Yosemite drops entrance reservations 2026

Yosemite National Park entered the 2026 season without a timed-entry reservation system after park officials said a review of 2025 conditions showed most weekdays stayed within operational capacity. The National Park Service announced the change on February 18 and said Yosemite would instead rely on real-time traffic monitoring, active parking management and added staffing at key intersections. By May 20, Yosemite had logged more than 836,000 visits for the year, roughly 100,000 more than the same period in 2025, according to figures cited by Active NorCal. Outside reported on May 21 that the new setup had already produced gridlock, towing and long entrance lines on busy days. ### Why did Yosemite drop the reservation system for 2026? February 18 was the date Yosemite said it would no longer use timed reservations in 2026. The park said its review of the 2025 season found that “most weekdays maintained available parking, stable traffic flow and visitation levels within the park’s operational capacity,” and concluded that a season-wide reservation requirement was not the most effective approach for this year. (nps.gov) Superintendent Ray McPadden said in the release that Yosemite would keep using “active traffic management strategies” to protect access, safety and park resources. The park said those measures would include congestion monitoring, parking management in Yosemite Valley, more staffing during peak periods and alerts on road conditions and crowding. (nps.gov) ### What changed for visitors at the gate? In 2026, Yosemite visitors do not need an entrance reservation, but they still must pay the park entrance fee. The park’s planning page says lodging, camping and backpacking reservations are still strongly recommended, and its FAQ says no reservation is required to enter Yosemite this year. May 13 guidance from Yosemite said officials expected traffic on weekends, especially on Saturday mornings, and urged travelers to buy digital park passes in advance, visit midweek, arrive early or later in the day, and explore areas beyond Yosemite Valley. (nps.gov) The park also said parking in Yosemite Valley fills early during peak summer days. (nps.gov) ### What do the early visitor numbers show? Yosemite had already recorded more than 836,000 visits in 2026 before summer officially began, Active NorCal reported on May 20. That was roughly 100,000 more than the comparable period a year earlier. March showed one of the clearest jumps. SFGATE, citing a National Park Service public use report, said Yosemite recorded 225,817 recreational visitors in March, up from 155,758 in March 2025. (nps.gov) SFGATE said that was the park’s highest March total since 2016. ### What has the no-reservation season looked like on the ground? May 2 was one of the first major tests. (activenorcal.com) Outside described parking lots in Yosemite Valley as jammed, with cars parked illegally along roads and tow trucks removing vehicles. The article said lines of parked cars stretched along the road near Camp 4 and El Capitan Picnic Area as visitors tried to hold on to scarce parking spaces. (sfgate.com) Active NorCal said every parking space in the valley filled on a recent Saturday and cited concerns from visitors about what July and August could look like without reservations. Yosemite Conservancy has urged people to visit on weekdays, arrive early and spend time outside the valley. ### What is Yosemite telling people to do now? (outsideonline.com) May 13 guidance from Yosemite told visitors to plan ahead as more of the park reopens for summer. Tioga Road was scheduled to open to vehicle traffic on May 15, Glacier Point Road opened May 9, and all front-country campgrounds were set to be open this summer, the park said. (activenorcal.com) The park says current conditions, alerts and trip-planning tools are posted on its website. Memorial Day weekend is the next major crowd test, and Yosemite has already warned that weekend traffic, full parking areas and delays are likely during peak periods. (nps.gov 1) (nps.gov 2)