Starting May 20, Yosemite National Park (California) will implement a temporary peak-hour reservation system based on the lessons learned from the summer reservation system between 2020 and 2021.
As per a press release, the peak hour reservation system is designed to help spread the number of visitors and decrease the amount of traffic in the park.
Park visitors are required to reserve to access the park between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. seven days a week. Visitors entering the park outside of the peak hours are not required to have a reservation.
A visit to Yosemite should be about enjoying the beautiful granite-lined landscape, not sitting in gridlock,” said Yosemite National Park Superintendent Cicely Muldoon. “Yosemite visitors deserve a high-quality experience in this magnificent place. Our goal with the peak hours system is to ease overcrowding during the busiest times this summer while still offering access for all.”
The park will benefit from multiple major Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) and other infrastructure enhancement projects scheduled for 2022 that will repair roads, trails, campgrounds, visitor facilities, and utility systems.
The project will result in the closing of several parks and will impact traffic flow. For instance, Glacier Point Road, Tuolumne Meadows Campground, Crane Flat Campground, and other areas will be closed for significant repairs throughout 2022.
The peak hours reservation system will operate through September 30, 2022, and all users will be required reservations, including annual and lifetime pass holders.
Reservations are valid for three days and can be made through www.recreation.gov starting at 8:30 a.m. on March 23, 2022. Each peak hours reservation is valid for one vehicle and the occupants.
Visitors who enter the park before 6 a.m. and after 4 p.m. will be required to pay the park entrance fee, valid for three days outside of peak hours. For more detailed information, please visit go.nps.gov/reserve.
Peak hours reservations are included for all visitors staying overnight in the park. This includes reservations at The Ahwahnee Hotel, Yosemite Valley Lodge, Curry Village, Wawona Hotel, Housekeeping Camp, and NPS-managed campgrounds.
Peak hours reservations are also included for all visitors with wilderness and Half Dome permits and visitors entering the park via YARTS buses and permitted commercial tours.
“Yosemite’s visitation affects our gateway communities in so many ways,” said Muldoon. “We are grateful for the helping hand our community partners have extended to make this system work better for all.”