by Alex Gugel , all rights reserved
![]() | MiscellaneousYosemite Accessibility Guide |
Yosemite Accessibility Guide. Published by the National Park Service (NPS).
covered parks
Yosemite National Park
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Photo by Dan Horner
Yosemite Accessibility Guide
January 2015
Welcome to Yosemite National Park! The park strives for full and equal participation for all
visitors and continually upgrades facilities, programs and services to improve accessibility.
This guide outlines a variety of accessible services, facilities, and activities available in
Yosemite. Within each area, it describes ways for people with sight, hearing, and mobility
impairments to enjoy Yosemite. If you do not need this guide after your visit, please return it
to any visitor center or entrance station.
The Yosemite Accessibility Guide is available at entrance stations, visitor centers and online at
www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/upload/access.pdf. For general park information and
descriptions of services, programs and activities, see the Yosemite Guide, available at entrance
stations, visitor centers or online at www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/guide.htm.
We welcome your comments and suggestions on ways to improve accessibility for visitors to
Yosemite National Park. Discrimination on the basis of disability in federally conducted
programs or activities of the Department of the Interior is prohibited.
Contact Information:
Accessibility Coordinator
209‐379‐1035
yose_accessibility@nps.gov
United States Department of the Interior
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Yosemite National Park
P.O. Box 577
Yosemite, California 95389
IN REPLY REFER TO:
P4215 (YOSE‐PM)
Message from the Superintendent:
Yosemite National Park is a wonderful and beautiful place with towering trees, thundering
waterfalls and massive granite formations. Set aside as a National Park in 1890, Yosemite is a
place visited by almost four million visitors a year. Yosemite’s goal is to provide the highest level
of accessibility to our visitors as possible. Each year has shown marked improvements in both
physical and programmatic accessibility at Yosemite.
The staff at Yosemite is working hard to correct and resolve accessibility deficiencies throughout
the park. By using principles of universal design, Yosemite is committed to providing physical
access to the greatest number of individuals. From designing and building new facilities to the
rehabilitation of older buildings, accessibility has become a key component of all projects. The
park also offers a free fully accessible shuttle bus service in Yosemite Valley to all park visitors.
Yosemite has won the following Accessibility Awards: 2010 National Park Service Sustained Park
Achievement – Provision and Improvement of Accessibility over a Sustained Period of Time, 2009
National Park Service National Accessibility Achievement Award for Programmatic Achievement –
Improving Access to the National Park Service Programs and 2008 Programmatic Accessibility
Achievement Award – Deaf Services Program. Yosemite provides American Sign Language (ASL)
interpreters for visitors and has added captioning or provides ASL interpreters at all public films
shown in the park. Additionally, we have available audio descriptions, podcasts and multiple
publications in large print or Braille for visitors with visual impairments.
During the last several years, the park has added accessible campsites in Yosemite Valley,
Wawona, and the Tioga Road area. The campgrounds where these sites have been added now
include accessible restroom facilities, paths of travel, and some campsites with raised tent
platforms. Future plans include the addition of more accessible campsites each year until we meet
or exceed the required number of accessible campsites. Many picnic areas parkwide have been
rehabilitated to include accessible paths of travel, picnic tables, and grills.
As Yosemite continues to address current accessibility issues it is important to remember that
accessibility is an integral part of our mission. Providing accessible programs and facilities to the
broadest population of our visitors is everyone’s task and responsibility.
