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Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Yahoo
Yosemite National Park Finally Announces Reservation System
Andrew S)"> After months of confusion and delay, Yosemite National Park has announced its reservation rules for the summer of 2025. On May 6, people can book their reservations through the National Park Service's website starting at 8 a.m. Pacific Time. While the new system is significantly less restrictive than previous years, some advocates argue that it won't prevent traffic from overwhelming the park. Reservation requirements for 2025 start on Memorial Day Weekend (May 24-26) for anyone driving into or through Yosemite between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. After that, people will only need reservations if they visit from June 15 to August 15 and from August 30 to Labor Day (September 1). 'This system ensures all visitors, whether they plan in advance or decide last minute, can experience the park each day,' Yosemite National Park officials wrote on the website. 'It also spreads visitation across the day so that visitors have a better experience.' This new system replaces a previous 2025 visitation plan that would have required reservations every day from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Memorial Day to Labor Day, with weekend-only reservations in April, May, September, and October. According to Mark Rose, the Sierra Nevada program manager for the National Park Conservation Association (NPCA), that was the preferred system among Yosemite park officials. '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,' Rose said in a statement. On the morning of May 6, reservations for all dates will be released on the National Park website. Additional dates will be posted 7 days ahead of the arrival date. Reservations will be available for purchase every day at 8 a.m. There is a $2 reservation fee that does not include the $35-per-car Yosemite National Park entrance fee. Be sure to have an account on set up before logging onto the site to book your dates. 'Reservations sell out almost immediately,' NPS warns. 'Even if you're logged on by 8 a.m., there is no guarantee you will be able to get a reservation.' Anyone with a Half Dome or wilderness permit, reservations for in-park camping or lodging, or who accesses the park using a regional transit or tour bus is exempt from the 2025 reservation requirements. To visit without a permit, simply enter the park before 6 a.m. or after 2 p.m. You can also visit Yosemite's Hetch Hetchy area without a reservation during daylight hours. Generally, Yosemite National Park announces its reservation system months before summer. However, in February, it suspended reservations at five of its largest campsites due to understaffing. It announced that it was waiting for a 'blessing' from the new administration to move forward with its plans for summer reservations, The LA Times reported. According to the NPCA, visitation at Yosemite has exploded in the last 20 years, soaring by 30% between 2020 and 2019. The crowds caused congestion and gridlock throughout the park, so reservation systems were piloted starting in 2020. Since then, the program has been refined, streamlined, and adapted. NPCA said this new 2025 reservation system is 'insufficient to protect the park.' 'It's clear that when implemented thoughtfully, reservations significantly improve the visitor experience while protecting Yosemite's invaluable resources,' Rose said. '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.' Whether this new reservation system will result in more crowds and negatively affect visitor experiences remains unknown. However, with fewer resources and continued staffing shortages, increased visitation could cause problems. 'Attacks on park staffing aren't just about the numbers; they directly impact visitors, local communities, and the landscapes we cherish,' Rose said. Hanging Lake Trail Finally Reopens: Book Your Summer Hike Now
Newsweek
30-04-2025
- Newsweek
Yosemite Announces New Reservation Plans for Summer 2025
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Yosemite National Park will reintroduce a reservation system this summer during some of its busiest periods, the National Park Service (NPS) announced Tuesday. The move, set to begin Memorial Day weekend, is aimed at reducing congestion in the park during peak hours. Why It Matters Before Yosemite implemented its first trial reservation system five years ago, the park regularly recorded more than 4 million annual visitors. This high volume led to severe congestion, including hour-long delays at park entrances, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Landscape image of El Capitan and Half Dome in Yosemite National Park with the rocky shore of the Merced River in the foreground. Landscape image of El Capitan and Half Dome in Yosemite National Park with the rocky shore of the Merced River in the foreground. PaulWhat To Know The summer reservation requirement will apply to visitors entering the park between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. on select days between May 24 and September 1, 2025. The decision follows months of uncertainty after a permanent plan was temporarily paused for review by incoming officials from the Trump administration, according to a report in the San Francisco Chronicle. Reservations will be required between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. during these specific windows: May 24–26 (Memorial Day weekend) June 15–August 15 (daily) August 30–September 1 (Labor Day weekend) Visitors entering the park outside of those hours do not need a reservation, but early arrivals before 2 p.m. without one risk being cited if they block roads. The system also applies to drivers simply passing through Yosemite during those times. Reservations