# Yosemite Arch Rock Entrance: this week

> Week of Nov 9–15, 2026 · Yosemite National Park · El Portal / Mariposa (Hwy 140) · Status: **Open — Hwy 140 / El Portal Road**. Facts fetched Nov 12, 2026 from official NPS and NWS sources.

HTML version: https://parks.goes.health/parks/yosemite/arch-rock-entrance.html

Arch Rock is the Highway 140 entrance from Merced, Mariposa and El Portal, along the Merced River. NPS puts it about 20–25 minutes from Yosemite Valley.

## This week at the Arch Rock Entrance (official conditions)

- **Open:** El Portal Road (Hwy 140): open. Sources: [Yosemite Current Conditions (updated Nov 11, 2026)](https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm)
- **Heads-up:** Yosemite Valley roads: open, with 15-minute delays on weekdays 7 am – 7 pm at El Capitan Bridge (stabilization work through December 2026). The Valley Loop Trail crossing at El Capitan Bridge is closed on weekdays. Sources: [Yosemite Current Conditions (updated Nov 11, 2026)](https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm)
- **Info:** Valley campgrounds: Upper Pines and Camp 4 open (reservation required). Lower Pines and North Pines are closed. Sources: [Yosemite Current Conditions (updated Nov 11, 2026)](https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm)
- **Info:** Fuel: 24/7 by credit card at El Portal, Wawona and Crane Flat. There's no gas in Yosemite Valley. Sources: [Yosemite driving directions, fuel & GPS warning](https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/driving.htm)
- **Closed:** Half Dome cables are down for the season. Sources: [Yosemite Current Conditions (updated Nov 11, 2026)](https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm)

**Entrance fee:** Private vehicle $35. Non-US residents 16+ pay an additional $100 nonresident fee unless entering with an annual / America the Beautiful pass. Sources: [NPS Yosemite fees & passes](https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/fees.htm); [NPS Data API (parks, operating hours, fees)](https://www.nps.gov/subjects/developer/api-documentation.htm)

## Forecast near the Arch Rock Entrance

| Period | Temp | Forecast | Wind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tonight | 51°F | Clear | 5 to 10 mph |
| Thursday | 66°F | Sunny | 5 to 10 mph |
| Thursday Night | 49°F | Partly Cloudy then Chance Light Rain | 5 to 10 mph |
| Friday | 50°F | Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms | 5 to 15 mph |
| Friday Night | 40°F | Showers And Thunderstorms then Light Rain Likely | 0 to 20 mph |
| Saturday | 48°F | Slight Chance Light Rain then Mostly Sunny | 0 to 5 mph |
| Saturday Night | 39°F | Partly Cloudy | 0 to 10 mph |
| Sunday | 51°F | Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Light Rain | 0 to 5 mph |

Snapshot from the National Weather Service, fetched Nov 12, 2026. Live forecast: https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=37.687&lon=-119.73

## What actually matters here this season

The goal is a good trip, not a scary one. These are the hazards NPS highlights for this area and season, and what to do about each.

- **Merced River banks.** The river is low, but NPS warns rocks are slippery even when dry. Stay off wet granite near waterfalls and the river's edge. Sources: [Yosemite Current Conditions (updated Nov 11, 2026)](https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm)
  - In GOES: Offline interactive health assessment + 50+ visual how-to guides
- **Valley bears.** Bears are active in all areas, including the Valley. Use food lockers and bear-proof trash cans, and never leave food unattended at picnic spots. Sources: [Yosemite Current Conditions (updated Nov 11, 2026)](https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm); [Yosemite bears](https://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/nature/bears.htm)
  - In GOES: Wildlife Encounters: location-specific risk indicators for bears and other dangerous animals
- **Rain and thunderstorms Friday.** This week's NWS forecast for the Arch Rock area: sunny and about 66°F Thursday, then light rain and showers/thunderstorms Friday into Friday night. Sources: [National Weather Service point forecasts (api.weather.gov, fetched Nov 12)](https://www.weather.gov/)
  - In GOES: 125+ extreme weather alerts

## Checklist for the Arch Rock Entrance

- [ ] **Fuel at El Portal or before** — No gas in the Valley.
- [ ] **Chains in the trunk** — Chains can become mandatory at any time, even with 4WD.
- [ ] **Follow road signs over GPS** — NPS: when your GPS and a road sign disagree, the sign is right.
- [ ] **Download GOES before the canyon** — Don't count on coverage in the Merced canyon and Valley.

Follow official NPS rules, posted closures and ranger instructions. They override anything on this page.

