Before Your Trip

You will find useful information in the Trip Planning section.  If you are looking for rules as they apply to certain groups or activities, try the following links:  Stock Use, Climbing, Large Groups, Long Distance Hikes, and Winter Use.

•   Choose a destination four trail miles from Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point, Hetch Hetchy or Wawona, or one trail mile from any road. Camping is prohibited in the Dana Fork of the Tuolumne River.

•   Keep group size to 15 people or less or 8 people maximum for any cross country hiking more than 1/4 mile off any trail.

•   Get your wilderness permit. They are required for all overnight wilderness use.

•   Leave your pets or weapons at home. Yosemite is a wildlife preserve. Remember, it is the animals' home - you are the visitor, and pets are not welcome.

•   Pack carefully - repackage to eliminate excess food packaging, foil, glass, etc. Leave no trace in the wilderness!

•   Do not bring bicycles or strollers. Mechanized vehicles (even human powered ones) are not allowed in the wilderness.

On the Trail

•   Stay on the trail. Walk quietly in single file and you may see more wild animals.

•   Stock animals have the right of way. Stand still on the uphill side of the trail to allow them to pass.

•   Help maintain the trail system. Cutting switchbacks, "short cuts," or walking outside a wet trail cause hazardous conditions and trail destruction.

In Camp

•   Set up camp in a well established site at least 100 feet or 30 meters (about 40 paces) from any water source in an area screened from trails.

•   Camp away from fragile, untrampled vegetation.

•   Limit your use of wood fires. Campfires are not allowed above 9600' due to wood scarcity and potential resource damage.  Below 9600', they may be built in existing fire rings. Burn only dead and down wood.  Please use stoves when ever possible.

•   Protect water quality. Bury any human waste 6" deep and at least 100' from water sources, camp areas or trails. Pack out all toilet paper. Do all washing 100 feet from water.

•   Purify any drinking water by boiling 3-5 minutes or using a giardia-rated filter or iodine based chemical purifier.

•   Do not put anything in the water; even "biodegradable" soap pollutes.

•   Do not build rock walls, bough beds, new fire rings, trenches, or campsite "improvements."

•   Pack out everything you carry in.  Please do not burn trash.

•   Safeguard your food and the animals. Follow the Food Storage instructions.