Yosemite Drops Entry Reservations for 2026—What That Means for Your Summer Trip
For the first time since the pandemic, Yosemite National Park is letting visitors roll up without a reservation this spring and summer. After five years of requiring timed entry during peak months, the park has scrapped the system for 2026, and the results are already being felt.
On the first weekend of May, wait times at entrance stations stretched to 90 minutes. By late morning, parking in Yosemite Valley was full, with cars directed to overflow lots or forced to circle the valley floor hunting for a spot, according to SFgate. The National Park Service says the decision was based on data from the 2025 season, which showed that most weekdays had adequate parking and steady traffic flow within the park's limits.
Yosemite isn't alone. Glacier, Arches, and Mount Rainier have also dropped their reservation requirements this year. Supporters of the old system argue that timed entry kept congestion manageable and reduced environmental wear. Critics say it locked out spontaneous travelers and those who couldn't plan months ahead.
With millions of annual visitors, Yosemite’s infrastructure—parking lots, shuttles, roads—hasn't changed. So on busy days, the valley gets tight. If you want to avoid the worst of it, arrive before 7 a.m. That's the single best strategy for snagging a parking spot and hitting the popular viewpoints without the crush.
Midweek trips in shoulder months like late October or early May offer good weather and thinner crowds. And don't overlook areas outside Yosemite Valley—there's plenty of hiking and scenery beyond the postcard spots.
A few things to keep in mind: Standard entrance fees still apply. As of January 1, 2026, a new $100 surcharge for non-residents and international travelers is in effect. Non-residents can buy a Standard Pass ($35 per vehicle plus $100 per person 16 and older, good for seven days) or the America the Beautiful Pass ($250 per vehicle, no additional per-person fee).
For lodging, staying inside or near the park makes early entry easier. Options range from AutoCamp Yosemite for glamping to the historic Ahwahnee lodge, Rush Creek Lodge just outside the western entrance, Tenaya Lodge near the south entrance, and Evergreen Lodge in the forested northwest corner.