Don L. Neubacher
Superintendent
Accessibility Guide
Yosemite National Park
January 2015
Table of Contents
2
General Information
2
2
3
3
3
4
5
5
5
5
6
6
Access Passes
Temporary Accessible Parking Placard
Parking
Service Animals
Wheelchairs and Mobility Devices
Rules for Use of OPDMDs
Wheelchair and Bicycle Rental
Shuttle Buses
YARTS – Bus Service to Yosemite
Telephones, Video Phone & TTYs
Deaf Services Program
Requesting a Sign Language Interpreter
7
Services
7
7
7
8
8
Sightseeing by Car
Tours
Trail Rides
Gas
Post Offices
8
Health Concerns & Medical Facilities
9
9
9
9
Weather
Elevation
Smoke & Fire
Medical Facilities ‐ In & Around Yosemite
10 Learning About Yosemite
10
10
11
11
12
Ranger Interpretive Programs
Films about Yosemite at Visitor Center
On‐Line Resources, Videos & Webcams
Publications
Environmental Education
13 Lodging, Camping & Picnic Facilities
13 Lodging Information
14 Campground Reservations
15 Picnic Areas
16 Places of Interest in Yosemite
16 Yosemite Valley
20 Northern Yosemite
22 Southern Yosemite
24 Mariposa Grove – Closure Notice
26 Yosemite Valley Accessibility Map
1
Accessibility Guide
Yosemite National Park
January 2015
General Information
Yosemite National Park, set aside in 1890, embraces spectacular mountain and valley scenery in
the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Park highlights include Yosemite Valley’s high cliffs and
waterfalls; Wawona's history center and historic hotel; the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias;
Glacier Point's spectacular view of Yosemite Valley and the high country (summer through fall);
Tuolumne Meadows, a large subalpine meadow surrounded by high mountain peaks (summer
through fall); and Hetch Hetchy, a secluded valley with a reservoir formed by a dam on the
Tuolumne River. Yosemite offers unparalleled natural views and soundscapes, and natural
objects for tactile exploration. These opportunities are available in all areas of the park.
Access Passes
U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are
permanently disabled or blind are eligible for the
Interagency Access Pass. This free, lifetime
admission pass is valid at National Park Service,
Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of
Reclamation sites. It provides the pass owner
and accompanying passengers in a private vehicle
free admission to Yosemite National Park.
The Access Pass is available at no charge when obtained in person at designated locations or for
a $10 processing fee online with proof of eligibility. The pass is nontransferable and does not
generally cover or reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessionaires.
Visitors with Access Passes receive a 50 percent discount on camping in Yosemite. In Yosemite,
the Access Pass is available at all park entrance stations and visitor centers.
Visitors must supply their Access Pass number when making a camping reservation. For more
information or to download an application, visit www.nps.gov/fees_passes.htm
Temporary Accessible Parking Placard
For visitors who are temporarily disabled or do not have their
permanent accessible parking placard with them, a temporary
placard is available at park entrance stations and visitor centers.
When displayed on a vehicle dashboard, the placard allows
parking in designated accessible spaces and driving on some
paved roads closed to other private‐vehicle traffic such as the
Happy Isles Loop Road and Mirror Lake Road. Pedestrians,
bicyclists, and shuttle buses share these roads, therefore,
emergency flashers must be used, and the speed limit is 15 miles
per hour.
2
Accessibility Guide
Yosemite National Park
January 2015
Parking
Designated accessible spaces are marked with the international access symbol and are reserved
for vehicles displaying an accessible parking placard or license plate. A map with accessible
parking locations, picnic areas, restrooms and camping locations for Yosemite Valley is on the
back of this Guide.
Service Animals
Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks
for people with disabilities. Examples of such work or tasks include guiding people who are
blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, alerting and protecting a person who
is having a seizure, reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medications,
calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder during an anxiety attack, or performing
other duties.
Service animals are working animals, not pets. The work or task a dog has been trained to
provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. Dogs whose sole function is to
provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals.
Service animals are allowed in park facilities and on shuttle buses if they meet the legal
definition of a service animal found at www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm. Service
animals must be leashed at all times, must not disturb wildlife, must not be excessively noisy,
and their excrement must be disposed of properly for the area they are in. It is common for
other visitors to ask questions, make unwanted remarks, or to report service animals to law
enforcement officers if they are not aware the dog is a service animal and allowed to be in
locations where pets are generally not allowed. For these reasons, it is recommended that
service animals wear a visible identification vest while in the Park.
Service‐dogs‐in‐training are not considered service animals and do not meet the legal
definition of a service animal. They are pets and therefore must abide by the Yosemite Pet
Regulations found at www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/pets.htm.
Wheelchairs and Mobility Devices
Manual Wheelchair means a device that is propelled by human power, designed for and used
by a mobility‐impaired person.
