Yosemite National Park closes due to flooding advisory

This winter’s snowfall levels in the Sierra Nevada broke records. Heavy blizzards led to hazardous weather conditions the area had never seen before. Some parts of the valley saw a 300 percent increase in snow. One part that saw extreme conditions was Yosemite Valley, home to the frequently visited Yosemite National Park. As the weather warms, the snow is melting rapidly, causing park authorities to close the area in fear of flooding.

An advisory on the Yosemite National Park website claims the area will be closed until Wednesday, May 3, but could last longer if conditions are unsafe for visitors. The closure was a result of advice from weather and geology experts. AFAR shared a prediction from the National Weather Service stating that the flooding could begin around 10 p.m. on Friday, April 28, when the two main thoroughfares in the valley, Southside, and Northside Drive, become submerged. The weather monitoring organization said at that point, “critical infrastructure will begin flooding, making it unsafe for visitors to be in Yosemite Valley.”

Park and recreation authorities have alerted campers that all reservations for accommodations and campgrounds in eastern Yosemite Valley have automatically been canceled and refunded during closure. The areas affected include the Curry Village, Housekeeping Camp, Upper Pines, North Pines, Lower Pines, Camp 4, Yosemite Valley Lodge, and the Ahwahnee.

The historical snowpack has also led to three Yosemite roads having delayed opening. AFAR confirmed:

• Tioga Road will likely open in late June or early July.

• Glacier Point Road, which is usually opened in May, will not open until July.

• Mariposa Grove Road, which leads to the famous Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, was damaged this past winter; it will open at the end of May at the earliest, “but it is very likely the road will open later than that,” according to authorities.

The outlet also mentioned that the high water levels of the Merced River have potentially caused unsafe swimming, rafting, or boating conditions. The levels could remain this way until mid-June into July.

If you are still planning a trip to Yosemite despite the altered experience, here are some areas that are still open:

• Tuolumne and Merced Sequoia Groves

• Hetch Hetchy

• Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias - only open to hikers. The road is closed due to snowy conditions.

One positive piece of news for the park is that the waterfalls will be impressive due to the rush of new water sources. Yosemite Park has been doing a live-streaming webcam of the 2,425-foot Yosemite Falls. Visitors will have a full view of the waterfalls once the valley is reopened.

The park is also offering access without advance reservations.

For the first time in three years, the park is not requiring visitors to have reservations to enter, just for the campgrounds. The seven-day park entrance fee is $35 per vehicle.

Martie Bowser is a journalist and public relations professional in Charlotte, NC. She enjoys amplifying the voices of POC and women that fill a void within their community. Her bylines include “person of interest” interviews, small business highlights, pop culture commentary, entertainment features, and everything Beyonce.

This story was originally published April 27, 2023 at 4:00 PM with the headline "Yosemite National Park closes due to flooding advisory."