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Prior to 2020, Yosemite had never required visitors to make a day-use reservation to visit the park. As a result of that and its growing popularity, the park was often packed with tourists, causing issues with parking, vandalism and more.

When covid took hold of the country, it caused many parks and business to close in order to “slow the spread”. Yosemite, among most national parks, were one of those parks that closed to the public. That closure would last for a few months.

Later that year, just in time for summer, Yosemite reopened to the public, albeit with a catch - you would now need a reservation as park officials were attempting to control crowds, and this was the best way to do it.

In 2021 and 2022, Yosemite would maintain the reservation system, albeit with a few changes and varying policies. No one year was ever the same as Yosemite was testing which variant was most effective.

Aside from the Fire Fall event in February, Yosemite dropped the reservation policy all together in 2023, once again making the park a free-for-all. If you paid attention to the news at all last season, you would know that it proved to be a disaster as lines to get in stretched for miles and parking, once again, became complicated.

Consequently, Yosemite officials have again announced a new reservation system in place for the 2024 season. Much like its last three predecessors, it differs in structure and substance, but its overall premise is the same.

In this post, I’m going to discuss with you the details of this new reservation policy, such as associated fees, exceptions to the rule, when you will and will not need one, and more. Let’s get into it.

When You Need a Reservation for Yosemite

In some way, shape or form, you will be required to have a reservation if you plan to visit Yosemite National Park during specific dates between spring and fall of 2024. They are broken up as follows:

• February 26 - April 12: No reservation needed

• April 13 - June 30: Reservations will be required on Saturdays, Sundays and all holidays (May 27 and June 19) between the hours of 5am - 4pm

• July 1 - August 16: A reservation is required everyday between the hours of 5am - 4pm

• August 17 - October 27: Reservations will be required on Saturdays, Sundays and all holidays (September 2 and October 14) between the hours of 5am - 4pm

• October 28: No reservations will be required for the remainder of the season beginning on this date

Take note of the hours listed above. If you arrive before 5am or after 4pm, you will be able to enter the park without a reservation. However if you’re here for a few days or more, you’ll need to keep doing that.

The reservation policy applies to ALL visitors, including the ones who’re just driving through. If you’re on a road trip and need to drive through, either be sure to have a reservation or time it to where you arrive outside of peak hours.

When and How to Make a Yosemite Peak Hours Reservation

Making a reservation for Yosemite in 2024 is similar to the way it has always been done. The first thing you should do, if you haven’t already, is to create an account on Recreation.gov. This where you’ll make your reservations.

Beginning January 5 at 8am (PST), most reservations for all dates will become available. They will remain until all are taken. There are many dates remaining as of late February, but the entire month of July is sold out.

If the date you want is already sold out, don’t fret, there’s still hope. Yosemite holds back a certain number of reservations for weekly releases. Meaning seven days prior to each date at 8am, more reservations become available.

A caveat to that, though, is these reservations will be a combination of full day and afternoon arrival (noon or later) variations. Unfortunately, you cannot choose if there’s only one or the other available.

To make a reservation, go to the Recreation.gov website or app and type Yosemite into the search bar. When you see Yosemite National Park Ticketed Entry pop up underneath it, click on that and follow the directions from there.

Your reservation will be good for three (3) consecutive days, including the arrival date you selected. When you arrive, you’ll be asked to produce a copy of your reservation and your ID. Remember, they are NOT transferable. The reservation holder must be present.

Yosemite Reservation and Park Entry Fees

As is the case with most aspects of life, there are fees associated with making a Yosemite reservation and entering the park. The fee for reservations is a paltry one at just $2, but it doesn’t end there. The fees to enter Yosemite National Park in 2024 are separate and costs:

• $35 per vehicle

• $30 per motorcycle

• $20 per person entering on foot, on a bicycle or on horseback (15 years and younger are free)

• $70 for the Yosemite specific annual pass

• $80 for the ‘America the Beautiful’ pass, which covers ALL national park sites

You should note that Yosemite only accepts credit/debit card or mobile payment methods (Apple Pay, etc) for park entry fees. Cash is no longer accepted. If you intend to purchase the America the Beautiful pass, you can save time by purchasing it online here.

If you’re wondering why you only get three days at the park versus the usual seven, Yosemite officials reduced it to three in order to maximize the amount of available reservations so more people would have as much of a chance at obtaining one as possible.

Situations Where You Won’t Need a Reservation

While most Yosemite visitors have no way around the reservation system, there are some exceptions. For example, if you were able to obtain a Half Dome permit, then you will not need a peak hours reservation as long as you’re arriving on the date listed on your permit.

One exception to that exception is if you have a wilderness permit to go along with your Half Dome permit (or just simply the wilderness permit). If so, you’ll be able to enter the park the day before so you can set up at a backpackers camp.

Additionally, if you hold a reservation at one of Yosemite’s many campgrounds, a vacation rental in Wawona, Yosemite West or Foresta, or at one of the following hotels, you do not require a peak hours reservation:

• Curry Village or Housekeeping Camp

• The Ahwahnee

• Wawona Hotel

• White Wolf Lodge

• Tuolumne Meadows Lodge

Lastly, if you’re entering the park with a tour group or on a shuttle bus (such as YARTS), you will also not need a reservation. If you’re visiting Yosemite Valley, I highly recommend entering with YARTS. Between them and the valley shuttle, getting around is hassle free.