Memorial Day in Yosemite? It’s a no-go for these services in still-closed national park
Yosemite National Park lodging and tour reservations are canceled at least through May 28, said the park’s concessionaire, Yosemite Hospitality, a subsidiary of Aramark.
Does that mean the popular California park will remain closed through that time, which includes its normally-busy Memorial Day weekend? It’s unclear.
A Yosemite spokesperson said a statement outlining future park plans might be released later this week. The canceled reservations through May 28 do not indicate when the park will reopen, Yosemite officials said.
The National Park Service said it’s continuing to “closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and develop a phased approach to increase recreational access and services” at Yosemite and other national parks. Some have already reopened.
Yosemite has been closed to visitors since late March because of the coronavirus pandemic.
In a statement to guests on its website, Aramark said Yosemite remains closed “until further notice,” but added “we hope you are able to visit us at a later date this summer.”
“We are working closely with public health officials,” Aramark said, “and the park will continue to review operations and reopen facilities when appropriate.”
Impacted guests will receive a refund. An Aramark spokesperson said the company has been notifying guests and giving them updates about reservations since the park closed.
The historic Wawona Hotel will remain closed into 2021. No public announcements have been made about the park’s other iconic hotel, The Ahwahnee.
What about Yosemite camping?
Last week, one former camper shared a NPS letter on Facebook that said Yosemite campground reservations would not be released May 15 because of the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, and that “this on-sale date would normally open up arrivals between September 15 and October 14.”
Park spokespeople didn’t comment about this letter and what it means for future camping in the park.
An internal memo written by union leaders representing Yosemite workers, outlining discussions with Aramark about Yosemite reopening plans, was shared earlier this month by employees.
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks to the south announced last week that it will stay closed at least until May 25.
This story was originally published May 18, 2020 at 4:30 PM.
