California’s Yosemite National Park is doing a complete 180 just two weeks after reopening, announcing earlier today it will hold off on reopening campgrounds due to a spike in COVID-19 cases across the state.
Park officials began reopening select campgrounds earlier this month, but now say anyone with a reservation through July 31st will be canceled with the exception of 50% of Upper Pines.
From the Yosemite website (updated 6/23/2020):
“Reservations for all campgrounds (including half of Upper Pines reservations) have been canceled through July 31 arrivals. Hodgdon Meadow has been canceled through August 15 arrivals. If you’re uncertain of the status of your reservation (with an arrival July 5 or earlier), log on to recreation.gov.”
The decision includes the following campgrounds:
– Bridalveil Horse Camp
– Crane Flat
– Hodgdon Meadow (canceled through August 15th due to Great Gray Owl nesting)
– Lower Pines
– North Pines
-Tuolumne Meadows
– 50% of Upper Pines
The park, which shut down on March 20th, reopened only recently, restricting the number of visitors to about half those that normally visit this time of year. Additionally, visitor centers and other facilities remain closed or have reopened with limited access in an effort to help prevent the spread of the virus.
For more information, Visit NPS.gov/yose.
