/ Published in Reservations, Yosemite Visitor Info

How can you get into Yosemite without a reservation?

Can’t get into Yosemite National Park because you don’t have a reservation?

Did you show up for your Yosemite National Park vacation to find out you couldn’t get into the park because you didn’t know you needed to have a reservation? If this is the case, call the best bike shop in the Yosemite Valley area, Pedal Forward Bikes & Adventure. If you don’t have a reservation, you can join us for a guided hike in Yosemite, and you won’t need a reservation to get into the park. Our guided hikes are private; we can tailor the experience just for you! If you only want a quick guided hike to enjoy the rest of the day exploring Yosemite, we can help you!

More about Yosemite National Park’s 2024 Reservations System:

Yosemite National Park is a stunning destination attracting millions of visitors yearly. To manage the high demand and protect the park’s natural beauty, the National Park Service has implemented a reservation system for entry into the park. This system helps to reduce overcrowding, maintain the park’s ecological balance, and provide visitors with a more enjoyable experience.

If you’re planning a trip to Yosemite National Park, it’s essential to make a reservation in advance. The reservation system applies to both day-use visitors and overnight campers, so be sure to check the specific requirements for your visit. You can make reservations online through the official Yosemite National Park website, and booking your spot as early as possible is recommended, especially during peak seasons.

By making a reservation, you can secure your entry into the park and ensure you have a spot at your desired campground or activity. This not only gives you peace of mind but also helps to support the park’s conservation efforts. Additionally, staying informed about the reservation system and following the park’s guidelines will contribute to a positive and sustainable experience for everyone.

Yosemite National Park is a treasure worth protecting, and the reservation system is a valuable tool in preserving its natural wonders for future generations to enjoy. So, if you’re planning a visit, be sure to plan and make your reservation to make the most of your Yosemite experience.

Here are some helpful links:

  • Pedal Forward Bikes & Adventure Website: https://pedalforwardbikes.com/
  • Pedal Forward Bikes & Adventure Phone Number: 559-676-8842
  • Yosemite National Park Reservation System: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/reservations.htm

Read below for more details:

 Reservation will be required to drive into or through Yosemite National Park on some days from April 13 through October 27, 2024, for those driving into the park between 5 am and 4 pm as follows:

  • April 13 through June 30: A reservation is required from 5 am to 4 pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays (May 27 and June 19).
  • July 1 through August 16: A reservation is required from 5 am to 4 pm daily.
  • August 17 through October 27: A reservation is required from 5 am to 4 pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays (September 2 and October 14).

Driving through the park will also require a reservation if entering between 5 am and 4 pm. If you plan to visit after peak hours, please do not arrive before 4 pm; vehicles blocking roads will be cited.

The temporary reservation system will help manage congestion and provide a quality visitor experience. We are experimenting with a few ideas for this summer as we work on the Visitor Access Management Plan.

Ways to Get a Reservation

Peak-Hours Reservations

Most reservations from April 13 through October 27, 2024, will be available on Recreation.gov on January 5, 2024 at 8 am Pacific time. Additional reservations will be available seven days before the arrival date (e.g., make a reservation for an arrival date of October 27 on October 20) at 8 am Pacific time. Reservations available one week in advance will be a combination of reservations valid for full days or reservations valid for arrival only in the afternoons (on all three days).

Reservations are available each day at 8 am Pacific time. Reservations are taken almost immediately. Be sure to have a Recreation.gov account and be logged in and ready to get a reservation promptly at 8 am Pacific time.

The non-refundable reservation fee is $2 (this does not include the $35-per-car park entrance fee).

Each user can make one reservation for each three days. For example, suppose a user makes a reservation for a Friday arrival (valid Friday through Sunday). In that case, the user won’t be able to make a second reservation for an arrival that Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. The reservation holder must be in the arriving vehicle and show a photo ID at the entrance station.

