also available for current military members, veterans, Gold Star Families, and their dependents. This pass can be easily obtained at the entrance stations of Sequoia and Kings Canyon with appropriate identification documents. To learn more about annual and lifetime military passes and the identification documents needed, please visit https://store.usgs.gov/MilitaryPass.

As you plan your visit, be sure to prioritize safety and prepare for an unforgettable experience in these stunning parks!

Alt text: a white vehicle stopped at the entrance station of Sequoia National Park.
NPS Photo

29/10/2024

Seasonal Closure Update!

Two of Sequoia and Kings Canyon seasonal recreation areas close for the winter this week. Cedar Grove closed to public access yesterday, Oct. 28. The gate is closed just east of Boyden Cavern on Hwy 180. Mineral King closes tomorrow, Oct. 30th, with the gate closed just below Lookout Point. Thank you to all of our staff for a great 2024 season!

Alt text: a sign reads "closed" on front window of visitor center.
NPS Photos

30/09/2024

Seasonal Closure Update

As the season changes, so do some of our visitor services. The Lodgepole Visitor Center and Cedar Grove Visitor Center are now both closed for the season.

The Giant Forest Museum, Foothills Visitor Center, and Grant Grove Visitor Center are open year-round for visitors to meet with park rangers and learn about the parks.

The roads leading to the Mineral King and Cedar Grove areas will also close for the season in late October. Road conditions can be found online at nps.gov/seki or by calling our automated line at (559)-565-3341, (Press 1, Then 1).

Alt text: Front entrance of the Lodgepole Visitor Center.
NPS Photo

19/09/2024

Tioga Road (continuation of Highway 120 through the park) has reopened!

19/09/2024

Sharing important update about changes to Yosemite's Peak-Hours Plus reservation system for this Fall

📢 Important update regarding changes to Yosemite's Peak-Hours Plus Reservation system for this fall. The park just announced two key updates:

✔️ a reservation will only be required until 🕒3 pm (instead of 4 pm).

✔️ More reservations were released for this weekend early this morning (at the time of sharing this there are over 900 full day passes available for Saturday (21st) and a little less than 500 for Sunday (22nd).

The reservation system remains in effect for weekends (Sat & Sun) as well as one holiday Monday (Columbus Day, Oct 12) though Sunday, Oct 27.

Reservations are available on-line only at https://www.recreation.gov/timed-entry/10086745

Need more info or have questions, give us a call here at the Visitor Center (559) 683-4636 or head over to our reservation information page, here: https://www.yosemitethisyear.com/articles/yosemite-national-park-peak-hours-plus-2024-vehicle-reservation-pilot-system

03/09/2024

Great feature from The Sun-Gazette Newspaper about the upcoming Dark Sky Festival!

Dark Sky Festival returns to Sequoia National Park on Sept. 6-8 to offer blend of stargazing, science and community events

30/08/2024

Update from Yosemite National Park

30/08/2024

Updates from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Update: Recreational access to the Mineral King area of Sequoia National Park will be closed to the public beginning Friday, August 30. This applies to Mineral King campgrounds, trailheads, and area trails.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Labor Day Weekend Planning Tip #5: Bears in the Parks

Bears are active in the parks. Always store food and scented items properly:
• Use the metal storage boxes provided in much of the park.
• Shop and pack for your visit so that everything will fit in the boxes (most are 47" long x 33" deep x 28" high) and is easy to store upon arrival.
• Seal foods in containers to minimize smells.
• All items should be put in the box before setting up camp.
• Make sure food storage boxes are completely latched.
• Remove baby car seats from vehicles when parked overnight.
• When storage boxes are not available, put all food and related supplies, including ice chests, in vehicle trunk with food sealed in air-tight containers.
• In vehicles without trunks, all food and related supplies, including ice chests, must be stored out of sight. Cover them completely to hide them from view.
• Keep a clean campsite. Wash dishes immediately, and deposit garbage and recycling in bear-resistant bins.
• Food not stored properly will be impounded.

Learn more about storage for bear safety at www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/bears.htm.

The Coffee Pot Fire is still active in Sequoia National Park. Daily updates are available on InciWeb and on our page. Check current smoke conditions at https://fire.airnow.gov/.

Mineral King is experiencing the most significant impact from the Coffee Pot Fire. Please make room for fire vehicles and drive cautiously when in Three Rivers and on Mineral King Road. Visitors can expect 30-minute delays on Mineral King Road.

Consider entering the parks through the Big Stump Entrance on Hwy 180 to avoid fire vehicle traffic and experience less concentrated smoke conditions.

Alt text: A bear looks towards the camera as it sits in dry grass.
NPS Photo

29/08/2024

🌃🌌Are you ready to see stars?

✨ The schedule is live! 🌌 Explore the lineup for the Dark Sky Festival on our website, and keep checking back—we’re continuing to add exciting programming! Dive in at https://bit.ly/4cO5bgh and join us September 6-8!

📸 Milky Way Over Kings Canyon National Park

27/08/2024

Do your Labor Day weekend plans include some time in any (or maybe all three...) of the MML parks? Here's some valuable tips. Also note that getting into Yosemite requires a Peak-Hours Plus reservation between the 5am and 4pm.

Update: Recreational access to the Mineral King area of Sequoia National Park will be closed to the public beginning Friday, August 30. This applies to Mineral King campgrounds, trailheads, and area trails.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Labor Day Weekend Planning Tip #1: Entrance Pass

Buy your entrance pass online before you arrive. Park entrance lines are typically longer on holiday weekends. You can help expedite the line and get to the big trees faster by purchasing your pass in advance at www.recreation.gov/sitepass/72471.

The Coffee Pot Fire is still active in Sequoia National Park. Daily updates are available on InciWeb and on our page. Check current smoke conditions at https://fire.airnow.gov/.

Mineral King is experiencing the most significant impact from the Coffee Pot Fire. Please make room for fire vehicles and drive cautiously when in Three Rivers and on Mineral King Road. Visitors can expect 30-minute delays on Mineral King Road.

Consider entering the parks through the Big Stump Entrance on Hwy 180 to avoid fire vehicle traffic and experience less concentrated smoke conditions.

Alt text: A park ranger accepts entrance fees from a driver in their vehicle.
NPS Photo

07/08/2024

Is hiking Moro Rock Trail in Sequoia Nat'l Park on your "to-do" list? If so, check out this guide by Park Ranger John.

Moro Rock Trail provides breathtaking views and gives hikers the thrill of danger in Sequoia National Park. The trail has over 350 stairs giving a great workout too!