Yosemite 2025 Summer Reservation System: What You Need to Know
Hi friends! If you’re planning a trip to Yosemite National Park this summer, there’s an important update you need to know! The National Park Service just announced a peak-hours reservation system for 2025 to help manage crowds and improve visitor experiences. This means that if you want to experience iconic spots like Yosemite Falls, Glacier Point, Half Dome, or El Capitan, planning ahead will be important. I’m super excited to bring this important and timely information to you in partnership with Visit Yosemite | Madera County, which is an extremely valuable resource for visitors exploring Yosemite and its Southern Gateway. Join us today as we break down all the information and answer all the questions you might have regarding this breaking park news.
Yosemite views from Roosevelt Point in summer
2025 Yosemite Reservation System FAQ
When the National Park Service makes announcements like this, questions come flooding in from potential travelers who have already made plans or are considering a visit to the region. Here are all the questions we’ll be answering today:
What does “peak-hours reservation system” mean?
When are reservations required?
How do I get a reservation?
What will reservations cost?
Who needs a reservation?
Why is the NPS doing this?
What can I do if I don’t get a reservation?
Vernal Fall along the Mist Trail in Yosemite National Park
Busy Glacier Point with views of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park
What Does “Peak-Hours Reservation System” Mean?
The term “peak-hours” refers to the time of day when the park is typically at its busiest. For the 2025 summer season, the NPS is designating 6am to 2pm as “peak-hours”, which means all visitors entering the park between 6am and 2pm on the designated dates will be required to have a pre-purchased reservation obtained on Recreation.gov. There are a few exceptions, which we’ll discuss later in this article.
Pothole Dome along Tioga Road in Yosemite’s High Country
When are Reservations Required?
From May 24 through September 1, 2025, a reservation will be required to enter Yosemite between 6am and 2pm on some days, except at Hetch Hetchy, which remains first-come, first-served. This applies to all personal vehicles (cars & motorcycles), as well as walk-ins. Below are the dates this applies to, as well as the length of time each reservation is good for.
• May 24 through May 26 (Memorial Day weekend): A reservation is required from 6am to 2pm on Saturday through Monday.
• June 15 through August 15: A reservation is required from 6 am to 2 pm every day.
• August 30 through September 1 (Labor Day weekend): A reservation is required from 6 am to 2 pm on Saturday through Monday.
• No reservation required between May 27 through June 14 and August 16 through 29.
• Valid for Three Consecutive Days: One reservation gets you three days in the park, starting with the date your reservation was purchased for.
Kayaking on the Merced River below Half Dome in Yosemite Valley
How Do I Get a Reservation?
Reservations go live May 6, 2025 at 8am (PDT) on Recreation.gov. These will sell out fast, so set a reminder and book as soon as they open! Additional reservations will be released 7 days in advance of your desired travel date (also at 8am). Each reservation is $2.00 and is valid for three consecutive days. If you’d prefer to book via phone, call 877-444-6777.
Pro Tips: Be sure to create an account ahead of time for a quicker checkout process. I recommend logging on at least 10-15 minutes early before the reservations are available to the public...the NPS occasionally releases reservations a few minutes early! Have your preferred travel dates already planned out beforehand, and then refresh your webpage often! 😉
California Tunnel Tree in Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias in Yosemite
What Will Reservations Cost?
Each reservation will cost $2.00, which is non-refundable and non-transferable. This fee is good for one personal vehicle, covering all the passengers. The reservation holder will need to be present in the vehicle with a valid form of identification. However, this does NOT cover the cost of entering the park. There will still be the standard Yosemite National Park entrance fees, which are:
Standard Pass: $35.00 per vehicle, $30 per motorcycle, $20 per walk-in
Annual Pass: $70.00 (Yosemite only)
America the Beautiful Pass: $80.00 for one full year (covers all NPS sites)
Senior America the Beautiful Pass: $80.00 for lifetime (covers all NPS sites)
Camping in Yosemite Valley at North Pines Campground
Who Needs a Reservation?
Reservations are required for all personal vehicles and walk-ins. However, not everyone needs to worry about snagging a reservation! You’re exempt if you:
• Are entering via a YARTS bus (Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System)
• Are on a commercial tour or guided program
• Have a lodging or campground reservation inside the park
• Hold a wilderness or special use permit
If you have a lodging/campground reservation or a wilderness/special use permit, simply show your existing reservation or permit at the entrance station and pay the park entrance fee.
Views of Half Dome in summer from Sentinel Bridge
Crowded Tunnel View in Yosemite National Park
Why is the NPS Doing This?
