Infos zum Yosemite NP

Yosemite National Park has finally decided what it's doing about 2025 reservations

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This summer, you will likely need a reservation to visit Yosemite after all

After months of confusion and uncertainty, Yosemite National Park has announced that a reservation system will be in place during its busiest time of the year.

The system will be the least restrictive the park has ever implemented, with reservations required every day from June 15 to Aug. 15, 2025, between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m., as well as over Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends during those same hours, according to an emailed statement from a Yosemite National Park spokesperson.

The information has also been published on Yosemite National Park’s website.

“This system ensures all visitors, whether they plan in advance or decide last minute, can experience the park each day,” Yosemite’s spokesperson wrote. “It also spreads visitation across the day so that visitors have a better experience.”

The park encourages the public to visit its trip planning website and the park service app for more details, including exceptions and instructions for how to make a reservation on Recreation.gov. Reservations will become available on May 6 at 8 a.m. PST, according to the website.

The announcement of a reservation system so close to the busy summer season will no doubt rankle the owners of gateway town hotels. Occupancy numbers for the summer have already been low, ostensibly due to the confusion over the reservation system, the lack of bookings from international travelers, a downturn in the economy and an onslaught of distressing news regarding staffing cuts and other issues created by the Trump administration.

“We are at just over half of our usual peak summer occupancy at this time,” Lee Zimmerman, the owner of three hotels near Yosemite’s Big Oak Flat entrance, told SFGATE in an email earlier this month.

In previous years, the reservation system was announced months in advance, and reservations went on sale very early in the year, allowing visitors to nail down their entry dates and times, and businesses to plan accordingly.

Conservationists aren’t thrilled with the delayed announcement, either, but they’re calling it a win.

“Following the back-and-forth confusion on Yosemite’s seasonal reservation system that began a month ago, it’s a relief to know that certainty and commonsense still prevail,” Mark Rose, the Sierra Nevada and clean air program manager for the National Parks Conservation Association, wrote in a text message to SFGATE. “While we believe that this announcement is late coming and insufficient compared to prior proposals, it’s far better than blocking the system altogether.”

In keeping with previous years, visitors who reserve lodging, campsites, wilderness permits or special use permits in the park won’t need reservations to enter, according to the park service. Those who book commercial tours and hotel shuttle buses are similarly exempt. Those without reservations can enter Yosemite before 6 a.m. or after 2 p.m. or at any time via the Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System’s public buses.

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Yosemite Reopens Key Access Points for Summer Visitors

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Yosemite National Park is officially welcoming visitors back to some of its most popular areas as shuttle services and seasonal roads reopen this weekend.

Starting Saturday, May 10 at 8 a.m., Glacier Point Road will open to vehicles after being closed for the winter due to snow. Vault toilets will be available along the route, though visitors should note that there will be no drinking water access.

Also reopening on Saturday is the Mariposa Grove shuttle service, which offers easy access to the iconic giant sequoias in the southern section of the park. Mariposa Grove Road, like Glacier Point Road, had been closed during the winter season.

Park rangers are advising caution for those planning to hike from Glacier Point Road, as trails remain snow-covered and can be difficult to navigate. Visitors should bring proper gear for winter travel, including a GPS device, detailed map, and compass.

With these seasonal reopenings, Yosemite is ramping up for a busy summer season—but nature’s wintry remnants still linger at higher elevations. Be prepared and stay safe.

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5 High Sierra camps inside Yosemite National Park to remain closed

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Five High Sierra camps inside Yosemite National Park will remain closed for the season.

Officials says it's because potable water and toilets won't be available this summer.

The popular back-country destinations, which include tent cabins and high-end meals prepared by specially trained chefs, were supposed to fully reopen to the public for the first time since 2018.

Park rangers say impacted guests have been notified and can book alternate accommodations within the park.

They will also be offered priority booking for next year's lottery.

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Yosemite National Park will open all park campgrounds beginning this month

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Yosemite National Park will open all 13 park campgrounds this summer, marking the first time since 2019 that all campgrounds have been open. These additional openings will add approximately 500 campsites available to the public for enjoying the park.

"We're very excited to have these campgrounds open to the public as we enter the busy summer season," said Acting Yosemite National Park Superintendent Ray McPadden. "Camping in this park is truly a magical experience, and we want to provide the opportunity for as many visitors as possible."

