Travel Updates

Updated November 24, 2024 at 10:30am

A Peak Hours Reservation is NOT required to enter Yosemite National Park.

On the last three weekends in February the National Park Service will is a temporary reservation system for Park entry in order to manage traffic surrounding the famous Firefall on El Capitan.

• While the park is requiring reservations the last three weekends of February, our new Yosemite Firefall Express shuttle is available to transport you from the Lodge to Yosemite Valley, reservation included.

Traffic Updates

• For traffic alerts and updates from the National Park Service text YNPTRAFFIC to 333111
• Purchase Yosemite's new Digital Park Pass before you visit for a swift gate entry at recreation.gov.
• Glacier Point Road is temporarily CLOSED for the fall/winter season
• Tioga Pass/Highway 120 EAST of Crane Flat is temporarily CLOSED for the fall/winter season
• Access to the lodge via Highway 120 West is OPEN year-round
• Get an early start on holiday weekends! To avoid long lines at the entrance and to find parking, we recommend leaving before 8am.
• If you don't want to adventure out on your own, join on of our professionally guided excursions. For more details you can speak with our Recreation team at our sister property at (209) 379-2373 extension 1521, or email recreation@rushcreeklodge.com.
• For ideas of where to adventure locally, check out our blog post 15 Local Attraction and Activities at Rush Creek Lodge and Visit Tuolumne's 21 Things To Do in Tuolumne County 
• Temporary road closures occur from time to time throughout the region depending on changing weather and road conditions.
• Call 209/372-0200 (then 1, 1) to check current road conditions.

Wildfire Status

Yosemite National Park is a fire-adapted ecosystem.  The overall strategy for all wildland fires is to provide for the safety of the public, and to protect and enhance natural and cultural resources.

• There are no significant wildfires of concern in the Yosemite region
• Small wildfires routinely occur throughout the year in Yosemite's High Country, however they do not pose a threat to our area and the majority of Yosemite's attractions
• You can see Yosemite Valley live through the Half Dome Live Webcam and Yosemite's High Country conditions through the High Sierra Webcam
• Any temporary smoky air conditions usually clear by the afternoon. For the latest air quality index for the areas you want to visit, check the Real-time Map on purpleair.com
• Visit nps.gov/yose for Park announcements and updates

Let our Recreation experts help you!

Our friendly Recreation team is always ready and excited to point you in the right direction for your ideal adventure, whether you’d like to explore on your own or join one of our professionally guided excursions.

You can also look forward to great food and company in our Restaurant and Tavern, fun for all ages in our Game Room, relaxing in our Guest Lounge, our saltwater swimming pool and hot tubs. Email the Rec team directly at recreation@rushcreeklodge.com and they’ll get right back to you.

We encourage you to call (209) 379-6820 or email our team at info@firefallranch.com so we can be of help in any way. Please keep in mind that call volume can be challenging at times, so we thank you in advance for your patience.

Rest assured that our Chat window is NOT run by robots, but connects you directly to lovely, live human beings who are happy to assist when they're logged in throughout the day and early evening, Pacific time.

Planning a winter visit?

The EAST side of Highway 120, also known as Tioga Pass, or Yosemite's EAST entrance, closes for the winter each year from November through May or June, depending on snow conditions at high elevations. All other entrances, including ours, are open year round.

• You can see Yosemite Valley live through the Half Dome Live Webcam and Yosemite's High Country conditions through the High Sierra Webcam
• Visit nps.gov/yose for Park announcements and updates