Concessionaire claims Yosemite naming rights amid contract negotiation

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Some of the most recognizable names in Yosemite National Park could be up for grabs. That's because Yosemite is in the middle of a contract negotiation for the next concessionaire.

Since 1993, the Delaware North Corporation has had a contract with Yosemite to run concessions. Now, we're learning that Delaware North owns the naming rights to many of the park's most famous locations, including Curry Village, the Wawona Hotel, Yosemite Lodge and the Ahwahnee Hotel.

Yosemite is currently soliciting bids through January for a new concessionaire contract. If Yosemite chooses someone else to run services in the park, they may have to pay Delaware North millions of dollars for the continued use of the names.

Action News spoke with Delaware North by phone on Friday, and they say to be clear they don't own the actual physical buildings in the park -- just the naming rights.