Motorized Wheelchair means a self‐propelled wheeled device, designed solely for and used by
a mobility‐impaired person for locomotion that is both capable of and suitable for use in indoor
pedestrian areas.
Use of Wheelchairs and OPDMDs
The use of a manual or motorized wheelchair by an individual with limited mobility is allowed
to the extent that the same would apply to a pedestrian. The information in this chapter is
3
Accessibility Guide
Yosemite National Park
January 2015
intended to treat a person using a manual or motorized wheelchair as a pedestrian, and is not
intended to restrict the activities of such a person beyond the degree that the activities of a
pedestrian are restricted by the same regulations.
The use of Other Power Driven Mobility Devices (OPDMDs), while allowed, is restricted to
persons with mobility disabilities and such use is limited to paved trails, paved bike paths, and
paved multi‐use paths for safety and resource protection. A person using an OPDMD must
yield the right of way to pedestrians and persons using wheel chairs.
Rules for Use of OPDMDs
The following conditions apply:
OPDMDs are not permitted to be operated on park roadways. An OPDMD is only
allowed on paved trails, paved bike paths, and paved multi‐use paths.
Operators must be 16 years of age or older.
OPDMDs may not exceed 36 inches in width.
An OPDMD must be placarded and display a universal handicap decal.
Maximum speed while operating an OPDMD cannot exceed 6 mph.
The engine noise level from an OPDMD may not exceed 60 dB measured on the A‐
weighted scale at a distance of 50 feet.
OPDMDs shall not exceed zero emissions during use.
A person riding an OPDMD must always yield to pedestrians.
Group size is limited to no more than four OPDMDs.
Use of an OPDMD is prohibited in undeveloped and designated Wilderness areas.
The use of an OPDMD by a non‐disabled person is prohibited in the park.
Every OPDMD shall be equipped with the
following safety mechanisms:
– Front, rear, and side reflectors.
– A system that enables the operator to
bring the OPDMD to a controlled stop.
– If the OPDMD is operated between one‐
half hour after sunset and one‐half hour
before sunrise, a lamp emitting a white
light that, while the OPDMD is in motion,
illuminates the area in front of the
operator and is visible from a distance of
300 feet in front of the OPDMD.
– A sound emitting device that can be
activated from time to time by the
operator.
No more than one person may ride upon an
OPDMD at any time.
4
Accessibility Guide
Yosemite National Park
January 2015
Wheelchair & Bicycle Rental
A limited number of manual wheelchairs and electric
scooters are available for rent at the bicycle rental
stands at Yosemite Lodge and Curry Village during the
summer months. Reservations recommended. The
bicycle stand is open during the summer season.
When the bicycle stand is closed contact Sean
Costello, the bicycle stand manager, for rental
information at scostel@delawarenorth.com
Bicycles can be rented at Yosemite Lodge and the Curry Village rental stands. A tandem bicycle
(for visitors with sight and other impairments) and a hand‐cranked bicycle are available.
Reservations are suggested: Call 209‐372‐8319 or 209‐372‐1208.
Shuttle Buses
Free shuttle buses operate in several areas of the park. All buses are accessible with wheelchair
lifts and tie‐downs. Maximum size for wheelchairs on shuttle buses and tour buses is 24 inches
wide x 46 inches long with a weight limit on tour buses of 750 pounds. Bus drivers will help
passengers on and off buses or notify them of stops. If you need assistance, ask the bus driver.
The shuttle bus may accommodate OPDMDs, which meet the size limitation and are suitable for
use in indoor pedestrian areas. Shuttle bus service is available in the following locations:
Yosemite Valley: throughout the Yosemite Village area (year‐round) and to El Capitan
Bridge and Tuolumne Meadows (summer only).
Wawona to Mariposa Grove: from the Wawona Store & Pioneer Gift Shop to the
Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias (summer only).
Wawona to Yosemite Valley: from the Wawona Hotel to Yosemite Valley at 8:30 a.m.
return trip leaves Yosemite Valley at 3:30 p.m. (summer only).
Tuolumne Meadows: from Olmsted Point to Tioga Pass (summer only).
