Yosemite National Park will experiment with a vehicle reservation system next year/NPS file

In a move to better manage congestion, Yosemite National Park in California will experiment with a vehicle reservation system at key times in the coming year.

The park's “Peak Hours Plus” 2024 vehicle reservation pilot system will be used to enter Yosemite on the following dates: On weekends from April 13 to June 30; every day from July 1 to August 16; and on weekends from August 17 to October 27. This system will be similar to the 2022 “Peak Hours” system, with the addition of more reservations for afternoon entries.  

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.   

"This [coming] 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," said Superintendent Cicely Muldoon. "This pilot system will inform how we ensure an equitable and outstanding visitor experience while protecting Yosemite's world class resources." 

Reservations will be required for vehicle entry to the park between 5 a.m. and 4 p.m. during the reservation periods. Reservations are not required to enter the park after 4 p.m. Visitors will pick from two types of reservations: Reservations valid for a full day, or reservations valid for entry any time after noon.  

Reservations will be available for purchase online beginning at 8 a.m. (PST) on January 5, 2024, for all arrival dates (Apr. 13 to Oct. 20) at  recreation.gov/timed-entry/10086745.  Reservations will be available until none remain. Afternoon arrivals and additional full day reservations will be added one week in advance; e.g., reservations for a September 30 arrival date will be added on September 23.   

Both reservation types (full day and afternoon) are valid for up to three consecutive days, including the arrival date. 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. Learn more about reservations at go.nps.gov/reserve.  

Yosemite National Park is currently evaluating past reservation pilot systems and other strategies to develop the Yosemite Visitor Access Management Plan. Learn more about the plan and how to get involved at go.nps.gov/vamp.   

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.