White Wolf Campground will open on June 20, and Tamarack Flat Campground will open on June 23. Both of these campgrounds are located on Tioga Road. On June 15 at 7 a.m. PDT, reservations will be released daily and become available two weeks in advance for both campgrounds on Recreation.gov.

At the White Wolf Campground, visitors are advised that drinking water is not available and only portable toilets are provided. At the Tamarack Flat Campground, drinking water is not available; however, vault toilets are provided.

Yosemite Creek Campground, also on Tioga Road, will open on July 1. Reservations will be released daily, two weeks in advance, for sites 1–40 in Yosemite Creek, starting June 17 at 7 a.m. PDT, on Recreation.gov. Drinking water is not available at this campground; however, vault toilets are provided.

Opening dates for Bridalveil Creek, Porcupine Flat, and Tuolumne Meadows Campgrounds will be announced soon.

All other park campgrounds are listed on the Recreation.gov website and are currently available for booking.

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Yosemite National Park Hit With Wave of Illegal Activity During Shutdown

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Yosemite National Park has been hit with a wave of illegal activity as the government shutdown continues.

According to multiple reports and posts on social media, people have entered sections of the park without a permit, camped illegally and taken part in unpermitted BASE jumping as lawmakers' standoff over policy and funding enters its third week.

Newsweek reached out to Yosemite National Park by email to comment on this story outside of normal business hours.

The ongoing federal government shutdown has led to significant reductions in National Park Service (NPS) staffing, leaving destinations like the iconic Yosemite National Park with limited enforcement capabilities. This has made it more difficult to enforce rules which are in place to protect visitor's health and safety.

As well as putting themselves at risk, visitors who engage in dangerous activity could damage the park and its natural resources.

According to Backpacker magazine, people have hiked up the Half Dome path in the park without permits. The publication reported that people have also set up camps in areas unenforced by staffers.

Meanwhile, the San Francisco Chronicle reported last week that some BASE jumpers were taking advantage of the shutdown to jump in the park. BASE jumping is illegal in all national parks, NPS told Newsweek.

Previously, nonpartisan parks groups had urged the government to shutdown parks in the event of a government shutdown, to reduce the risk of damaging parks. So far, other cultural spots like Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo have closed because of the shutdown, but other federally run sites have remained open with reduced staffing.

Bill Wade, director at the Association of National Park Rangers told Newsweek: "It appears that the base jumpers and squatters are taking advantage of the significantly reduced NPS staff during the shutdown. These are exactly the kinds of things that we knew were likely to happen if the recommendations of our several organizations to close the parks during the shutdown was ignored. I guess we can say, 'We told you so.'"

As well as Yosemite, NPS oversees 433 parks, historic sites and other units across the country. It had already reported a staffing crisis at a time of record visitor levels. In 2024, the NPS reported a new high of more than 331 million recreational visits.

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Major Storm and Road Closures in Yosemite National Park

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A significant storm system is forecasted to sweep through the region this week, bringing with it a considerable amount of precipitation, including heavy snowfall at higher elevations. According to current projections, rain is expected to continue through at least next Tuesday, impacting travel plans and outdoor activities in and around Yosemite National Park.

As the storm approached on Wednesday night, November 12, National Park officials began implementing seasonal closures, specifically announcing the closure of Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road. These closures are standard procedure as winter conditions set in, ensuring the safety of both visitors and park staff. Tioga Road, a popular route for those seeking breathtaking views and access to higher altitudes, is targeted for reopening on Memorial Day 2026, subject to weather conditions and snow clearance.

Visitors planning trips to Yosemite during this period should be mindful of the changing weather patterns and prepare accordingly. The combination of rain and snow can lead to challenging conditions within the park, particularly in higher elevations. Snow accumulation can create hazardous travel scenarios, so it’s essential to check weather updates frequently and adhere to park advisories.

While many park attractions can offer a unique beauty during the winter months, the closures of Tioga and Glacier Point Roads mean certain areas will be inaccessible until the spring thaw. However, those who venture out during this season will be rewarded with stunning winter landscapes and opportunities for snow-based activities such as skiing, snowshoeing, and photography of the iconic Yosemite scenery cloaked in white.

We will continue to monitor updates from the National Park Service and will share any changes regarding road conditions and park accessibility as they become available. Staying informed is crucial for ensuring a safe and enjoyable visit to Yosemite.

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