Natural Disaster Risk in Yosemite National Park

Natural Hazard Profile: Yosemite National Park, California

Yosemite National Park is a small community of about 2,181 in Mariposa County, in the western mountain region near the Pacific Coast. The area experiences dry summers and mild, wet winters with pronounced drought cycles, with a critical fire season from late summer through fall shaping the pattern of natural hazards that residents encounter. Understanding the local risk profile is essential for anyone living in, moving to, or owning property in Yosemite National Park.

FEMA rates Yosemite National Park's composite natural disaster risk at 5.9 out of 10 — moderate risk. The area faces significant landslide risk, where mountainous topography and saturated soils during wet periods combine to create hazardous mass movement conditions. Residents should also account for heat and wildfire risk in their preparedness planning.

Yosemite National Park's risk score, near the 5.9/10 state average and above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for Mariposa County, the highest-scoring are landslide, heat, and wildfire. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.

Yosemite National Park's moderate risk profile means that while catastrophic events are less frequent, they do occur. Standard homeowners insurance typically covers many common hazards here, but confirming that landslide exposure is adequately protected is a worthwhile step for property owners.