Visitors urged to take safety precautions while traveling on road

Yosemite National Park Superintendent Don Neubacher announced today that the Tioga Road will open for the season on Saturday, June 18, at 8 a.m. for all vehicle traffic. The Tioga Road, bounded on both sides by Hwy 120, is the popular east-west crossing of the Sierra Nevada. Vault toilets are available in several locations along the road.

There are several no-stopping zones along the road, which are clearly marked with road signs.

Due to the heavy snowpack this past winter (199 percent of normal) and a cool spring, there is still several feet of snow in the Tuolumne Meadows area. Hiking opportunities are extremely limited and visitors are urged to use extreme caution in the area. Additionally, ice is prevalent throughout the area and stream crossings are treacherous.

All campgrounds along the Tioga Road are closed. All commercial services, including the gas station, store, and village grill, are also closed. There are no anticipated opening dates for any of these facilities at this time. –NPS