School and Group Programs
Group Coordinator Tools
Transportation
You are responsible for transporting students between their home and their Yosemite starting and ending points, which could include Curry Village, Wawona, or Crane Flat. To confirm the location that your program begins and ends, email our program director at yiprogramdirector@yni.org, or call (209) 379-9511.
A gate pass will be issued to your group coordinators approximately 1 week prior to program start date. Passes should be copied and given to each person driving for your group. Maps and directions should also be given to each of your drivers. Each driver should know to check current road conditions and our driving tips before setting out.
Emergency Vehicle
We encourage groups to have a vehicle available while they are in Yosemite. It can be used by adult chaperones to:
- Run errands
- Transport sick participants to the medical center
- Use as an emergency vehicle at trailheads for overnight trips
Charter Buses
There are many charter companies that can accommodate trips to Yosemite. Call charter bus services in your area to arrange transportation to Yosemite.
Small groups may contact Yosemite Institute to find out if they can share a bus with a larger group of people leaving by bus from their area. We can give you contact information regarding other groups.
As the group coordinator, you are responsible for making overnight accommodations for your bus drivers if they are needed.
- DNC Parks and Resorts at Yosemite (801) 559- 4884
- HWY 41- Visitor Information in Oakhurst (559) 683-4626, www.yosemitethisyear.com
- HWY 140- Mariposa Visitor Information (209)966-7081, www.homeofyosemite.com
- HWY 120- Tuolumne County Visitor Bureau (800) 446-1333, www.tcvb.com
Public Transportation
Small groups often use Amtrak to avoid the cost of chartering a large bus for only a few students. Amtrak can provide transportation to Curry Village. Groups switch from train to bus in Merced. To make arrangements call Amtrak at (800) USA-RAIL or (800) 872-7245. Using www.amtrack.com, you may obtain schedules and regular fares from your area to Yosemite (use code YOS).
Please let the program director know if you need transportation to or from Crane Flat on your arrival or departure dates.
If the thought of transferring from train to bus with 30 students is daunting, here's a suggestion: rent a van to drive the luggage up to Yosemite separate from the students. The van can be used as an emergency vehicle while you are in the park, and the students are only responsible for their day packs and pillows while en rout.
Daily service between Yosemite Valley and Merced is provided by VIA Adventure. Call (800) 369-PARK or (800) 369-7275 for details.
Carpooling and Vans
Carpooling or using rental vans can cut cost. We recommend that you:
- Your group coordinator should coordinate times among drivers.
- Each driver should have a copy of the same map and a gate pass.
- Gate passes can be copied for multiple drivers.
Each driver should know their destination with the park (Crane Flat, Wawona, Curry Village) and how to get there. - Your group coordinator should arrive in first vehicle.
- Each driver should know when and where to pick up their groups at the end of the week.
- Each driver should know to call Yosemite Institute at (209) 379-9511 during business hours if they become lost or encounter delays.
Within the Park
While in Yosemite transportation is provided by the Yosemite Institute between Curry Village and Crane Flat. Schools are responsible for paying for transportation to other destinations in the park.
If staying at Hetch Hetchy, backpackers and campers must provide their own transportation. Inclement weather can effect transportation, making flexibility essential.
Bear Awareness
Do not store food, drink or scented toiletries in vehicles. Black bears have a keen sense of smell and are capable of breaking into cars. Bears have also learned to visually recognize food storage containers. Containers should be removed from vehicle, even if they are empty. Bear proof food storage lockers are available at Curry Village. Food containers can also be stored inside the dining hall at Crane Flat campus.