open on on May 6 at 8 a.m. PDT, and cost $2, excluding the standard $35-per-car entrance fee. Additional reservations will be available seven days before each date. Each user may book up to two reservations per three-day period. Holders of permits for in-park lodging or camping, Half Dome hikes, wilderness trips, or those using YARTS transit or authorized tours are exempt from the new day-use requirement. What People Are Saying The National Park Service said in a statement: "This system ensures all visitors, whether they plan in advance or decide last minute, can experience the park each day. It also spreads visitation across the day so that visitors have a better experience." The NPS added: "In response to public and gateway community feedback, we temporarily shortened the period the entrance fee is valid during the reservation periods in 2021, 2022, and 2024 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 reservation season." What Happens Next According to the San Francisco Chronicle, it has not yet been determined whether this year's plan will be continued in future years.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Yahoo
Yosemite now requiring reservations for certain peak visitor days until September
(KRON) — As the weather warms up this spring season, more and more people are inclined to go outdoors. That includes visiting the most popular national park in California: Yosemite. For certain days until September, visitors will be required to make a reservation at Yosemite, according to a recent alert by the National Park Service (NPS). The reservation requirement will be on certain dates between May 24 and Sept. 1 to drive into or through Yosemite National Park. According to NPS, here are the dates and times when a reservation will be required. May 24-26 (Memorial Day weekend): Between 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday-Monday. May 27- June 14: No reservation required at any time June 15 – Aug. 15: Between 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. every day. Aug. 16-29: No reservation required at any time Aug. 30 – Sept. 1 (Labor Day weekend): Between 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday-Monday. 'If you are planning to visit after peak hours, please do not arrive before 2 pm,' Yosemite said. 'Vehicles blocking roads will be cited.' Massive rave to be held at USS Hornet in Alameda Cat declawing bill passes California State Assembly Yosemite said the new system will ensure all visitors — whether they planned a trip in advance or last minute — can experience the park. Starting on Tuesday, May 6 at 8 a.m. PT, reservations for Yosemite National Park can be made here. Park officials recommend creating a account in advance to make a reservation promptly when it goes live at 8 a.m. 'Reservations sell out almost immediately,' Yosemite park officials said. 'Even if you're logged on by 8 am, there is no guarantee you will be able to get a reservation.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Yahoo
Do you need reservations to enter national parks? These parks require them in 2025
National park trips require planning. Period. But some of America's most popular parks also require reservations, particularly during their busy season: summer. Most requirements are similar to last year, with a few exceptions. It's not yet clear whether Mount Rainier National Park, in Washington, will bring back the timed-entry system it piloted last summer. 'No decisions have been,' according to the central trip planning and reservation site for more than a dozen federal agencies, including the National Park Service. Yosemite National Park, in California, also required vehicle reservations last summer but has not yet revealed plans for this year. The park's website says details are expected 'in the near future.' Here are the national parks definitely requiring reservations in 2025. Where: Maine What: Vehicle reservations are required to drive along Cadillac Summit Road during its busiest time of year. When: May 21 – Oct. 26 How to get them: Reservations are only available on Less than a third of them are released 90 days in advance. The bulk of reservations are released two days before intended visits. Visitors should note there are two types of vehicle reservations. Sunrise reservations have a 90-minute entry window, while daytime reservations have a 30-minute entry window. Cost: $6 per vehicle. A separate park entrance fee or valid park pass is also required. Visiting a national park after layoffs? What to know before you go Where: Utah What: Time-entry tickets are required for all vehicles entering Arches between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. When: April 1 - July 6, Aug 28 - Oct. 31 How to get them: Many reservations are already available on October reservations will be released on May 1. Additional tickets become available at 7 p.m. nightly for next-day visits. Cost: $2 per vehicle. A separate park entrance fee or valid park pass is also required. Exceptions: The park says timed-entry tickets are not required for visitors "with camping, backcountry, Fiery Furnace, or special use permits; nor those with concessions contracts, commercial use authorizations, or academic fee waivers; nor people from associated Tribal Nations.' Where: Montana What: Timed-entry reservations are required for vehicles entering Going-to-the-Sun Road from the west or North Fork from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. When: June 13 - Sept. 28 How to get them: Reservations are released 120 days in advance on Additional tickets become available at 7 p.m. nightly for next-day visits. Cost: $2 per vehicle. A separate park entrance fee or valid park pass is also required. Exceptions: "Visitors with lodging, camping, or commercial activity reservations (e.g., boat tours and horseback rides) within the specified