Peak-hours reservations are valid for three consecutive days (including arrival date).

If you don’t have computer access, call 877/444-6777 to make a reservation.

In-Park Camping, Lodging, or Vacation Rentals

You do not need an additional reservation if you have a reservation for one of the following. You still pay the $35-per-car entrance fee upon arrival (credit card only) unless you have an annual or lifetime pass. Your reservation for in-park lodging or camping, a Half Dome permit, or a wilderness permit allows you to enter the park 24 hours per day for the duration of your reservation or for three consecutive days (whichever is longer).

Reservations for lodging or vacation rentals outside the park and in communities other than these three do not provide access to Yosemite.

Wilderness or Half Dome Permits

You do not need an additional reservation if you have a wilderness permit reservation (for backpacking) or Half Dome permit. You still pay the $35/car entrance fee upon arrival (credit card only) unless you have an annual or lifetime pass. Your reservation allows you to enter the park 24 hours per day for the duration of your reservation or for three days (whichever is longer).

If you have a wilderness permit, you may enter the park a day before the date on your wilderness permit to stay at a backpackers campground.

A Half Dome permit does not allow you to camp in Yosemite.

Regional Transit or Tour Groups

You do not need an additional reservation or permit if you enter the park on a Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS) bus or with an authorized tour group.

Visiting without a Reservation

If you don’t have a reservation, you can still visit Yosemite. You must arrive at an entrance station (other than Hetch Hetchy) before 5 am or after 4 pm. If you plan to visit after peak hours, please do not arrive before 4 pm; vehicles blocking roads will be cited.

If you enter during non-peak hours on your first day, you must still enter before 5 am or after 4 pm on subsequent days, even if you have an entrance station receipt.

You can visit the Hetch Hetchy area of the park when it is open (sunrise to sunset) without a reservation.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Peak-Hours-Plus Reservation System

Information is subject to change. This will be updated as soon as any information changes.

Entrance Reservations Basics

Do I need a reservation to visit Yosemite?

Yes, if you are driving a vehicle into or through Yosemite National Park between 5 am and 4 pm (peak hours) during the dates listed above, you must have one of the following with matching photo ID:

Driving through the park without stopping requires a reservation if entering the park between 5 am and 4 pm.

Payment of the vehicle entrance fee, valid for three days, is required. For those with an overnight reservation or Half Dome permit, the fee is valid for three days or the duration of the overnight reservation (whichever is longer), starting with the first day of the reservation. Credit cards are the only form of payment accepted for entrance fees. If you enter the park via YARTS (Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System) buses, bicycle, on foot, or horseback, or if you visit Hetch Hetchy, you do not need a peak-hours reservation to enter the park. Park entrance fees still apply.

What types of reservations are available?

There are two kinds of peak-hours reservations: those valid for the full day and those valid for arrival in the afternoons (on all three days). (Anyone with or without a reservation can also arrive before 5 am or after 4 pm.) Peak-hours reservations are valid for up to three consecutive days.

Do I need a reservation to drive into the park on weekdays?

If you are visiting anytime from July 1 through August 16, you need a reservation to drive into the park every day of the week if entering the park between 5 am and 4 pm.

If you are visiting anytime from April 13 through June 30 or August 17 through October 31, you need a reservation to drive into the park every Saturday and Sunday and every holiday (May 27, June 19, September 2, and October 14) when entering the park between 5 am and 4 pm. A reservation is required on these days, even if your first day in the park is on a non-reservation day.

Do I need a reservation to drive into the park during non-peak hours (before 5 am or after 4 pm)?

No. You do not need a reservation if you enter Yosemite before 5 am or after 4 pm. You can remain in the park during peak hours if you arrive during these non-peak hours. If you plan to arrive after 4 pm, please do not arrive at a park entrance station until after 4 pm. Do not try to arrive early. Vehicles blocking roads will be cited.

