Yosemite National Park

Latest Stories

Environment

Can the President Give Away Land Inside Yosemite National Park?

A bombshell report on Friday alleges the National Park Service of trying to execute a land exchange inside Yosemite National Park for a private road. The Interior Department calls the story “simply untrue.”

Frederick DreierAugust 28, 2026

Environment

A Watchdog Group Says Yosemite Is Using Flock Cameras

DeFlock claims that Yosemite National Park has installed the controversial surveillance technology. The NPS says the cameras are part of a system to monitor congestion and parking.

Kristy HamiltonAugust 17, 20262

Exploration & Survival

A Viral Video Claims a Yosemite Hiker Was Billed $70,000 for a Helicopter Rescue. Here's What Really Happened.

Rumors on social media claim a heat-exhausted hiker faces a massive bill after being airlifted off the Mist Trail. The National Park Service set the record straight.

Suzie DundasJuly 21, 20261

National Parks

Yosemite's Reservation System Is Officially Gone. Here's How to Beat the Crowds This Summer.

The federal government eliminated Yosemite National Park's entry reservation system for 2026, leading to gridlock, towing, and massive lines. But visitors can still make the most of a trip. Here's what to know before you visit this summer.

Sam MacIlwaineMay 22, 2026

Environment

Lightning Struck El Capitan. An Engagement Photographer Got the Shot.

Most people may have headed for the car. Instead, California photographer Erica Houck waited out the storm. Outside spoke with the photographer on how leaning into unpredictable wilderness conditions led to the unforgettable proposal photo.

Owen ClarkeApril 17, 20263

Environment

The High-Stakes Battle Over Drilling Near California's Most Iconic Parks

The Bureau of Land Management is pursuing a plan to allow drilling and fracking on public land across California, including those neighboring prominent national parks and monuments.

Madison DapcevichMarch 20, 2026

Environment

After Months of Bad News, This National Park Had One of Its Busiest Years

Despite a government shutdown and reports of chaos, one California national park saw more than 4.2 million visitors last year.

Madison DapcevichMarch 16, 20261

Environment

3 of America’s Most Overcrowded National Parks Just Scrapped Reservations. Here’s What You Should Know.

Timed-entry programs just vanished from three of America’s busiest national parks. Other parks, meanwhile, are keeping them. Here’s what you need to know about national park reservations in 2026.

Madison DapcevichFebruary 24, 2026

Environment

After Being Fired Over a Flag in Yosemite, One Ranger Is Now Taking On the Federal Government

In Yosemite, displaying flags on El Cap is a time-honored tradition dating back decades. The former National Park Service ranger, who is nonbinary and uses they/them pronouns, is the first person to get fired from the park for the act.

Madison DapcevichFebruary 23, 20264

Environment

Yosemite Just Shut Down Ahead of the Park's Most Anticipated Natural Spectacle

Thousands of people flock to Yosemite National Park every year to witness the short-lived spectacle.

Owen ClarkeFebruary 20, 2026

Travel Advice

Yosemite’s Spectacular Firefall Is Back—Or Is It?

Yosemite’s Firefall usually reaches peak viewing this time every year. but will extreme weather ruin the chances to see this rare spectacle?

Mary Beth SkylisFebruary 20, 2026

Environment

The NPS Says It Caught a Yosemite BASE Jumper After He Posted a Video to Instagram

The alleged Yosemite jumper claims the video the NPS saw was generated by artificial intelligence

Owen ClarkeFebruary 6, 2026

National Parks

How to See 8 Rare National Park Experiences That Happen Once a Year

From catching Yosemite’s Firefall to biking a car-free Going-to-the-Sun Road, some of the most sought-after national park experiences only happen during a brief window every year. Start plotting your calendar now.

Graham AverillFebruary 6, 20261

Exploration & Survival

National Parks Reservations May Soon Be a Thing of the Past

Yosemite, Glacier, and other NPS sites are ditching timed-entry programs and reservation systems, raising fears that summer crowds may overwhelm some popular destinations.

Graham AverillFebruary 19, 20264

Environment

Vandals Just Defaced Yosemite. They Scrawled This Tag on Rocks and Signs.

Graffiti and other forms of vandalism at national park sites are federal crimes that carry penalties of up to $5,000 in fines and six months in jail.

Owen ClarkeJanuary 27, 2026

Exploration & Survival

Search and Rescue Missions Increased in Yosemite National Park This Year. We Dug Into the Numbers.

YOSAR members, NPS sources, and other experts help us unpack and understand the uptick in rescue missions inside the iconic California park.

Gavin FeekDecember 31, 20251

Environment

Yosemite National Park Employees Brace for Pay Cuts as Feds Slash Blue-Collar Wages, Outraging the Union

Cost of living in California near Yosemite National Park is notoriously high. Even so, federal officials are slashing wage rates for blue-collar workers, sparking outrage from the local union.

Owen ClarkeDecember 12, 20251

Environment

A Displaced Tribe Just Reclaimed 900 Acres Near Yosemite National Park

After 175 years of displacement, the Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation has reacquired 900 acres south of Yosemite National Park

Owen ClarkeDecember 3, 2025

Climbing

How a Trans Pride Flag Cost Me My Job at the National Park Service

Shannon ‘SJ’ Joslin was terminated from their position at Yosemite National Park in August for flying a trans pride flag on El Capitan

Jayme MoyeNovember 25, 20253

Climbing

What It’s Like to Make Rock Climbing History on Yosemite’s Biggest Wall

Will Moss just became the fourth person ever to free climb The Nose in a day. Moss, 20, says Katy Perry and athletic tape helped him nail the toughest pitch.

Frederick DreierNovember 7, 20251

Yosemite National Park

Latest Stories

Can the President Give Away Land Inside Yosemite National Park?

A Watchdog Group Says Yosemite Is Using Flock Cameras

A Viral Video Claims a Yosemite Hiker Was Billed $70,000 for a Helicopter Rescue. Here's What Really Happened.

Yosemite's Reservation System Is Officially Gone. Here's How to Beat the Crowds This Summer.

Lightning Struck El Capitan. An Engagement Photographer Got the Shot.

The High-Stakes Battle Over Drilling Near California's Most Iconic Parks

After Months of Bad News, This National Park Had One of Its Busiest Years

3 of America’s Most Overcrowded National Parks Just Scrapped Reservations. Here’s What You Should Know.

After Being Fired Over a Flag in Yosemite, One Ranger Is Now Taking On the Federal Government

Yosemite Just Shut Down Ahead of the Park's Most Anticipated Natural Spectacle

Yosemite’s Spectacular Firefall Is Back—Or Is It?

The NPS Says It Caught a Yosemite BASE Jumper After He Posted a Video to Instagram

How to See 8 Rare National Park Experiences That Happen Once a Year

National Parks Reservations May Soon Be a Thing of the Past

Vandals Just Defaced Yosemite. They Scrawled This Tag on Rocks and Signs.

Search and Rescue Missions Increased in Yosemite National Park This Year. We Dug Into the Numbers.

Yosemite National Park Employees Brace for Pay Cuts as Feds Slash Blue-Collar Wages, Outraging the Union

A Displaced Tribe Just Reclaimed 900 Acres Near Yosemite National Park

How a Trans Pride Flag Cost Me My Job at the National Park Service

What It’s Like to Make Rock Climbing History on Yosemite’s Biggest Wall

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