A NEW ERA-MARK

Published in the Jan. 31, 2026 issue.

As administrative changes take place within Yosemite National Park, gateway communities in Northern Mono County are left wondering what the Spring/Summer season will look like once the road reopens to visitors.

When Tioga Pass closed for the season on Nov. 12, it put an end to a long stretch of frustration, understaffing, and miscommunication for Eastside gateway communities. In the months leading up to the closure, the federal administration authorized mass firings of park employees, rehired some of those workers, saw employees unionize, endured a government shutdown, and announced a new reservation system with little warning.

Since the gates have closed, a new wave of policies has taken hold – including changes to the America the Beautiful Pass that, for the first time, forgo the traditional nature imagery in favor of a cropped photo of President Donald Trump.

Most recently, earlier this month, Aramark, the concessionaire that operates Yosemite’s restaurants, gift shops, and lodging facilities, notified employees that its housing policy had become stricter, throwing yet another curveball at people who rely on the park for their livelihoods.

According to a notice posted on the doors of employee housing units, workers now live under a “housing license agreement” rather than a “lease,” SFGate reported last Sunday. 

In bold lettering, the policy states that the agreement does not constitute a lease and defines the relationship between Aramark and its employees as one of “licensor and licensee,” rather than landlord and tenant.

That distinction significantly reduces housing protections for employees.

Without tenant rights, Aramark has broader authority to remove workers from housing more quickly and with fewer procedural safeguards than a traditional renter would receive.

The policy stipulates that if an employee violates the agreement in any way, Aramark may revoke occupancy rights at any time, effectively evicting the employee without prior notice.

Granted, Aramark is not asserting that it intends to remove workers arbitrarily, but rather reiterating that housing is conditional upon continued employment. It’s not entirely different from the policy Mammoth Mountain Ski Area uses to house its employees.

Even so, reduced housing availability and mounting frustration inside the park could increase demand for housing in communities like Lee Vining, where supply is already strained. 

Mono County Supervisor Paul McFarland said it’s too soon to tell yet, but that any new pressure would be a lot on the small, already strained community.

“I always welcome people wanting to move and live in our county,” McFarland said, “but there’s simply nowhere for folks to go.” 

While most of the housing rules remain unchanged, the revised policy includes several notable differences beyond the language shift from renter-tenant to licensor-occupant.

Previously, employees who damaged their rooms could be charged a maximum of $100; under the new agreement, Aramark reserves the right to charge the full cost of repairs.

Because most Aramark facilities are located in Yosemite Valley, which is more than two hours from the Eastside, it’s unlikely that many employees would seek housing in Mono County. Still, McFarland worries about the broader implications for the visitor experience.

“If housing becomes ever more difficult in the park, will the concessionaire be able to retain and attract quality folks?” he asked.

Those concerns pile onto a growing list of complaints at a time when the park is already under strain, and Aramark’s reputation is already spoiled.

Aramark has faced repeated scrutiny since taking over Yosemite’s concessions in 2015, including a federal norovirus investigation in 2020, a 2024 Bloomberg report detailing hazardous employee housing conditions, and recent criticism over rodent activity and maintenance issues at the Ahwahnee Hotel.

At the same time, Yosemite has drawn negative national attention. Just this week, the New York Times reported that “rangers are scarce and visitors have gone wild.”

“The negative news could impact visitation,” McFarland said. “Are you going to book a destination stay somewhere you’ve read a lot of bad things about?”

Policy changes add another layer of uncertainty.

Beginning Jan. 1, non-U.S. residents were charged an additional $100 fee to enter most national parks, but data has yet to show how the fee will affect businesses or visitation during peak season.

“I’m already hearing anecdotal evidence that it’s having a negative impact on destination resorts on the west side of the park,” McFarland said.

Meanwhile, the National Park Conservation Association estimates Yosemite staffing has declined by roughly 25% since Trump took office, leaving fewer rangers to manage visitor behavior. Changes to locality pay have also lowered wages for some park laborers, potentially compounding staffing challenges.

Taken together, these pressures make Aramark’s housing policy change particularly delicate.

In an effort to improve communication and support gateway communities, counties surrounding Yosemite recently formed a “Gateway Charter,” intended to serve as a platform for the park service to share updates with neighboring jurisdictions. The group, however, is still in its infancy and has met only once.

For now, communities remain reliant on Yosemite’s enduring natural beauty, hoping it will be enough to sustain visitation despite mounting challenges.