Yosemite Guide

What You Need to Know Tire Chains May be Required, Even in Spring Protect Wildlife—and Yourself Snowy weather and icy road conditions can persist into early Spring. Tire chain requirements are strictly enforced. For updated road conditions for Yosemite National Park, call 209/372-0200 (1,1). Signs will indicate when chains are required. Speeding Kills Bears Being hit by a car is the most common human-related cause of death for black bears in Yosemite. Slow down! Driving too fast is almost always the reason for these accidental deaths. View Wildlife from a Safe Distance Never approach or feed any animal. Not only is it illegal, it is dangerous for both to you and the animal. Wild animals in Yosemite can transmit diseases, including plague, rabies, and hantavirus. For more information staying safe in Yosemite, visit go.nps.gov/yosafety. R1 All vehicles without mud and snow tires are required to install chains/ cables. All vehicles must still carry chains. R2 Chains/cables must be installed on ALL vehicles except 4-wheel/all-wheel drive vehicles with mud and snow tires. R3 ALL vehicles are required to install chains/cables. NO EXCEPTIONS. Emergency chains are not acceptable. Learn more at go.nps.gov/chains Entering a National Park Yosemite is a place where wilderness prevails. Prepare yourself for a wild experience. The National Park Service is bound by its mission to protect Yosemite’s natural and cultural resources for the benefit and enjoyment of future generations. Please be attentive to the regulations in place to protect park resources and those designed for your safety. Fire – Police – Medical Emergency Call or text 911 for emergencies. Medical Clinic (in Yosemite Valley): Open Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm. Walk-ins from 1pm to 3:30 pm. Phone: 209/372-4637 Road, Weather, and Park Information Check road updates: 209/372-0200 Yosemite Village Garage Offers 24-hour emergency roadside assistance and propane service until 4:30pm. NO gas is available here. Phone: 209/372-1060 DISTANCE FROM WILDLIFE: 30 feet = about one bus-length. Access for People with Disabilities For a complete list of accessible services, exhibits, and recreational opportunities, pick up a Yosemite Accessibility Guide at any park entrance station or visitor center, or view online at www.nps.gov/yose/ planyourvisit/accessibility.htm, or call a park Accessibility Coordinator at 209/379-1035. Sign Language interpreting is available upon request. Contact Deaf Services at 209/379-5250 (v/txt). Two weeks advance notice is requested. Assistive Listening Devices are available upon advance request at any visitor center. Accessible parking spaces are available throughout the park. Lose Something in Yosemite? For items lost or found at one of Yosemite’s restaurants, hotels, or lounges, call 209/372-4357. For items lost or found in other areas of the park, call 209/379-1001. Visitors to Yosemite are the park’s most important guardians. During your visit, please contact a park official if you see any of the following: • Feeding or approaching wildlife • Collecting plants, reptiles, or butterflies • Hunting animals • Picking up archeological items, such as arrowheads • Using metal detectors • Driving vehicles into meadows • Biking off of paved roads • Camping outside of designated campgrounds Keep in Touch • Possession of weapons inside federal facilities • Possessing or using marijuana, including medical marijuana • Using drones If you see activities that could harm people or park resources, jot down any descriptions or a vehicle license plate number and call the park dispatch office at 209/379-1992. www.nps.gov/yose @YosemiteNPS Food Storage Help keep wildlife wild. Never intentionally feed any wild animal in Yosemite. Avoid unintentionally sharing your food by properly storing it. Improper food storage harms wildlife and can result in significant property damage and a hefty fine. During the Day While hiking or