Yosemite Introduces Scaled Back Reservation System for Summer 2025

MARIPOSA, CA – Yosemite National Park released its 2025 seasonal reservation system this week, which the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) believes is insufficient to protect the park and visitor experience.

Effective from June 15 through August 15 and during Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends, visitors will need reservations for park entry between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m.

The 2025 visitation plan does not incorporate provisions previously used in the park’s successful pilot reservation system that was refined over years by data and public input.

The previous proposal, preferred by the park, would have required reservations daily, from 5am to 4pm between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekend, along with weekend-only reservations in April, May, September and October. The 2025 visitation pilot plan marks a significant drop in required reservation dates during times of high visitation and vehicle congestion.

Between 2000 and 2019, park visitation to Yosemite soared by 30%, representing an increase of one million additional annual visitors by 2019. Visitors to Yosemite experienced severe traffic jams, full parking lots, and long waits at restrooms, restaurants, and visitor centers, until reservation systems were piloted beginning in 2020.

In 2024, Yosemite National Park’s reservation system allowed more than 4 million visitors while successfully reducing gridlock and congestion.

Statement from Mark Rose, NPCA’s Sierra Nevada Program Manager

“If the administration truly cared about the visitor experience at Yosemite this summer, it would have allowed park leaders to move forward months ago with its preferred reservation system, which was refined over the past several years, and led by data, deep community engagement, and commonsense.”

“It’s clear that when implemented thoughtfully, reservations significantly improve the visitor experience while protecting Yosemite’s invaluable resources. Last year, over 4 million people visited the park with a more expansive reservation system in place. Smart planning doesn’t mean fewer people, just a better experience for all.”

“Beyond smart planning, a reservation system requires National Park Service staff to implement it into a success. Over the last few months, Yosemite and parks across the country have has been ruled by chaos, with ongoing administrative attempts to cut staff who welcome visitors, conduct search and rescue, maintain facilities, and fight wildfires. Attacks on park staffing aren’t just about the numbers; they directly impact visitors, local communities, and the landscapes we cherish.”

“After years of collecting public input and refining their approach, the Park Service deserves a reliable solution, not the last-minute chaotic approach now being forced upon the park by bureaucrats in DC.”

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About the National Parks Conservation Association: Since 1919, the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association has been the leading voice in safeguarding our national parks. NPCA and its more than 1.6 million members and supporters work together to protect and preserve our nation’s most iconic and inspirational places for future generations. For more information, visit www.npca.org.