# Yosemite Hetch Hetchy Entrance: this week

> Week of Nov 9–15, 2026 · Yosemite National Park · Evergreen Road (off Hwy 120) · Status: **Daylight only — closes for snow**. Facts fetched Nov 12, 2026 from official NPS and NWS sources.

HTML version: https://parks.goes.health/parks/yosemite/hetch-hetchy-entrance.html

Hetch Hetchy is Yosemite's quiet northwest corner, a reservoir valley at about 3,900 feet reached on Evergreen and Hetch Hetchy roads off Hwy 120. NPS puts it about 1.5 hours from Yosemite Valley.

## This week at the Hetch Hetchy Entrance (official conditions)

- **Heads-up:** Hetch Hetchy Road: open sunrise to sunset only, and closed when it's snowing or snow is forecast overnight. Day visitors must leave by sunset; the road is closed to all vehicles overnight. Sources: [Yosemite Current Conditions (updated Nov 11, 2026)](https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm); [Yosemite operating hours (Hetch Hetchy daylight hours)](https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hours.htm); [NPS Data API (parks, operating hours, fees)](https://www.nps.gov/subjects/developer/api-documentation.htm)
- **Open:** No current trail closures in the Hetch Hetchy area. Sources: [Yosemite Current Conditions (updated Nov 11, 2026)](https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm)
- **Info:** Swimming and boating are prohibited in the reservoir (it's a drinking water supply). Pets aren't allowed on the dam or trails. Sources: [Yosemite: Hetch Hetchy day hikes](https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hetchhetchy.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 Hetch Hetchy Entrance

| Period | Temp | Forecast | Wind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tonight | 40°F | Clear | 5 to 10 mph |
| Thursday | 73°F | Sunny | 5 to 10 mph |
| Thursday Night | 36°F | Partly Cloudy then Slight Chance Light Rain | 5 mph |
| Friday | 56°F | Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms | 5 to 15 mph |
| Friday Night | 28°F | Showers And Thunderstorms then Rain | 0 to 15 mph |
| Saturday | 54°F | Chance Light Rain then Mostly Sunny | 0 to 5 mph |
| Saturday Night | 26°F | Partly Cloudy | 0 to 10 mph |
| Sunday | 56°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=37.886&lon=-119.841

## 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.

- **Getting caught by darkness.** Sunset comes early in mid-November and the gate closes at sunset. Turn around with daylight to spare: a twisted ankle on the Wapama Falls trail can turn into a cold night out. Sources: [Yosemite operating hours (Hetch Hetchy daylight hours)](https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hours.htm); [Yosemite: Hetch Hetchy day hikes](https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hetchhetchy.htm)
  - In GOES: Offline interactive health assessment + 50+ visual how-to guides
- **Rattlesnakes and poison oak.** NPS's Hetch Hetchy page tells hikers to watch for rattlesnakes and poison oak. Sources: [Yosemite: Hetch Hetchy day hikes](https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hetchhetchy.htm)
  - In GOES: Wildlife Encounters (venomous snakes) + Poisonous Plants (poison oak, ivy, sumac)
- **Storm closures.** Friday's NWS forecast here has rain and thunderstorms with a low near 28°F that night. If snow is forecast overnight, the road may not open. Sources: [National Weather Service point forecasts (api.weather.gov, fetched Nov 12)](https://www.weather.gov/); [Yosemite Current Conditions (updated Nov 11, 2026)](https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm)
  - In GOES: Environmental Health: hypothermia and frostbite assessments

## Checklist for the Hetch Hetchy Entrance

- [ ] **Call before you drive** — 209/372-0200, then press 1, 1 for current road conditions.
- [ ] **Be out before sunset** — The road is gated overnight.
- [ ] **Water, sunscreen and a map** — NPS's own Hetch Hetchy checklist.
- [ ] **Download GOES before the turnoff** — Snakebite and poisonous-plant guidance that works offline.

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.** Rattlesnakes, poison oak and a sunset gate. Download GOES before the turnoff; its wildlife and poisonous-plant guidance works 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
- [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
- [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 operating hours (Hetch Hetchy daylight hours)](https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hours.htm)
- [NPS Data API (parks, operating hours, fees)](https://www.nps.gov/subjects/developer/api-documentation.htm)
- [Yosemite: Hetch Hetchy day hikes](https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hetchhetchy.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)
- [Yosemite bears](https://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/nature/bears.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