picnicking, always keep your food within arm’s reach. When you are away from your vehicle, keep all windows closed and any food or coolers hidden from sight. Never leave food in a pickup truck bed or strapped to the outside of a vehicle. Where is My Pet Allowed in Yosemite? At Night Bears can easily break into vehicles in search of food. Food, trash, and other scented items may NOT be stored inside vehicles overnight. These items must be kept inside a food locker, in an approved bear resistant container, or in a hotel room or cabin. Food may also be stored inside a completely hardsided RV with all windows and vents closed. For more information about food storage and bears visit www.KeepBearsWild.org If you see a bear in the park, email yose_bear_mgmt@nps.gov or call the Save-a-Bear hotline at 209/372-0322. Park Partners Pets are allowed in developed areas, on fully paved roads, sidewalks, and bicycle paths (except when signed as not allowing pets), and in all campgrounds except walk-in campgrounds and group campgrounds. Pets must be restrained on a leash not more than six feet long and may not be left unattended. Other regulations also apply. Pets are NOT allowed on shuttle buses or indoor lodging areas, including lobbies and rooms. Yosemite Guide February 1, 2023 - March 2023 @YosemiteNPS @YosemiteNPS Enjoy your28, visit! Park Map Yosemite Valley Lake Eleanor To HETCH HETCHY O’Shaughnessy and Lee Vining Dam Hetch Hetchy Backpackers Campground Hetch Hetchy Road Hetch Hetchy Entrance Tioga Pass Entrance Tuolumne River TUOLUMNE MEADOWS (Wilderness Permit Required) White Wolf Tioga Road Closed approx. November – May Evergreen Road To Manteca Hodgdon Meadow Big Oak Flat Entrance Big Oak Flat Information Station Porcupine Flat Yosemite Creek Tioga Road Closed approx. November – May Tuolumne Grove Crane Flat Merced Grove Tamarack Flat Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center Tenaya Lake Yosemite Valley Visitor Center YOSEMITE VALLEY Merced River Road Conditions Traffic congestion is common in Yosemite Valley, especially during spring and summer and on weekends. Arrive early in the morning to find parking, then take advantage of the valley’s free shuttles to spend more time enjoying the park. A map of the shuttle system can be found on pages 6 and 7. GLACIER POINT Glacier Point Road Closed approx. November – May El Portal Road Glacier Point Road Badger Pass Ski Area Glacier Point Road (winter only) Yosemite West Wawona Road The Wawona Visitor Center remains closed for the season. Open yearround, the Yosemite History Center in Wawona is a collection of historic buildings associated with people and events that shaped the national park idea in Yosemite. North South Entrance Road Conditions Wawona Road (Hwy 41) remains open year-round. Badger Pass Ski Area Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias 0 5 miles Roads on map are simplified and do not reflect degree of windiness To Fresno Gas Station 5km Entrance Station Campground Visitor Center Information Center Visitor Centers Maximize your time in Yosemite by reading this Guide and bringing any questions to the nearest visitor center. Talk to park rangers, view exhibits, and learn more about the park. The visitor centers also feature Yosemite Conservancy bookstores, where you can find books, maps, and other souvenir items. Yosemite Valley Visitor Center // 9am to 5pm, open year-round Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center // closed for the season Big Oak Flat Information Station // closed for the season Wawona Visitor Center at Hill’s Studio // closed for the season Tuolumne Meadows & Tioga Road Road Conditions Closed for the season. Due to its high elevation, Tioga Road is closed each year from approximately November through May. In years with very heavy snowfall, the road has re-opened as late as June. Check the park website and social media channels for updates. Hetch Hetchy Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, a