Yosemite has been experimenting with different reservation systems since 2020, aiming to fix common issues, such as long wait times at entrance stations, overcrowded trails & viewpoints, as well as parking shortages.
Sunset skies over Half Dome seen from Glacier Point
Sunrise at Valley View in Yosemite National Park
What Can I Do if I Don’t Get a Reservation?
This question gets asked A LOT, so don’t be discouraged if you find yourself in this situation. Many visitors arrive at the park unaware that reservations are even needed, so the fact you’re reading this means you’re doing great! If you end up not being able to nab a reservation for your desired dates, don’t worry—there are still ways to visit Yosemite without a reservation! Here are your options:
Enter the park before 6am or after 2pm: This is actually a shorter window from previous years, so visitors without a reservation can still enjoy the park if they’re willing to set that alarm a little earlier. Summer sunrises in Yosemite are spectacular, so getting into the park during the pre-dawn hours is something I always recommend. Once you’re standing at Tunnel View soaking in those golden skies, you will be so glad you sacrificed that extra hour of sleep!
Take YARTS (Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System): Bypass the reservation requirement altogether by hopping on a YARTS bus at one of the official pick-up and drop-off locations outside the park. But be ready to nab your tickets online beforehand...this service has become increasingly popular since the summer reservations were started in 2020.
Book a stay at a hotel or campground inside the park: You will still need to pay the entrance fee or have an America the Beautiful Pass, but a park reservation is not required if you book a stay inside Yosemite National Park. This includes stays at places like The Ahwahnee, Yosemite Valley Lodge, Curry Village, vacation rentals, and any campground inside the park’s boundaries.
Join a guided tour: If you enter the park with a commercial tour, you won’t need a separate reservation. I highly recommend Discover Yosemite Tours based in Oakhurst and Tenaya Lodge’s Yosemite 360 Tours.
Explore the gateway communities: There is so much enjoy outside the park boundaries. The Southern Gateway, especially, has so much to offer travelers looking for adventure. Check out the 41 Things To Do Along Highway 41 for ideas. My personal favorites are Bass Lake, Yosemite Adventure Co, Yosemite VR Experience, Lewis Creek Trail, Yosemite Gateway Art Center, Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad, and the Sierra Vista Scenic Byway.
Yosemite Adventure Company in Oakhurst, CA
Yosemite VR Experience in Oakhurst, CA
Know Before You Go
• If you’re not familiar with the Leave No Trace Principles, consider familiarizing yourself with them before your trip. Please help leave these special places better than you found them so their natural beauty and historical significance can be enjoyed for years to come.
• Always visit the Travel Alerts page at YosemiteThisYear.com and the official NPS website for the most up-to-date road conditions, air quality, and possible closures prior to your visit, as well as information on Yosemite National Park reservation requirements.
• Yosemite National Park and the surrounding regions are home to black bears. Always view wildlife from a safe distance, never feed or approach wild animals, and make sure to not leave any food or scented items in your vehicle, especially when visiting Yosemite National Park and Sierra National Forest.
Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad in Fish Camp, CA
Hiking the Way of the Mono Trail with views of Bass Lake
In Summary & Post Sponsor
Thanks so much for joining me this week inside Yosemite National Park. For a virtual visit, make sure to watch my Behind the Blog video located at the top of this post, or watch it on YouTube here.
I’d like to give a special thank you to the sponsor of this post, Visit Yosemite | Madera County, an invaluable resource for anyone planning a trip to Yosemite National Park and the surrounding regions. Stop at the Oakhurst Visitor Center for expert advice, access to maps, and insider tips. Here you’ll discover the many hidden gems of Madera County, and make sure to download your free visitor guide at YosemiteThisYear.com for answers to all your questions about visiting California's Southern Gateway to Yosemite. Until next time, I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go.
Bridalveil Fall in Yosemite Valley
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I’m Dawn Marie, a travel and lifestyle blogger based out of Southern California. With in-depth articles, travel guides, and reviews on hotels & products, I seek to share my journeys to help you plan for your own. My adventures take me all over California, the western United States, and around the globe...and every Monday I post new content here, including a comprehensive blog post and YouTube video.
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Do I need a reservation to enter Yosemite this summer? Yes! The NPS just announced a peak-hours reservation system for the 2025 summer season to help with park crowds & wait times. Read this travel guide to help you prepare for your road trip vacation to Yosemite National Park and learn everything you need to know about who needs reservations, as well as how and when to get reservations.