Yosemite National Park has fired a ranger who helped to hang a trans pride flag on El Capitan, despite a ban on flag displays only coming in after the event.

Shannon Joslin, who is trans and uses they-them pronouns, had worked as a ranger and wildlife biologist at the park since 2021, but was terminated after taking part in the display.

On May 19, they joined climbers from Trans is Natural, a group of trans, queer, and allied climbers, to hang what's thought to be the largest flag ever displayed on the iconic Yosemite rock formation.

The flag measured 55ft by 35ft (17m x 11m) and flew for 90 minutes to celebrate and welcome trans people after the Trump administration issued a variety of executive orders targeting them, and removed mentions of 'transgender' and 'intersex' people from government websites.

Weeks later, the park banned climbers from rigging large flags to wilderness fixtures, but there was no such ban in place when it was first hung.

Joslin told NBC that they were told they were fired for failing to "demonstrate acceptable conduct" by taking part in the display.

"I'm devastated," they said.

“We don’t take our positions in the park service to make money or to have any kind of huge career gains. We take it because we love the places that we work."

In response, NPS spokesperson Rachel Pawlitz told NBC that the service is "pursuing administrative action against several Yosemite National Park employees and possible criminal charges against several park visitors who are alleged to have violated federal laws and regulations related to demonstrations”.

Pawlitz declined to explain which regulations were allegedly violated, but emphasized that most demonstrations require a permit.

Trans is Natural isn't the only group to rig a flag to the side of El Cap in recent months.

In February, climbers rigged an upside-down American flag from El Cap during the peak's annual firefall display to protest the Trump administration's federal hiring freeze, which affected seasonal park workers. In June 2024, a "Stop the genocide" flag was unfurled to protest the treatment of Palestinians in Gaza.

“Hanging flags has been a tradition that climbers have done on El Cap for decades, and that’s both individuals who are visiting the park, but also employees that are on their off time,” continued Joslin.

"There’s never been any kind of ramifications to any of those flag-hanging activities. I’m the only one who’s been fired for it.”

Joslin now plans to seek legal counsel and contest the decision, promising to fight "tooth and nail" to defend their freedom of speech.

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A 29-year-old woman was killed by a falling tree limb while walking in a popular giant sequoia grove at Yosemite National Park.

According to reporting by San Francisco Gate, Angela Lin was hiking with her boyfriend David Hua, and two friends in Tuolumne Grove on July 19 when the tragedy occurred. Hua says the group heard a loud cracking sound followed by several falling branches just seconds later.

“One big branch struck Angela, and then there were a bunch of smaller ones directly behind me."

Hua says he closed his eyes when the branches started falling, and when he opened them, Lin was on the ground, bleeding. Hua was able to call 911 from the grove and, with the help of bystanders, administer CPR, but when paramedics arrived, they pronounced Lin dead on the scene and reportedly told Hua she had likely died instantly.

A Facebook post in the Monterey Park Pickleball group confirms the incident and identifies Lin as Peter Lin's daughter, a Google software engineer.

The National Park Service has not issued a statement on the incident, but it closed the area for about a week.

In October 2024, a 22-year-old Australian hiker was killed by a falling tree on the Four Mile Trail in Yosemite.

What's your risk of being hit by a falling tree?

Your risk of being hit by a falling tree, also known as a hazard tree, is very low, but as this news reveals, these incidents do occur and can be deadly.

Though hazard trees are often associated with windy weather, there are other reasons why a tree might become structurally unsound, and not all of them are easy to spot with the naked eye.

Diseases and rot can plague trees that appear healthy on the outside – a rotting base was responsible for a tree that killed a German hiker on the Pacific Crest Trail in 2019. A dead tree often falls onto another tree, which can compromise the roots of that healthy tree, while heavy rains can make the roots of a healthy tree unsound enough to fell it.

Though it may not always be possible to protect yourself from hazard trees on a hike, there are some steps you can take.

• Check the weather forecast for wind gusts and high winds.
• Use clearings to stop for breaks away from trees.
• Avoid hiking in areas with dense patches of dead trees such as burn scars and beetle kill areas.
• Report the GPS coordinates of hazard trees you encounter to local authorities.
• Carry a satellite communicator such as a Garmin InReach when venturing into wilderness areas in case you need to signal for help and cell service isn't available.

Learn more in our article on hazard trees.

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A Yosemite worker who fell to his death while rock climbing in the iconic California park has been identified as a recent high school graduate from Texas.

Grant Cline, 18, from Frisco, died in a fall while rock climbing at Royal Arches, a popular climbing spot below North Dome, according to the Mariposa Gazette. He was living in employee housing inside the park and working for Yosemite Hospitality at the time of his death.

Details on the incident have been sparse, but a GoFundMe page set up to help Cline's family travel to California and hold memorial services says the teenager found his purpose when he started rock climbing age 14.

"Climbing wasn’t just a passion, it was how Grant connected with the world. He found joy in feeling small beneath towering cliffs, peace in nature’s quiet beauty, and purpose in pushing his limits."

The National Park Service has not issued a statement on the case, but Aramark, the Pennsylvania-based company that holds the concessions contract with Yosemite, offered its sympathies to the family, according to the Gazette.

“We are deeply saddened by this tragic climbing accident,” says Sheena Weinstein, a spokesperson for Aramark.

Yosemite National Park is one of the most popular rock climbing spots in the world, with its trademark granite slabs that have been a source of inspiration for rock climbers for some 150 years.

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Grab your best camping tent – Yosemite National Park has announced it will open all of its campgrounds to the public this month for the first time since 2019.

The announcement from the National Park Service on Wednesday confirmed that all 13 campgrounds at the iconic California park will open, adding approximately 500 campsites, all of which require a reservation from April through October.

"Camping in this park is truly a magical experience, and we want to provide the opportunity for as many visitors as possible," says Acting Yosemite National Park Superintendent Ray McPadden.

Tioga Road's White Wolf Campground, which closed at the end of 2022 for work on water and sewage lines, will reopen on June 20. However, park officials warn that drinking water is not available, so you'll want to carry a water filter or purifier, and only portable toilets are provided.

Also on Tioga Road, Tamarack Flat Campground, which remained closed in 2024, will open on June 23. Potable water is also not available here, though the campground does have vault toilets.

Reservations for both campgrounds will be released daily starting on June 15 at 7am Pacific time and become available two weeks in advance at Recreation.gov.

