Vital Roadway into Yosemite Reopens Following Monthlong Closure

A critical segment of Big Oak Flat Road in Yosemite National Park, damaged by storms and closed since May 4, was reopened to the public at 7 a.m. on Friday. The road’s reopening restores a key tourism route for visitors traveling via Highway 120.

Park authorities have urged motorists using Highway 120 to exercise caution while driving, as minor delays could occur on several road sections.

The closure of the Big Oak Flat Road within the park caused a ripple effect on the local economy, leading to hundreds of reservation cancellations at accommodations in Groveland and other areas along Highway 120.

The road closure resulted from a 200-foot-long and 4-foot-deep fissure in the road surface, coupled with soil saturation and continuous ground movement. These conditions were triggered by one of the park’s rainiest winters on record. Repair work on the road commenced on May 15. The park service initially predicted that the road would remain closed until mid-June or possibly into July.

Yosemite Valley, the park’s most frequented zone, remains accessible through alternative routes. Visitors can reach the valley via Highways 49 and 140 through Mariposa and El Portal, or Highway 41 through Wawona. These routes remain operational.

Meanwhile, there is no scheduled opening date for Tioga Road. This road serves as an extension of Highway 120, running through the park and across Tioga Pass.