The Medical Clinic in Yosemite Valley does not sell over-the-counter medications,
but the main store in Yosemite Valley has a wide selection
and you might not need to go all the way to one of the small towns outside the park.
When you read this they might have decided to no longer stock a given item,
or they might be out of stock,
as in these photos of shelves during shipping crises:
so you could use the list below to jog your memory of what to pack for your adventure,
especially if something you can’t do without
is not on the likely incomplete list at this webpage.
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In recent years, at the main store at Yosemite Village. there were
name brand and some generic, (adult and in some cases children’s) pain relief (aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen (aka Paracetamol), Naproxen Sodium), cough syrups and lozenges.
Brand names of over-the-counter medications and toiletries included Afrin, Aleve, Alka Seltzer, Alka Seltzer Plus Cold and Flu/ Cold and Cough, Allergy Eye relief, Auro-Dry, Aveeno, Beano, Benadryl, Bengay, Breathe Right, caffeine tablets, Chloraseptic, Claritin, Compound W, Dayquil, Dramamine, Dry Eye Relief, ExLax, Fleet, Gas Ex, Imodium, KY Jelly, Lactaid, Listerine, Mentholatum, Meta Mucil, Midol, Mucinex, Mucinex DM, Murine Ear wax removal, Opti-Free Replenish, Nyquil, Pepto Bismol, Preparation H, Prilosec, Robitussin(s), Tagamet, Tums, Trojan, Tylenol Sinus Severe, Visine, Zantac, ZZZquil.
The main store also stocked grooming accessories, ear plugs, contact lens cases, thermometer, tissues, hand sanitizer, Ace Bandage, small first aid kits, various Band-aids, pads and roller gauze, Neosporin, Polysporin, hydrogen peroxide, isopropyl alcohol, heat wraps,
toothpastes, mouthwashes, Efferdent/Fixodent, sunscreens, Tampax, Playtex, Always, shampoos, deodorants/antiperspirants, lotions, insect repellents, calamine lotion, After Bite, Cortizone, aloe cream, Itch Eraser, Gold Bond Body Powder, petroleum jelly.
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The park service gave this advice: “Recreating with medical conditions: Medical conditions should not prevent recreationists from enjoying Yosemite’s vast wilderness; however, proper management of medical conditions is essential for a successful wilderness experience. Whether hiking in a party of two or ten, it is important for fellow hiking companions to be aware of medical conditions in the group and proper treatment and management of medical conditions. Recreationists who are prescribed medication should carry the medication (plus a few extra doses) in a personal pack so that they don’t miss a dose if an outdoor outing goes awry or longer than anticipated.”
More about the Yosemite National Park largest store, the Medical Clinic (and the hospital in Mariposa, at least an hour drive from Yosemite valley), can be found at Yosemite Valley free shuttle bus stop number 2.
Lists of things you should pack for a possible-wet-weather trip are at snow or rain camp must haves. (All trips to Yosemite, all year round, have the prospect of wet weather).
It includes this advice:
Have you been washing / rinsing / drying clothes with a favorite scented product?
Scented attracts mosquitos and other unpleasant insects,
so for the wash just before the trip you might want to switch to unscented.
Don’t bring clothes camping that have been rinsed or dried with mosquito-attracting scented softeners (plus, dryer sheets can make a greasy stain on clothes if they get stuck to them, and the softeners can decrease the lofting and wicking of garments).
You might also consider choosing clothes that are not black, orange or red as they may attract mosquitos. Lighter colors instead of darker could be a good idea, too. Nature.com reported that “the US military changed its dress shirts from dark blue to light blue in part to mitigate mosquito biting.”
And you could go through your toiletries, shampoo, body soap, lotion, suntan lotion, deodorant etc. and only pack unscented since that great floral scent in the shampoo will attract mosquitos.
Hiking Advice has HIKING SECRETS and etiquette including hiking in the heat, preventing and/or dealing with blisters, logistics of hiking, a day hike gear list, Half Dome hiking advice, winter hiking and the answer to the question: When is the best time of day to cross a mountain stream?
If you decide to do without a water-purifying pump, please note:
From National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine “Diarrhea is the most common illness limiting long-distance hikers. Hikers should purify water routinely, avoiding using untreated surface water. The risk of gastrointestinal illness can also be reduced by maintaining personal hygiene practices and cleaning cookware.” Preferably use a water purifying pump, but bring chemical means should the pump die. Be sure the chemical method you choose will work against cryptosporidium and giardia and note how long (four hours??) the water must be treated for the treatment to be effective. Note also that iodine tablets are not effective against cryptosporidium / giardia and some people are allergic to iodine.
Can a person who is prescribed an epi-pen risk going into the wilderness? see: anaphylaxis quick facts
Swimming in Yosemite includes info about swimming in the river, thunderstorms, bacteria in the water, safety issues, favorite beaches, swimming pools with lifeguards.
If you save money by bringing your own raft, take a look at Yosemite Valley Rafting Advice
Hotel, cabin and tent cabin choices in Yosemite valley are at: Yosemite Valley accommodations
Menus, locations and details about restaurants, cafeterias, coffee bars, pizza, grocery stores are at: Yosemite valley restaurants