Additionally, the following temporary reservation on-sale date changes have been announced:

• June 15: Reservations for arrivals from September 15 through October 14 for Upper Pines, Lower Pines, North Pines, Wawona, and Hodgdon Meadow will release.
• June 15: Reservations will begin releasing daily (two weeks in advance) for White Wolf (no drinking water; portable toilets only) and Tamarack Flat (no drinking water; vault toilets). White Wolf opens for the season on June 20. Tamarack Flat opens for the season on June 23. We will announce soon when reservations for Tuolumne Meadows Campground will release (after June 15).
• June 17: Reservations will begin releasing daily (two weeks in advance) for sites 1–40 in Yosemite Creek (no drinking water; vault toilets), which opens July 1. 
• July 15: Reservations for arrivals from October 15 through December 14 for Upper Pines, Lower Pines, North Pines, Wawona, and Hodgdon Meadow will release through their reservation season dates. As of July 15, we will be back on our regular release schedule.

The announcement follows Interior Secretary Doug Burgum's April 3 Secretarial Order, which mandated all National Park sites to "remain open and accessible" despite crippling staffing shortages caused by the administration's hiring freeze and budget cuts. The cuts have seen Yosemite scientists forced to clean restrooms to make up the staffing shortfall.

Despite these difficulties, McPadden says: "We're very excited to have these campgrounds open to the public as we enter the busy summer season."

Even with the additional availability, the park warns that reservations remain extremely difficult to secure. Park officials recommend you set your alarm and log in to Recreation.gov before 7am Pacific for the best chances.

Read our article on navigating the National Park system's reservation system for tips on visiting busy parks this summer.

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A group of activist climbers from the LGBTQ+ community have unfurled the Trans flag on El Capitan, the iconic rock formation in Yosemite National Park.

The flag, measuring 55ft by 35ft (16.8 x 10.7m) flew for 90 minutes on May 19, before it was taken down. It's said to be the largest flag ever to be displayed on the world-famous rock-climbing destination.

Trans is Natural, a group of trans, queer and allied climbers, is said to have hung the trans pride flag in an act of solidarity and resistance following the removal of referrals to 'transgender' and 'intersex' people from US government websites. This includes the National Park Service Stonewall Monument website. The Stonewall Monument is the first US monument dedicated to LGBTQ+ rights and history.

They displayed the blue, pink and white flag beneath Heart Ledges.

Pattie Gonia, drag performer and environmentalist and one of the demonstration’s lead organizers, revealed in an Instagram post on her feed that they did it "to prove a point that trans is natural".

"The Trump administration and transphobes would love to have you believe that being trans is unnatural. But species that can transition sexes can be found on every continent and every ocean on planet Earth," she says in an emotive reel.

"So, call it a protest, call it a celebration. We are bringing elevation to liberation. They tried to erase us from government websites and education systems and libraries, so we raised this flag higher than ever before so every trans person knows that they have people that love them in their corner.

"The people united will never be defeated."

The demonstration comes as funding cuts to the National Park Service continue to impact operations. Earlier this month former NPS directors raised serious concerns about the future of the national parks in a letter to the US Department of the Interior after threat emerged of further cost-cutting measures.

And in the Grand Canyon, trekkers have been warned not to rely on rescue teams due to staff shortages.

What is the Trans flag?

The Transgender flag, designed in 1999 by trans woman Monica Helms, is one of the three flags recognized by the LGBTQ+ community. It is made up of three horizontal stripes: light blue, pink, and white.

The pink and blue colors are those traditionally associated with boys and girls, while the white represents people who are intersex, transitioning, or who don't identify with a traditional gender.

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Fancy an adrenaline rush? Check out Black Diamond's latest climbing film to see Austrian daredevil Babsi Zangerl become the first person to flash climb the monstrous El Capitan mountain in Yosemite National Park.

The historic ascent

Flash climbing refers to a climber successfully sending a route on their first attempt without falling, usually with knowledge of, but no prior experience of the climb.

Despite its fame and multiple previous attempts, the 7,573ft (2,307 m) El Capitan mountain had never been flash climbed until November 2024 when Zangerl made the first successful ascent.

Joined by her longtime partner Jacopo Larcher, Zangerl scaled the daunting Freerider route in just four days. Larcher also completed the climb but was unable to claim a flash after he fell at the Boulder Problem, a section made famous as the most difficult part of Alex Honnold's free solo climb of El Cap.

The achievement cemented Zangerl's place as one of the world's best all-round climbers, having previously made the first free ascents by a woman of multiple routes on El Cap and in the Alps.

Black Diamond Presents: Flashed

The new film, 'Black Diamond Presents: Flashed', takes you behind the scenes of the historic climb, with insightful commentary from Zangerl and Larcher and breath-taking shots of their ascent.

You can watch it for free, right now on YouTube.

"You only have one chance, and that puts a lot of pressure on you, especially on a big wall where you have to climb one thousand meters and there are many chances to fall," Zangerl comments during the film.

"The further I got up there, the more pressure I had. I told myself, the first and biggest goal is to send Freerider, and everything else, I can't really do anything about."

Zangerl's gear

Zangerl and Larcher were kitted out in the latest and greatest Black Diamond gear for the climb, including the sturdy Vapor helmet and dependable Camalot Ultralight camming device.

The pair slept inside a lightweight Perch Double Expedition Fly suspended from the rock wall, along with Black Diamond's Perch Double Portaledge.

The pair's full gear list is available on the Black Diamond website.

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Yosemite National Park has indefinitely halted its new reservation system, reportedly because it hasn't been signed off by the Trump administration.

The reservation system requires visitors coming to the park in the peak months of April to October to register online for a time slot on the National Parks Service website.

The system was introduced in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and has been used in the years since to reduce congestion and manage overcrowding. It was due to be reintroduced for weekends starting this February, and potentially for other months later in the year.

That plan is now in limbo. Yosemite’s online reservation page reads: “Yosemite National Park anticipates sharing details about this year’s reservation system early in 2025.”

Although park officials are yet to confirm a reason for the delay, the LA Times reports that they're waiting for the Trump administration to approve the online system before it goes live.

The delay has been a source of frustration and confusion for visitors seeking to confirm their plans for the coming months.

"It's a tough situation," Jonathan Farrington, executive director of the Yosemite Mariposa County Tourism Bureau told the San Francisco Chronicle.

"Reservation agents are reporting that people don't want to book a room unless they can book their vehicle-access reservation at the same time.

"But then there may not be any reservation system at all."

Where else to head

Frustrated by Yosemite's unclear plan for reservations? Why not check out one of California's eight other stunning national parks?