source of drinking water and hydroelectric power for the City of San Francisco, is home to spectacular scenery and offers many wilderness trails. The area’s low elevation makes it a good place to hike in autumn, winter, and spring, and very hot for hiking in the summer. April 2 is the final scheduled day of operation for Badger Pass Ski Area in 2023. Enjoy a day on the slopes at Badger Pass Ski Area. Recorded information about winter sports and conditions is available by calling 209/3721000. Distance from Yosemite Valley 20 mi/32 km (45 minutes) Directions From Yosemite Valley, take Wawona Road (Hwy 41) to Badger Pass Road Junction. Road Conditions The road is open only to the ski area while Badger Pass is operating. Photo by Christine W Loberg What Should I Do in Yosemite? A Ranger Recommends: Distance from Yosemite Valley 40 mi/64 km (1 ½ hours) If you’re visiting Yosemite for half a day: Directions From Yosemite Valley, take Big Oak Flat Road (Hwy 120) to Evergreen Road, then turn right. Take a scenic stroll around one of Yosemite Valley’s meadows. Road Conditions Vehicles and/or trailers over 25 feet long and 8 feet wide are not permitted on the narrow, winding Hetch Hetchy Road. The road is open from 8am to 5pm. Stop at Tunnel View, El Capitan Meadow, and Valley View for scenic viewpoints. If you’re visiting Yosemite for a full day: Take a scenic hike to Mirror Lake or Vernal Fall. Take a Yosemite Valley Floor Tour (see page 9.) Distance from Yosemite Valley 30 mi/48 km (1 hour) Wawona Visitor Center Wawona Campground NOTE: There are only 2 gas stations in the park and NO GAS in Yosemite Valley. Park at the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza and hike up the road to the grove (two miles each way, with 500 feet of elevation gain.) The road and trails may be snowy and icy, even in spring. When conditions allow, a free shuttle runs from the Welcome Plaza to the grove. Check the park website for updates on shuttle service. Road Conditions The Glacier Point Road is closed in winter and early spring. The road is open only to Badger Pass when the ski area is operating. WAWONA Yosemite History Center Located near the park’s South Entrance, the Mariposa Grove is the largest sequoia grove in Yosemite and is home to over 500 mature giant sequoias. Directions From Yosemite Valley, take Wawona Road (Hwy 41). Watch for signs for the Mariposa Grove just before you reach the park’s South Entrance. Big Oak Flat Road Arch Rock Entrance El Portal Tuolumne Meadows Tioga Road Tunnel View To Merced Tioga Road Closed approx. November – May Yosemite Valley is open year-round. Known for its towering granite walls and features like El Capitan and Half Dome, the valley is alive in spring with numerous roaring waterfalls. The valley is one of the park’s most accessible areas for hikers this time of year, though snow and ice may still be present on trails. Enjoy a variety of other activities as well, including bicycling, exhibits, guided walks, and art and photography classes. Valley services are listed on page 4, and programs are listed on page 8. Wawona & Mariposa Grove Rent a bicycle and enjoy a scenic ride around the valley’s bike paths. Attend a guided walk or photography class. (see page 8 for a program schedule.) Crane Flat & Tuolumne Grove Visit sequoia groves north of Yosemite Valley that are smaller than the more-famous Mariposa Grove, but typically quieter. Park at the Tuolumne Grove parking area located on Tioga Road, and hike one steep mile down to the grove. Or, park at Merced Grove trailhead and hike two steep miles down to the grove. Remember, the walk down is easier than the walk up. Bring water. Trails may be snowy or icy even in spring. Distance from Yosemite Valley 16 mi/26 km (30 minutes) If you’re visiting Yosemite for two or more days: Visit a sequoia grove at Mariposa Grove, Tuolumne Grove, or Merced Grove. Snowshoes recommended (depending on conditions.) Visit the Yosemite History