Sunrise light on a grove of tufa towers emerging from the water of Mono Lake with soft green and dusty-red wild grasses in the foreground, Canada geese in the shallow water with reflections of the rocky towers, and desert hills in the distance.

Rim Fire update: Closures on Tioga Road in effect Wednesday, August 28

This post was written by Erik Lyon, 2013 Project Specialist.

Tioga Road will be closed starting tomorrow, August 28th, from Crane Flat to White Wolf due to the nearby Rim Fire in western Yosemite. The closure is anticipated to last at least through Labor Day (September 2). The road is being closed to allow firefighters to conduct fire suppression activities along the highway.

How can I cross Yosemite National Park?
The closure means that Yosemite will be closed to through traffic over this period. Drivers are advised to take Sonora Pass (Highway 108) to cross the Sierra Nevada.

Can I still get to Yosemite Valley?
Yosemite Valley will remain open
during the Tioga Road closure. Highway 140 from the west and Highway 41 from the south are both open, and provide access to Yosemite Valley.

Can I still get to Tuolumne Meadows?
Tuolumne Meadows will remain open
, including all visitor services. However, it will only be accessible from the East side of Yosemite Park.

Are the campsites still open?
Tamarack Flat and Yosemite Creek campgrounds have been closed
as they are located along the affected section of Tioga Road. The White Wolf campground and lodge will remain closed. Porcupine Flat and Tuolumne Meadows campsites will remain open.

How can I help?
A fund to help the park restore trails, facilities, and wildlife habitat has been established by the Yosemite Conservancy. To contribute to the fund, visit yosemiteconservancy.org/fire. Donations by mail are also welcomed and can be sent to:

Yosemite Conservancy
101 Montgomery, Suite 1700
San Francisco, CA 95104

Is smoke from the Rim Fire affecting Lee Vining?
Smoke patterns can change day-to-day, and even hour-to-hour. Since the Rim Fire began, most of the smoke has been blown north of the Mono Basin. However, some haze is visible in the Mono Basin, and future air quality conditions are difficult to predict.