Summer Updates: Reds Meadow Valley and Yosemite National Park

April 15, 2026

Changes are coming that will impact your ability to visit two of the Eastern Sierra’s most popular summer destinations: Reds Meadow Valley and Yosemite National Park. Bookmark this page for the most up-to-date information about closures, reservations, and more.

Reds Meadow / Devils Postpile

YNP Tioga Pass

YNP Reservations Update

Additional Resources

Reds Meadow Road Reconstruction Project

Reds Meadow Road, the summer access point that takes you to Devils Postpile National Monument, the Reds Meadow Valley, and more is continuing its reconstruction project this summer to greatly improve public access and traffic safety for all who visit the area. Additionally, the reconstruction is expected to reduce the likelihood of vehicular accidents and shorten emergency response times.

Reds Meadow Road will tentatively open for the season on July 2, 2026 and close approximately November 1, 2026. Access will mainly be Thursdays - Sundays during the summer season. Thursdays will be ESTA bus access only. Find more details and updates at nps.gov.

The reconstruction is a very dynamic project that will impact visitors coming in and out of the Valley. As you start to plan your summer visit, please check the Inyo National Forest's website for the most current updates and visitor expectations.

Yosemite National Park Tioga Pass Opening

Tioga Pass opening for the 2026 season is anticipated for late May.

Clearing of the Tioga Road, which connects Yosemite Valley with Tuolumne Meadows and Hwy 395, begins on or around April 15 each year and usually takes between 1-2 months – this means the road is usually predicted to open in late May or early June. However, the area often receives late-season snow storms in April and May, which delays the opening of Tioga Road. The winter road closure extends from the Tuolumne Grove, just east of Crane Flat, to Tioga Pass Entrance Station. Highway 120, the continuation of the Tioga Road outside the park, is often closed in winter from Tioga Pass to five miles west of Lee Vining.

When the Tioga Road is closed, it is not possible to drive to Tuolumne Meadows or enter Yosemite National Park from the east. Until Tioga Pass opens for the season, you will also not be able to access HWY 395 from the west side of the national park (via Big Oak Flat, Arch Rock or the South entrance).

Yosemite National Park Reservation System Update

Yosemite National Park will not have a reservation system for the 2026 season.

However visitors traveling in 2026 are encouraged to:

Plan visits early, especially for weekends and holiday periods.
Consider weekday trips for lower congestion and greater parking availability.
Explore options for hiking, sightseeing and recreation outside Yosemite Valley.
Check the park website for real-time conditions, seasonal updates and trip-planning tools.

For the most up-to-date information about Yosemite National Park access, click here.

Additional Resources

For information about visiting Reds Meadow Resort and Pack Station, please check their website: www.redsmeadow.com

For more information about the Reds Meadow Road construction, visit: www.fs.usda.gov and www.nps.gov/depo

For more information about the Tioga Pass/Tioga Road winter closure and summer opening: www.nps.gov/yose

YARTS Public Transportation to Yosemite from Mammoth:
www.yarts.com

Author

Visit Mammoth

Unreal. There is no better way to describe Mammoth Lakes, California. A place so majestic that breathtaking views surround you in every direction. The staff at Mammoth Lakes Tourism is committed to stewardship, education, providing the ultimate visitor experience, and keeping the Real Unreal.