Yosemite will pilot new entry reservation system
Visitor Access Management Plan continues to evolve
Yosemite National Park has announced the pilot of the “Peak Hours Plus” vehicle reservation system for park entry in 2024, which will require visitors to make reservations to drive into or through the park during specific windows of time next year.
Park officials say the goal of the pilot is to ease overcrowding during peak times and continue to offer access for all to this extremely popular park.
“Crowding and congestion is a decade’s long issue here at Yosemite that has really grown worse over the years,” Yosemite National Park Superintendent Cicely Muldoon said. “This summer’s pilot system is built from extensive public feedback, data from three years of pilot reservation systems here in Yosemite, and lessons learned from other national parks,” she said.
Yosemite National Park is currently evaluating past reservation pilot systems and other strategies to develop the Yosemite Visitor Access
Management Plan.
“This pilot system will inform how we ensure an equitable and outstanding visitor experience while protecting Yosemite’s world class resources,” Muldoon said.
Muldoon noted that these pilots are a key part of learning and evaluating what strategies could best ensure that the long-term solution at Yosemite provides visitors and surrounding communities access to the outstanding resources of the park while protecting resources and providing high quality experiences for the future.
Reservations
According to the National Park Service, this system will be similar to the 2022 “Peak Hours” system, with the addition of more reservations for afternoon entries. Reservations will be required on the following dates:
Day-Use Reservation
• Feb. 10–11, 17–19 and 24–25 (Horsetail Fall event)
Peak-Hours Reservation
• April 13 - June 30 (weekends and holidays)
• July 1 – Aug. 16
(every day)
• Aug. 17 – Oct. 27 (weekends and holidays)
Visitors will pick from two types of reservations: full-day reservations and afternoon reservations. Both reservation types are valid for up to three consecutive days, including the arrival date.
Reservations will be required for vehicle entry to the park between 5 a.m. and 4 p.m. during the mandatory periods. Driving through the park will also require a reservation during these times. Reservations are not required to enter the park after 4 p.m. Visitors planning to enter after peak hours are advised to not arrive before 4 pm as vehicles blocking roads will be cited.
Reservations can be made online at recreation. gov/timedentry/10086745 and will be available until none remain.
Afternoon arrivals and additional full day reservations will be added one week in advance of each reservation date.
Reservations for February 2024 became available for purchase on Dec. 1, 2023, and Peak
Hours reservations for April 13 through Oct. 27 will be available for purchase online beginning at 8 a.m. (PST) on Jan. 5, 2024.
Visitors with in-park lodging or campground reservations, wilderness or Half Dome permits, or visitors entering the park via YARTS buses and on permitted commercial tours do not need a vehicle reservation.
Horsetail Fall - February
2024
Horsetail Fall can glow orange when it’s backlit by sunset, which can make it appear to be on fire. This unique lighting effect happens only on evenings with a clear sky when the waterfall is flowing and when the sun is at the right angle in mid–to late February.
This event attracts many visitors to a small area, causing traffic congestion, parking issues, safety concerns, and impacts to natural and cultural resources.
In order to manage this event, a reservation will be required to enter Yosemite National Park on the weekends of Feb.10–11, 17–19 and 24–25 in 2024, even for those not visiting Horsetail Fall. Visitors who arrive Mondays through Fridays (except Monday, February 19) won’t need a reservation as the $35/car entrance fee is valid for entry for seven days, regardless of day of arrival.
IF YOU WANT TO KNOW
MORE
To make reservations to enter Yosemite National Park, visit recreation.gov/ timed-entry/10086745.
To learn more about the Yosemite Visitor Access Management Plan and how to get involved, visit go.nps.gov/vamp.