# Yosemite Big Oak Flat Entrance: this week

> Week of Nov 9–15, 2026 · Yosemite National Park · Groveland (Hwy 120 west) · Status: **Open — weekday delays**. Facts fetched Nov 12, 2026 from official NPS and NWS sources.

HTML version: https://parks.goes.health/parks/yosemite/big-oak-flat-entrance.html

Big Oak Flat is the Highway 120 entrance from the Bay Area via Groveland, next to Hodgdon Meadow. With Tioga Road closing, Hwy 120 inside the park now leads only toward Crane Flat and Yosemite Valley (about 45 minutes away).

## This week at the Big Oak Flat Entrance (official conditions)

- **Heads-up:** Big Oak Flat Road: open, with 15-minute delays on weekdays for fire-safety vegetation work between Foresta and Big Oak Flat. Sources: [Yosemite Current Conditions (updated Nov 11, 2026)](https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm)
- **Closed:** Tioga Road (east of Crane Flat) temporarily closes Thu Nov 12 at 5 pm for forecast snow. No overnight parking on Tioga Road. Sources: [NPS Yosemite alerts (NPS Data API, fetched Nov 12)](https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm)
- **Info:** Hodgdon Meadow Campground (by this entrance): open, first-come, first-served. Crane Flat, Tamarack Flat and White Wolf campgrounds are closed. Sources: [Yosemite Current Conditions (updated Nov 11, 2026)](https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm)
- **Info:** Fuel: Crane Flat, 24/7 by credit card. Sources: [Yosemite driving directions, fuel & GPS warning](https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/driving.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 Big Oak Flat Entrance

| Period | Temp | Forecast | Wind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tonight | 38°F | Clear | 10 mph |
| Thursday | 69°F | Sunny | 5 to 10 mph |
| Thursday Night | 35°F | Partly Cloudy then Chance Light Rain | 5 mph |
| Friday | 53°F | Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms | 5 to 15 mph |
| Friday Night | 27°F | Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Rain And Snow | 5 to 15 mph |
| Saturday | 50°F | Slight Chance Rain And Snow then Mostly Sunny | 0 to 5 mph |
| Saturday Night | 24°F | Mostly Cloudy | 0 to 5 mph |
| Sunday | 53°F | Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Light Rain | 0 to 10 mph |

Snapshot from the National Weather Service, fetched Nov 12, 2026. Live forecast: https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=37.8&lon=-119.874

## 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.

- **Freezing nights and wet snow.** This week's NWS forecast here: sunny and about 69°F Thursday, then rain and thunderstorms Friday, a Friday-night low near 27°F, and a chance of rain and snow. Being wet in freezing weather is how hikers get hypothermia. Sources: [National Weather Service point forecasts (api.weather.gov, fetched Nov 12)](https://www.weather.gov/)
  - In GOES: Environmental Health: hypothermia and frostbite assessments
- **Bears at campgrounds and pullouts.** Hodgdon Meadow is open. Use the food lockers, keep a clean camp, and stay 50 yards from bears in the forest. 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
- **Road work and wildlife on the road.** Expect weekday work zones on Big Oak Flat Road. NPS posts signs where bears have been hit by vehicles, so drive the speed limit. 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 dangerous animals

## Checklist for the Big Oak Flat Entrance

- [ ] **Chains, even with 4WD** — Chains can become mandatory at any time.
- [ ] **Allow extra time on weekdays** — 15-minute delays on Big Oak Flat Road.
- [ ] **Don't plan on Tioga** — It closes Nov 12 at 5 pm.
- [ ] **Download GOES in Groveland** — Before the climb into the park.

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.** Sub-freezing nights, a wet storm and bears around camp. Download GOES before Groveland so its hypothermia guidance and offline how-to guides work 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

- [Arch Rock Entrance](https://parks.goes.health/parks/yosemite/arch-rock-entrance.md): Open — Hwy 140 / El Portal Road
- [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)
- [NPS Yosemite alerts (NPS Data API, fetched Nov 12)](https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm)
- [Yosemite driving directions, fuel & GPS warning](https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/driving.htm)
- [National Weather Service point forecasts (api.weather.gov, fetched Nov 12)](https://www.weather.gov/)
- [Yosemite bears](https://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/nature/bears.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