They are as follows:

• Channel Islands National Park
• Death Valley National Park
• Joshua Tree National Park
• Kings Canyon National Park
• Lassen Volcanic National Park
• Pinnacles National Park
• Redwood National Park
• Sequoia National Park

The gorgeous Kings Canyon National Park is a two-hour drive from Yosemite and features similar Californian wilderness, including breath-taking waterfalls, mountains, and giant sequoia trees.

As it's less popular than Yosemite, Kings Canyon doesn't have a reservation system for visitors, although you'll need a booking to access any of the park's campgrounds.

You don't need a reservation to enter the nearby Sequoia National Park either.

About two and a half hours from Yosemite, this stunning California park is home to more than 8,000 giant sequoias, which can grow to over 3,000ft / 91m tall, and boast a diameter approaching 30ft / 9m.

For more on California's national parks, check out our expert guide.

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Visitors heading to Yosemite National Park will need to take extra precautions over the next few days after officials forecast extreme weather from an incoming winter storm. The park and surrounding area could see up to 18 inches of snow over the weekend alongside strong winds of up to 50mph and heavy rain.

The National Parks Service advises against hiking in Yosemite during winter storms due to unpredictable, dangerous conditions. Weather can quickly change in the Yosemite valley, leaving even the most experienced trekkers unprepared and vulnerable.

Winter hiking advice

Unpredictable and fearsome, harsh winter storms can often come out of the blue, so it’s imperative to take extra precautions when heading into the wilderness during the winter season.

Dress for the season

If you’re thinking of hiking in the coldest months you’ll want to be wearing the right clothes. Make sure to be ready with a warm winter jacket like the Columbia Si Down parka. Rated as our best jacket for insulation, the Si Down parka boasts 650-fill duck-down insulation to keep you toasty.

Its waterproof outer is an essential component of any good winder jacket. You can’t stay warm without keeping dry, so make sure you’re clothing is well-equipped to ward off heavy rain.

Layering is highly recommended. Wearing a base layer and mid layer will not only keep you warm but give you something to wear should conditions improve and you need to cool down.

Choose the right footwear

Wearing the right footwear is a non-negotiable for any hike, let alone in treacherous winter conditions. Terrain often becomes unpredictable in the colder months, with heavy rain and even snowfall affecting the trails.

If you're heading out in extreme conditions, you’ll need a pair with ample traction and enough protection to keep your feet warm and dry when conditions take a turn for the worse. Ranked number one in our expert guide, the Scarpa Manta Techs fulfill all these criteria. Their thick, durable lugs dig into uneven surfaces for stability while gor-tex insulated comfort membrane linings keep your feet toasty, and thick waterproof outers battle off the elements.

If you’re likely to encounter thick snow and ice, consider a crampon-compatible pair like the Scarpa Mescalito TRK Pros. Similarly sturdy winter boots, the Mescalito TRK Pros can be fitted with metal crampons for improved traction on snowy and icy trails.

Bring supplies

When planning a winter hike, prepare for the worst with enough food to sustain you in the short term. Light, portable snacks like trail mix and hard pretzels contain enough calories to keep you sustained without taking up too much space.

Basic medical supplies like bandages and antiseptic ointments can also be extremely useful. Slippery trails and strong winds can easily cause injury, so make sure you’re stocked with the basics.

Call for help

Should your situation become perilous, the first thing to do is call for help. The best way to do this is with a satellite communicator. Not reliant on cell signal, satellite communicators like the Garmin InReach can send SOS signals from remote backcountry locations regardless of the weather.

Garmin’s InReach SOS service alone has responded to over 10,000 calls for help in the past decade. Just two months ago, it saved the life of a Canadian man who’d been mauled by a bear.

Seek shelter

If you do end up needing rescue, the best way to stay warm is to seek shelter. Locate a protected area, ideally away from wind and below the tree cover to wait out the storm. Make-shift shelters can be built from nearby branches.

For more information on how to have a safe winter hike, check out our top ten safety tips for winter hiking.

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Bear activity is on the rise in Yosemite National Park. This year alone there have been 34 separate bear incidents, causing a whopping $3,034 in damage. That’s already 6% more incidents than last year’s tally and 55% more than Yosemite’s quietest bear year in 2019.

With winter fast approaching, bears in the historic park are preparing for hibernation with as much food as they can find, leading to a spike in food-related incidents over the past few weeks.

Despite the growing number of incidents, nobody has ever been killed by a bear in Yosemite, so deadly attacks are unlikely. That said, they’re not out of the question. Bears kill between two and five people each year in North America and it’s crucial that anyone traveling through inhabited areas is prepared, so see our top tips for staying safe below.

Aim to avoid

The safest way to deal with bears is to avoid them altogether. Most bears want to be left alone by humans so rarely stray onto established trails. Hence they can be easily avoided by sticking to well worn routes and plotting your journey ahead of time.

In addition, bears are always on the move, so it’s well worth checking in with the nearest visitor center or backcountry office for the latest advice on where to trek to avoid unwanted visitors.

Remain calm

If you’re unfortunate enough to encounter a bear in the backcountry, don’t panic. Remember that most bears do not want to attack you, so aggressive movements and growling are often just tactics to assert their authority.

Advice on how to interact with grizzly and brown and black bears differs, although there are a few key principles that you should follow in both circumstances.

Crucially, you must make the bear aware you're human by identifying yourself in a low, steady voice and waving your arms slowly so the bear knows you're not a prey animal.

You mustn't attempt to ward off the bear by dropping your food or pack, this will only incentivise it to further pursue you.

Running is also out of the question. Most species of bear can run at around 30mph, covering 110 yards / 100 meters in only seven seconds. To make matters worse, running may trigger a bear's predatory instincts, identifying you as a potential threat to chase down immediately.

If the worst comes to the worst and you find yourself face to face with an aggressive brown or grizzly bear, play dead. Lay flat on your stomach with hands clasped around your neck and legs spread. This will signal that you’re not a threat and makes it harder for the bear to turn you over. Remain still until the bear leaves and only fight back when absolutely necessary.

Do not play dead if you’re attacked by a black bear. Instead, try to find a secure area to shelter such as a car or building. If escape is not possible, fight back by aiming attacks at the bear's face.

Come prepared

Before embarking on a backcountry trek, it’s crucial that you prepare with the correct supplies and equipment. This is especially true when traversing bear country, where the right spray could save your life.

Used exclusively to stop attacks, bear spray temporarily incapacitates bears by targeting their senses, releasing a cloud of irritating capsaicin vapor.

“It’s like anything they’ve ever experienced,” explained biologist and Tooth and Claw podcast host Wes Larson. “They just want to get out of there instantly.”

