This news story about the new Yosemite National Park reservation system is based on a February 16, 2022, National Park Service press release. You can read the original release here.
Following the example set by multiple other national parks across the country, from Acadia to Glacier and Arches, Yosemite National Park has announced the launch of a “temporary peak hours reservation system.”
This year’s system will help the park to manage traffic congestion throughout Yosemite’s typically extremely busy summer season.
This is not an entirely new concept, though. Yosemite National Park already had some form of reservation system in the summers of both 2020 and 2021. Now, the peak hours reservation system in Yosemite is aimed specifically at spreading out visitation and reducing congestion in busy areas.
“A visit to Yosemite should be about enjoying the beautiful granite-lined landscape, not sitting in gridlock,” said Yosemite National Park Superintendent Cicely Muldoon.
“Yosemite visitors deserve a high-quality experience in this magnificent place. Our goal with the peak hours system is to ease overcrowding during the busiest times this summer while still offering access for all.”
Yosemite National Park Implements Peak Hours Reservation System
The Yosemite peak hours reservations will go into effect on Friday, May 20 and run through September 30, 2022.
In that period, park visitors will need a reservation to enter Yosemite National Park between 6 am and 4 pm every day of the week. However, people visiting before 6 am or after 4 pm on any given day do not need a reservation.
Additionally, visitors who are staying overnight in the park and have a booking confirmation also don’t need a separate peak hours reservation.
In practice, if you have a reservation for The Ahwahnee Hotel, Curry Village, Wawona Hotel, Yosemite Valley Lodge, Housekeeping Camp and/or the park’s NPS-managed campgrounds, you do not need that additional entry reservation.
The National Park Service also states that “peak hours reservations are also included for all visitors with wilderness and Half Dome permits and visitors entering the park via YARTS buses and on permitted commercial tours.”
All peak hours reservations for Yosemite National Park are valid for three consecutive days, for one vehicle and all people in that vehicle.
Reservations are available on Recreation.gov from 8 am on March 23, 2022.
You can find more information about this reservation system in Yosemite National Park here on the park’s website.