Yosemite to reopen Thursday with limited camping

Half Dome from Olmsted Point on the Tioga Road, Tioga Pass, Yosemite National Park. Yosemite will begin its phased reopening on Thursday, June 11, 2020.

Half Dome from Olmsted Point on the Tioga Road, Tioga Pass, Yosemite National Park. Yosemite will begin its phased reopening on Thursday, June 11, 2020.

Photo: VW Pics/Universal Images Group Via Getty

Photo: VW Pics/Universal Images Group Via Getty

Half Dome from Olmsted Point on the Tioga Road, Tioga Pass, Yosemite National Park. Yosemite will begin its phased reopening on Thursday, June 11, 2020.

Half Dome from Olmsted Point on the Tioga Road, Tioga Pass, Yosemite National Park. Yosemite will begin its phased reopening on Thursday, June 11, 2020.

Photo: VW Pics/Universal Images Group Via Getty

Yosemite to reopen Thursday with limited camping

Starting Thursday, the bears, deer and coyotes who had Yosemite to themselves for more than two months will again have to share the national park with humans.

The park will reopen to the general public June 11 for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic forced it to shut its gates in March. But visitors should not expect the same access and amenities that the park normally offers. Overnight camping in Yosemite Valley will be available but limited.

"It's going to be a different kind of summer, and we will continue to work hand in hand with our gateway communities to protect community health and restore access to Yosemite National Park," said Acting Superintendent Cicely Muldoon in a statement.

In this stage of the phased reopening, the park intends to keep vehicle traffic to about 50% of the average June rate.

To comply with health guidelines and limit crowds, the park will temporarily require visitors to obtain day-use reservations. The park will distribute 1,700 vehicle passes each day. Passes will be validated at the park entrance gate on the reservation date and are good for seven consecutive days. The day-use vehicle reservations are on sale through Recreation.gov, for $2 each.

If you already have a camping or a concession-operated lodging reservation, or a Half Dome or wilderness permit, you will not need a day-use reservation.

Visitors with an annual pass, Senior Pass, Military Pass, Volunteer Pass or 4th Grade Pass must also have a reservation to enter the park.

Yosemite amenities that are open:

—About 800 miles of hiking trails. The Mist Trail between the top of Vernal Fall to the John Muir Trail junction near the Vernal Fall footbridge is closed to downhill hiking between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

—Upper Pines Campground and Wawona Horse Camp for those with reservations only. Wawona Horse Camp requires a horse.

—Yosemite Valley Lodge, Curry Village, or The Ahwahnee. All require reservations.

—Private lodging or vacation rental in Wawona, Yosemite West or Foresta. All require reservations.

—Wilderness access for backpackers with permits.

—Half Dome access/climbing for hikers with permits.

Amenities that are not available:

—Shuttle buses. The buses will not operate this year.

—Campgrounds other than Upper Pines and Wawona Horse Camp. (Some may reopen later in the season.)

—High Sierra Camps and Housekeeping Camp (both closed for the year)

—Lower Yosemite Fall boulders (the area between the footbridge/viewing area and the waterfall)

—Bridalveil Fall area (closed due to scheduled maintenance work)

—Crane Flat Helibase

—Chowchilla Mountain Road

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Mike Moffitt is an SFGATE Reporter. Email: moffitt@sfgate.com. Twitter: @Mike_at_SFGate

Yosemite National Park To Reopen Thursday. Here's How to Get a Reservation.