YARTS – Bus Service to Yosemite
The Yosemite Area Regional Transportation Services (YARTS) is the only public transportation
service that provides regularly scheduled daily service to Yosemite National Park from Mariposa
and Merced. Most YARTS buses are equipped with lifts. However, YARTS requests you contact
them at least 48 hours ahead of your trip to ensure that a lift‐equipped bus is available to you.
YARTS phone number is 1‐877‐989‐2787 or email them on their website at www.yarts.com/.
Telephones, Video Phones & TTYs (Teletypewriter)
Cell phone signal strength is marginal in most of Yosemite. There is a video phone located in
the lobby of Yosemite Lodge. Pay phones are located throughout the park; most have volume
control and many have TTYs.
5
Accessibility Guide
Yosemite National Park
January 2015
Pay phones with TTYs are available at Yosemite Valley Visitor Center, the lobby of Yosemite
Lodge, and on the mezzanine of the Ahwahnee Hotel. Free TTY phone kits are also available for
guests to take to their rooms at Yosemite Lodge and the Ahwahnee Hotel. The Wawona Hotel
has TTY phone kits to use in conjunction with the phone in the manager’s office. Curry Village
has kits, too, which include smoke alarm, light flasher doorbell and shake‐awake, but have no
phones in the room in which to use a TTY device.
Contact Information for Yosemite National Park is:
TTY general park information – 209‐372‐4726
Videophone general information – 209‐222‐3944
TTY Yosemite lodging reservations – 559‐439‐3002
Online hotel reservations www.yosemitepark.com/lodging.aspx
TTY Yosemite campground reservations – 877‐833‐6777
Online campground reservations www.recreation.gov
Using a TTY, deaf callers can also dial 711 to use the free relay service, which provides an
operator to assist people who are deaf in making calls to voice‐only numbers.
Deaf Services Program
Yosemite’s Deaf Services Program provides or makes available interpreting services for all
official park programs, including tours, ranger programs, and theater presentations. Requests
for sign language interpretation should be made at least two weeks in advance. Interpretypes
are available at all park Visitor Centers to assist deaf visitors. Additional information on the
Deaf Services Program and sign language videos on the Yosemite’s Deaf Services Program and
other topics are available at www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/deafservices.htm.
Requesting a Sign Language Interpretation
Yosemite contracts with outside ASL interpreters to provide
sign language interpretation for visitors to the park, therefore,
advance notice (at least two weeks) is required to ensure an
ASL interpreter is available. We will make every effort to
provide an ASL interpreter, however, last minute requests may
be difficult to accommodate due to distance and availability.
For ASL interpretation for Yosemite National Park and Yosemite
Conservancy programs listed in the Yosemite Guide, contact
Deaf Services at 209‐379‐5250 (voice/text) or by email at
yose_deaf_services@nps.gov. For sign language interpretation
on paid tours provided by DNC, call the Yosemite Lodge tour desk at (209) 372‐1240.
Captioning
Captioning is available on most of the park’s web videos and the films Spirit of Yosemite and
Yosemite: A Gathering of Spirit shown in the Yosemite Theater behind the Valley Visitor Center.
6
Accessibility Guide
Yosemite National Park
January 2015
Sign Language Videos
Yosemite has created several informational sign language videos. Topics include requesting an
interpreter, how and where to access the public video phone, how to obtain an Access Pass,
and driving in the park. Additional videos are being developed. To view these videos, go to the
Deaf Services homepage at www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/deafservices.htm.
Assistive Listening Devices
Ask at the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center about assistive listening devices for ranger‐led
programs, public events and tours in Yosemite Valley, Wawona, Glacier Point and Tuolumne
Meadows. Lodging facilities at Curry Village, Yosemite Lodge, and the Ahwahnee have assistive
listening devices that are available for interpretive programs at their locations. Guests should
contact the DNC Parks & Resorts tour desk at 209‐372‐1240 in advance to request an assistive
listening device for a program.
Services
Sightseeing by Car
Many of Yosemite’s scenic vistas, waterfalls and
other points of interest can be seen from park roads
and overlooks. Sightseeing guidebooks, maps and
other information are available on the park’s
website at:
www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/touring.htm and
at park visitor centers and retail outlets and can be
purchased online from Yosemite Conservancy at
www.yosemitestore.com.