Center in Wawona. Visit the dam at Hetch Hetchy. Hike along the reservoir to Wapama Falls. Yosemite National Park Directions From Yosemite Valley, take Big Oak Flat Road (Hwy 120) to Tioga Road Junction at Crane Flat. Road Conditions Big Oak Flat Road (Hwy 120 W) remains open year-round. A Park Guide for Ages 4 to 12 Lodging Camping Visting Yosemite with kids? Dining Hiking Information Scenic Views Picnicking Gas Station Pick up a Junior Ranger booklet at any open visitor center. Complete the activities to earn a junior ranger badge! Yosemite Valley Visitor Center 2 Experience Your America Yosemite National Park Yosemite Guide March 29, 2023 – May 9, 2023 3 Services Yosemite Museum & Indian Cultural Exhibit Visitor Center and Theater Yosemite Conservancy Bookstore Museum Store Yosemite Cemetery Girls Club Due to severe impacts from historic winter storms, seasonal opening dates and operating hours are subject to change. The Ansel Adams Gallery To Ahwahnee Hotel Valley Wilderness Center Administration Building Rehabilitation of The Ahwahnee MAP OF YOSEMITE VILLAGE Post Office Medical Clinic 10 Degnan’s Kitchen 5 10 To Yosemite Falls 10 Village Store Shuttle Stop 5 After more than 95 years in service, The Ahwahnee is continuing a multi-phase comprehensive rehabilitation plan to preserve the hotel’s historic integrity, while bringing the building to code with modern fire and seismic safety standards. 15 Shuttle Stop 2 Northside D rive # 5 Hiking & Biking Trail Approx. Walking Time (minutes) 5 Roadway P Authorized Vehicles (shuttles) To Curry Village 25 Sentinel Crossover Shuttle Stop 1 P The Ahwahnee dining room will remain closed through April, and dinner will be served in the Great Lounge. Scaffolding and construction noise may be present during parts of the rehabilitation project. YOSEMITE VALLEY FOOD & BEVERAGE CURRY VILLAGE YOSEMITE VILLAGE Peet’s Coffee Corner Opens April 5 6am to 2pm Degnan’s Kitchen Breakfast: 7am to 11am Lunch: 11:30am to 6pm Village Grill Opens March 30 11:00am to 6pm THE AHWAHNEE Hours subject to change Coffee Bar 7am to 10am 6:30 to 10:30 am starting April 3 Breakfast 7am to 10am Dinner 5:30pm to 9pm Appropriate attire respectfully required for dinner. Dinner reservations strongly recommended. 209/372-1489 or visit www.opentable.com The Ahwahnee Bar 11:00am to 9pm 11:30am to 10pm starting April 3 YOSEMITE VALLEY LODGE Base Camp Eatery Breakfast: 6:30am to 10:45am Lunch/Dinner: 11am to 9pm Mountain Room Lounge Mon – Fri: 4:30pm to 10pm Sat – Sun: 12pm to 10pm Mountain Room Restaurant Dinner: 5pm to 10pm Last seating at 9:30pm. Reservations recommended. Visit www.opentable.com Seven Tents Pavilion Opens April 5 Breakfast: 7am to 10am Dinner: 5:30pm to 8:30pm Curry Village Bar 1899 Opens April 5 11:30am to 10pm Meadow Grill Opens April 14 11 am to 5pm Pizza Deck Opens April 5 11am to 10pm INFORMATION & EXHIBITS Yosemite Valley Visitor Center 9am to 5pm Hours may change due to limited staffing. Yosemite Museum 10am to 4pm May be closed due to limited staffing. Wilderness Center Opens April 28 8am to 5pm Happy Isles Art & Nature Center Opens April 3 9am to 4pm, may close for lunch Yosemite Conservation Heritage Center Opens May 3 Wed – Sun: 10am to 4pm AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES Yosemite Village Garage 24-hour roadside assistance No gas available in Yosemite Valley. BOOKS, GIFTS, GEAR, & GROCERIES YOSEMITE VILLAGE The Ansel Adams Gallery 10am to 3pm, may close for lunch 9am to 5pm starting April 1 Yosemite Conservancy Bookstore at Yosemite Valley Visitor Center 9am to 5pm Yosemite Museum Store 10am to 4pm, closed for lunch Village Store 8am to 9pm 8am to10pm starting April 21 Experience Your America Yosemite National Park GAS STATION Wawona Hotel Dining Room Opens April 4 Breakfast: 7am to 10am Lunch: 11am to 3pm Dinner: 5pm to 9pm Lounge Service: 5pm to 9:30pm FOOD & BEVERAGE Conditions permitting Skiers Grill (downstairs) 8am to 4 pm Crane Flat Service Station Store is closed. 