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.

Tioga Pass will be opening on Monday, May 4 at 8:00am

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.

It’s the news everyone has been waiting for: Tioga Pass will open on Monday, May 4 at 8:00am, allowing visitors to access Yosemite National Park from the eastern entrance.

Lembert Dome and the peaks that form Yosemite's eastern boundary in a view from Tuolumne Meadows on April 19, 2015. Photo by Elin Ljung.
A leisurely bike ride into Tuolumne Meadows on April 19, 2015 revealed very little snow or water. Photo by Elin Ljung.

Though it’s a drought year, snow and icy conditions may still exist on hiking trails at higher elevations, so please be prepared for snowy conditions and possible treacherous stream crossings if you’re going hiking in the backcountry. All campgrounds along the Tioga Road are currently closed, with no estimated opening dates. In addition, the Tuolumne Meadows gas station, store, and grill are also closed.

As always, late spring storms may temporarily close the Tioga Road, so be sure to check road conditions before you travel.