Tours
Fee‐based, open‐air Yosemite Valley Floor trams run within the Valley all year. During the
summer, fee‐based enclosed motor coaches make trips from Yosemite Valley to Tuolumne
Meadows, Glacier Point, and Grand Tour. Accessible tour vehicles for the above trips can be
made available by prior arrangement. At least 48‐hour notice is requested to ensure that an
accessible tram or bus is available.
Contact DNC Parks & Resorts at the Yosemite Lodge tour desk, Curry Village tour desk or
Yosemite Village tour desk (summer only). Call 209‐372‐4386 for schedule and fare
information.
Trail Rides (Seasonal)
Stables in Yosemite Valley, Wawona, and Tuolumne Meadows offer trail rides during the
summer months. They can tailor rides to specific needs; call at least 24 hours in advance:
Yosemite Valley, 209‐372‐8348; Tuolumne Meadows 209‐372‐8427; or Wawona 209‐375‐6502.
7
Accessibility Guide
Yosemite National Park
January 2015
The restroom at the Yosemite Valley Stables is accessible, the Wawona Stable has an accessible
portable toilet, but the restroom at the Tuolumne Meadows Stable is not accessible. More
information on trail rides is available at www.yosemitepark.com/mule‐horseback‐rides.aspx.
Gas
Gas stations are located in El Portal, Wawona, Crane Flat, and (during the summer) Tuolumne Meadows.
Pay‐at‐the‐pump service is available with a debit or credit card 24 hours a day. Check Yosemite Guide
for more details. Attendants can assist with fuel service during business hours.
Post Offices
There are post offices located at Yosemite Village, Yosemite Lodge, El Portal, and Wawona. The
main post office (located in Yosemite Village) has accessible parking and a letter‐drop box
behind the building. Enter from the service road just north of the Degnan’s Deli off Village
Drive. Accessible parking is also available at Yosemite Lodge, El Portal, and Wawona Post
Offices. Hours of operation are listed below.
Post Office
Yosemite Village
Yosemite Lodge
El Portal
Wawona
Monday – Friday
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
12:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.
8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday
10:00 a.m. to Noon
Closed
Closed
9:00 a.m. to Noon
Restaurant and Food Service
Food service facilities in Yosemite are wheelchair‐accessible except:
Tuolumne Meadows Lodge has two steps and no accessible restroom.
White Wolf Lodge has four steps to reach the dining area. The restroom in the
campground is accessible. White Wolf Lodge will be closed for construction during the
summer of 2015.
Health Concerns & Medical Facilities
Weather – Temperatures in Yosemite vary widely depending on season, elevation, and time
of day; they can change rapidly and unexpectedly. Summer daytime temperatures usually
range from the 90s in Yosemite Valley and Wawona to the 70s in Tuolumne Meadows;
nighttime lows usually range from the 50s in Yosemite Valley and Wawona to the 30s in
Tuolumne Meadows. Snowy, rainy, or even sunny days are possible in winter, with daytime
highs in Yosemite Valley and Wawona ranging from the 30s to 50s and lows in the upper 20s.
Pay attention to the weather, and be aware of extreme temperatures. Dress appropriately for
the season (in layers, if possible); bring rain gear. Carry and drink plenty of water, and take rest
breaks during physical activity.
8
Accessibility Guide
Yosemite National Park
January 2015
Elevation – Yosemite Valley is 4,200 feet above sea level. Outside the Valley, elevations range
from 2,000 feet to nearly 10,000 feet above sea level. In southern Yosemite, Glacier Point is at
7,214 feet; Wawona is at 4,000 feet; and Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias range from 5,600
feet to 6,600 feet. In northern Yosemite, White Wolf is at 8,000 feet; Olmsted Point is 8,300
feet; and Tuolumne Meadows is 8,600 feet elevation.
