Yosemite National Park no longer requires entry reservations—here's what to know

Travelers headed to Yosemite National Park this spring are encountering something the park had largely managed to avoid since the pandemic days: unrestricted peak-season traffic. After five years of enforcing various reservation systems designed to regulate vehicle access during the park’s busiest months, Yosemite has nixed its entry requirements for 2026—a decision that's already led to instances of overcrowding at the popular park.

According to a statement released by the NPS earlier this year, the move was data-driven: “The decision follows a comprehensive evaluation of traffic patterns, parking availability, and visitor use during the 2025 season," the NPS said. "Park analysis found that most weekdays maintained available parking, stable traffic flow, and visitation levels within the park's operational capacity.”

Additional major US national parks, like Glacier, Arches, and Mount Rainer, have similarly dropped their reservation requirements for 2026. With the peak summer travel season just around the corner, the parks are now being put to the test. Here's what to know.

Will the parks be more crowded as a result?

Over the first weekend of May, Yosemite park officials and visitors reported entrance station backups of up to 90 minutes.

US national parks continue to see high visitation levels following the pandemic-era surge in domestic travel. Timed-entry supporters argue that reservations help stabilize traffic flow, reduce environmental strain, and improve predictability during peak periods. Opponents say that such systems limit spontaneous access and create barriers for travelers who cannot plan months in advance or navigate complex booking windows.

At Yosemite, the shift is already reshaping how travelers experience one of the country’s most iconic national park destinations. Over the first weekend of May, park officials and visitors reported entrance station backups of up to 90 minutes with parking inside Yosemite Valley filling up before noon. Visitors arriving just after 11:00 a.m. were directed into overflow areas or forced to take lengthy loops through the valley floor as they search for parking spots, SFgate reported.

Yosemite draws several million visitors annually, with peak traffic kicking off in the spring and lasting through early fall. Without required reservations, it's easier for travelers to enter without prior planning—but if you want to avoid crowds during peak hours and weekends, it'll require a little more forethought.

Because the park's infrastructure has not yet changed to match fluctuating visitation models, parking capacity and shuttle systems are still fixed—meaning that by late morning on high-demand days, mobility inside the valley may become increasingly constrained.

Multiple US national parks, including Mount Rainier (pictured above) have dropped their entry reservation requirements for 2026.

How to plan your visit

If you're planning a trip to Yosemite this summer, arriving before 7 a.m. is the single most effective move. Visitors entering early in the morning can still access parking, shuttle connections, and primary viewpoints with relatively normal flow.

To avoid the crowds, plan for a pre-dawn departure and visit the most popular sites within the park during the early morning hours. As always, planning a mid-week trip during an off-peak month will mean less visitors; historically, the busiest national park weekends fall over the summer holidays. Shoulder season periods—like late October or early May—are your best bet for good weather without the crowds.

National parks are big, and there's always plenty to explore beyond the most concentrated photo op spots. Be safe—but also be spontaneous! Take the road less traveled, find hidden gems that aren't so much on the map, and be original in your itinerary. Explore options for hiking, sightseeing, and recreating outside of Yosemite Valley—and check the park website for real-time conditions, seasonal updates, and more trip-planning tools.

Do note: While the reservation requirement is paused, standard entrance fees still apply. Notably, a new $100 surcharge for non-residents and international travelers went into effect on January 1, 2026. If you fit into either of those categories, your options are a Standard Pass, which is valid for seven consecutive days in Yosemite ($35 per vehicle, plus $100 per nonresident age 16 or older). Or, opt in for the America the Beautiful Pass, valid for one year at all national parks (with a $250 per vehicle fee and no additional per-person fee).

