Temporary Peak Hours Vehicle Reservations
Planning a Summer Trip to Yosemite in 2025? Here’s What You Need to Know About Peak-Hours Reservations.
Yosemite National Park will implement a vehicle reservation system for summer 2025 to help reduce traffic congestion and protect the visitor experience. This system is designed to manage the number of vehicles entering the park during peak times, making travel safer and more enjoyable for everyone. Even with a reservation, it’s important to arrive early, have a well-planned itinerary, and try to avoid the most popular areas between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. whenever possible.
If you’re driving into or through the park between 6am and 2pm on select dates, you’ll need a reservation.
We advice you to make your reservation as soon as possible via Recreation.gov. If your chosen date is sold out, more reservations will be released 7 days prior to your planned visit. Read below for additional details on how to visit the park without a reservation.
See below for more details on the 2025 Temporary Peak Hours Vehicle Reservation System.
Yosemite entrance reservations
A vehicle reservation will be required for entry during the following dates in 2025 from 6am to 2pm:
- May 24-26: (Memorial Day Weekend)
- June 15 – August 15: (Every Day)
- August 30 – September 1: (Labor Day Weekend)
NO reservation is required from May 27 – June 14 or August 16 -29.
Reservations open at 8am PDT on Tuesday, May 6 2025, via Recreation.gov
- Each reservation costs $2 (non-refundable)
- Reservations are valid for three consecutive days.
- Standard park entrance fee still applies.
Both reservation options cost $2 and permit the use of one vehicle for a continuous period of three days. Upon arrival at Yosemite, visitors must either pay a park entrance fee of $35 or provide a lifetime or annual pass. It is important to note that the person who made the reservation must be in the car upon arrival and present a valid photo identification.
NO Vehicle Reservation is Required If Visitors:
- Travel to the park during shoulder seasons such as fall, winter and early spring.
- Have confirmed overnight lodging or campground reservations inside the park
- Enter the park before 6 a.m. or after 2 p.m.
- Hold a wilderness or Half Dome permit.
- Enter the park on a tour such as with Yosemite 360 Tours, Incredible Adventures or Discover Yosemite Tours.
- Enter the park via YARTS (Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System).
No reservation? No problem! There are plenty of things to do outside the park while you wait to enter—hiking, rivers, local eats, museums, and more. Check out our “100 Things to Do in Mariposa County” guide for inspiration!
FAQS: YOSEMITE PEAK HOURS RESERVATIONS
In short, as soon as you possibly can. Most reservations for the season are released well in advance. Getting a reservation during this period is the least stressful way to go. For anyone planning on a shorter notice, the final wave a reservations become available 7 days prior to your visit.
Each reservation grants access for one vehicle and is valid for three consecutive days, starting on the date of entry. For example, a reservation for Friday allows park entry on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Visitors cannot hold multiple reservations for overlapping dates, meaning a second reservation cannot be made for arrival on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday in this case. The reservation holder must be in the arriving vehicle and present a valid photo ID at the entrance station.
Yes, the same reservation rules apply. If you plan to drive through Yosemite between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. to reach destinations like Lee Vining or Mammoth Lakes, you’ll need a temporary vehicle reservation. Otherwise, consider using an alternate route such as Sonora Pass, or plan to travel through the park before 6 a.m. or after 2 p.m. when reservations are not required.
- Outside of Yosemite, Mariposa County is home to two National Forests, the Sierra and the Stanislaus and great hiking in areas such as Stockton Creek Preserve and the Merced River Canyon. Lake McClure and Lake McSwain also provide great, family-friendly outdoor recreation options! In neighboring areas, places such as Bass Lake and Lake Don Pedro are also great recreation areas.
- Mariposa County is full of incredible small towns with rich Gold Rush history that provide an off the beaten path option to explore and spend time in. The town of Mariposa, the county seat of Mariposa County has been named as one of the best towns in America for Small-Town Culture for the last two years. It is home to museums, great dining and local shops. In Coulterville, which Reader’s Digest named as America’s Friendliest Town in 2023, you’ll also find more museums, shops and great things to do!
- There are 100 Things to Do in Mariposa County. We created this convenient list to help you find them all!