Yosemite park remains open to visitors

Should you cancel your Labor Day weekend visit to Yosemite National Park because of the devastating Rim Fire nearby?  That’s a tough question to answer.  The vast majority of hiking trails and services in Yosemite National Park are not affected by the Rim Fire,  approximately 20 miles from Yosemite Valley, but some roads are being closed for safety.

If you are planning to visit Yosemite National Park in the near future, stay up to date on the National Park Service website status page for Yosemite National Park.

Roads Closed – The Big Oak Flat north entrance/Highway 120 west remains closed while work continues on the Rim Fire. Highways 41, 140, and 120 from the east (Tioga Road) are open. Tioga Road, from Crane Flat to White Wolf, will be temporarily closed to all vehicular traffic beginning noon today, Wednesday, August 28, 2013, and likely through the Labor Day weekend, so other roads will be more jammed up.

Hotels, campsites – The Tuolumne Meadows Lodge, High Sierra Camps and other visitor services in the Tuolumne Meadows area will remain open and accessible through the east entrance.  The National Park Service has vacated the lodge and the campgrounds in that area as a precaution.  Visitors with future reservations for White Wolf Lodge are being offered alternative accommodations in Yosemite or to make other arrangements.

Thanks to all the firefighters, especially the Hotshots, for their heroic efforts fighting the Rim Fire, and all forest fires.