Where to stay in and around Yosemite

Staying overnight inside or near Yosemite allows for quick and easy access to the park, making early entrance more attainable. Among the many Yosemite lodging options to choose from, check out some of our favorite Airbnbs and hotels below:

Hotels near Yosemite National Park:

• For the glamping fanatic with high standards: AutoCamp Yosemite
• For a base five minutes outside of Yosemite’s western entrance: Rush Creek Lodge & Spa
• For a charmingly historic in-park lodge: The Ahwahnee
• For a stone’s throw from Yosemite’s south entrance: Tenaya Lodge
• For cabin lovers, tucked away just outside the forested northwestern corner: Evergreen Lodge

Airbnbs near Yosemite National Park:

Number of guests: 4
Bed and bath: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath
Why we love it: Hot tub with views, screened patio, propane grill

Views for days are the top amenity at this cozy two-bedroom that features a wood-burning stove, propane grill, and lofty ceilings. It is particularly great for families, since one bedroom boasts a queen, while the other sports two twins. Floor-to-ceiling windows in the living room make for gorgeous Sierra sunset viewing, even if you skip the hot tub. No matter how you choose to unwind after a day in the park, you’ll find serene solitude here.

Neighborhood: Oakhurst
Things to do nearby: Bass Lake, Mariposa Grove

$251, Airbnb (starting price). Get it now!

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Inspire Me

Hilltop haven fit for families

$251.00, Airbnb (starting price)

This hip A-frame cabin is full of fun design details that are sure to make even the pickiest traveler smile. Lovingly nicknamed “The Yay-Frame,” it’s a five-bedroom, two-bathroom haven brimming with mid-century living room furnishings, artwork portraying Yosemite, a woodsy game room, and colorful outdoor seating. Included in the rental is a separate, 450-square-foot in-law cabin with a vintage wood-burning stove, muted jade cabinets, a private bedroom, and a full bath. $487, Airbnb (starting price). Get it now!

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Spunky A-frame surrounded by pines

$487.00, Airbnb (starting price)

Number of guests: 14
Bed and bath: 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
Why we love it: Wraparound deck, floor-to-ceiling windows, full kitchen

The Chalet earns its reputation as a premier Yosemite-area vacation rental with elegant decor and truly panoramic views. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame an unobstructed swath of the Sierra Nevada foothills, making it hard to ever leave—even for a hike in the park. This three-bedroom cabin sleeps up to 14 across seven beds in the main bedrooms and two sets of bunk beds in the basement. It comes well-appointed with Sonos speakers, a stocked kitchen, and a Weber gas grill on the deck for post-hike family feasts. The finished basement doubles as a game room for the kiddos, complete with a ping-pong table, PS4, and smart TVs. Perched near Groveland's scenic Pine Mountain Lake, the property is roughly 26 miles from Yosemite's northern gate, so dipping into the park is a breeze.

Neighborhood: Groveland
Things to do nearby: Buck Meadows, Groveland Yosemite Museum

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Inspire Me

Gorgeous chalet with floor-to-ceiling windows

$.00, Airbnb

Number of guests: 6
Bed and bath: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths
Why we love it: Colorful decor, mini movie theater, stone fireplace

Welcome to paradise. This three-bedroom home is chock-full of unique amenities and design features, like plush velvet comforters, a stone fireplace, and a full kitchen with locally roasted coffee. Rise with the birdsong and sip a hot beverage under the deck’s shady pergola, which overlooks a babbling brook. After cuddling up for a projector-screened film on the midcentury sofa, a massive soaking tub awaits in the primary bathroom, ideal for a nightcap and a post-hike soak.

Neighborhood: Mariposa
Things to do nearby: Big Oak Flat Trailhead, Coffee with Critters farm tours

$377, Airbnb (starting price). Get it now!

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Inspire Me

Secluded creekside cabin

$377.00, Airbnb (starting price)

Number of guests: 3
Bed and bath: 1 bedroom, 1 bath
Why we love it: Wooden hot tub, open layout, full kitchen

Don’t be fooled by the humble exterior of this one-bedroom cabin; inside, you’ll find oodles of modern elegance and thoughtful amenities. A smart TV and ultra-fast Wi-Fi make it easy to stay connected on your nature-filled excursion, and a coffee bar with a pour-over, Keurig, and flavored syrups will help you get up and greet the day before exploring Yosemite Valley’s famous waterfalls. At night, before hopping into the queen bed, soak your sore post-hike muscles in the wooden hot tub and gaze up at the stars.

Neighborhood: Ahwahnee
Things to do nearby: Bass Lake, Idle Hour Winery

$226, Airbnb (starting price). Get it now!

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Inspire Me

Modern cabin with a hot tub

$226.00, Airbnb (starting price)