Yosemite Falls Access Improvements Unveiled

Yosemite Falls from the start of the east trail
Photo by Charles Pannell

On April 18, 2005, The Yosemite Fund and the National Park Service celebrated the completion of the 10-year Yosemite Falls Restoration Project. Designed by landscape architect Larry Halprin, this $13.5 million project works to ease overcrowding and improve wheelchair access at the park's most visited landmark.

Since the completion of the project, wheelchair-users now have barrier-free access to the main bridge at the base of Yosemite Falls. The new accessible trail is located over on the east side of the falls. The 3/4-mile paved trail leads from the shuttle bus stop to the base of lower Yosemite Falls. A gentle grade allows for wheelchair-access and this wide trail has many pull outs, resting spots and benches along the way. It allows for an accessible and contemplative visit to the falls.

A new shuttle bus stop and visitor staging area was also constructed at the Eastern trailhead, in order better distribute foot traffic and to reduce crowding at this popular Yosemite landmark. New accessible restroom facilities were also constructed near the picnic area.

For more information about access in Yosemite National Park, visit www.nps.gov/yose.

Consult the Summer 2005 Contents issue of Emerging Horizons for access details and photos of the access improvements at Yosemite Falls. Information about accessible recreation offerings in nearby Tuolumne County is also contained in that same issue.