UPDATE 4/1/2025:
The National Park Service has issued no official release outlining the details of the 2025 daily reservation system. A news release circulating last week reported the apparent approval of a plan, but Republican Rep. Tom McClintock recently took credit for stalling the reservation system once again.
McClintock’s district includes Yosemite National Park. “NPS was about to go ahead and reimpose that reservation system. I raised hell with the White House, and they’re now backing off at least for the moment,” McClintock said at a Tuolumne County Business Council luncheon. “I have also told them though that the worst thing is also delay. People got to know whether or not they’re going to need to make reservations so we need to make this decision now.”
Original Post:
After months of uncertainty, Yosemite National Park announced that the Trump Administration has signed off on its entrance reservation system.
In the summer months during peak visitor hours, lines at the entrance station can stretch for hours. The reservation system was first piloted in 2020, and it requires visitors to obtain a daily permit for entrance.
After fine-tuning the pilot system for the past few years, officials signed off on a permanent system last December. But early February, the system was brought under review of the Trump Administration. The review was accompanied with delays in campground reservations, which were only released last week.
“We updated the reservation system this summer to ensure that all visitors — whether they plan in advance or decide at the last minute — have the opportunity to experience the park,” said Stephanie Burkhart, acting superintendent of Yosemite National Park, in a park release. “We are looking to reduce long wait times at our entrance stations, difficulties finding parking, and crowded trails, so visitors can spend more time exploring and enjoying everything the park has to offer.”
Reservation system details
Reservations will be required at all park entrance stations except Hetch Hetchy, according to the release. From May 24 through June 15 and June 16 through August 15, reservations will only be required on weekends between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m. From June 16 through August 15, reservations will be required throughout the week.
A park reservation will be valid for three consecutive days, and there is no timed entry requirement.
Reservations will be open for sale on www.recreation.gov April 17.
Visitors without a reservation may enter the park before 6 a.m. or after 3 p.m., or anytime via public transportation on YARTS.
“This reservation system pilot is a key part of evaluating what type of system will provide a more enjoyable experience for visitors,” said the release. “The park will monitor and measure how successful this reservation system is this summer, including counts of cars at gates, wait times, and available parking, to refine strategies to improve visitor experience in the future.”