Maximum Elevation on Roads Entering Yosemite Valley:
Approach
Road
From South
Wawona Road via Hwy 41 North
From West
Big Oak Flat Road via Hwy 120 East
From West
El Portal Road via Hwy 140 East
From East (May ‐ Nov)
Tioga Road via Hwy 120 West
Highest Elevation
6,039 feet at Chinquapin
6,192 feet at Crane Flat
4,200 feet at Yosemite Valley
9,945 feet at Tioga Pass
Smoke & Fire – In Yosemite, fire is natural and important for maintaining healthy forests;
smoky skies are possible in spring, summer, and fall. Wildland fires – often ignited by lightning
– generally are allowed to burn. Trained fire crews use prescribed burns to clear unnatural
build‐up of plant material in developed areas. Fires in and around Yosemite can cause smoky
conditions in all areas of the park. For more information about air quality in Yosemite and
other parks visit www.nps.gov/yose/naturescience/aqmonitoring.htm.
Campgrounds can be very smoky. To improve air quality in Yosemite Valley during high
visitation months, campfires are limited to the hours between 5:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., May
1st through September 30th. There are no time restrictions during the rest of the year, however,
campfires must always be attended.
For a fire update, visitors with respiratory conditions should call 209‐372‐0200 (press 3, then 5)
to speak with a ranger during business hours seven days a week or visit the park’s website at
www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/firemanagement.htm.
Medical Facilities – In & Around Yosemite
Yosemite Medical Clinic – The Yosemite Medical
Clinic is in Yosemite Village. Services include a limited
pharmacy, a laboratory, X‐ray services, and physical
therapy. Hours of operation vary seasonally, but
emergency services, paramedics, and ambulance
service are available 24 hours a day. The emergency
rear entrance is accessible to wheelchairs. For clinic
hours, see the Yosemite Guide or call 209‐372‐4637.
Medical Facilities Outside of Yosemite – Hospitals nearest to Yosemite are located in:
Mariposa (west of the park, off Highway 140)
Oakhurst (south of the park, off Highway 41) Urgent Care facility ONLY.
Mammoth Lakes (southeast of the park off Highway 395; no access in winter)
9
Accessibility Guide
Yosemite National Park
January 2015
Medical Facilities Outside Yosemite with a Range of Services Include:
John C. Fremont Hospital
Northern Inyo Hospital
Tuolumne General Hospital
5189 Hospital Road
150 Pioneer Lane
101 Hospital Road
Mariposa, CA 95338
Bishop, CA 93514
Sonora, CA 95370
209‐966‐3631
760‐873‐5811
209‐533‐7100
Adventist Community Clinic
(Urgent Care only)
48677 Victoria Lane
Oakhurst, CA 93644
559‐683‐2711
Horizons Unlimited Health Care
Mariposa Clinic
5320 Highway 49 North
Mariposa, CA 95338
209‐966‐2344
Sonora Regional Medical Center
1000 Greenley Road
Sonora, CA 95370
209‐536‐5000
Mercy Medical Center
333 Mercy Avenue
Merced, CA 95340
209‐564‐5000
Valley Children’s Hospital
9300 Valley Children’s Place
Madera, CA 93638
Mammoth Hospital
185 Sierra Park Road
Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546
760‐934‐3311
559‐353‐5150
Learning About Yosemite
There are four Visitor Centers in Yosemite located in Wawona, Tuolumne Meadows, Big Oak
Flat and Yosemite Valley. Rangers in the park’s Visitor Centers, wilderness centers, nature
centers and museums are knowledgeable about Yosemite and are there to assist visitors with
information about the park. While at the Visitor Center, explore exhibits and learn about
Yosemite’s spectacular landscapes, wildlife, history, natural resources, and how Yosemite has
evolved through the centuries. Audio tours are available for Yosemite Valley Visitor Center
Exhibit Hall (free) and Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias (fee based).
Ranger Interpretive Programs
See the Yosemite Guide for a complete list of seasonal ranger activities, which range from
campfire programs and all‐day hikes to talks about Yosemite topics. Ask at any visitor center
for details, or visit online at www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/guide.htm.
Free Films About Yosemite at the Valley Visitor Center
Shown on the hour and half hour, Spirit of Yosemite and Yosemite: A Gathering of Spirit are
free short films about Yosemite. Yosemite: A Gathering of Spirit is shown on every hour on the
hour and Spirit of Yosemite is shown on the half hour in the Yosemite Valley Theater behind the
Valley Visitor Center. Both films are captioned and an audio transcription of Spirit of Yosemite
is available at the information counter in the Valley Visitor Center.
