Day Use Vehicle Reservations NOT Required Summer of 2023

For visitors planning to view the Natural Firefall at Horsetail Fall, please note that Yosemite National Park will require Temporary Vehicle Reservations to access the park for the weekends of February 10-12, February 17-19 and February 24-26. Reservations will be made available on Recreation.gov on January 13. 

About Yosemite National Park Reservations

As announced on November 15, 2022, Yosemite National Park will not require temporary peak-hours vehicle reservations when entering the park in summer of 2023. The decision follows three years of a reservation system that originally was implemented to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and later assist with limiting traffic congestion during significant construction projects in the park. The decision will make it easier for travelers to plan their visit to Yosemite Mariposa County – visitors will simply be able to head to the gate and pay their entrance fee in order to enter Yosemite. Entrance fees for guests on foot, in non-commercial cars, or on bicycles, motorcycles, or horses are all valid for 7 consecutive days.

The suspension of the Yosemite reservations system in 2023 will allow NPS to conduct a full environmental assessment in the coming year which will include public input. YMCTB and the Mariposa County Lodging Association members look forward to participating and engaging with the National Park Service and providing business-based data and experience in those conversations.

Why the Yosemite Reservations System Was Created

In previous years, the National Park Service has required temporary Yosemite National Park reservations from May to September. The system was first introduced in 2020 and continued in 2021 as a way to limit the spread of COVID-19 and keep staff and guests alike safe. In 2022, the temporary peak hours vehicle reservation was put in place due to a high number of construction and renovation projects in Yosemite such as the repaving of Glacier Point Road and Tioga Pass, the Bridalveil Fall Rehabilitation Project and the construction of a new Welcome Center in Yosemite Valley.

Please Recreate Responsibly When Visiting Yosemite Mariposa County

Though spur-of-the-moment nature lovers no longer have to reckon with the question of how to get into Yosemite without a reservation, YMCTB does recommend that visitors make a detailed travel plan for visiting, no matter how long or short their vacation will be. The organization offers some helpful tips for visitation:

• Arrive early to avoid queues at Yosemite’s entrance gates.
• Use public transportation or commercial tours, such as YARTS and the Yosemite Valley Shuttle System or several of the region’s tour companies.
• Consider spending full days exploring regions in and out of the park instead of trying to see the nearly 1,200 square mile park in a single day.
• Avoid peak traffic times between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at park gates on holiday weekends.
• Visit during fall, winter and spring for a more serene experience in Yosemite.

To explore lodging options, things to do and places to eat, visit Yosemite.com, the #1 trip planning site for vacations to Yosemite National Park and historic Mariposa County. To stay up to date, follow @YosemiteNation on social media and subscribe to our newsletter, “The Wanderer”. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for great videos on the people and places of Yosemite Mariposa County.