Yosemite National Park will close a day-use parking area in Yosemite Valley this coming Monday evening to improve parking and traffic circulation. The parking area, also known as the Village Day-Use Parking Area (south) or Camp 6, will reopen this winter.

While the parking area is closed, visitor parking will be available at the Yosemite Falls parking area west of Yosemite Valley Lodge and at Half Dome Village. All overnight parking at campgrounds and lodging will remain open. All visitor facilities, including campgrounds, hotels, restaurants and stores will remain open and operational during construction.

During the construction period, a segment of Northside Drive south of the parking area will be realigned, and a roundabout will be built to improve traffic circulation. New pedestrian pathways and a new shuttle bus stop and shelter also will be constructed. Improvements to the Yosemite Falls parking area and the Camp 4 parking area will follow in Spring 2017.

Road closures and detours in traffic flow throughout Yosemite Valley will change as the project progresses. Yosemite visitors are encouraged to park at Yosemite Falls parking area or Half Dome Village, and ride the free park shuttle to destinations throughout Yosemite Valley. Visitors are also encouraged to use the Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS) bus service to get into Yosemite Valley. 

Beginning on September 6, these temporary road closures will be in place throughout Yosemite Valley:

●        Sentinel Drive will be closed at Sentinel Parking Area

●        Northside Drive will become a two-way road at El Capitan Crossover

●        Southside Drive will become a two-way road at El Capitan Crossover

●        Tour Buses, RVs, and all oversized vehicles will be directed to park at the day use area west of Yosemite Lodge. 

This project launches a multi-year effort in Yosemite Valley designed to improve vehicle circulation and reduce congestion, increase parking efficiency, create a sense of arrival to Yosemite Village, eliminate hazardous conditions for pedestrians, and reduce the footprint of the Yosemite Village parking area. The parking area will move farther from the Merced River, allowing restoration of 1.2 acres of wetland habitat.

This project, and subsequent projects to be implemented over the next several years, were approved in the 2014 Record of Decision for the Merced Wild and Scenic River Final Comprehensive Management Plan (Merced River Plan). The plan addresses management of the Merced River and facilities and visitor use within the river corridor.