Late Tuesday, the Trump administration released new rules that require people who want to visit Yosemite National Park to make entrance reservations. The rules come after months of delays, and are different than the reservation requirements that were in place last year under the Biden administration.
Simply put, starting on Memorial Day weekend, visitors will need to make a reservation for their vehicle online if they want to enter the park on most days. If you show up at the park entrance without one, there is a high likelihood you’ll be turned around and denied entry, or forced to wait hours in line. Here’s what you need to know.
Why are they doing this?
Yosemite National Park is one of California’s top tourist attractions. Last year, 4.1 million people visited from all over the world. Increasingly the park’s spectacular waterfalls, ancient forests, and massive granite walls have generated big crowds, full parking lots and unpleasant experiences for visitors. Other national parks, such as Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, are increasingly also requiring entrance reservations to spread out visitors and control overcrowding.
OK. When do I need a reservation to get in?
A reservation will be required to drive into or through Yosemite National Park from May 24 through Sept. 1, 2025, for people driving into the park between 6 am and 2 pm as follows:
Until May 23: A reservation is not required at any time.
May 24 to May 26 (Memorial Day weekend): A reservation is required from 6 am to 2 pm on Saturday through Monday.
May 27 to June 14: A reservation is not required at any time.
June 15 to Aug. 15: A reservation is required every day from 6 am to 2 pm.
Aug. 16 to Aug. 29: A reservation is not required at any time.
Aug. 30 to Sept. 1 (Labor Day weekend): A reservation is required from 6 am to 2 pm on Saturday through Monday.
How do I make a reservation?
Go to recreation.gov
Pay the $35 entrance fee, just like in the past. There is a $2 service charge. Print out your confirmation email or download it into your phone and show it to the ranger at the gate. Cell service around the park can be spotty. Don’t count on being able to pull the reservation up on your phone at the gate if you need internet access to retrieve it.
If you don’t have computer access, you can call (877) 444-6777 to make a reservation.
How long is the reservation good for?
Three consecutive days. You’ll need one reservation per vehicle. Each reservation is valid for everyone inside the vehicle.
When do they go on sale?
At 8 a.m. PDT on May 6 for all arrival dates (May–August). These remain available until all are taken. Other reservations will be made available seven days in advance (for example, a reservation for an arrival date of Aug. 31 can be made on on Aug. 24).
Do you think they will sell out quickly?
Yes. One tip is to establish a Recreation.gov account first, then log in to your account before 8 a.m., and obtain a reservation beginning at 8 am on the earliest day possible.
Are there ways around this?
Yes. Anyone who shows up at the park during the peak days can get in without a reservation if they enter before 6 a.m., or after 2 p.m.
What about if I’m staying in the park overnight?
Anyone who has overnight reservations to stay at campgrounds and hotels that are located inside the park, like Yosemite Lodge, or the Ahwahnee Hotel, does not need an entrance reservation. Nor do people with wilderness permits or Half Dome permits, or people who are renting homes in Wawona, Yosemite West, or Foresta.
What if I ride a bus into the park?
You don’t need a reservation if you enter the park on a Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS) bus, or on a bus that is part of an authorized tour group.
Do motorcycles need a reservation?
Yes.
What if I enter on foot, or bicycle?
If you enter the park on a bicycle, on foot, or on horseback, or if you visit Hetch Hetchy reservoir, you do not need a peak-hours reservation to enter the park. Park entrance fees still apply.
Do I need a reservation to drive into the park if I have a reservation for a campground or lodging accommodation located outside of Yosemite National Park?
Yes. You must have a peak-hours reservation to drive a vehicle into the park unless you arrive before 6 am or after 2 pm.
What if I have an annual pass?
For $70, you can purchase a Yosemite annual pass, which covers entrance fees at Yosemite for 12 months. For $80, you can purchase an interagency annual pass, which is valid for entrance fees at all national parks.
Annual pass holders still need to obtain a peak-hours reservation to drive into the park during peak hours, on days when reservations are required. But they aren’t required to pay the $35 entrance fee each time they visit.
Can I give or sell my reservation to someone else?
No. Reservations and entrance fees are non-transferable. Peak-hours reservations are only valid for the person who made the reservation and for the vehicle transporting that person. Visitors with reservations are required to show photo ID with their reservation at the entrance gate to prevent speculators from buying up reservations and selling them at inflated prices.
Are same-day reservations available? Can I wait at the entrance station and enter the park if people with reservations don’t show up?
Reservations are not available at entrance stations. You can check Recreation.gov before you arrive to the park to see if any reservations have become available due to cancellation.
How can I learn more?
Go to Yosemite’s website, at www.nps.gov/yose
