Summer Updates: Reds Meadow Valley and Yosemite National Park

March 05, 2024

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

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 undergoing reconstruction beginning 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.

Currently, Reds Meadow Road is closed to wheeled vehicles for the regular winter season with an anticipated seasonal opening date of June 7, 2024, depending on weather.

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

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 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. You will also not be able to access Hwy 395 from the west side (Yosemite Valley).

Yosemite National Park Reservation System

A reservation will be required to drive into Yosemite from April 13 through October 27, 2024. Some days, you may also need a reservation in order to drive through the park (for example, driving from Yosemite Valley over Tioga Pass via Hwy 120). The details for summer reservations are as follows:

April 13 through June 30: A reservation is required from 5 am to 4 pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and on holidays (May 27 and June 19). A reservation is not required on other days.

July 1 through August 16: A reservation is required from 5 am to 4 pm every day.

August 17 through October 27: A reservation is required from 5 am to 4 pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays (September 2 and October 14). A reservation is not required on other days.

Driving through the park also requires a reservation if entering between 5 am and 4 pm (on days a reservation is required).

Most reservations for all dates from April 13 through October 27, 2024, will be available on recreation.gov on January 5, 2024 at 8:00 am PST. Additional reservations will be available seven days before the arrival date (e.g., make a reservation for an arrival date of October 27 on October 20) at 8:00 am PST. If you don't have computer access, you can call (877) 444-6777 to make a reservation.

For the most up-to-date information about Yosemite National Park reservations, 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 road construction, visit: www.fs.usda.gov/goto/inyo/visit-us/alerts-notices/reds-meadow-road-reconstruction

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

For more information about the Yosemite National Park reservation system: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/reservations.htm

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.