It’s worth mentioning that bear spray is banned in Yosemite National Park, so can only be deployed elsewhere.

Emergency SOS equipment is also a must. Satellite communicators like the Garmin InReach Plus can call for help in remote backcountry locations without the need for a phone signal. Only last month, a Canadian hiker who’d been mauled by a bear was rescued after sending an SOS signal with his satellite communicator.

Although they’re rare, bear attacks are a very real possibility for backcountry hikers. For more on how to stay safe in the wilderness, check out our extensive safety guide.

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A marmot who hitched a ride out of Yosemite National Park in the engine of a car, has been rumbled and returned to his natural habitat with the help of local firefighters. 

Usually found at altitudes of more than 6,500ft, this yellow-bellied marmot was discovered in Pollock Pines, California - hiding some 135 miles from Yosemite. 

Stunned by the discovery, the car’s owner, who had recently returned from a trip to the historic park, enlisted the help of firefighters from the El Dorado County Fire Protection District. After an injury-free removal, the marmot got another free ride, back to Yosemite this time with the help of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. 

Native to Yosemite, yellow-bellied marmots live at high altitudes, roaming the cliffs and mountain tops in colonies of 10 to 20 animals. Fully grown marmots weigh between 5 and 11lb (2.25 to 5kg) and can live up to 15 years, surviving off a diet of grass, flowers, fruit, grasshoppers and bird eggs.  

If you encounter a marmot in the wild, remain still for a chance to see the rest of it's colony. Marmots can also be hostile if they feel their territory is threatened, so don't attempt to pet or touch them. 

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Now that the spring weather has arrived, you might have been hoping to get your hiking boots out and enjoy some of the best hikes in Yosemite National Park, but one trail will have to wait after a massive rockslide blocked one of the park's most popular hiking trails.

In an Instagram post dated yesterday, park officials revealed that the rockfall had occurred late at night on April 15. Hundreds of giant boulders, which you can see in images below, fell from the slope above the John Muir Trail between Clark Point and the top of Nevada Fall.

"Nearly 1,000 feet of trail are covered with boulders, trees, and other debris. The trail will require significant repair, including drilling and blasting of large boulders," writes the National Parks Service. 

The trail has been closed for winter season, but its reopening is now thought to be delayed by several weeks while geologists assess the potential for additional rockfalls. 

The JMT is a 211-mile hiking trail that travels through the high Sierra Nevada mountain range of California, crossing Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks. Its northern terminus is at Happy Isles in Yosemite and the southern terminus lies on the summit of Mount Whitney. Day hikers in Yosemite often use the trail for a quieter descent after hiking to Vernal and Nevada Falls.

For now, however, visitors will find that the access gates are closed at Clark Point and near the top of Nevada Fall. 

"For your safety, please do not enter the closed section of the trail," warns the NPS.

How dangerous are rockslides for hikers?

Rockslides, which are a lot like avalanches but with boulders instead of snow, are common in mountain areas during the spring, when the freeze-thaw process loosens and dislodges sections of rock.

Most fatalities from rockslides actually occur on roads, not hiking trails. That said,  a hiker was killed in Yosemite in 2017 when a chunk of granite broke off El Capitan and tumbled onto a trail below. Rockslides are impossible to predict, but there are some steps you can take to reduce your risk:

• Avoid hiking in areas of steep, rocky terrain during spring thaw.
• Avoid hiking in areas of steep, rocky terrain following heavy rains.
• Keep your eyes open for areas showing evidence of recent rockfall and hike carefully or avoid these areas.
• Avoid hiking in the fall line (the most direct line downhill) of steep terrain when there are other hikers above or below you.
• Stay on the trail and make use of switchbacks.
• If you’re hiking downhill on a wider, rocky trail in a group, hike side-by-side in parallel lines rather single file.
• In narrow areas like canyons and ravines, move through one at a time.
• Take care not to dislodge rocks and boulders when crossing scree or boulder fields.

Learn more in our article on rockslides and hiking safety.

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Taking a trip to Yosemite National Park is the closest thing to hiking heaven you can find on planet earth. Its imposing granite monoliths, tumbling waterfalls and giant trees are so spellbinding that I’ve found myself returning to Yosemite four times in almost as many years, and while I’ve never had anything close to a bad time there, I’ve learned along the way that there are some mistakes you want to avoid.

If you’re visiting Yosemite for the first time, it’s a good idea to act like it will be your last trip there and do what you can to ensure you don’t spend too much time waiting in queues, too much money on gas or lose too much of your car’s interior to a hungry bear. Read on for the 10 biggest mistakes to avoid when visiting Yosemite National Park to ensure you experience only the magic and majesty of this world-famous park.

1. Showing up in a leisurely fashion

Yosemite might have been formed by sheets of ice moving at a glacial pace, but that doesn’t mean you should. Yosemite is one of the most popular National Parks in the country with approximately 3.5 million visitors every year, and the vast majority of those visitors roll up to the park gates after breakfast. 

If you do the same, you’re likely to spend an hour or longer in a hot car just waiting to get into the park, where you might be met with full parking lots. Driving in Yosemite is lovely, but wouldn’t you rather get out and explore? The early bird, as they say, gets the worm, so set your alarm and aim to arrive before 9 a.m. for the smoothest entry.

2. Not securing a campsite early

I’ve camped in a quiet site outside the park and I’ve camped in Upper Pines, right in the heart of the valley and they are two very different experiences indeed. Though camping inside the park isn’t an intimate experience (there will be hundreds of other campers there), there’s a lot to be said for being so close to the popular trails (and a post-hike drink at the Ahwahnee Hotel) and I loved staying there and not having to drive all week.

With that in mind, if you want to have the full experience and camp inside the park, you’ll need to think ahead. Yosemite opens reservations for its campgrounds five months in advance, on the 15th of the month at 7 a.m. PCT and they fill up within minutes. That means that if you want to camp in Yosemite between July 15 and August 14 this year, you’re going to want to be sitting at your computer with your credit card at the ready at 7 a.m. on March 15. 

It’s true that last minute cancellations do happen, and you might be able to grab a last minute spot, but it’s not guaranteed, so save that option for a last-ditch attempt rather than making it your Plan A.

3. Not filling up your tank

Gas stations in and around Yosemite are shockingly expensive, even by California standards. If you’re used to paying upwards of $4.50 around LA, you can add another dollar to that tab. Obviously, if you’re spending a long time in Yosemite and planning on doing a lot of driving, you may not be able to avoid this, but if you can, fill up your tank when you’re still an hour away and once you get to the valley, ride your bike or take advantage of the free shuttle buses.