Spirit of Yosemite –The film offers a superb introduction to the magnificent scenery, natural
history, and cultural heritage of Yosemite National Park along with information on the historical
influences that helped create it.
10
Accessibility Guide
Yosemite National Park
January 2015
Yosemite: A Gathering of Spirit – In honor of the 150th anniversary of the signing of the
Yosemite Grant, filmmakers Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan bring you the story of the birth of
the National Park idea and the individuals who dedicated their lives to creating our National
Parks.
Online Information, Resources, Videos & Web Cams
The Yosemite National Park website has information to assist you in planning your visit and
providing information on what you can expect during your stay here.
Yosemite Homepage: www.nps.gov/yose/index.htm
Plan Your Visit: www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/index.htm
Basic Information: http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm
Things to Do: www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/things2do.htm
Camping in Yosemite: www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/campground.htm
Hiking in Yosemite: www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hiking.htm
Seasonal Information: www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hours.htm
Deaf Services Homepage: www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/deafservices.htm
Videos about Yosemite: www.nps.gov/yose/photosmultimedia/index.htm
Webcams: www.nps.gov/yose/photosmultimedia/webcams.htm
Publications
The Yosemite Guide provides information on activities, services and programs that are offered
in Yosemite. There is a
symbol next to the program or activity to indicate if it is accessible,
however, some programs or activities can be modified to meet your needs. Please contact the
provider of the program or the Accessibility Coordinator for more information. Advance notice
is required for some activities. Information on obtaining a sign language interpreter can be
found at www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/deafservices.htm
Yosemite Guide: www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/guide.htm
Accessibility Guide: www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/upload/access.pdf
Aphasia Guide: www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/upload/aphasia‐guide.pdf
11
Accessibility Guide
Yosemite National Park
January 2015
Park Publications – including books, maps, and other media about Yosemite – are available at
visitor centers, lodging facilities and retail outlets throughout the park, or online at
www.yosemiteconservancystore.com/233/Shop.htm. A version of this Accessibility Guide is
produced in Braille and is available at the Visitor Center or by contacting the Park’s Accessibility
Coordinator at 209‐379‐1138. Park information can be downloaded from the Yosemite’s
website at www.nps.gov/yose, and the font size increased to improve readability for those
needing large‐print materials.
Audio Tours
Available for Yosemite Valley Visitor Center Exhibit Hall (free) and Mariposa Grove of Giant
Sequoias (fee based).
Environmental Education
The National Park Service and two nonprofit
park partners, NatureBridge and the Yosemite
Conservancy, offer a variety of environmental
education programs for children and adults.
National Park Service
Most educational programs in Yosemite are
accessible to students with disabilities.
Yosemite staff members work with teachers
and school districts to ensure that every
student can be included in field trips, camping
trips, and other educational park activities.
The Environmental Living Program at the Pioneer Yosemite History Center (in Wawona) and
the Parks as Classrooms programs serve students with a wide range of specific needs. Bringing
students to the ultimate classroom for an engaging learning experience with nature. For
further information, contact the park’s Education Branch at 209‐375‐9505.
NatureBridge
Residential field‐science program for schools and other groups through NatureBridge can be
tailored to accommodate specific needs. Sleep in the park and spend your days on the trail
engaging in hands‐on science, teambuilding and stewardship activities. For information,
contact NatureBridge at 209‐379‐9511, or visit online at www.naturebridge.org.
Yosemite Conservancy
With advance notice, the Yosemite Conservancy will work with you to develop custom Outdoor
Adventures for visitors with disabilities. Experience Yosemite your way with an unforgettable
vacation you help create or one of the many pre‐planned events and adventures. For more
information, call 209‐379‐2317 or visit online at www.yosemiteconservancy.org.
12
Accessibility Guide
Yosemite National Park
January 2015
Lodging, Camping & Picnic Facilities
Lodging Information
Guest lodging in Yosemite is provided by DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite, Inc. Reservations
are recommended, call 801‐559‐5000 or TTY 559‐439‐3002; online information and
reserva