Current Conditions

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• Yosemite National Park Road Conditions
• Yosemite Conservancy Webcams
• Yosemite National Park Service Instagram
• YOSE NPS AQI and Smoke Monitoring

NatureBridge educators will lead groups in engaging, collaborative, authentic learning experiences in a safe and supportive environment. Participants should be prepared to hike up to five miles a day. Days on trail may include:

• Conducting a hands-on science investigation such as water quality testing
• Participating in a National Park Service stewardship project, like conifer removal or macroinvertebrate biomonitoring
• Hiking off the Valley floor along a trail to a waterfall or scrambling on granite boulders
• Exploring the rich cultural history and geologic features of the park

Participants can expect chilly mornings and warm afternoons with average daily temperatures ranging from mid-40s to mid-80s. October and November can bring some of our first rain/snow storms after the long dry summer season. 

Curry Village is located in the heart of Yosemite Valley. Iconic views of Yosemite Falls and granite monoliths can be seen in every direction. This lodging location is open to the public through October and periodically throughout the winter, mainly during holidays. So, participants will share spaces with park visitors, in addition to other NatureBridge students.

Students will sleep in heated tents with two single beds and one double bed (four students per tent). Chaperones are placed in tents next to students (three chaperones per tent). Bathrooms and shower houses are within walking distance from tents. Although there are linens, participants are encouraged to bring pillows, sleeping bags, and towels for extra comfort. 

Refer to NatureBridge Yosemite FAQs for additional information on lodging at Curry Village. 

The National Environmental Science Center (NESC) is located within the national park boundary on Highway 41, away from the hustle and bustle of Yosemite Valley. Designed to meet LEED Platinum standards, the buildings themselves offer teachable moments on how to tread lightly on the land.

The campus offers bunk-style lodging with two sets of dorms. Each bunkhouse can house up to 28 people and is equipped with balconies, mud rooms for storing wet/muddy gear, with sliding lockable doors that can separate the sleeping space into four separate rooms. Participants are required to bring pillows, sleeping bags, and towels as these items are not provided. 

The shower house is located nearby and has two sides with individual shower and bathroom stalls. A private shower and bathroom are available in the dining lodge for participants who prefer not to use the gendered shower house.

The NESC's capacity is 45-50 participants in total. Depending on group sizes, a group may have exclusive use of the campus or share common spaces with another NatureBridge group.

Refer to NatureBridge Yosemite FAQs for additional information on lodging at the NESC.

All meals during your program are provided by NatureBridge. Henness Ridge-based programs enjoy delicious, healthy meals prepared by NatureBridge cooks, while Yosemite Valley-based programs receive meals from Yosemite Hospitality. Breakfasts and dinners are served in the on-site dining hall and lunch is eaten out on trail. Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated. Refer to NatureBridge Yosemite FAQs for more details.

Resources are available to prepare yourself and/or your student for a NatureBridge program. Our Students & Families page and Chaperones page have a wealth of information, including student and adult chaperone expectations, a packing list and links to other helpful resources. 

• Hydration: Late summer and fall in Yosemite can reach temperatures in the mid-80's. It is extremely important to pack extra water bottles to ensure that participants have the ability to carry enough water to stay hydrated for a whole day in the field. We recommend a 2-3 liter capacity for carrying water.
• Cooling Temperatures: As the summer transitions into fall, you can expect temperatures to drop into the 60s, 50s, and 40s in the evenings and mornings. Be sure to review the suggested packing list and include long pants, warm pajamas, a warm hat, and extra layers to be prepared for all weather.
• Bugs: Warmer temperatures create a welcoming environment for mosquitos, ground hornets and other bugs. Please prepare your students with plenty of bug spray and/or protective layers for the duration of their stay. If your student has a known allergy to insect stings, make sure they are prepared with the resources and medications they need to stay safe.
• Bear Safety: A common question that NatureBridge staff receive from parents/guardians is “Are there bears in Yosemite?” The short answer is “YES!” Yosemite National Park is home to around 300-500 black bears. During student orientation, students learn about black bears and what they should do if they encounter one. Yosemite Valley and our Henness Ridge locations are equipped with bear boxes where participants are instructed to put any food or “smelly” items to keep themselves (and the bears) safe. Seeing a bear can often be the highlight of a student's time in Yosemite and we do everything we can to prepare them to have a positive experience. Visit the Yosemite National Park Bears page for more information.
• Traffic and parking: It is not uncommon for there to be a long line of cars waiting for their turn to pass through the entrance stations into Yosemite National Park. On weekends and holidays, wait times can exceed 1 hour! Parking at popular areas within the park, especially Yosemite Valley locations, can be extremely limited, often filling to capacity by 10:00 am. It is important to plan ahead and arrive early to mitigate the stress of limited parking and traffic congestion.