Yosemite Valley closing to tourists as flood stage water expected in Merced River

The National Park Service is closing most of Yosemite Valley, as the Merced River is expected to reach flood levels Thursday night.

The closure starts at 10 a.m. Friday, the park service said Tuesday.

The closed area stretches east of the El Capitan Crossover and includes Yosemite Village, Curry Village, The Ahwahnee, Mist Trail to the south and Mirror Lake to the northeast.

There will be no visitor access (even for pedestrians) east of that road.

Lodging and campground reservations for Curry Village, Housekeeping Camp, Yosemite Valley Lodge, The Ahwahnee, Upper, Lower and North Pines along with Camp 4 will be canceled and refunded automatically.

Wilderness permits can be rescheduled to alternate trailheads as space allows, the park service said.

The western Yosemite Valley will remain open, along with Wawona, Crane Flat area, Hetch Hetchy and Mariposa Grove (via hike only).

The closure will remain in place until May 3, but could last longer, according to the park service.

Yosemite Valley closes once the Merced River is forecast to exceed 10 feet at the Pohono Bridge and roads and other critical infrastructure begin flooding.

Forecasters expect that could happen as early as Thursday evening. There is a 75% to 90% chance it will reach 12.5 feet during the first full week of May, according to the National Weather Service.

The park was closed for almost a month earlier this year following a series of multiple storms and atmospheric river systems that dumped record-breaking snowfall. As that snow begins to melt, the park service expects the Merced River may reach flood stage off and on through early July.

This story was originally published April 25, 2023 at 1:32 PM with the headline "Yosemite Valley closing to tourists as flood stage water expected in Merced River."