Visitors to Yosemite National Park are once again calling out vandalism after graffiti appeared near one of the park’s most iconic waterfalls.
Instagram user Ando Arakelyan posted on his Instagram story showing “Yeti” tags scrawled across a large boulder, a door, and an informational sign in the Bridalveil Fall area. The images were shared Sunday by outdoor content creator Ando Arakelyan, who documents year-round conditions in the park and expressed frustration over the damage.
The posts quickly spread across Instagram and Reddit, drawing sharp criticism from fellow park lovers. Several commenters noted the graffiti had not been there just days earlier, while others described the tagging as disrespectful and embarrassing for such a globally recognized natural landmark.
As of Monday afternoon, the National Park Service had not released details about potential suspects or cleanup efforts. The incident adds to a troubling history of vandalism in Yosemite. In 2022, spray-painted graffiti appeared at dozens of locations along the Yosemite Falls Trail, prompting a multi-agency investigation. That case remains unresolved.
Graffiti and other forms of vandalism in national parks can carry serious consequences, including hefty fines and possible jail time, depending on the extent of the damage and materials used.
Yosemite draws millions of visitors each year, and park officials regularly remind guests that preserving the landscape depends on everyone treating it with respect. For many, incidents like this feel like a violation of a place meant to inspire awe, not act as a canvas.
Thanks to Zach O’Brien, the Founder and Editor-in-Chief at Active NorCal