Hello,
Just a quick update…
Yosemite is busy and has seen a record number of visitors in October. Most visitors are behaving with very few exceptions, per Park management. I was in Yosemite this week and the Fall Colors are simply AMAZING, there was plenty of parking, and I didn’t see a single Base Jumper! Obviously, we have no news on when the Government Shutdown will end, but the Acting Park Superintendent let us know that as soon as the Shutdown ends, he will meet with the Gateway Group and discuss next year’s summer season restrictions (if any) and get the word out to the public asap.
Yosemite Celtic Festival (this weekend) Nov 1 & 2 – 10 am to 6 pm (Saturday) and 10 am to 4 pm (Sunday)
We are so excited for this new festival which is bringing in visitors from around the globe! Please see the attached poster for you to display in your place of business if possible. Also attached is the printable festival schedule – PACKED full of fun! We hope you spread the word and help to make this inaugural event successful! Please let us know if you need any postcards in your business, posters, etc…. Tickets can be purchased and more information found at www.yosemitecelticfestival.com. Oh…and I’ll be welcoming everyone at the Opening Ceremony & Parade at 11 am on Saturday!
Help Shape Oakhurst!
Madera County is in the final stages of public feedback for the Connecting Oakhurst project. The project looks at Oakhurst’s “downtown” corridors to see where safety, mobility and beautification improvements can be made. Please look at the current recommendations and provide feedback so we all have a chance to “shape” the way Oakhurst will look in the future. https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/a6163da255ab4aa9a3bb5cd05df44ede
Holiday Happenings:
Please don’t forget to email us your Holiday event information, menus, etc…. by November 5th so you can be included in the special e-blast to visitors, as well as our Holiday Blog, event calendar, and social media posts.
Please let me know if you have any questions. Hope you have a busy weekend!
Rhonda Salisbury, CEO – Visit Yosemite | Madera County
Film Commissioner – Yosemite/Madera County Film Commission
40343 Highway 41, Oakhurst, CA 93644
(559) 683-4636
Don’t miss our new event coming November 1 & 2, 2025
Per Rhonda Salisbury at the Yosemite Sierra Visitor’s Center October 17, 2025:
“I hear the waterfalls have some flow back after the recent rains and the fall colors are out in Yosemite. I’ve talked to several people who have visited the Park recently and they are seeing people respecting the park (although I’m sure some are not) and no “chaos” …
Please keep pushing the messaging to recreate responsibly & safely…and if you see trash, pick it up. We have trash bags to hand out for free at the Visitor Center.”
Yosemite has opened their visitor center in the valley and at Mariposa Grove and shuttle are still running during the shutdown, plus all lodging & dining in the park remains open except those areas that normally close after the summer season ends.
This morning’s update: Yosemite road crews are working hard to reopen Glacier Point and Tioga Road to the public following significant snowfall. Possible we’ll reopen both roads this afternoon. We’ll have a better sense once equipment crews check in later this morning. Official notification will be posted on the park website, so please keep an eye on the park website for the next 48 hours. www.nps.gov/yose
PAST YOSEMITE UPDATE
Here are a few more updates from Yosemite:
OPEN:
- All portions of the park normally open to the public 24/7, including roads, trails, Yosemite Valley, backcountry, and wilderness areas
- Campgrounds, subject to normal winter or seasonal closures
- Concession operations, including The Ahwahnee Hotel, Yosemite Valley Lodge, retail stores, and restaurants.
STAFFING:
- The park will retain limited staffing to support public safety, emergency services, and essential operations, as well as to manage ongoing construction contracts.
- We are told Mariposa Grove shuttles and Yosemite Valley Shuttles are running.
- Attached is the Department of Interior – Contingency Plan – September 2025 (not a lot of detail we need, but just in case you want to read it).
- We are awaiting confirmation about Mariposa Grove Depot and if the Park gates are being manned and vehicle entry fees are being charged, which we don’t believe they are.
We will update you as we know more.
Rhonda Salisbury, CEO – Visit Yosemite | Madera County
Film Commissioner – Yosemite/Madera County Film Commission
40343 Highway 41, Oakhurst, CA 93644
(559) 683-4636
Don’t miss our new event coming November 1 & 2, 2025
Experience Your Smoothest Real Estate Transaction Ever . . .
. . . and Get
Peace of Mind
Honesty and Integrity
Your Dedicated Agent
Smooth Sailing
YOUR NEW DREAM HOME
YOUR DREAM SALE AT THE MAXIMUM PRICE
Fun! And New Lifelong Friends!
Click Here To Find Your Home . . .
Click Here To Sell Your Home . . .
Give Us A Call! 559-642-3610
And then come and see us!
While you’re here, don’t forget to get your copy of the Visitors’ Guide and area maps. Yes! You can get an actual, physical copy you can hold in your hands!
Beautifully done, you’ll get all the hot tips on what to see and do in Bass Lake and the Yosemite area.
Come feel the lake breeze in your hair!
Experience Bass Lake life!
Stay a while!
See you here,