## Yosemite park-wide

- **Black bears in all areas.** NPS: bears remain active in all areas of the park. Store food properly, use bear-proof dumpsters, and stay at least 50 yards from bears in forest and meadows — but yell at and scare away a bear that approaches you or is in a developed area. Yosemite has an estimated 300–500 black bears and no grizzlies. Sources: [Yosemite Current Conditions (updated Nov 11, 2026)](https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm); [Yosemite bears](https://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/nature/bears.htm)
  - In GOES: Wildlife Encounters: location-specific risk indicators for bears and other dangerous animals
- **Rivers and slick rock.** Waterfalls are flowing low, as usual for November, but NPS still asks visitors to use caution along rivers and creeks: rocks are slippery even when dry. Sources: [Yosemite Current Conditions (updated Nov 11, 2026)](https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm)
  - In GOES: Offline interactive health assessment + 50+ visual how-to guides
- **Winter storm, chains and ice.** NWS Hanford issued a Winter Storm Watch (Nov 11, until Nov 17, 4 am PST) for the park's southern area, and the forecast calls for rain and thunderstorms Friday, with snow possible at higher elevations. Carry chains even with 4WD and expect icy spots on mostly dry roads. Sources: [NWS Hanford: Winter Storm Watch (issued Nov 11, until Nov 17 4 am PST)](https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=37.507&lon=-119.632); [Yosemite Current Conditions (updated Nov 11, 2026)](https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm); [National Weather Service point forecasts (api.weather.gov, fetched Nov 12)](https://www.weather.gov/)
  - In GOES: Environmental Health: hypothermia and frostbite assessments
- **Smoke and air quality.** The Dome Fire (Sept–Oct) was 86% contained with minimal activity as of NPS's Oct 13 update, and fire closures remain around the Glacier Point Road area. Air quality can still be affected by fires elsewhere or prescribed burns, so check current AQI before strenuous hikes. Sources: [Dome Fire update, Oct 13, 2026](https://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/news/dome-fire-update-october-13-2026-morning.htm); [Yosemite Current Conditions (updated Nov 11, 2026)](https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm); [AirNow fire & smoke map](https://fire.airnow.gov/)
  - In GOES: Respiratory Hazards: smoke, pollution and pollen (AQI) monitoring

## All active Yosemite NPS alerts

From the NPS Data API, fetched Nov 12, 2026. Live: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

- **[Park Closure] Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road will temporarily close on Nov. 12 at 5 pm.** Tioga Road (continuation of Highway 120 through the park) and Glacier Point Road will temporarily close on Thursday, November 12, at 5 pm due to a forecast of snow. Call 209/372-0200 (then 1, 1) to check road conditions in the park.
- **[Information] No overnight parking on Tioga & Glacier Point Roads.** Overnight parking is not allowed on Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road, including all parking lots reachable from these roads.

## Get the GOES app before the gate

**When signal drops, GOES steps in.** Bears in the Valley, slick river rock and a wet, stormy Friday. Get GOES before the canyon so its offline injury assessment and how-to guides are ready without a signal.

GOES — Outdoor Health & Safety is your outdoor safety companion: an offline interactive health assessment, 50+ visual how-to guides, 200+ prevention tips across 60+ medical topics, and location-specific risk indicators (wildlife, cold, heat, altitude, ticks, poisonous plants, UV, smoke). Built by wilderness medicine physicians: founded by Dr. Grant Lipman; Chief Medical Officer Dr. Colin Little, MD, FAWM.

- iOS (App Store): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/goes-outdoor-health-safety/id1576527901
- Android (Google Play): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.goes.mobile
- About GOES: https://goes.health/platform

Free to download. Premium features need a monthly or annual subscription after a 7-day free trial. GOES provides guidance. It is not a substitute for professional medical care.

## Other Yosemite entrances

- [Big Oak Flat Entrance](https://parks.goes.health/parks/yosemite/big-oak-flat-entrance.md): Open — weekday delays
- [South Entrance](https://parks.goes.health/parks/yosemite/south-entrance.md): Open — Winter Storm Watch
- [Hetch Hetchy Entrance](https://parks.goes.health/parks/yosemite/hetch-hetchy-entrance.md): Daylight only — closes for snow
- [Yosemite overview, closures and park-wide risks](https://parks.goes.health/parks/yosemite/index.md)

## Sources

Fetched Thu Nov 12, 2026 (JST), which is Wed Nov 11 evening in US time zones. We don't publish wait times, wildlife sightings or conditions we can't source.

- [Yosemite Current Conditions (updated Nov 11, 2026)](https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm)
- [Yosemite driving directions, fuel & GPS warning](https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/driving.htm)
- [Yosemite bears](https://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/nature/bears.htm)
- [National Weather Service point forecasts (api.weather.gov, fetched Nov 12)](https://www.weather.gov/)
- [NPS Yosemite alerts (NPS Data API, fetched Nov 12)](https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm)
- [NPS Yosemite fees & passes](https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/fees.htm)
- [NPS Data API (parks, operating hours, fees)](https://www.nps.gov/subjects/developer/api-documentation.htm)
- [NWS Hanford: Winter Storm Watch (issued Nov 11, until Nov 17 4 am PST)](https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=37.507&lon=-119.632)
- [Dome Fire update, Oct 13, 2026](https://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/news/dome-fire-update-october-13-2026-morning.htm)
- [AirNow fire & smoke map](https://fire.airnow.gov/)
- [NPS Yosemite National Park](https://www.nps.gov/yose/index.htm)

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*GOES provides guidance. It is not a substitute for professional medical care. ParkReady Guides is not affiliated with or endorsed by the National Park Service. Always follow official NPS rules, posted closures and ranger instructions. Conditions change quickly; check the linked NPS pages before you go. In an emergency, call 911.*

ParkReady Guides by GOES Health · Week of Nov 9–15, 2026 · facts fetched Nov 12, 2026 from NPS and NWS. Agent overview: https://parks.goes.health/llms.txt · Conditions feed (JSON): https://parks.goes.health/conditions.json