Yosemite National Park Brings Back Reservation System to Mitigate Overcrowding

December 19, 2023

If you were thinking about embarking on a spur-of-the-moment mountain getaway to Yosemite next summer, you might need to reconsider your plans. Yosemite National Park is reinstating a reservation system in 2024 to manage the millions of visitors that flock to the scenic California park.

Visitors will have to reserve an entry pass online in advance if they want to visit during certain windows. Reservations will be required if entering between 5 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekends and holidays during the shoulder season (April 13 – June 30 and August 17 – October 27) and every day during peak season (July 1 – August 16).

Reservations will also be required in February for the last three weekends and Presidents’ Day due to the popular “firefall” event that causes an influx in visitors. Entry passes for February are currently available to be reserved for $2 online (in addition to the existing $35 car entrance fee). Reservations for the rest of 2024 will be available starting January 5 at 8 a.m. The Inertia