reservation areas can use proof of their reservation for entry instead of a vehicle reservation,' according to the park. Where: Hawaii What: Reservations are required for every vehicle entering the park for sunrise between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m. When: Year-round How to get them: Summit-sunrise reservations are released 60 days in advance on Additional reservations are released two days ahead of intended visits. Cost: $1 per vehicle. A separate park entrance fee or valid park pass is also required. Where: Colorado What: Timed-entry reservations are needed to access Rocky Mountain Park during the busiest times of its most popular season. There are two different types to choose from: Timed Entry (which covers most of the park) and Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road (which covers the entire park including Bear Lake Road). When: Timed Entry reservations are required from 9 a.m.- 2 p.m between May 23 - Oct. 13 to access everything but Bear Lake Road. Visitors who also want to access Bear Lake Road will instead need Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road reservations, which are required from 5 a.m.- 6 p.m. between May 23 - Oct. 19. How to get them: Both types of reservations will be available on The first batch will be released on May 1 for visits through June. July reservations will be released on June 1. August reservations will be released on July 1 and so on. Additional reservations will become available at 7 p.m. nightly for next-day visits. Cost: $2 per vehicle. A separate park entrance fee or valid park pass is also required. Where: Virginia What: Day-use tickets are required to hike Old Rag Mountain most of the year. When: March 1– Nov. 30 How to get them: Tickets are available on Half of them are released 30 days in advance of intended visits. The other half are released 5 days in advance. Cost: $2 per person. A park entrance fee or valid park pass is also required. Where: Utah What: Permits are required to hike Angels Landing all year long. When: Year-round How to get them: Permits are available by seasonal lottery or day-before lottery on This year's spring and summer lotteries have already closed, but hopeful hikers can still enter a different lottery the day before their intended hike. Registration for the fall lottery opens on July 1. Cost: $6 non-refundable lottery fee for up to 6 people plus a $3 permit fee per person. A separate park entrance fee or valid park pass is also required. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: See which national parks require reservations
USA Today
28-04-2025
- USA Today
Do you need reservations to enter national parks? These parks require them in 2025
Do you need reservations to enter national parks? These parks require them in 2025 Show Caption Hide Caption Bear safety: 4 tips to know before traveling into bear country Here are the most important bear safety tips according to a Yellowstone National Park spokesperson. Staff video, USA TODAY Several U.S. National Parks require reservations or permits, especially during peak season. These include Acadia, Arches, Glacier, Haleakalā, Rocky Mountain, Shenandoah, and Zion National Parks. Reservations can often be made on and some parks offer day-before options. National park trips require planning. Period. But some of America's most popular parks also require reservations, particularly during their busy season: summer. Most requirements are similar to last year, with a few exceptions. It's not yet clear whether Mount Rainier National Park, in Washington, will bring back the timed-entry system it piloted last summer. 'No decisions have been,' according to the central trip planning and reservation site for more than a dozen federal agencies, including the National Park Service. Yosemite National Park, in California, also required vehicle reservations last summer but has not yet revealed plans for this year. The park's website says details are expected 'in the near future.' Here are the national parks definitely requiring reservations in 2025. Where : Maine : Maine What : Vehicle reservations are required to drive along Cadillac Summit Road during its busiest time of year. : Vehicle reservations are required to drive along Cadillac Summit Road during its busiest time of year. When : May 21 – Oct. 26 : May 21 – Oct. 26 How to get them : Reservations are only available on Less than a third of them are released 90 days in advance. The bulk of reservations are released two days before intended visits. Visitors should note there are two types of vehicle reservations. Sunrise reservations have a 90-minute entry window, while daytime reservations have a 30-minute entry window. : Reservations are only available on Less than a third of them are released 90 days in advance. The bulk of reservations are released two days before intended visits. Visitors should note there are two types of vehicle reservations. Sunrise reservations have a 90-minute entry window, while daytime reservations have a 30-minute entry window. Cost: $6 per vehicle. A separate park entrance fee or valid park pass is also required. Visiting a national park after layoffs? What to know before you go Where : Utah : Utah What : Time-entry tickets are required for all vehicles entering Arches between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. : Time-entry tickets are required for all vehicles entering Arches between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. When : April 1 - July 6, Aug 28 - Oct. 31 : April 1 - July 6, Aug 28 - Oct. 31 How to get them : Many reservations are already available on October reservations will be released on May 1. Additional tickets become available at 7 p.m. nightly for next-day visits. : Many reservations are already available on October reservations will be released on May 1. Additional tickets become