4. Visiting on the weekend

Weekends are an obvious time to get outdoors and enjoy yourself, just not in Yosemite. I booked my first trip to Yosemite for Wednesday through Sunday. We were camping just outside the park, and for the first three days we drove into the park for the day without any issues. 

When Saturday rolled around however, our hearts sank when we saw a long line of brake lights ahead of us as we rounded the bend. We sat in traffic for over an hour to get into the park that day – which is standard for a weekend – and vowed never to visit on a weekend again. If you can get away with it, visit Yosemite during the week for the best experience.

5. Avoiding the popular hikes

It’s true that the popular hiking trails in Yosemite National Park – Yosemite Falls, the Mist Trail, Tuolumne Meadows – are crowded a lot of the time, but they’re busy because they’re incredible. If it’s your first time visiting Yosemite, don’t shy away from these hikes, as they really are unlike anything you’ve ever experienced or will ever see again. Just be a smart hiker – visit during the week if you can and set off early.

6. Missing waterfall season

Tumbling cascades and rainbow mists are among the best reasons to visit Yosemite, there’s no doubt about it, but just because almost all marketing images of the park show these fantastic falls, don’t assume they’re always there. If you’re serious about seeing Yosemite's waterfalls, visiting in spring during runoff is essential as by summer many will have dried to a trickle.

There are waterfalls that run year-round, such as Bridalveil and Vernal Falls, but summer and fall are decidedly drier in the park and you might be disappointed if you visit then. That said, if your only choice is to visit in September, you can usually ditch the insect repellent, which is a bonus in itself.

7. Chasing waterfalls

Over in Yellowstone, visitors tend to find themselves in hot water, literally, when they get too close to hot springs, but in Yosemite, it’s people chasing waterfalls that causes the problem. According to one injury law firm, slips, falls and drownings are among the leading causes of death in Yosemite, and several tragic accidents have taken place in recent years when visitors tried to get too close to waterfalls. 

Yosemite’s waterfalls are a sight to behold, but you should always stay on the trail and heed signs to stay well back and avoid slippery rocks and impossibly strong currents. Wear appropriate footwear such as hiking shoes with grippy soles and use handrails when available.

8. Leaving food in your car

Bear sightings are relatively common in Yosemite and they’re certainly another park highlight – unless said bear is currently rummaging through your car in search of the sandwiches you left overnight that is. Yosemite is home to hundreds of black bears, all of whom are known for having a voracious appetite and a keen sense of smell. If you leave anything scented in your car, from trail mix to toothpaste, you may tempt a peckish bruin to come searching for a snack, which can cause damage to your vehicle and possession and put the bear in danger of being euthanized.

Don’t believe us? According to a New York Times article, there were over 600 bear break-ins in Yosemite in 1997 alone. For this reason, Yosemite’s bear policy states that while you can keep food and other smelly items in your (locked) car during daylight hours, if you’re spending the night in the park you must use the bear storage lockers provided at the campgrounds, Curry Village and all trailhead parking areas. 

9. Bringing bear spray

If you read that previous mistake and thought, no worries, I’ll just pop my bear spray in my suitcase, stop right there. While bear spray is recommended in a lot of places in bear country, including Yellowstone National Park, which is home to hundreds of grizzlies as well as black bears, bear spray is not allowed in Yosemite. Leave yours at home and practice sensible bear awareness, such as keeping your food sensibly contained and giving bears lots of space if you see one on the trail. As a general rule of thumb, binoculars are always the best way to get up close and personal with bears.

10. Not checking road closures

If you’re visiting Yosemite in the dead of winter, you might expect road closures and of course, it would be advisable to check ahead. However, seasonal road closures in the park can actually extend far beyond the snowiest months.

During my first trip to Yosemite, I was planning on driving from there on through Death Valley National Park to Las Vegas. I plotted out the route in October when Google Maps showed me the drive would only take a few hours. Little did I realize that Tioga Road is closed every year from November through late May or early June and during this time you cannot enter or exit the park from the east. The drive ended up taking 10 hours. 

Fortunately, we turned it into an opportunity to have a longer visit in Death Valley, but it was a good lesson to always check current road conditions as well as seasonal closures.

• Best hiking boots: hit the trails

There’s no bad time of year to visit Yosemite National Park, but if it’s thundering cascades you’re after, spring is the best time to go. Known as spring runoff, the snow in the Sierra Nevada mountain range starts to melt when the temperatures rise, and the headwaters and rivers in the park begin to swell. As soon as late March, Yosemite is awash with waterfalls that materialize overnight and these aquatic apparitions delight park visitors with their wispy spray. Some are home to near-constant rainbows.

By the time summer rolls around, many of these waterfalls have shrunk to a mere trickle, and by fall some have disappeared completely, so if you want to see them in all their glory, we recommend taking a trip soon.

Here, we outline some of the best waterfall hikes in Yosemite. Some take you so close to the cascades that you’ll need to carry a waterproof jacket or a rain poncho to fend off the mist, while others give you splendid vantage points (and photo ops) of the falls in the distance. Whichever trail you’re on, it’s vital to wear proper hiking boots or hiking shoes with a good grip, since the trails can be slick or rocky, and of the steeper trails we recommend using trekking poles too.

1. The Mist Trail

 Distance: 3 - 7.2 miles
Difficulty: Challenging

Yosemite’s signature hike is absolute splendor. The rocky Mist Trail takes you up alongside the mighty Merced River as it roars over granite ledges to form both Nevada and Vernal Falls, which flow year-round. The real thrill of this hike is when it brings you so close to the falls that you’ll want waterproof gear as you pass by the bottom of Vernal Falls, about 1.5 miles in, and within touching distance of a rainbow in the mist. 

After this section there’s a single-file only section cut into the rock face that requires focus and holding on to the ropes, but it’s worth it to keep going to get to the top of the falls, where you can relax on giant rock slabs and watch the water tumbling out of view.

You can turn around here for a fabulous three-mile hike, or keep going to Nevada Falls which is about two more miles in and makes for a strenuous day hike. The crowds after Vernal Falls thin out considerably and Nevada Falls is another magnificent Yosemite standout that is worth the steps. 

You can return the way you came, but we recommend joining the John Muir Trail to make a loop offering a quieter return through the forest and different views of the Falls.

2. Yosemite Falls

Distance: 2 - 7.6 miles
Difficulty: Strenuous

Yosemite Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in the entire world, tumbling 2,425ft from a tributary of the Merced River over the high walls of Yosemite Valley. If you only have time for one waterfall hike, this one comes highly recommended. 