24-hour pay-at-thepump with card. Big Oak Flat Information Center Closed for the season. Visit go.nps.gov/campground for more information and a schedule of reservation release dates. Conditions permitting YOSEMITE VALLEY LODGE Wawona Visitor Center Closed for the season. Yosemite Conservancy Bookstore at Big Oak Flat Information Station Closed for the season. Tour and Activity Desk 7:30am to 3pm 7:30am to 7pm starting April 7 Yosemite History Center Open daily Bike Rentals Opens April 7, conditions permitting 8am to 7pm Sweet Shop 7am to 9pm 7 am to 10pm starting April 2 YOSEMITE VALLEY LODGE Bike Rentals Opens April 7, conditions permitting 8am to 7pm SHOWERS & LAUNDRY Mountain Shop 8am to 8pm HOUSEKEEPING CAMP Opens April 28 Gift & Grocery 8am to 8pm 8am to 10 pm starting April 6 Laundry 8am to 10pm Showers 7am to 10pm HOUSEKEEPING CAMP CURRY VILLAGE Opens April 5 Showers 24 hours BOOKS, GIFTS, GEAR, & GROCERIES Wawona Store & Pioneer Gift Shop 8am to 8pm ACTIVITIES Conditions permitting Lift Operation 9am to 4pm Lift Tickets 8:30am to 4pm Pine Tree Market 8am to 8pm Ski School Desk 8:30am to 4pm Yosemite Conservancy Bookstore at Wawona Visitor Center Closed for the season. Tubing 11am to 1pm & 2pm to 4pm Yosemite Conservancy Depot at Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza Opens April 1, conditions permitting 9am to 5pm Rental Shop 8:30am to 4:30pm Cross Country Ski Center 8:30am to 4:30pm POST OFFICE GLACIER POINT Wawona Post Office Monday - Friday: 9am to 1pm Saturday: 9am to noon Closed for the season. ACTIVITIES TUOLUMNE MEADOWS & TIOGA ROAD Golf Course & Disc Golf Opens May 19, conditions permitting Closed for the season. Tennis Courts 8am to Dusk GAS STATION Wawona Service Station 9am to 6pm Diesel & propane available. 24-hour pay-at-the-pump with card. CAMPING INFORMATION & EXHIBITS BOOKS & GIFTS Sport Shop 9am to 4pm CAMPING & LODGING: HOW TO SPEND THE NIGHT IN YOSEMITE Camping in spring is very limited. Reservations are available several months in advance and are strongly recommended. GEAR AND APPAREL Mountaineering School Opens April 10 8:30am to 12pm, 1pm to 4:30pm POST OFFICE LAST SCHEDULED DAY OF OPERATION APRIL 2 INFORMATION & EXHIBITS Gift Shop 8am to 8pm 8 am to 9pm starting April 2 Store Opens April 28 8am to 8pm FOOD & BEVERAGE Bike Rentals Opens May 24 Tour and Activity Kiosk Closed for the season. Tour and Activity Kiosk Opens April 7 7:30 am to 3:30pm CURRY VILLAGE CRANE FLAT & BIG OAK FLAT Snowflake Room (upstairs) Fri: 12pm to 4 pm Sat & Sun: 10am to 4 pm CURRY VILLAGE Gift & Grocery 8am to 10pm BADGER PASS SKI AREA Golf Shop & Snack Stand Opens May 19, conditions permitting YOSEMITE VILLAGE THE AHWAHNEE Hours subject to change Yosemite Village Post Office Mon – Fri: 8:30am to 5pm Sat: 10am to noon 4 TOURS & ACTIVITIES WAWONA & MARIPOSA GROVE EL PORTAL FOOD & BEVERAGE El Portal Market 9am to 7pm GAS STATION El Portal Service Station 8am to 5pm 24-hour pay-at-the-pump with card. RELIGIOUS SERVICES YOSEMITE COMMUNITY CHURCH Pastor Brent Moore, Resident Minister 209/372-4831 www.YosemiteValleyChapel.org CHAPEL SERVICES Sundays at 9:15am Campground Reservations www.recreation.gov (recommended) or 877/444-6777 (7am to 9pm PT) OPEN CAMPGROUNDS Conditions permitting Camp 4 First-come, first-served, tent camping only, no pets Upper Pines By reservation only CAMPGROUNDS TENTATIVELY OPENING IN APRIL Conditions permitting Hodgdon Meadow April 10, by reservation only Wawona April 10, by reservation only North Pines April 17, by reservation only Lower Pines April 24, by reservation only Sleeping inside a vehicle is only allowed in campsites. You may not sleep overnight in a parking lot or along the side of the road. EASTER WEEK SERVICES Maundy Thursday Service April 6, 7pm LODGING Good Friday Service April 7, 7pm Lodging inside the park is operated by Yosemite Hospitality. Reservations may be made up to one year in advance and are strongly recommended. Book a stay online