Visiting Yosemite in 2024? You’ll Need to Book a Reservation
This is separate from a park pass or camping reservation, so be sure to plan ahead
If you’re planning to climb in Yosemite in 2024 during the busiest parts of the year, then you’ll need to book a reservation to enter Yosemite National Park. The National Parks Service (NPS) announced a reservation system is being introduced to counter the long wait times. “Yosemite has been grappling with congestion − even gridlock − for decades,” says NPS. “We want to build from the lessons learned from the last three summer of managed access. We are currently developing the Visitor Access Management Plan in order to design an approach that provides a great visitor experience while protecting Yosemite’s natural and cultural resources.”
Types of reservations: Visitors can choose from two types of reservations: reservations valid for a full day, or reservations valid for entry any time after noon. Both reservation types are valid for up to three consecutive days, including the arrival date. Those visitors who have in-park lodging or campground reservations, wilderness or Half Dome permits, or visitors entering the park via YARTS buses and on permitted commercial tours do not need a vehicle reservation.
When will the reservations be available? Reservations for February arrival dates are available now, right here. The NPS said that reservations for arrival dates between Apr. 13 and Oct. 20 will be available for purchase online beginning at 8 a.m. (PST) on  Jan. 5, 2024. They will be available on first-come-first-serve basis until no available reservations are left. Afternoon arrivals and an additional batch of full day reservations will be added one week in advance, said the NPS. For example, additional reservations for a Sept. 30 arrival date will be added on Sept. 23, etc.
Built from freed back: “This summer’s pilot system is built from extensive public feedback, data from three years of pilot reservation systems here in Yosemite, and lessons learned from other national parks,” Superintendent Cicely Muldoon said in the statement. “This pilot system will inform how we ensure an equitable and outstanding visitor experience while protecting Yosemite’s world class resources.” The NPS advises visitors to check their website before making any plans for updated information. More details on the new reservation system can also be found on the website.
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