Yosemite Falls is actually a set of three waterfalls forming a cascade of mist and near-constant rainbows that can be seen from vantage points all over the park. The lower falls are wheelchair accessible and the middle cascades offer a great spot to turn around for a shorter hike or pause for lunch. 

The hike all the way to Upper Yosemite Falls is a strenuous stair stepper, but you’ll get some shade and be cooled by the mist from the falls and be able to photograph the falls and Half Dome in one shot. 

3. Four-Mile Trail to Glacier Point

Distance: 4.7 - 9.4  miles
Difficulty: Moderate

The Four-Mile Trail isn't a waterfall hike per se, but when you get to Glacier Point, it delivers the best views of Yosemite Falls in the world, unless you’re a bird or flying a drone. This hike takes you from the valley floor near the Swinging Bridge all the way up to the south rim via a wide trail, and it’s not crazy steep either. Once you get up above the trees, nothing blocks your view of the falls as you climb, and you’ll also get an amazing reverse Tunnel View and views of Half Dome near the top. If you hike out-and-back, it makes for a long day, so bring lots of water, but you may also be able to catch the shuttle bus from the top to save your quads.

4. Wapama Falls 

Distance: 5.5 miles
Difficulty: Easy

If getting soaked is your idea of a good time, you’ll love the bridge crossing to Wapama Falls, though be warned that if you do visit this trail too early in the spring, it may be impassable and you should not try to cross the river if it’s blocking your path. This fairly easy hike along the shore of Hetch Hetchy Reservoir is up in the quiet northwest corner of the park, outside of the valley, and for that reason it’s one of the most peaceful waterfall hikes on the list. The reservoir has stymied the flow a little at the bottom, but you can still enjoy 1400 feet of glorious falls.

5. Chilnualna Falls 

Distance: 8.2  miles
Difficulty: Strenuous

For another impressive falls set far away from the hoards of people, head south to Wawona for the staggered cascades that make up Chilnualna Falls. These falls flow year-round and comprise five cascades, a series of pools and a 240-foot cataract at the bottom to get you started. Though the final waterfall isn’t easy to see from the trail (you’ll end up above it), you’ll still get plenty of eye candy on the way up this steep climb.

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Yosemite National Park is still closed until further notice due to record-breaking snowfall that has made trails and roads impassable. Officials decided to close the park last weekend due to heavy winter storms, but had originally hoped it might be able to reopen at the start of March. That date has been pushed back for the foreseeable future as snow continues to fall.

The New York Times reports that the floor of Yosemite Valley recorded 40in of snow on Tuesday, beating the previous record of 36 inches recorded in 1968.

"Yosemite National Park has experienced significant snowfall in all areas of the park, resulting in snow levels of up to 15 feet in some areas and the park’s closure on Saturday, Feb 25," said officials in a Facebook post.

"Park crews are working to restore critical services so visitors can safely return. There is no estimated date for reopening. The public is asked to check the park’s website and social media channels for the latest conditions."

Photos shared on Twitter show doorways almost completely blocked by snow, which has reached the upper windows of some buildings. The live cam from the Badger Ski Pass area shows chair lifts completely buried. 

If you have a trip to Yosemite planned, keep an eye on the park's website, plus Twitter and Facebook accounts for the latest updates.

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Yosemite National Park is closed to visitors until at least March 1 due to a severe winter storm. Between 55 and 84 inches of new snow is forecast to fall in Yosemite Valley over the next few days, creating treacherous conditions on roads and trails.

All campsites are currently closed, and roads are closed for everything except administrative work.

A winter storm watch for the area went into force at 4pm yesterday (February 25), with particularly heavy snowfall expected at high altitudes, and winds over 60mph. Further storms are expected to move throughout California today, eventually easing by the end of the month.

Flash floods may also be possible due to snowmelt as the temperature rises. Ventura County experienced flash floods late last week.

If you have a reservation to visit the park once it reopens, keep a close eye on the National Park Service's status page for details of current conditions, road closures, and any special requirements such as snow chains. Chains may become mandatory at any time, and temporary or plastic snow chains are not acceptable.

• Get a free 148-page ebook celebrating the world's greatest national parks

A man visiting Yellowstone National Park captured the moment a chunk of rock broke away from the side of El Capitan, triggering a huge cascade of debris that left trails unusable. The video, which you can watch below, was recorded by Alex J Wood, who shared it on Twitter earlier this week. 

Following the rockslide, the National Park Service (NPS) has advised visitors to consider their hiking plans carefully and not stray into the surrounding backcountry.

"The area from approximately El Capitan picnic area to El Capitan Crossover, on the north side of the Merced River, is closed due to a rockfall," it said. "The Lower Yosemite Fall loop trail is open, however off-trail areas remain closed. Please remain on the trail."

Local news site Sierra News Online reported several road closures immediately after the rockfall, but these routes appear to have reopened. Make sure you check road conditions before traveling. 

Staying safe

According to the Colorado Geological Survey, if just one or two rocks come loose (which happens all the time) then it's a rockfall, but if a large mass of rock, soil and other material falls then it's a rockslide. They can be triggered by various factors, including seismic activity, erosion (subterranean or above ground), mining, and glacial recession.

Rockslides are considered a serious geologic hazard, and claim 20-50 lives each year in the US. Most deaths caused by rockslides happen on roads rather than hiking trails, but a hiker was tragically killed in 2017 by a chunk of rock that fell from El Capitan onto a trail below, and in 2013 a family was killed by a rockslide on a popular hiking trail in Colorado.

To stay safe, hikers are advised to avoid walking on steep, rocky terrain during the spring thaw, or following heavy rains. You should also avoid areas where there is evidence of recent rockfalls, and try not to walk directly below steep terrain where others are hiking directly above you. For more advice, see our guide what are rockslides and are they a threat to hikers.

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Rangers from Yosemite National Park have shared a video to help hikers recognize dangerous frazil ice, which can be a serious hazard to winter hikers.

The video, which you can watch below, was shot at Yosemite Creek, and shows a stream of slushy ice flowing along the ground. The ice has filled the creek's drainage under Yosemite Fall, and overtaken the bridge and trail.

"While its lava-like flow may mesmerize the eye, frazil ice is deceptively dangerous," explained Rangers in a Facebook post. "It’s not a solid surface despite its appearance, so when its slush hides the boundaries of sure footing, falling in and becoming trapped beneath is a serious hazard."