at www.travelyosemite.com or by calling 888/413-8869. Easter Sunday Service April 9 Lower Pines Amphitheater, 7am Chapel, 9:15am & 11am MARRIAGE RENEWAL SUNDAY May 7, 9:15am & 11am Yosemite Guide March 29, 2023 – May 9, 2023 5 Yosemite Valley Shuttle System Yosemite Valley Shuttle System Valleywide Shuttle Lower Yosemite Fall Yosemite Falls Trail East Valley Shuttle Yosemite Village 5 The Ahwahnee 4 3 2 6 Yosemite Valley Lodge Mirror Lake 1 7 Shutterstock Photo Housekeeping 12 Camp The FREE Yosemite Valley shuttles operate from 7am to 10pm daily and serve stops in numerical order. Valleywide Shuttle 19 Runs approximately every 22 to 32 minutes with a total round-trip time of 1 hour and 30 minutes. 14 17 15 Curry Village 11 Services ALL stops. 18 16 Four Mile Trail El Capitan (closed in winter) 8 East Valley Shuttle Happy Isles/ Mist Trail Services SELECT stops. Runs approximately every 18 to 22 minutes with a total round-trip time of 50 minutes. M er ced Ri v er 9 10 Expect delays during busy periods. See schedules posted at shuttle stops for more information. 9 3 The Ahwahnee Lodging, Dining, Gift Shop 6 Lower Yosemite Fall Trailhead, Picnic Area, Scenic View 4 Degnan’s Kitchen 6 9 El Capitan Meadow 5 Valleywide Shuttle (one way) 10 12 Housekeeping Camp/ Yosemite Conservation Heritage Center Scenic View Scenic View Less than a 5-minute walk: Post Office, Visitor Center, Theater, Museum Dining, Gift and Grocery Visitor Center, Theater, Museum L ess than a 5-minute walk: Post Office, Visitor Center, Theater, Museum L ess than a 5-minute walk: Post Office, Dining, Gift and Grocery Experience Your America Yosemite National Park Scenic View, Picnicking 1 19 East Valley Shuttle (one way) 11 18 12 16 Happy Isles/Mist Trail Trailhead, Art & Nature Center 11 Four Mile Trail Campground Buses are air-conditioned, bike friendly, wheelchair accessible, and equipped for rider comfort. Save gas, save time, save money, by taking YARTS! Park your vehicle for the duration of your stay. Driving from site to site increases traffic congestion and can cause frustration for you and your passengers. Ride the free shuttle buses to enjoy Yosemite Valley most easily once parked. Arrive early and stay late, and visit Yosemite during the week. Enjoy the entire Yosemite region—consider visiting gateway communities such as Mariposa, Groveland, Lee Vining, and Oakhurst. Trailhead Trailhead Less than a 5-minute walk: Trailhead Parking, Trailhead Lodging, Dining, Gift and Grocery, Amphitheater, Showers 16 Bring plenty of food and water for potential delays and stop and use restrooms when available. 17 Mirror Lake 19 Curry Village (Westbound) 15 The Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS) is a public transit system that provides service into Yosemite National Park. Ride a YARTS bus to enter the park. Campground, Amphitheater 15 Upper Pines Campground 14 17 Travel Recommendations 18 Lower Pines Campground Dining, Gift and Grocery, Trailhead 8 El Capitan Picnic Area 2 14 Curry Village (eastbound) 7 Yosemite Valley Lodge/Yosemite Falls Parking 5 Visitor Center & Museum 3 4 Information, Lodging, Gift and Grocery, Showers, Laundry Lodging, Dining, Gift and Grocery, Amphitheater, Showers Parking area fills early. Once you find a spot, keep it, and use the free shuttle. 2 Village Store 6 ALL SHUTTLES 10 Cathedral Beach Dining, Gift and Grocery Dining, shopping, and information are only a 5–10 minute walk from here. 7 VALLEYWIDE SHUTTLE ONLY ALL SHUTTLES 1 Yosemite Village Parking 8 For more information, bus schedules, and tickets, visit www.YARTS.com or call 877/989-2787. Yosemite Guide March 29, 2023 – May 9, 2023 7 Events and Programs Go to www.nps.gov/yose or the park app to see the web events calendar for more program information. Program offerings and hours are subject to change. Weekly Schedule of Programs Special Programs & Events TIME PROGRAM DURATION EXCEPTIONS LOCATION 8:30am Birding in Yosemite Valley Reservations required. Register