Updated February 26, 2026
As we shift from winter to spring in Mono County, it’s not always clear what roads, activities, and attractions are open or not. Conditions can change quickly in the mountains and as such, we will update this blog periodically this spring to help you best navigate your visit, so please check back often.
Please scroll through for important information regarding visiting June Lake beach, Reds Meadow, Devils Postpile, and Yosemite National Park this summer as well as current conditions for roads and lakes. For questions and updates on activities not included here, or anything else, please call us at (800) 845-7922 (Monday through Friday 8am-5pm) or email tourism@mono.ca.gov. Finally, be sure to follow Mono County Tourism on Facebook and Instagram for the pictures of current conditions and road reopening announcements.
Important Updates for Summer 2026
Yosemite National Park Reservation System
As of February 18, 2026, Yosemite National Park has announce that it will no longer use a timed reservation system in 2026. You can find additional information about this decision at: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/reservations.htm
Visitors are encouraged to purchase their park entrance in advance of arriving to the entrance gate. Please go to Recreation.gov or if you use the recreation.gov app, search Yosemite National Park and click on buy pass. Purchasing the entrance fee in advance helps everyone move faster through the entrance gate, but make sure you still stop and get a map of the park at the entrance gate on your way in.
Without a reservation system in place, Yosemite will broaden its use of operational strategies the proved effective in the 2025 season. These include:
- Real-time traffic monitoring to identify and respond quickly to congestion hotspots.
- Active parking management in Yosemite Valley to maximize available capacity.
- Additional staffing at key intersections and decision points during peak periods.
- Improved visitor information through road condition alerts, congestion warnings and trip-planning tools.
- Expanded guidance encouraging weekday visitation, when parking and traffic conditions are more favorable.
- Promoting recreation outside Yosemite Valley, including Tuolumne Meadows, Wawona, Hetch Hetchy and other high-quality destinations across the park.
Visitors traveling in 2026 are encouraged to:
- Plan visits early, especially for weekends and holiday periods.
- Consider weekday trips for lower congestion and greater parking availability.
- Explore options for hiking, sightseeing and recreation outside Yosemite Valley.
- Check the park website for real-time conditions, seasonal updates and trip-planning tools
New in 2025 - Fishing Regulations for Parker Lake
This year, anglers are urged to prioritize staying informed about the most current regulations. Changes have been implemented, notably at Parker Lake:
- Parker Lake New Regulations:
- Reduced bag limit: 2 fish.
- Minimum size: 14 inches.
- Artificial lures only (no bait).
These changes have been implemented to protect the Heritage Wild Trout population, as recent surveys indicate a decline in both Brook and Brown Trout numbers due to increased angling pressure.
Crucial Reminder: Do not rely on printed materials. Regulations can change. Please verify all regulations by visiting the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) website: wildlife.ca.gov/Regulations or by calling the Bishop CDFW office at 760-872-1171.
Reds Meadow Road Reconstruction Project
Reds Meadow Road is being reconstructed to greatly improve public access and traffic safety for all who visit the area, reduce likelihood of vehicular accidents, and improve emergency response times. The U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service (Devils Postpile National Monument) appreciates your patience and understanding as the contractor works to reconstruct the road and stabilize the hillside.
Contractors are aiming to complete the project by 2026. More information to come.
Road opening and closing dates are subject to change based on weather conditions. For the most up to date information, please visit the Inyo National Forest Reds Meadow Road Reconstruction Project page, contact the Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center at (760) 923-5000. You may also reach out with questions via direct message on the Inyo National Forest Facebook page: www.facebook.com/inyonf
For more information on the project, accessing Reds Meadow and Devils Postpile National Monument, campgrounds, wilderness permits, Reds Meadow Resort and Pack Station, and the ESTA shuttle schedule, please visit the Inyo National Forest Reds Meadow Road Reconstruction Project page.