Rangers explained that the affected area is temporarily closed, and will need to be assessed for potential damage once the ice has melted.

What is frazil ice?

Frazil ice is made up of ice crystals measuring 1mm or less in diameter, of various different shapes. It forms in areas of moving water, such as rivers and even oceans, where the water temperature drops below freezing.

Water on the surface becomes supercooled, creating ice crystals, and the turbulence distributes these throughout the whole body of water. The number of crystals rapidly increases, creating the slush, which can accumulate at points and cause flooding where the normal flow of water is blocked.

As the National Park Service explains, frazil ice can occur at Yosemite in fall, winter, or spring provided there's relatively high flow over waterfalls and temperatures drop below freezing at night. It's hard to predict, so it's well worth being aware of what it looks like, and the potential dangers.

If you want to see the phenomenon yourself, you're most likely to spot flowing frazil ice at Yosemite Creek before 9am, just below Lower Yosemite Fall.

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A married couple from California died in a rockslide while visiting Yosemite National Park just after Christmas, The accident happened on December 27, at approximately 9am. In a statement, the National Park Service identified the two victims as 51-year-old Georgios Theocharous and 35-year-old Ming Yan, who were on a vacation from San Jose. 

Theocharous and Yan were driving a rented Dodge Ram along El Porto Road, when the vehicle was hit by rocks falling 1,000ft from the cliffs above. The force of the fall pushed the truck off the road and onto an embankment of the Merced River.

The road was closed temporarily following the rockslide, but has now reopened according to a post on Yosemite National Park's Twitter account.

Incidents where one or two rocks tumble off a cliff are quite common, and are known as rockfalls according to the Colorado Geological Survey (CGS). A rockslide, on the other hand, is much more like an avalanche, and involves a large volume of rocks or debris.

They can be triggered by various factors, including tectonic and seismic activity, subterranean erosion, vegetation removal, the freeze-thaw process (where water expands inside a crack in a rock as it freezes, causing the stone to fracture), glacial recession, and mining. 

Rockfalls are particularly dangerous because they can happen at any time without warning, and rocks can move extremely fast in unpredictable directions. The CGS explains that motorists are more likely to be hit than hikers, but if you're on foot you can help keep yourself safe by avoiding steep, rocky terrain during spring thaw and after heavy rain, watching out for areas with signs of recent rockfall, staying on the trail and making use of switchbacks.

• What are rockslides, and are they a threat to hikers?

Yosemite is ending its visitor reservation system next year, meaning you'll no longer need to book a timeslot to visit the park during the summer months. The system was introduced in 2020 to help control visitor numbers and enable social distancing during the Covid-19 pandemic, and was renewed in 2021 and 2022 as the park underwent critical repairs.

Anyone wanting to visit the park between May and September required a ticket to enter during peak times. Reservations had to be bought online in advance; if you arrived at Yosemite without one, you weren't able to buy one on site,

Now, as Backpacker reports, the National Park Service (NPS) has decided it's time for that to end. In a tweet, the NPS said Yosemite had long suffered from congestion and gridlock, and there were lessons to be learned from the last three years of "managed success".

The announcement has been met with a mixed response. Some visitors appreciate that they'll no longer have to compete for a coveted ticket and will be able to visit spontaneously, whereas others say they will miss the peace and quiet of the last three years.

"Glad to hear this," said Nima Wicks of Boulder, California. "Some of us have very unpredictable schedules and getting to go on a trip cannot be planned months in advance sometimes. Reservations also disappear in minutes when they are released online. Looking forward to new and creative ways to limit congestion though.

"Had a great experience with the reservation system," said climber and hiker Travis K. "Minimal traffic, on the roads or trails. Keep something like it. Nothing is worse than seeing our national parks turned into parking wars."

The NPS does still urge you to make a reservation if you're planning to stay overnight to ensure you're not left without a place to sleep. You can book lodging through the NPS website up to a year in advance. The park is also keeping its entry fee of $35 per vehicle, which is valid for seven consecutive days.

• Get a free 148-page ebook celebrating the world's greatest National Parks

Yosemite National Park is world-renowned by hikers, rock climbers and globetrotters, so there has to be something special about it, right? Turns out there’s a whole slew of fascinating facts about Yosemite, from its dazzling geology to its diverse plants, people and how it got its name. These 15 amazing Yosemite National Park facts are bound to have you planning your itinerary for your first (or next) visit to this spellbinding natural wonder.

1. It was America’s third National Park

Many people believe that Yosemite was America’s first National Park, but that distinction is actually held by Yellowstone over in Wyoming which was established in 1872. Sequoia National Park, which is just south of Yosemite, was designated in September 1890, making it older than Yosemite by only a week.

2. It helped inspire the idea behind National Parks

Even though it wasn’t established as a National Park until 1890, it was declared a federally preserved land under the Yosemite Grant by President Lincoln all the way back in 1864 and its designation helped pave the way for the National Parks System, which now encompasses 63 parks across the US.

3. Its name means 'those who kill'

Have you ever wondered what the word 'Yosemite' actually means? You’re not alone. Yosemite is a Miwok word that loosely translates as 'those who kill' and was a term used by the Miwok people to describe the Ahwahnechee people, who lived in Yosemite Valley and were apparently, uh, a little fearsome. Interestingly, the Ahwahnechee people themselves called the valley 'Awooni', which means “large mouth', but the valley was re-named by LH Bunnell of the Mariposa Battalion in 1851 who allegedly thought the word meant 'grizzly bear', according to the Yosemite Library.

4. People have lived here for millennia

Much talk is given over to the many 19th century Gold Rush settlers who flooded the area as well as explorers such as the naturalist John Muir, who spent time in the area and pushed for its National Park status, but the valley was home to the Ahwahnechee people, for as many as 7,000 years.

5. It’s pretty big

Most visitors to Yosemite never see beyond Yosemite Valley, which has an area of about 1,200 acres, but the entire park comprises about 760,000 acres. That makes it nearly as big as the state of Rhode Island, or bigger than Canyonlands and Sequoia National Park combined.

6. It was carved by ice 

Speaking of Yosemite Valley, when you arrive here your first question is likely to be, how was this place formed? After winding your way slowly uphill through California farmland towards the Sierra Nevada, you’ll enter the park to find Yosemite Valley spread out at your feet, with endless waterfalls tumbling over hulking granite rock formations such as El Capitan and Half Dome as they loom over gorgeous meadows. Could the Merced River really have created all this? The answer is no. Yosemite Valley was formed by glaciers about a million years ago as they made their way down hill and cut into the uplift of the Sierra Nevada mountains.