at yosemite.org/adventures. $ (YC) 2 hrs 9am Art Class Meet at the Happy Isles Art and Nature Center for art classes, such as mosaics, colored pencils, and watercolors. Register at Yosemite.org/art. $ (YC) 4 hrs Begins April 10 9am The Ansel Adams Gallery Camera Walk Space is extremely limited, reserve in advance at anseladams.com or by calling 209/372-4413. (TAAG) 1.5 hrs Excludes March 30 9am In the Field: Creative Smartphone Photography Space is limited, reserve in advance at anseladams.com or by calling 209/372-4413. $ (TAAG) 3 hrs 1pm Birding and Wildlife Walk in Yosemite Valley Reservations required. Register at Yosemite.org/adventures. $ (YC) 2 hrs Yosemite Valley 1pm In the Footsteps of Ansel Adams Space is limited, reserve in advance at anseladams.com or by calling 209/372-4413. $ (TAAG) 4 hrs Yosemite Valley 1pm Ansel Adams’s Legacy and Your Digital Camera Space is limited, reserve in advance at anseladams.com or by calling 209/372-4413. $ (TAAG) 4 hrs Yosemite Valley 1pm In the Field: Creative Smartphone Photography Space is limited, reserve in advance at anseladams.com or by calling 209/372-4413. $ (TAAG) 3 hrs Yosemite Valley 2pm Family Ranger Talk Meet in front of the Valley Visitor Center (NPS) 15min 5pm Yosemite Valley Sunset Walk Reservations required. Register at Yosemite.org/adventures. $ (YC) 2 hrs Yosemite Valley 8pm Explore Yosemite’s Night Sky Reservations required. Register at Yosemite.org/adventures. $ (YC) 2 hrs Yosemite Valley SU M TU W TH F SA EVENT Yosemite Earth Day Festival Come celebrate our natural resources at this fun annual event! A variety of booths offer art, education, and activities for all ages. Learn about ways we’re protecting Yosemite for future generations—and what you can do to help! Yosemite Valley Yosemite Valley DATE & TIME LOCATION Saturday, April 22 from 10am to 2pm Outside the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center (Shuttle stop 2, 4, or 5) Shakespeare in Yosemite: Romeo and Juliet in Yosemite Yosemite Valley This Earth Day weekend, Shakespeare in Yosemite returns to the Curry Village Amphitheater for free, live performances of a new 90-minute adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, especially created for Yosemite National Park and starring park rangers and community actors. The play’s action is transported to Yosemite and features loads of live music and family-friendly environmental messages. And this time, the lovers do not die! The show is a partnership between University of California Merced, Yosemite National Park, and Yosemite Hospitality. More information at yosemiteshakes.ucmerced.edu. Yosemite Valley Friday, April 21at 5pm Curry Village Amphitheater in Yosemite Valley (Shuttle stop 14 or 19) Sunday, April 23 at 12pm In case of inclement weather, performances will take place in the Yosemite Theater, behind the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center. Opening Reception for Visual Rhapsody: Photographs by Charles Cramer Artist Charles Cramer will be at a reception for his show at The Ansel Adams Gallery. The show runs from April 23rd through June 17th. Sunday, April 30 11am to 1pm The Ansel Adams Gallery in Yosemite Valley (Shuttle stop 2, 4, or 5) Yosemite Landmarks: Origins and History of Yosemite’s Places and Names Presented by Jeremy Evans, Nature Photographer, Filmmaker, Sierra Club Outings Leader Seating limited to 50 people. Friday, May 5 8pm Yosemite Conservation Heritage Center (Shuttle stop 12) Amateur Astronomy and Astrophotography in Our National Parks and Public Lands Presented by Jeremy Evans, Nature Photographer, Filmmaker, Sierra Club Outings Leader Seating limited to 50 people. Saturday, May 6 8pm Yosemite Conservation Heritage Center (Shuttle stop 12) Saturday, April 22 at 12pm & 5pm Photo by Shawn Overton Yosemite Valley More Activities with Park Partners Programs especially for children and their families NPS National Park Service YH Yosemite Hospitality TAAG The Ansel