The peak hours reservation system is designed to spread visitation out and reduce chronic congestion in the park. Visitors will need a reservation to enter the park between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. seven days a week. Visitors entering the park outside of the peak hours are not required to have a reservation.     

Visitors who enter the park before 6 a.m. or after 4 p.m. will be required to pay the park entrance fee and that pass is valid for three days outside of peak hours.

Peak hours reservations are included for all visitors staying overnight in the park. This includes reservations for The Ahwahnee Hotel, Yosemite Valley Lodge, Curry Village, Wawona Hotel, Housekeeping Camp, and NPS-managed campgrounds. Peak hours reservations are also included for all visitors with wilderness and Half Dome permits and visitors entering the park via YARTS buses and on permitted commercial tours.    

The peak hours reservation system will be in effect through September 30, 2022, and reservations will be required for all users, including annual and lifetime pass holders. Each reservation is valid for three days. Reservations are available on www.recreation.gov beginning at 8 a.m. on March 23, 2022. Each peak hours reservation is valid for one vehicle and the occupants of that vehicle.   

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All park fees are still in effect and will be taken upon entry into the park. Additionally, you will need to provide one of the following:

• Day-use reservation (valid for 7 consecutive days for unlimited re-entries)
• Upper Pines Campground reservation
• Yosemite Valley Lodge or The Ahwahnee reservation
• Private lodging or vacation rental reservation inWawona, Yosemite West, or Foresta
• Yosemite wilderness permit
• Commercial-use authorization

Upon showing proof of your reservation and a matching photo ID at the entrance station, you will receive a vehicle permit to enter the park. This permit is valid for seven consecutive day for unlimited re-entries.

Expect winter weather conditions including ice on roadways and paths, snow, low temperatures especially in shaded areas and after sunset or before sunrise, and water on roadways and paths from melting ice and snow. Hypothermia is the greatest risk so dress warmly, bring extra clothes, food and blankets, and change any clothing that you get wet immediately.

For more information on current COVID-19 restrictions within Yosemite National Park please visit: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/covid19.htm

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Due to health and safety concerns presented by the Coronavirus Pandemic, Yosemite is closed to all non-residents and non-staff until further notice. Visitors will be turned away at the gates which are being manned 24/7.

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Everyday the men and women of the National Park Service provide law enforcement within the parks, protection and administration of fires within the parks, education programs, walks and talks, and scientific research that furthers our understanding of the parks and the creatures that call them home.

It’s still summer and FREE entry days usually mean above average traffic and congestion within the park especially in Yosemite Valley and at Glacier Point. Park outside the park when possible and take Yarts or one of the free shuttle busses to your destination as possible. Or, just avoid the crowd altogether and visit the beautiful high country along the Tioga Road.

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There will be free activities for visitors including:

• Learn about how you can reduce waste at the Sustainability booth. Bring an empty single-use camp propane canister and trade it in for a refillable propane canister.
• Junior Rangers of all ages are welcome to explore the park on a special Ranger-guided walk at 10:30 am and 1:00 pm.
• Join a Park Ecologist and learn about Meadow Restoration on a walk around Ahwahnee Meadow at 10:45 am.
• Connect with a Park Ranger and learn about bears and other wildlife that call Yosemite home.
• Express your love of Yosemite through a special art project brought to you by Yosemite Conservancy.
• Enjoy Face-painting and other hands-on activities for all ages
• Join a photo walk at 11:00 am and explore Yosemite Valley through your camera’s lens with photographers from the Ansel Adams Gallery
• Learn sustainable gardening tips from the UC Mariposa Master Gardeners

There will also be music, games, and interactive booths at the Visitors Center in Yosemite Valley from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Free entry days are usually VERY busy within the park so expect large crowds and bring lots of patience. Parking will fill up quickly so expect to arrive prior to 9am.

As always public transportation is a wonderful way to visit Yosemite Valley. YARTS (Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System) buses run multiple times daily and provide visitors with a safe and convenient way to visit the park. To learn more, visit www.yarts.com.

While entrance fees are free on Saturday, camping, hotel and other fees still apply.

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This new pilot program will run through the busy summer season and will be evaluated fall 2019. For more information on Camp 4 Campground, please visit: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/camp4.htm.  For information in general on camping in Yosemite National Park, please visit https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/camping.htm . 

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Permits are required for all hikers wishing to ascend the subdome steps and the Half Dome cables seven days a week when the cables are up.

During the preseason lottery, 225 permits are available for each day that the cables are up with a limited number of permits available by daily lottery during the hiking season.

For the latest information on the Half Dome preseason lottery, please visit https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hdpermits.htm.

If you plan on staying overnight in Little Yosemite Valley you will need a separate permit for that also as space is limited and dispersed camping is not allowed. For more information please visit https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hdwildpermits.htm.

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Wang was hiking the Mist Trail on Saturday February 24, 2019 when she was struck by falling rock and ice and she succumbed to her injuries soon thereafter.

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