This US national park now requires reservations

One of the most popular national parks in the US will require reservations this year. Here’s the what, the why and most importantly, the where.

Yosemite National Park in California is one of the most visited national parks in the United States. The National Park Service has now announced that reservations are required to enter Yosemite in 2024 at specific times of the year.

Yosemite sees millions of visitors each year.

Over the last few decades, national parks across the US have been struggling with congestion issues, with Yosemite feeling the effects more than most.

The reservation system called Peak Hours Plus 2024, will work to counter long wait times for park entry, ensuring a more seamless process for both the visitor and park authorities during busy seasons. A Visitor Access Management Plan is also in the works for the national park.

There are two types of reservations available to visitors, the first being valid for a full day and the other valid for any time after noon. However, both cover up to three (consecutive) days in the park. Those who have booked in-park lodging, campground reservations and wilderness or Half Dome permits do not require a reservation. Nor do visitors who enter the park via YARTS buses and on permitted commercial tours.

Yosemite National Park is known for its sheer granite cliffs.

At the time of publication, Peak Hours Plus 2024 at Yosemite will be in effect on:

• Weekends from 10 February to 25 February: 24 hours.
• 19 February (Washington’s Birthday): 24 hours.
• Weekends and holidays from 13 April to 30 June: 5am – 4pm.
• 1 July to 16 August: 5am – 4pm every day.
• Weekends and holidays from 17 August to 27 October: 5am – 4pm.

Reservations to enter the park are now mandatory on certain days of the year.

All vehicles entering the park on these dates (at the allocated times) will require a reservation. It will be valid for the whole car, regardless of passenger numbers. Reservations for all 2024 dates can be secured via the Recreation.Gov website now.

Other national parks in the US that require reservations include Acadia National Park (Maine), Arches National Park and Zion National Park (Utah), Glacier National Park (Montana), Haleakalā National Park (Hawaii), Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado) and Shenandoah National Park (Virginia).

Explore Yosemite by car after booking your reservation.

Yosemite National Park’s cascading waterfalls, ancient sequoia trees and looming granite cliffs make it one of the most beautiful places to visit in California. With almost 2000 kilometres of pristine wilderness, it’s a true bucket-list destination. The national park is approximately a three-hour drive from San Francisco or just over an hour from the popular inland city of Fresno.

Reservations for Yosemite are not required all year round.