Adams Gallery Programs are offered on marked days YC Yosemite Conservancy SC Sierra Club $ Programs with a fee Program Accessibility Indicates facilities accessible to visitors in wheelchairs. Short, steep inclines may be encountered. Yosemite Valley Stop by the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center to ask a ranger your questions, become a Junior Ranger, explore exhibits, and find park resources. The visitor center is open daily from 9am to 5pm. Visit the Yosemite Valley Theater to watch The Spirit of Yosemite. Showings are on the hour and half-hour between 9:30am and 4pm (first showing at 12pm on Sundays.) Showings may be impacted from April 21 to 23 due to special events. Nearby, the Yosemite Museum, open from 10 am to 4 pm (closed for lunch), shares stories from the park’s tribal partners. Contact 209/379-5250 (v/txt) to request a sign language interpreter. Advanced notice of two weeks is requested, but not required. Wawona & Mariposa Grove Visit the Yosemite History Center and experience life in the early days of Yosemite National Park. Take a self-guided tour of the area. Park at the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza and hike to the grove (2 miles each way, with 500 feet of elevation gain.) Snow and ice may be present on the road and trails. Starting in spring, when conditions allow, a free shuttle runs from the Welcome Plaza to the grove. Check the park website for updates on shuttle service to the grove. All hours subject to change due to limited staffing. 8 Experience Your America Yosemite National Park Assistive Listening Devices are available upon advanced request for any public program. Inquire at any visitor center or tour desk. Hodgdon Meadow & Crane Flat The Big Oak Flat Information Station, including the bookstore, is closed for the season. Glacier Point The Glacier Point Road is closed for the season. The final scheduled day of operation for the Badger Pass Ski Area is April 2. Tuolumne Meadows & Tioga Road Tioga Road is closed for the season. Due to its high elevation, Tioga Road is closed each year from approximately November through May. In years with very heavy snowfall, the road has re-opened as late as June. Check the park website and social media channels for updates. Hetch Hetchy Open daily from 8 am to 5 pm. Yosemite Conservancy Join Yosemite Conservancy for a memorable experience in the park! Advanced registration is required for all Outdoor Adventures. Explore our website (yosemite.org) and follow us on social media to find the latest updates from our team, learn more about our organization, and browse our full program calendar. Custom Adventures Join a Yosemite Conservancy naturalist guide for a customized experience that fits your interests and schedule. Experience the park on personalized day hikes, birding walks, stargazing programs and backpacking trips. Learn more and sign up: yosemite.org/customadventures. Art Classes Professional artists offer beginnerlevel instruction at Happy Isles Art and Nature Center, helping visitors explore Yosemite through art. Most classes are held outdoors, painting or drawing Yosemite’s views. Classes begin April 10. See page 8 for scheduled programs. The Ansel Adams Gallery The Ansel Adams Gallery is open daily from 10am to 3pm and is located in Yosemite Village. The Gallery may close for lunch. Experience a variety of fine arts, handcrafts, and a collection of Ansel Adams’ original photographs. The gallery also offers half-day or full-day photography classes and private guided tours led by a resident staff photographer. Classes leave from the Gallery and require reservations; call 209/372-4413 or visit anseladams.com/ photography-education. Exhibition: Feb 26 to April 22 Earth is Home: Photographs by Kerik Kouklis Exhibition: April 23 to June 17 Visual Rhapsody: Photographs by Charles Cramer Yosemite Hospitality Until April 2, the Yosemite Mountaineering School offers winter activities from the Badger Pass S