YOSEMITE REOPENS

Paddleboarders on the frigid Merced River in Yosemite Valley on Thursday, reopening day for the beloved national park after an 83-day shutdown because of the coronavirus crisis.

Yosemite National Park reopened Thursday after an 83-day shutdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Only a few cars were lined up at 5 a.m. when gates were unlocked at the park’s south entrance. An hour later, a lone visitor at the usually teeming Tunnel View watched the sunrise over Half Dome and the Sierra.

Like national parks across the country, Yosemite is taking a phased approach to reopening and setting new rules and protocols designed to keep visitors and employees safe. Visitors lucky enough to get in — you need a day permit, an overnight reservation or a wilderness permit — had the park to themselves, something unthinkable on a typical June day at California’s beloved national park.

On Thursday, campgrounds (only one is open) were quiet, waterfalls still held their spring thunder, rangers wearing masks convened an outdoor visitor center, and at least one bear and deer were seen roaming as they did during the people-free days.

“There is no place like Yosemite, and we can’t wait to welcome visitors back,” acting park supervisor Cicely Muldoon said in a statement. “It’s going to be a different kind of summer.”

The closure was unprecedented in the park’s 130year history. Popular landmarks such as Glacier Point, the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias in the southern part of the park, Tuolumne Meadows, Hetch Hetchy and trails are open.

Museums and visitor centers remain closed, and park shuttles around the Valley and at Mariposa Grove won’t operate this summer.

The biggest change is letting in just 1,700 vehicles a day, half the number of visitors that usually turn up in June. That means you can’t just show up and expect to get in. On average, about 488,000 people visit Yosemite in June.

Day visitors must pay $35 for an entry pass and vehicle permit at recreation.gov. Vehicle permits are required even for a drive through the park on Tioga Road (Highway 120), which will open Monday. People who have overnight reservations or backcountry hiking permits don’t need to get a vehicle permit.

Yosemite Valley Lodge, Curry Village and the Ahwahnee will reopen Saturday. Upper Pines Campground, the only developed camping spot open in the park, is limited to 50% capacity. Others campgrounds remain closed because the park doesn’t have enough staff to keep restrooms clean and trash removed, according to Yosemite’s website. The park opened June 5 to hikers with permits to hike Half Dome or access the wilderness.

Also, visitors are asked to follow Centers for Disease Control social distancing guidelines to stay at least six feet from others, whether on a trail or in a parking lot, and wear a face covering when you can’t social distance (few visitors were seen wearing masks Thursday).

Brian van der Brug Los Angeles Times

Photographs by Brian van der Brug Los Angeles Times People enjoy Ahwahnee Meadow in Yosemite Valley on Thursday, reopening day for the national park after an 83-day shutdown because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A young woman, above, jumps off Swinging Bridge into the Merced River. People need a reservation to visit the park, even if just going for the day.

Visitors at Lower Yosemite Falls, left. Parts of the park are offlimits. Museums and visitor centers remain shut, and shuttles won’t operate this summer.

Gary Lin and his mother, May, set up a tent in Upper Pines Campground, the only camping spot open in the park. Upper Pines is limited to 50% capacity.

On the banks of the Merced River in Yosemite Valley. “There is no place like Yosemite, and we can’t wait to welcome visitors back,” the park supervisor said.