7. It has one of the tallest waterfalls in the world

At 2,425ft, Yosemite Falls is in the top 25 tallest waterfalls in the entire world, though it’s actually made up of three falls: lower and middle cascades, and upper Yosemite Falls. The lower falls can be reached by a wheelchair accessible path while the upper falls require a more strenuous day hike. The trail is often busy, owing to how spectacular the falls are, but the park is home to some 25 other waterfalls you can visit instead, which are at their most spectacular during spring runoff.

8. It's up there

Though it’s only a short drive from sea-level San Francisco, Yosemite gains some significant altitude, from the valley floor which sits at 4,000ft above sea level to its highest point at the peak of Mount Lyell, which is over 13,000ft.

9. It’s wild 

It might welcome over two million visitors a year, but almost 95% of the park is designated wilderness, which means nature prevails here. Tread lightly.

10. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Yosemite is recognized as a World Heritage Site thanks to its outstanding natural beauty and diversity of flora and fauna, as well as geological features.

11. It’s home to a 3,000-year-old tree

One of the many types of flora that make Yosemite special is its 500 or so giant sequoia trees, the oldest of which is the 3,000-year-old Grizzly Giant who grows in the Mariposa Grove.

12. It’s home to 90 different mammal species 

The diversity of Yosemite’s topography and climate means it houses a stunning array of animals, including 90 distinct mammal species compared to Yellowstone’s impressive 67. Visitors here have the chance to view black bears, mountain lions, bighorn sheep and a wide variety of bat species. 

13. It’s a bird watcher’s dream

If you’re an avid bird watcher, head to Yosemite, where you can get spotted owls, western tanagers and eastern kingbirds among the 262 bird species here in the sights of your binoculars.

14. It’s amazing for hikers 

If it’s hiking trails you’re looking for, you’ll find some 800 miles of trails here according to Yosemite Hikes. The best hikes in Yosemite lead you under stunning waterfalls, over massive granite cliffs and into the shade of giant sequoia trees. In fact, it's the closest thing to hiking heaven we can think of.

15. It's Hollywood famous

And no, we don’t just mean famous climbing films like Dawn Wall, Free Solo and Valley Uprising. Yosemite’s amazing landscape has made appearances in popular films like Last of the Mohicans, Star Trek V and Maverick. 

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A wildfire is threatening to spread into the Mariposa the Grove at Yosemite National Park, which is home to more than 500 giant sequoia trees. The grove was founded in 1857, but many of the trees are believed to be far older, and some may have stood for over 2,000 years.

Firefighters are currently tackling the Washburn Fire from both the ground and the air. The National Park Service shared a tweet late on 7 July stating that the fire was currently between five and eight acres in size, but CNN reports that it's now grown to cover 60-70 acres.

The park has issued an alert warning visitors that both the road leading towards the grove is currently closed, but all other areas are currently open. If you're planning a visit, keep an eye on Yosemite's official website for the latest advice.

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Officials investigating a spate of graffiti in Yosemite National Park say they are narrowing down their search for suspects. On May 20, around 30 sites around the park were tagged with blue and white spray paint, causing serious damage to rock structures. Now, a National Park spokesperson has told Fox26, the hunt has been narrowed down thanks to help and tip-offs from the public. 

“We’ve been working on the investigation, said spokesperson Scott Gediman. "We did, thankfully, get people call in when it was happening and people that have seen it and saw some people, so we did what we call a trail block, where the rangers block a trail."

Gediman explained that the porous nature of the rocks meant cleaning the paint off was particularly difficult, and officials are reluctant to use harsh cleaning chemicals because of the potential dangers.

"In the cracks of the rock, there’s lichen, there’s plant life that lives, there’s tree roots, so we have to be concerned about that," he said. "Also there’s wildlife – if we put these toxic chemicals on and for example, a deer licks it. So we’re going through and assessing right now.”

If you were at the park on May 20 and saw something suspicious, you can still report it by submitting a ticket on the National Park Service website, emailing nps_isb@nps.gov, or calling or texting 888-653-0009.

Narrowing the hunt

Graffiti and vandalism continue to be serious problems for US National Parks. Perhaps the most notorious spate took place in 2014, when a New York City woman named Casey Nocket toured seven parks with paints and markers, and posted the resulting graffiti to her Tumblr and Instagram accounts.

In 2016, Nocket was charged with seven misdemeanour counts of damaging government property. After pleading guilty, she was sentenced to 200 hours of community service, and banned from all land controlled by the National Park Service, the US Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Army Corps of Engineers.

“This case illustrates the important role that the public can play in identifying and sharing evidence of illegal behavior in parks,” said Charles Cuvelier, chief of law enforcement for the National Park Service, when Nocket was sentenced.

"It is clear that the public cares deeply for the special places that the National Park Service represents, and the resolution of this case sends a message to those who would consider such inappropriate behavior going forward.”

If found, the Yosemite vandals could face similar sentencing. "There’s defacing a national park, there’s destruction of property, there’s harm to wildlife, and there’s a whole litany of charges," Gediman said.

"We’re trying to basically build our case and not only make these people pay for what they did – literally and figuratively – but at the same time send a message that anyone who does this kind of thing, we will aggressively go after them."

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Officials at Yosemite National Park have asked campers and hikers to help them find the people responsible for a recent surge in graffiti vandalism.

As CNN reports, calls about graffiti on some of the best hikes at Yosemite National Park surged on May 20, and now officials are reaching out to the public for any hints about who might be responsible. After investigating, rangers found roughly 30 areas where rock had been tagged with blue and white spraypaint.

If you were at the park around May 20 and saw anything suspicious, or have any photos or video, officials ask you to submit a ticket on the National Park Service website, email nps_isb@nps.gov, or call or text 888-653-0009. 

According to the NPS, graffiti is a growing problem, and it takes a great deal of time and work to remove. Getting rid of it can require scrubbing with hard brushes, or even using grinders and sledgehammers to remove the surface rock if the damage is severe enough.

Yosemite isn't the only park to suffer vandalism, and the NPS says that Zion has also been hit particularly hard in recent years. Ranger and volunteers have spent hours cleaning up damage left by stickers, permanent markers, spray paint, and tree carvings. In one recent operation, rangers spent 35 hours removing 150 square feet of spray paint, and a few weeks ago they used the temporary closure of Angels Landing as an opportunity to clean up litter and graffiti from Zion's most popular trail.

If you see any damage or defacement when you're exploring a National Park, take a photo, make a note of its location, and report it to the nearest NPS staff member.

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