To arrive at the nearest Yosemite entrance at 4 pm, leave the following towns at or after these times:

  • Mariposa (Hwy 140): 3:15 pm (or El Portal at 3:55 pm)
  • Oakhurst (Hwy 41): 3:30 pm (or Fish Camp at 3:55 pm)
  • Groveland (Hwy 120 from the west): 3:25 pm (or Buck Meadows at 3:40 pm)
  • Lee Vining (Hwy 120 from the east): 3:40 pm

The $35/car entrance fee applies and is valid for three consecutive days for visiting Hetch Hetchy and driving into other park areas during non-peak hours. However, paying the entrance fee does not allow entry during peak hours without a reservation.

Camping or sleeping in a vehicle is only allowed in a campsite you have reserved via Recreation.gov.

If I arrive without a reservation and pay the entrance fee to enter the park during non-peak hours, can I arrive during peak hours on the same or following days?

No. The $35-per-car entrance fee is valid for three consecutive days for visiting Hetch Hetchy and driving into all other park areas only during non-peak hours. Paying the entrance fee does not allow entry during peak hours (5 am to 4 pm) if you don’t have a valid reservation.

If I arrive without a reservation and pay the entrance fee on a day when reservations aren’t required (in spring or fall), can I drive into the park on either of the following two days if a reservation is needed?

No. You must enter the park before 5 am or after 4 pm on days when a reservation is required. If you don’t have a reservation, the $35-per-car entrance fee is valid for three consecutive days for visiting Hetch Hetchy and driving into other park areas only during non-peak hours. Paying the entrance fee does not allow entry during peak hours (5 am to 4 pm) if you don’t have a valid reservation.

When can I enter the park if I have an afternoon-only reservation?

These reservations are valid to drive into the park at noon or later every day. This applies to all three days of the reservation. You can also drive into the park before 5 am or after 4 pm.

I want to drive through the park without stopping. Do I need a peak-hours reservation? How can you limit access to a state highway?

Yes, a peak-hours reservation is required to drive into the park between 5 am and 4 pm on days when a reservation is required, even if you’re just passing through. If you enter the park before 5 am or after 4 pm, you can continue driving through the park (or stay and recreate) during peak hours on the day you enter the park.

Tioga Road, which is part of the continuation of Highway 120 through the park, is not and has never been a state highway within park boundaries. Originally built as a private mining road, philanthropists purchased the road and donated it to the National Park Service, which has improved and maintained the road ever since. The National Park Service is solely responsible for providing road maintenance, law enforcement, and emergency services along all roads within Yosemite National Park.

I have an annual or lifetime pass that gives me free entrance. Do I need a reservation to drive in during peak hours?

Yes. These passes cover the park entrance fee. A $2 non-refundable reservation fee still applies to peak-hours reservations.

Do I need a reservation to drive into the park if I have a reservation for a campground or lodging accommodation located outside of Yosemite National Park?

Yes. You must have a peak-hours reservation to drive a vehicle into the park unless you arrive before 5 am or after 4 pm.

Do I need a reservation if I live locally?

Yes. Residents living in the local area need a reservation to visit Yosemite. However, local residents who have an eligible local zip code on their driver’s license may pass through Yosemite National Park (without stopping) for non-recreational purposes without paying an entrance fee or needing a reservation. A driver’s license with an eligible zip code is the only acceptable proof of residence.

Making and Using a Reservation

How and when do I get a peak hours plus a reservation to visit Yosemite?

Peak-hours reservations are only available via Recreation.gov. Reservations go extremely quickly. Establish a Recreation.gov account first, log in to your account, and obtain a reservation beginning at 8 am Pacific Daylight Time on the appropriate day. Reservations are available during two periods:

  • On January 5, all arrival dates (April 13–October 27) remain available until all are taken.
  • Seven days in advance (e.g., make a reservation for an arrival date of October 27 on October 20).

Peak-hours reservations are valid for three consecutive days (including arrival date).

