WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Park Service (NPS) is considering increases to fees at highly visited national parks during peak visitor seasons. In a statement released yesterday, the NPS says the increase is “part of its commitment to improve the visitor experience and ensure America’s national parks are protected in perpetuity. “Proposed peak season entrance fees and revised fees for ...

YOSEMITE — Five fires continue to burn in the wilderness areas of Yosemite National Park, with a strong stable air mass over the area bringing warmer than normal temperatures and lower humidity. This has contributed to more fire activity and more smoke production as the 8,000-acre Empire Fire moved through some heavier fuels. The smoke has been flowing into Yosemite ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY — Caltrans work north of Oakhurst near Yosemite National Park originally scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 25 has been rescheduled to Thursday, Oct. 26, per Caltrans. The work may result in delays of 10 minutes or longer. The Department of Transportation (Caltrans) announces one-way traffic control is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 26 on State Route 41 in Mariposa County ...

YOSEMITE — Visitors to Yosemite National Park should be aware of a number of construction projects that may cause delays in their travels. Yosemite Valley: Contractors continue work on Northside Drive between Sentinel Drive and the Yosemite Lodge crossing near Yosemite Falls. Currently they are installing curbs. Flaggers will control traffic, with one lane open at a time. Contractors also ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — With Halloween just around the corner, children will soon be out in costume trekking through festive displays in search of candy. However, more than ghosts could be lurking amongst the mid-fall fun, as Halloween costumes and decorations present a number of hidden fire hazards. Fortunately, with a few precautions taken, you can make the holiday safer. Here are ...

I had been chasing fall colors at higher elevations on the eastern side of the Sierra, but I was curious what those fall colors were doing in Yosemite Valley, so I took a little drive to see how they were shaping up. I arrived before the sun came up and it was pretty smoky but there was still a lot ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — A cold front is expected to move onshore into the Pacific Northwest this evening as a strengthening upper-level trough approaches the West Coast, according to the National Weather Service.  An active fall storm pattern brings areas of heavy rain and high elevation snow, they say, while Northern California will benefit from rainfall this week, aiding the firefighting effort ...

YOSEMITE — Sad news out of Yosemite National Park, as Park Rangers have positively identified the remains of Alexander Joseph Sevier, a visitor who was last seen in Yosemite Valley on May 3, this year. Sevier, a member of the U.S. Navy, was staying in Housekeeping Camp and was witnessed going out on day hikes each day during his visit. ...

YOSEMITE — Better traffic flow, parking lot expansion, and the addition of new campsites are just some of the objectives for Yosemite National Park, as work gets continues to implement several roadway and campground improvements within Yosemite Valley. Extensive work is being conducted on Northside Drive, say Park officials, the road leading from Yosemite Village to Yosemite Falls and toward ...

YOSEMITE — Yosemite National Park is proud to announce the 2017 recipients of the park’s Volunteer of the Year awards. These prestigious awards are bestowed annually to outstanding volunteers in nine different categories for exemplary service in Yosemite National Park. In 2016, Yosemite National Park hosted 12,394 volunteers who donated over 167,000 hours of work to the park. This award ...