Inside Yosemite’s 2024 Rescue Numbers: What Gets Visitors in Trouble Most Often
Yosemite Search and Rescue is often associated with dramatic helicopter lifts and technical rescues from places like El Capitan and Half Dome. But new data from 2024 shows that most emergencies in Yosemite National Park are far more common, and far more preventable.
According to Friends of YOSAR, the park recorded 191 search and rescue responses in 2024, a number that closely mirrors Yosemite’s annual average. Of those incidents, 90 were classified as major rescues, and 39 required aviation support. The park also recorded 16 fatalities, with six attributed to natural causes.
The leading causes of rescues weren’t extreme climbing accidents. Instead, they were everyday outdoor mishaps: slips and falls resulting in lower-leg injuries, dehydration and exhaustion, hikers becoming lost or stranded, water-related incidents, and technical issues during climbs.
Many of these rescues stemmed from visitors underestimating Yosemite’s terrain and conditions. Elevation, rapidly changing temperatures, lingering snow, wet granite, and unreliable navigation apps in remote areas all played a role in 2024 incidents. Yosemite’s environment demands a different level of preparation than lower-elevation parks or urban-area hikes.
To reduce risk, Friends of YOSAR encourages visitors to research trail conditions and difficulty before setting out, stay aware on the trail, stick together in groups, and carry adequate water and proper footwear. The organization also offers a Trip Planning Tool, allowing hikers to share route and timing information with rescue teams in advance.
