Removal of Yosemite’s 2026 entry reservation system sparks gridlock

Yosemite National Park said on February 18 that it will not require timed vehicle-entry reservations in 2026, ending a system the park had used in recent peak periods to pace arrivals. The National Park Service said the change followed a review of 2025 traffic patterns, parking availability and visitor use. Outside reported this week that the no-reservation policy has already coincided with gridlock, towing and long lines as summer visitation builds. The park says entrance fees still apply and warned visitors to expect heavy congestion from April through October. ### Why did Yosemite drop the 2026 reservation requirement? Yosemite National Park said its 2025 analysis found that “most weekdays” had available parking, stable traffic flow and visitation within operational capacity. In a February 18 news release, the park said those findings showed a season-long reservation requirement was not the most effective tool for 2026. The National Park Service said Yosemite will instead rely on real-time traffic management, including temporary traffic diversions when parking areas reach capacity and additional seasonal staff in high-use areas. A separate NPS release said the park will not require advance reservations in 2026, including during peak summer months and the February-March firefall period. (nps.gov) ### If there is no reservation, what still controls access? A reservation is not required to enter Yosemite in 2026, but the park’s entrance fee still applies, according to the park’s visit-planning page. The park also says visitors still need reservations for lodging, campgrounds, backpacking and some other activities, depending on the trip. The National Park Service has also kept in place broader access-management planning. (nps.gov) Yosemite’s visitor access management plan says its purpose is to reduce overcrowding and traffic congestion, pace vehicle volume and protect park resources while maintaining access. ### What does Yosemite itself say about crowding and traffic? Yosemite National Park says it receives more than 4 million visitors each year and warns that Yosemite Valley in particular can see “extended traffic delays,” extremely limited parking and busy trails. (nps.gov) The park’s traffic page says those conditions are especially likely during spring and fall, though its main visit-planning page tells travelers to “pack your patience” from April through October. (nps.gov) Outside reported on May 21 that the federal government’s elimination of the 2026 entry reservation system has led to gridlock, towing and massive lines. The magazine framed those conditions as an early test of the park’s shift away from timed entry. ### Where are the choke points most likely to show up? Yosemite Valley is the park’s most crowded area, according to both the National Park Service and Outside’s coverage. (nps.gov) NPS says the valley is the likeliest place for very high visitor concentrations, parking shortages and traffic backups. The park’s firefall guidance offers one example of how crowd control now works without a general entry reservation. In February 2026, NPS said no reservation was required to visit Yosemite or the Horsetail Fall area, but directed visitors to a specific parking area and a 1.5-mile walk to the viewing zone. (outsideonline.com) ### What should visitors watch before they go? NPS says travelers should monitor Yosemite’s reservations, traffic, FAQ and current-conditions pages before arriving because road access, parking capacity and restrictions can change. (nps.gov) The park’s FAQ states plainly that no reservation is needed to enter in 2026, while its planning pages continue to recommend advance bookings for overnight stays. Memorial Day weekend and other peak summer dates are the next major test of the new system. (nps.gov) Yosemite’s official planning pages and traffic updates on NPS.gov are the park’s main public channels for access rules, road conditions and any temporary traffic diversions in 2026. (home.nps.gov) (nps.gov)