Each user can make one reservation for each three days. For example, if a user makes a reservation for a Friday arrival (valid Friday through Sunday), the user won’t be able to make a second reservation for an arrival that Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. The reservation holder must be in the arriving vehicle and show a photo ID at the entrance station.

If you don’t have computer access, call 877/444-6777 to make a reservation.

On Recreation.gov, what does it mean that reservations have not yet been released?

If you try to find availability on Recreation.gov and it says reservations are “not yet released,” no more reservations are available until seven days in advance, promptly at 8 am PDT.

How much does a peak-hours reservation cost?

A peak-hours reservation costs $2 and is non-refundable. This is collected by Recreation.gov and is separate from the park entrance fee. You need one reservation per vehicle. Each reservation is valid for everyone inside the vehicle.

How long is my peak-hours reservation valid?

Your peak-hours reservation is valid for up to three consecutive days starting on the first day of the reservation (but is no longer valid or necessary on the second or third day if those are days when a reservation isn’t required). For example, if you get a reservation for a Saturday, it’s valid for Saturday through Monday (if Monday is a day when a reservation is required).

Your reservation for in-park lodging or camping, a Half Dome permit, or a wilderness permit allows you to enter the park 24 hours per day for the duration of your reservation or for three days (whichever is longer).

If you have a reservation for lodging or camping outside the park for more than three days, you will need more than one peak-hours reservation and will pay the entrance fee for each three-day period you visit Yosemite. If you will be visiting more than three days, you may want to purchase an annual pass. Or, if you already paid the entrance fee, you can use the receipt(s) toward an annual pass. For $70, you can purchase a Yosemite annual pass (covers entrance fees at Yosemite for 12 months). For $80, you can buy an interagency annual pass (valid for entrance fees at all national parks).

Why is the entrance fee valid for three days instead of seven days?

In response to public and gateway community feedback, we temporarily shortened the period the entrance fee is valid during the reservation periods in 2021 and 2022 to increase the number of reservations available, ultimately providing more opportunities for people to visit. This change was successful, so we are temporarily applying this timeframe again during the 2024 peak-hours plus reservation season.

Almost 90% of visitors not staying overnight inside the park visit for three or fewer consecutive days. The three-day reservation also allows peak-hours reservation holders to first enter the park on any day during their reservation (with the seven-day reservation in 2020, reservation holders were required to arrive on the first day).

If you will be visiting more than three days, you may want to purchase an annual pass. Or, if you already paid the entrance fee, you can use the receipt(s) toward an annual pass. For $70, you can purchase a Yosemite annual pass (covers entrance fees at Yosemite for 12 months). For $80, you can purchase an interagency annual pass (valid for entrance fees at all national parks).

Annual pass holders will still need to obtain a peak-hours reservation to drive into the park during peak hours, on days when reservations are required, from April 13 through October 27, 2024.

I have a reservation inside the park that is longer than three days. Do I need to pay the entrance fee twice?

No. If you have a reservation for one of the following, your entrance fee is valid for the duration of your reservation or three days (whichever is longer):

Does the reservation system eliminate delays at entrance stations?

No. Even with reservations, you may encounter delays at entrance stations. If you have a daily reservation, try to arrive before 8 am to ensure the earliest possible delays.

If you don’t have a reservation, you must arrive after 4 pm or before 5 am. If you don’t have a reservation, please wait until after 4 pm to drive to the entrance station. If you have an afternoon reservation, please wait until after noon to drive to the entrance station.

Do I have to arrive on the first day of my peak-hours reservation?

No. One of the benefits of the three-day reservation is that you don’t have to arrive on the first day of your reservation. However, your peak-hours reservation is still valid for up to three consecutive days starting with the arrival date on the reservation (i.e., if you arrive on the third day of your reservation, you can only use it for that day).

What if my group arrives in more than one vehicle during peak hours?

