Temporary Peak Hours Vehicle Reservations
If you’re planning a trip to Yosemite Mariposa County in 2024, you may need to make a Temporary Peak Hours Vehicle Reservation to enter Yosemite National Park.
The system, which the Yosemite National Park Service refers to as “Peak Hours Plus,” will require reservations to enter Yosemite for some or all days of the week from April to October. it is of the utmost importance that you familiarize yourself with this information as your visit may be impacted and reservations may be required to enter Yosemite for the full day.
In the past, Temporary Peak Hours Vehicle Reservation allocations have filled quickly, so be sure to be ready to make a reservation via Recreation.gov when they become available on January 5, or 7 days prior to your planned visit if you missed the initial set of reservations that became available.
See below for more details on the 2024 Temporary Peak Hours Vehicle Reservation System.
2024 YOSEMITE PEAK HOUR RESERVATIONS REQUIREMENTS
A vehicle reservation will be required for entry during the following days in 2024:
- April 13 to June 30: On weekends (Saturday and Sunday) and holidays from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- July 1 to August 16: Seven days a week from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- August 17 – October 27: On weekends (Saturday and Sunday) and on Monday holidays from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Types of Temporary Peak Hours Vehicle Reservations
In 2024, there will be two different types of reservations a person can make.
- Similar to 2022, a person can make a Yosemite day pass reservation to enter the park by vehicle at any time.
- New for 2024, a person can make a reservation to enter Yosemite after 12 p.m
How can I make a reservation?
The first wave of Temporary Peak Hours Vehicle Reservations will be made available on January 5, 2024, at 8 a.m. PST on Recreation.gov/timed-entry/10086745.
Additional full-day and afternoon reservations will be made available one week prior to a person’s planned visit.
Who must make a Reservation to enter Yosemite National Park?
- Anyone staying in lodging outside of Yosemite National Park during the above dates mentioned who cannot enter the park before 5 a.m. or after 4 p.m.
- Anyone making a day-use visit to Yosemite on the above dates who cannot enter before 5 a.m. or after 4 p.m.
HOW TO GET INTO YOSEMITE WITHOUT A RESERVATION?
Booking a lodging reservation in Yosemite National Park in 2024 will mean you do not need to make a Temporary Peak Hours Vehicle Reservation to enter Yosemite. Other ways to get into Yosemite without a reservation include:
- Staying in lodging or at a campsite located in Yosemite National Park in a location such as Yosemite Valley, Wawona, Tuolumne Meadows or Foresta.
- Enter the park before 5 a.m. or after 4 p.m.
- Poses 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 using YARTS, the Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST FOR ONE VEHICLE TO ENTER YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK?
Both reservation options permit the use of one vehicle for a continuous period of three days for $2. Upon arrival at Yosemite, visitors must either pay a fee of $35 to enter the park or provide an annual or lifetime 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.
What if I can’t make a reservation for my planned dates?
You will still be able to enter Yosemite National Park!
- Reservations are only required from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. If you enter the park before 5 a.m., you have access for the whole day.
- You can enter the park by taking YARTS, the Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System.
- You can enter the park via an organized tour from a company like Yosemite 360 Tours or Incredible Adventures.
You can still have a great outdoor experience in Mariposa County outside of the park.
- 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!
ADDITIONAL FAQ’S ABOUT YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK RESERVATIONS
HOW LONG IS MY RESERVATION GOOD FOR?
Reservations will grant one vehicle access to the park for three consecutive days from the first day a reservation is valid. For example, if a visitor makes a reservation for a Friday arrival, the pass is valid from Friday through Sunday. The pass holder will not be able to make a second reservation for arrival on either Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. The reservation holder must be in the arriving vehicle and present a photo ID at the entrance station.
HOW DO I KNOW IF MY LODGING IS IN YOSEMITE OR NOT?
If your lodging is outside of the park in town such as Fish Camp, El Portal, Mariposa, Coulterville or Buck Meadows, you do need to make a Temporary Peak Hours Vehicle Reservation to enter Yosemite National Park.
If you’re staying in lodging or camping in Yosemite Valley, Wawona, Foresta or Yosemite West your campsite, hotel or cabin rental is inside Yosemite National Park and you do not need to make a reservation to enter Yosemite National Park.
DO I NEED TO MAKE A RESERVATION IF I AM JUST DRIVING THROUGH THE PARK?
Yes. If you cannot enter the Yosemite before 5 a.m. or after 4 p.m. on a day when reservations are required then you will not be able to enter the park without a reservation. If you’re planning to go through Yosemite to cross over the Sierra Nevada Mountains to reach a destination such as Lee Vining or Mammoth Lakes, be prepared to make a temporary vehicle reservation or you’ll need to use another route across the mountains such as the Sonora Pass.