YOSEMITE, CA – Visitors heading to Yosemite National Park in 2026 will be able to enter without advance vehicle reservations, marking a significant shift in how one of the nation’s most popular public lands plans to manage crowds.

Park managers confirmed this week that the timed-entry reservation system used in recent years will not be implemented for the upcoming season. Officials with the National Park Service said the decision follows a multi-year review of visitation patterns, traffic flow, and operational impacts tied to the reservation program.

The reservation system was first introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic as a public health measure and later evolved into a congestion-management tool. In subsequent summers, reservations were required during peak daytime hours to reduce traffic backups, protect park resources, and improve the visitor experience.

While the system did reduce gridlock in Yosemite Valley and helped prevent parking shortages, park officials said newer management approaches now provide similar benefits without restricting entry in advance. Increased ranger staffing, improved traffic control, expanded visitor messaging, and ongoing monitoring of parking capacity have allowed managers to respond dynamically to crowd conditions.

Officials said data from recent seasons showed that real-time operations — such as directing vehicles, adjusting shuttle service, and managing parking turnover — were often sufficient to keep traffic moving even on busy days. Eliminating reservations is intended to restore flexibility for travelers while still preserving the ability to respond quickly to safety concerns or congestion spikes.

The change is expected to make spontaneous trips easier for residents of the Sierra foothills and Central Valley, as well as for visitors traveling through California. Still, park leaders emphasize that Yosemite remains one of the most visited national parks in the country, drawing millions of visitors each year.

Busy summer weekends, holiday periods, and peak waterfall season in spring are still expected to bring heavy traffic, long entrance lines, and crowded trails.

Reservations still required for many Yosemite experiences

Although entry reservations are gone, advance planning remains essential for many activities inside the park. Capacity limits for overnight stays, wilderness travel, and certain services mean reservation systems will continue to play a major role in trip planning.

Visitors should expect to reserve ahead for:

• Campgrounds: Nearly all front-country campgrounds require reservations, particularly in Yosemite Valley, Wawona, Hodgdon Meadow, and Tuolumne Meadows when open. Summer sites can fill months in advance within minutes of release.

• In-park lodging: Hotels, cabins, and tent accommodations remain reservation-based year-round due to consistently high demand. Peak seasons often sell out well in advance.

• Wilderness permits: Overnight backpacking still requires a permit tied to trailhead quotas. Popular routes, including those leading toward Half Dome, the John Muir Trail, and Cathedral Lakes, often reach capacity quickly.

• Half Dome permits: The cables route on Half Dome continues to operate under a permit lottery system for hikers attempting the summit during the cables season.

• Guided tours and specialty programs: Ranger-led hikes, educational programs, and concession-operated tours may require reservations depending on the activity and season.

• Horseback trips and other concession experiences: These capacity-limited offerings generally require advance booking.

• Parking realities: Even without entry limits, parking availability — especially in Yosemite Valley — remains one of the park’s biggest constraints. Lots often fill by mid-morning during peak summer days.

Park officials continue to encourage visitors to arrive early, carpool when possible, and take advantage of shuttle services once inside the park.

Balancing access and preservation

The move away from reservations reflects an ongoing effort by park managers to balance public access with environmental protection. Yosemite’s popularity has long created tension between preserving natural resources and accommodating growing visitation.

Officials say the goal now is to shift from broad restrictions toward more adaptive management, allowing the park to respond to conditions as they develop rather than limiting entry across entire seasons.

For travelers, the change signals a return to more traditional access — but not necessarily an easier visit. Crowds, traffic delays, and limited parking will still be part of the Yosemite experience during peak months.

For Sierra residents, however, the removal of the reservation requirement may restore the possibility of last-minute day trips, short hikes, or spontaneous scenic drives that had become more difficult under the timed-entry system.

Park leaders stress that the best Yosemite visits still come from planning ahead: checking conditions, arriving early, and understanding that the park’s popularity means patience is often part of the journey.

More information about reservations for campgrounds, lodging, wilderness permits, and seasonal activities is available through Yosemite’s trip-planning resources on the National Park Service website.

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