A peak-hours reservation is required for each vehicle (or motorcycle) that enters the park during peak hours. The person whose name is on the reservation must be in the car with a valid photo ID.

Groups with lodging or camping reservations, wilderness permits, and Half Dome permits may arrive in more than one vehicle. An occupant in each vehicle must provide a copy or photo of the photo ID belonging to the person who made the reservation (as well as a copy of the reservation) to be permitted to enter.

Can I give or sell my reservation to someone else?

No. Reservations and entrance fees are non-transferable. Peak-hours reservations are only valid for the person who made the reservation and for the vehicle transporting that person.

Visiting Without a Reservation

A reservation is required to drive into or through the park during peak hours (5 am to 4 pm). A reservation is optional to drive into or through the park before 5 am or after 4 pm. If you enter through an entrance station before or after peak hours, you can remain in the park during peak hours. However, don’t arrive at Yosemite without a reservation if you plan to stay overnight inside the park. Camping or sleeping in a vehicle is only allowed in a campsite you have reserved via Recreation.gov.

If you plan to arrive after 4 pm, please do not arrive at a park entrance station until after 4 pm. Do not try to arrive early. Vehicles blocking roads will be cited.

Are same-day reservations available? Can I wait at the entrance station and enter the park if people with reservations don’t show up?

Reservations are not available at entrance stations. You can check Recreation.gov before you arrive at the park to see if any reservations have become available due to cancellation.

How can I bide my time while waiting until my noon reservation is valid or until the reservation requirement ends at 4 pm?

Spend time in the beautiful national forests and enticing gateway communities just outside of Yosemite!

Highway 41 Corridor
Highway 140 Corridor
Highway 120 (west of Yosemite) Corridor
Highway 120 (east of Yosemite) Corridor

If you plan to arrive after 4 pm, please do not arrive at a park entrance station until after 4 pm. Do not try to arrive early. Vehicles blocking roads will be cited.

To arrive at the nearest Yosemite entrance at 4 pm, leave the following towns at or after these times:

  • Mariposa (Hwy 140): 3:15 pm (or El Portal at 3:55 pm)
  • Oakhurst (Hwy 41): 3:30 pm (or Fish Camp at 3:55 pm)
  • Groveland (Hwy 120 from the west): 3:25 pm (or Buck Meadows at 3:40 pm)
  • Lee Vining (Hwy 120 from the east): 3:40 p.m.

Can I enter the park overnight?

Yes. Yosemite National Park is open 24 hours per day. A reservation is only required to drive into the park between 5 am and 4 pm.

A campground reservation is required to camp or sleep in a vehicle anywhere in the park.

Reservation Management

Why was this pilot selected for 2024?

  • This pilot tests a more flexible reservation system requiring reservations only on weekends (Saturday and Sunday) and holidays during the early and late busy seasons. It also increases the number of reservations available, fully testing a reservation system during a time without pandemic restrictions or major construction.
    • In evaluating management strategies to pilot in the summer of 2024, park managers considered many different factors, including public comments, opportunities to improve visitor experiences, opportunities to protect resources, opportunities to test new ideas, and which strategies were operationally feasible to implement by this spring.
    • This pilot provides an opportunity to test a peak-hours system under regularly anticipated peak-season volumes while spreading out entries throughout the day. Requiring reservations only on weekends during the early and late part of the summer allows the park to test whether a less restrictive system could address issues during those times of the year.
    • This pilot also provides an opportunity to test other smaller modifications like hours of the reservation system, afternoon entries, by-pass lanes to address queues, higher vehicle volumes than under previous tests, and better messaging. All these changes have the potential to improve resource conditions and visitor experiences.

How much is the park limiting vehicle access to Yosemite under the peak-hours plus reservation system?

The number of peak-hours reservations is determined by the number of parking spaces in Yosemite Valley coupled with roadway capacity in the Valley and correlated with entrance station data from previous years to estimate the number of vehicles going to other areas of the park. Aside from the Tioga Road, all highways that enter Yosemite National Park meet in Yosemite Valley.