available at 7 p.m. nightly for next-day visits. Cost : $2 per vehicle. A separate park entrance fee or valid park pass is also required. : $2 per vehicle. A separate park entrance fee or valid park pass is also required. Exceptions: The park says timed-entry tickets are not required for visitors "with camping, backcountry, Fiery Furnace, or special use permits; nor those with concessions contracts, commercial use authorizations, or academic fee waivers; nor people from associated Tribal Nations.' Where : Montana : Montana What : Timed-entry reservations are required for vehicles entering Going-to-the-Sun Road from the west or North Fork from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. : Timed-entry reservations are required for vehicles entering Going-to-the-Sun Road from the west or North Fork from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. When : June 13 - Sept. 28 : June 13 - Sept. 28 How to get them : Reservations are released 120 days in advance on Additional tickets become available at 7 p.m. nightly for next-day visits. : Reservations are released 120 days in advance on Additional tickets become available at 7 p.m. nightly for next-day visits. Cost : $2 per vehicle. A separate park entrance fee or valid park pass is also required. : $2 per vehicle. A separate park entrance fee or valid park pass is also required. Exceptions: "Visitors with lodging, camping, or commercial activity reservations (e.g., boat tours and horseback rides) within the specified reservation areas can use proof of their reservation for entry instead of a vehicle reservation,' according to the park. Where : Hawaii : Hawaii What : Reservations are required for every vehicle entering the park for sunrise between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m. : Reservations are required for every vehicle entering the park for sunrise between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m. When : Year-round : Year-round How to get them : Summit-sunrise reservations are released 60 days in advance on Additional reservations are released two days ahead of intended visits. : Summit-sunrise reservations are released 60 days in advance on Additional reservations are released two days ahead of intended visits. Cost: $1 per vehicle. A separate park entrance fee or valid park pass is also required. Where : Colorado : Colorado What: Timed-entry reservations are needed to access Rocky Mountain Park during the busiest times of its most popular season. There are two different types to choose from: Timed Entry (which covers most of the park) and Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road (which covers the entire park including Bear Lake Road). Timed-entry reservations are needed to access Rocky Mountain Park during the busiest times of its most popular season. There are two different types to choose from: Timed Entry (which covers most of the park) and Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road (which covers the entire park including Bear Lake Road). When : Timed Entry reservations are required from 9 a.m.- 2 p.m between May 23 - Oct. 13 to access everything but Bear Lake Road. Visitors who also want to access Bear Lake Road will instead need Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road reservations, which are required from 5 a.m.- 6 p.m. between May 23 - Oct. 19. : Timed Entry reservations are required from 9 a.m.- 2 p.m between May 23 - Oct. 13 to access everything but Bear Lake Road. Visitors who also want to access Bear Lake Road will instead need Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road reservations, which are required from 5 a.m.- 6 p.m. between May 23 - Oct. 19. How to get them : Both types of reservations will be available on The first batch will be released on May 1 for visits through June. July reservations will be released on June 1. August reservations will be released on July 1 and so on. Additional reservations will become available at 7 p.m. nightly for next-day visits. : Both types of reservations will be available on The first batch will be released on May 1 for visits through June. July reservations will be released on June 1. August reservations will be released on July 1 and so on. Additional reservations will become available at 7 p.m. nightly for next-day visits. Cost: $2 per vehicle. A separate park entrance fee or valid park pass is also required. Where : Virginia : Virginia What : Day-use tickets are required to hike Old Rag Mountain most of the year. : Day-use tickets are required to hike Old Rag Mountain most of the year. When : March 1– Nov. 30 : March 1– Nov. 30 How to get them : Tickets are available on Half of them are released 30 days in advance of intended visits. The other half are released 5 days in advance. : Tickets are available on Half of them are released 30 days in advance of intended visits. The other half are released 5 days in advance. Cost: $2 per person. A park entrance fee or valid park pass is also required. Where : Utah : Utah What : Permits are required to hike Angels Landing all year long. : Permits are required to hike Angels Landing all year long. When : Year-round : Year-round How to get them : Permits are available by seasonal lottery or day-before lottery on This year's spring and summer lotteries have already closed, but hopeful hikers can still enter a different lottery the day before their intended hike. Registration for the fall lottery opens on July 1. : Permits are available by seasonal lottery or day-before lottery on This year's spring and summer lotteries have already closed, but hopeful hikers can still enter a different lottery the day before their intended hike. Registration for the fall lottery opens on July 1. Cost: $6 non-refundable lottery fee for up to 6 people plus a $3 permit fee per person. A separate park entrance fee or valid park pass is also required.
