Yosemite won't reopen some campgrounds amid coronavirus fears

Reversing course, Yosemite will keep some campgrounds closed amid coronavirus concerns

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Ahwahnee Meadow in Yosemite National Park. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

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Bridalveil Fall trail remains closed to visitors in Yosemite Valley. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

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A hiker on Four Mile Trail in Yosemite Valley. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

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Al Dueck of Fresno takes in the view of Yosemite Valley. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

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Park visitors along the Merced River. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

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Masked park rangers behind plastic shields check in visitors to Yosemite. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

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Rafters on the Merced River in Yosemite Valley. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

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Erin Bell serves up burgers at Base Camp Grill. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

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Gary Lin and his mother, May Lin, set up their tent in Upper Pines Campground. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

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Visitors take photos at Lower Yosemite Falls. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

By Associated Press

June 24, 2020 3:41 AM PT

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK — Yosemite National Park is reversing course two weeks after reopening and now says it will hold off on reopening some campgrounds through July because of social-distancing concerns in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak.

Officials began reopening some campgrounds earlier this month after being closed for more than two and a half months, but the reopened campgrounds have more distance between campsites than the ones that are closed, Park Ranger Jamie Richards said.

“We are keeping the campgrounds closed based on public health guidelines and concerns over social distancing,” she said Tuesday.

There haven’t been any confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the park, but California as a whole has seen a spike in cases.

Because of continued closures, reservations with arrival dates between now and July 31 have been canceled and refunds have been issued for the following campgrounds: Bridalveil Horse Camp, Crane Flat, Hodgdon Meadow, Lower Pines, North Pines, Tuolumne Meadows and 50% of Upper Pines.

The number of visitors admitted after the park reopened was restricted to about half those who normally visit at this time of year. In addition, visitor centers and other facilities remained closed or reopened with limited access to help prevent the spread of the virus.

Yosemite had about 4.6 million visitors in 2019. The park was shut down March 20.