 

How many vehicles with peak-hours reservations are we projecting to have in the park each day?

Spring/Tioga Road closed (weekends/holidays): 2,880

Summer/Tioga Road open (weekends): 4,550

Summer/Tioga Road open (weekdays): 5,170

Fall/Tioga Road open (weekends/holidays): 4,270

These are not the total number of reservations daily but the projected total number of vehicles with peak-hours reservations daily. This does not include other types of vehicles (e.g., overnight visitors, employees, vendors). Our projections for how many cars will return on day two or three of their reservation and for how many will not show up affect the actual number of reservations available each day. We may adjust the number of reservations available daily if conditions and actual use differ from our projections.

During summer, weekend numbers are lower because more vehicles enter before peak hours begin, and more people use the second or third day of their reservation.

If Tioga Road opens before July 1, we will increase the spring numbers.

If the reservation system is based on Yosemite Valley’s capacity, why is the entire park included?

All areas of Yosemite have been operating at or near capacity for several years. Allowing the same number of vehicles into the park and redirecting them to other areas would cause the same parking and traffic issues seen in Yosemite Valley.

How long will the peak hours plus reservation system be in place?

A reservation is required to drive into or through Yosemite National Park on some or all days from April 13 through October 27 if driving into the park between 5 am and 4 pm as follows:

  • April 13–June 30: weekends and holidays (Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays— May 27 and June 19)
  • July 1–August 16: seven days per week
  • August 17–October 27: weekends and holidays (Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays—September 2 and October 14)

Is the peak-hours plus reservation system permanent?

This pilot system is designed to allow park visitors to experience Yosemite without excess vehicle traffic and to manage parking demand in the upcoming busy season. Yosemite National Park is evaluating past reservation pilot systems and other strategies to develop a permanent solution in the Yosemite Visitor Access Management Plan. Learn more about the plan and how to get involved at go.nps.gov/vamp.

What is the long-term strategy for reducing congestion and crowding?

Traffic congestion has been a significant issue for about six decades, seriously impacting visitors’ experience in Yosemite, and is a source of frequent complaints. One of the five goals of the park’s 1980 General Management Plan is to “markedly reduce traffic congestion.” The Merced River and Tuolumne River Plans (both finalized in 2014) address congestion and crowding in Yosemite Valley and Tuolumne Meadows, respectively. This year’s peak hours plus system provides both data and a test case as one pathway to a permanent solution for this persistent issue. Long-term implementation of strategies to reduce congestion and crowding will include public and stakeholder input.

Why are reservations needed?

The park has seen increasing impacts on natural and cultural resources, diminished quality of visitor experiences, increased visitor and staff safety concerns, and a heavy strain on the park’s facilities and ability to perform daily operations. The NPS believes that managed access and related strategies are needed in high-demand areas where other strategies are insufficient to ensure high-quality experiences, visitor safety, and resource protection.

What is managed access?

Managed access is a suite of tools that help pace the timing and volume of visitation into areas to optimize access, ensure quality experiences, and protect resources. Examples of managed access include reservation systems, timed and ticketed entry, campground reservations, and more. Some examples of managed access strategies in place for many years include wilderness and Half Dome permits. Managed access and related strategies are not a standalone solution. This plan will carefully evaluate the tools and techniques most effectively to help Yosemite improve how visitors get to and experience the park’s significant resources and features.

Have managed access strategies been used at Yosemite National Park before?

  • Reservation systems were enacted in previous years (2020-2022) to accommodate visitor use during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • There are many other examples of managed access strategies that have been in place for many years, including day-use permits and a lottery system for access to the Half Dome cables in Yosemite National Park

How can I provide comments about this system?

You may always contact us. The superintendent’s office receives all comments about the reservation system.

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