Frequently Asked Questions

A: The park is open 365 days a year, 24 hours/day. Entrance stations are not staffed 24 hours/day.

• Valley Campground Office in the Curry Village Day-Use Parking Area
• Big Oak Flat Campground Office
• Tuolumne Meadows Campground Office

You may also want to check the NPS reservations website, for last-minute availability.

A: Twenty-seven bighorn sheep were reintroduced in the Lee Vining Canyon area just east of the park in March 1986. Since then, there has been another relocation to augment the herd, and there have been a number of births and deaths. The healthiest herd size numbered approximately 80-90 in the early 1990s. In the winter of 1994-95, a marked decline occurred with the newborn sheep and yearlings. The herd size was estimated at approximately 30-40 in 1995. In 1998, the herd size was estimated to be below 40.

A: There are many scenic areas that can be reached by car. A number of these areas will have turn-outs and/or informational signs. Popular destinations such as Yosemite Valley, the Mariposa Grove and Tuolumne Meadows suffer from traffic congestion. Visitors are encouraged to use free shuttle bus transportation provided at these locations.

Areas restricted from vehicle traffic are:

• Happy Isles Loop *
• Mirror Lake Road *
• Various sections of the shuttle bus route in
• Yosemite Village *
• Merced Grove
• Tuolumne Grove
• Mariposa Grove * (People with permanent disabilities who possess a handicapped placard may follow a scheduled tram in their personal vehicle.)

* Excluding persons with permanent disabilities. Free parking areas exist in proximity to these areas.

In the winter, the Tioga Road (Hwy 120 East), the Glacier Point Road from Badger Pass Ski Area to Glacier Point and the Mariposa Grove Road are closed. Other park roads may close temporarily due to heavy snow, rockslides, etc. 24-hour road and weather conditions may be obtained by calling (209) 372-0200.

A: Pets are permitted in all campgrounds except Camp 4, Tamarack Flat, Porcupine Flat, and all group campsites.. But pets are NOT permitted in any Yosemite lodging facility. For more campground information, please visit the National Park Service website.

Pets are permited in Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite. Find out about their pet friendly rooms on their web site.
Pets must be kept on leashes at all times.
Pets may not be left unattended at any time.
Pets are not allowed on trails or in the back country of Yosemite, including ski trails in winter.
Pets are permitted anywhere on the Valley Floor, Happy Isles Nature Center and Mirror Lake Parking Lot.
Pets are also permitted on the Pohono Bridge and on paved paths not designated as a foot or horse trail.
Pets are NOT permitted on any slope above the valley floor.
Pets are NOT permitted in public eating places, stores or other public buildings.
Exceptions to some rules are made for seeing-eye dogs and "hearing" dogs. Inquire at Park Visitor Centers or Ranger Stations for more information. (Service animals are allowed in lodging facilities.).

A dog kennel is available through the Valley Stable near Curry Village from approximately Memorial Day through Labor Day. The nine kennels are available first come, first serve, reservations can be made by calling (209) 372-8348.

A: Yes. While it's important to be alert, you need not be overly fearful of them. They generally live between 2,000 to 7,000 feet, though rattlesnakes have been seen as high as 9,000 feet. Typically, visitors see rattlesnakes in the summer while hiking during the morning when snakes come out to warm themselves in sunny, boulder-strewn areas.

A: Black bears are opportunistic feeders. Bears will break into cars to obtain food if it is more readily available than natural food sources. In 1998, Yosemite experienced over $630,000 in property damage caused by bears. An aggressive education campaign in 1999 and installation of food lockers at all campgrounds, trail heads and parking lots has brought this figure down by 67% as of May 1999. Once bears become conditioned to human food, they become more aggressive in their pursuit of human food, and lose their instinctive fear of humans. In 1998, three bears had to be killed in Yosemite for this reason. The only way to solve the problem is to keep ALL sources of unnatural food away from bears! Please spread the word at every opportunity about proper food storage! All food and odorous items must be stored in metal food storage boxes provided at all campgrounds, trailheads, and parking areas. DO NOT LEAVE FOOD IN CARS, CAR TRUNKS, OR TENT CABINS. To report trash problems, improper food storage, bear sightings and other bear-related problems, call the SAVE-A-BEAR HOTLINE at: (209)372-0200 (press 7, then 3).