Yosemite

Current Conditions

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NatureBridge is excited to welcome students to our environmental science programs in Yosemite this Summer! Check back for seasonal updates as conditions evolve throughout the year.

Current Conditions: Fire is a natural and critical part of California landscapes. While fires are possible throughout the year, peak fire season in Central California usually begins in June or July and runs through late October or November. NatureBridge closely monitors emerging fires in the Yosemite area and associated air quality concerns. 

The Yosemite Director Team meets consistently to assess current conditions and ensure it is safe to run programs. Decisions are made in partnership with the National Park Service and other park partners. Should conditions necessitate a change in program, NatureBridge will be in touch with your Group Coordinator with updates and next steps. Please reach out directly to your group contact for updates on potential program changes.

Helpful Yosemite National Park Links #

Summer Program Activities #

Summer programs are primarily based at the National Environmental Science Center on Henness Ridge. This facility is located on HWY 41 away from the hustle an dbustle of Yosemite Valley crowds. The NESC is built to a LEED Platinum standard and is peaceful and quiet, away from stores, large crowds, and other distractions. 

The NESC lends itself to an exploration of high-elevation flora and fauna and hands-on learning about fire ecology. Days on trail may include exploring the surrounding Sierra Nevada ecosystem, visiting a historic fire lookout tower, or hiking some of the 30 miles of trails that leave directly from campus. Participants should be prepared to hike up to five miles a day. 

Groups who have their own transportation on-site may take a field trip to other locations within the park, including: 

  • Yosemite Valley: Iconic views of waterfalls and towering granite monoliths
  • Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias: Located near Yosemite's South Entrance, the grove is home to about 500 mature giant sequoia trees. Visit the largest of Yosemite’s three sequoia groves and marvel at the beauty of trees that are over 3,000 years old.
  • Glacier Point (Late Spring-Early Fall Only): The Glacier Point Road offers unrivaled views, where you can gaze down at Yosemite Valley from thousands of feet above, capturing a perspective unlike those offered anywhere else in the park. Experience the breathtaking beauty of Yosemite by watching the sunset at Glacier Point or hiking the stunning trail along the rim of the Valley from Taft Point to Sentinel Dome.
  • Tuolumne Meadows (Summer Only): One of the largest high-elevation meadows in the Sierra Nevada that offers stunning views, hiking opportunities, and more! 

Average temperatures can reach the mid 90s in the summer months. NatureBridge policies prohibit swimming during our program. Participants can enter water that is no deeper that their knees, as long as they are supervised by a NatureBridge educator. 

Curry Village Lodging (Thru the end of June) #

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 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 Lodging FAQs for additional information on lodging at Curry Village. 

Historic Curry Village is located in the heart of Yosemite Valley. Curry Village is operated by Yosemite Hospitality LLC (the park concessionaire) who manages food and lodging during your program.
Curry Village Tent Cabins dusted with fall leaves.
Curry Village is beautiful in all season. The changing color of the big leaf maple trees and pacific dogwoods adds vibrancy to the granite-dominated landscape.
Each Curry Village tent cabin houses 3-4 people. Tent cabins are equipped with electricity, heat, furniture, and some linens (but we suggest you bring your own sleeping bag and pillow for added comfort).
Breakfast and dinner are served in the Curry Village Dining Pavilion. A picnic lunch is provided to all NatureBridge participants to take out on trail with them during the day.
Students soaking in the grandeur of Yosemite Valley from Tunnel View
Students soaking in the grandeur of Yosemite Valley from Tunnel View
Hiking through Curry Village at the start of a day filled with hands-on learning and exploration.
Hiking through Curry Village at the start of a day filled with hands-on learning and exploration.
Bridal Vail Falls gushes thanks to melting snow in the Yosemite High Country.
Bridal veil Falls gushes thanks to melting snow in the Yosemite High Country.

National Environmental Science Center (NESC) Lodging #

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 and sleeping bags 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 Lodging FAQs for additional information on lodging at the NESC.

Summer Baxter Building
The National Environmental Science Center (NESC) is located at Henness Ridge (a 30 minute drive south from Yosemite Valley on HWY 41). Henness Ridge is within the park boundary, but away from the crowds and hustle and bustle of the Valley. It is built to a LEED platinum standard and inspires sustainability and stewardship of our natural resources.
Each bunkhouse has 28 beds and is equipped with sliding lockable doors that can separate the sleeping space into four separate rooms. This increases our flexibly to accommodate varied gender breakdowns as well as a separate sleeping space for adults.
The bunkhouses have balconies that look out into the surrounding sugar pine forest as well as mud rooms to store wet/muddy gear away from the sleeping space.
The shower house has two sides and individual stalls for the toilets and showers. A private shower and bathroom are available in the dining lodge for participants who do not feel comfortable using the gendered shower house.
Henness Ridge is a prime example of a Sierra Nevada ecosystem and offers opportunities for students to explore off trail, make discovers, and take ownership of the adventure. This area of the park boasts breathtaking views of the South Fork and Middle Fork of the Merced River, the surrounding forested landscape, and down into the foothills of the Sierra Nevada.
Henness Ridge is situated away from crowds and distractions, creating more likelihood of wildlife sightings while exploring prime habitats!
the NESC is a 30-45 minute drive from the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. Depending on your group's mode of transportation, you can arrange a day trip to the Mariposa Grove to hike amongst the giants and learn about the important role that these trees play in their ecosystem.
Reflecting on shared memories around the campfire
Reflecting on shared memories around the campfire at the end of an inspiring NatureBridge program

Meals #

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 site dining hall and lunch is eaten out on trail. Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated. Refer to Food Allergy FAQs for more details.

Prepare for Your Program #

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

  • Hydration: Summer can reach average temperatures in the mid-90'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.
  • 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. Our NESC location is equipped with a storage area 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. Even with the new implementation of a reservation system by the National Park Service, wait times can exceed one hour on weekends and holidays! Parking at popular areas within the park—especially Yosemite Valley locations—can be extremely limited, often filling to capacity by 10:00 a.m. It is important to plan ahead and arrive early to mitigate the stress of limited parking and traffic congestion. Our operations team will provide you with a waiver in lieu of a reservation to enter the park.