Yosemite ends timed reservations, crowds

Yosemite National Park dropped its timed vehicle reservation system for 2026 after reviewing traffic, parking and visitor-use data from last year, park officials said. CBS Sacramento reported on May 22 that families were still visiting marquee sites including El Capitan, Half Dome and the park’s waterfalls as the change took effect. The National Park Service said the park would instead rely on real-time traffic monitoring, parking management and added staffing at key points. Visitors interviewed by CBS said conditions were manageable in late May, but some expected heavier congestion deeper into summer. ### When did Yosemite end timed reservations, and what exactly changed? February 18, 2026 was the date Yosemite announced it would no longer use a timed reservation system this year, according to the National Park Service. The change applies to 2026 entry, including peak summer travel periods, after what the park called a “comprehensive evaluation” of 2025 traffic patterns, parking availability and visitor use. (nps.gov) Yosemite Superintendent Ray McPadden said reservation systems remain “one valuable management tool,” but the park’s data showed “a season-wide reservation requirement is not the most effective approach for the coming season.” The park said most weekdays in 2025 had available parking, stable traffic flow and visitation within operational capacity. (nps.gov) ### What are visitors seeing on the ground right now? CBS Sacramento reported on May 22 that visitors were continuing to show up and take in Yosemite’s best-known scenery, including El Capitan, Half Dome, waterfalls and hiking areas. Michael Tyler, an Oakland resident, told the station the park visit “was fine” so far, adding that parking had not been a problem during his family’s trip. (nps.gov) Andrew Tyler, visiting from Pennsylvania, told CBS Sacramento he could not imagine what Yosemite would be like “in the summertime” and said it was “just going to be mobbed.” Michael Tyler told the station that the manageable conditions could reflect timing, saying, “It’s early in the season.” ### How busy is Yosemite, and why are crowds a concern? (cbsnews.com) CBS Sacramento said Yosemite was the 13th-most visited recreation national park last year, with nearly 4.3 million visitors. The station said almost 75% of those visits came during the six busiest months, from May through October. TheTravel reported on May 23 that some visitors were already describing hour-long entrance lines, overflowing parking lots and crowding as visitation rises toward the summer peak. (cbsnews.com) That outlet said the end of timed entry was welcomed by some travelers who wanted more spontaneous access, even as crowd concerns grew. ### If there are no reservations, how does the park plan to manage traffic? Yosemite said it will use real-time traffic monitoring to respond to congestion hotspots and active parking management in Yosemite Valley to maximize capacity. The park also said it would place additional staff at key intersections and decision points during peak periods. (thetravel.com) The National Park Service said it will also push out road-condition alerts, congestion warnings and trip-planning tools, while encouraging weekday visits and travel outside Yosemite Valley. Named alternatives in the park’s guidance include Tuolumne Meadows, Wawona and Hetch Hetchy. ### What should visitors do before heading to Yosemite this summer? (nps.gov) May 14 guidance from Yosemite Conservancy said no entrance reservations are required at any point in 2026, including summer and the Horsetail Fall period. The conservancy also warned that federal workforce cuts would likely leave the National Park Service understaffed in Yosemite this summer, and urged visitors to prepare ahead. (nps.gov) The park says visitors should plan early for weekends and holidays, consider weekday trips for lighter congestion and check Yosemite’s website for real-time conditions and seasonal updates. Memorial Day, May 25, is also a fee-free day across more than 100 national park sites, including Yosemite, according to reporting in the source briefings. (nps.gov) (yosemite.org)