(The following conditions apply in Yosemite and were designed to help you enjoy and protect your national park.)

• Maximum group size is 15 people and 25 head of stock.

• Traveling cross country with stock is prohibited.

• Only well-broken, properly shod, gentle stock in good healthy condition should be used in the park.

• Llamas may not be used on the High Sierra Loop Trail including the Nevada Falls Trail complex. (Exception: PCT users from Dinah Pass to Glen Aulin)

• Grazing is permitted wherever backcountry camping is allowed except surrounding the High Sierra Camps (HSC).  Feed must be carried by stock parties planning to camp near HSC.

• Wilderness stock users must carry and use a shovel and rake to naturalize camps or scatter manure. 

• Pets and firearms are both prohibited in Yosemite wilderness.  One firearm may be carried by the lead packer provided it is unloaded, out of sight, and ammunition is kept separate from the weapon.

Prepare Your Stock

• Much of Yosemite's wilderness is over 8,000 feet in elevation.  Acclimation of stock is advisable.

• Stock and riders with little or no mountain experience may have problems with glacial polished "slick rock," rapid stream crossings, slide areas, and other unfamiliar conditions.

• Stock should be trained to picket, stand tied or use hobbles before going overnight in the mountains.
 

• Parking space at trailheads is often very limited during the summer season and it is advisable to contact a ranger station prior to arrival for advice on where to unload stock.

• Stock parties must stay on established trails.

• Shortcutting of trails and switchbacks is prohibited.

• Off trail or cross country travel is prohibited except within one-fourth mile of the trail for watering, rest stops, overnight camping or grazing.

• Always travel in single file.

• Loose herding of saddle or pack stock is prohibited except when necessary to prevent injury to stock or people.

• Park roads or paved trails may not be used by stock except where crossing is necessary.

• When exercising the general rule of livestock right-of-way over hikers, the hiker should politely be asked to step off the trail on the uphill side in plain view and remain quiet until stock has passed.
 

Always...

• Use a hardened site at least four miles from the trailhead.  Select your campsite carefully.

• Camp and tie stock at least 100 feet from water.

• Tie stock so they cannot chew on tree bark or eat the leaves of woody vegetation.  A hitch line between trees is recommended.  Wrap trees under rope to protect bark.

• Pack out all trash, including any trash left in a campfire pit.

• Rake or scatter manure at all rest stops and when breaking camp.

• Fill in all holes and return all trampled areas to their natural state.

Never...

• Tie stock to trees, except for rest or loading and unloading.

• Picket stock in wet meadows.

• Make permanent improvements, i.e. corrals, hitching rails, tables, or benches.
 

• Except where otherwise posted, all designated trails in the park are open to stock use (except closures listed below).  Trails open to stock on the floor of Yosemite Valley are signed as bridle paths.  Tuolumne Meadows has some frontcountry restrictions.

• Stock use in any part of the park may be limited or prohibited when, at the discretion of the Superintendent, such action is necessary to protect park values or safety of park visitors.  Any such closure will be published and posted
.

• The Mist Trail from Happy Isles to Nevada Falls

• Snow Creek Trail from Mirror Lake 

• Lower Chilnualna Falls foot trail from the parking area in North Wawona at the junction with the horse trail

• Mariposa Grove inner loop

• The Gaylor Lakes foot trail from Tioga Pass Entrance Station to Gaylor Lakes

• Gaylor Lakes Basin above Lower Gaylor Lake

• The Muir Gorge Trail segment from Return Creek to Pate Valley (1999)

Not Recommended

• Yosemite Falls Trail from Yosemite Valley to the top of upper Yosemite Falls.

Check Permit Stations for current trail conditions and any temporary closures.
 

Overnight boarding facilities, spot packing, and day rides are available from Yosemite Concession Services, Corp. (YCS) whose liveries are located within Yosemite National Park.   Horse owners are responsible for making advance arrangements for overnight use and reservations are suggested for all services.  Information may be obtained by calling YCS at (209) 372-1000, or by accessing the Yosemite Concession Services web site.

The following commercial pack stations are authorized to provide certain services in Yosemite.  If using trailheads within Yosemite, use YCS.  If you are starting on a USFS trailhead, contact the park station in the appropriate area.

To gain further information on available pack station operations, please contact the following:

Some commercial pack stations are licensed to operate within the Park if using Forest Service trailheads. Contact the USFS station closest your trailhead for permits or information, or contact: 

Privately owned stock may be kept overnight only in campgrounds with designated stock sites.

Stock sites are available in the Wawona, Bridalveil Creek, and Tuolumne Meadows Campgrounds.  Wilderness stock users may also use sites at the Hetch Hetchy Stock Campground.

Advanced reservations should be made for most stock sites.  Detailed information on the location, size, and reservation process for stock camps is available by writing:

More Information on Stock Campgrounds

Campground Regulations:

Feed must be provided.  Grazing is prohibited.

Hitch lines or portable corrals must be used.  Trees should be wrapped beneath ropes to prevent damage to bark.  Stock must be tied so they cannot chew/eat tree bark or leaves of woody vegetation.

Campsites must be cleaned on a daily basis.  Manure and uneaten fodder must be raked, bagged, and deposited in dumpsters.