Yosemite National Park reservations on hold

If you’re planning a trip to Yosemite National Park this year, you need to hold your horses! When I logged on to Yosemite’s reservation site this morning, I intended to make reservations for an upcoming RV trip. Here’s what I found:

February 8 through 23: “A reservation is required 24 hours per day on Saturdays, Sundays, and on Washington’s Birthday (Monday, February 17).”

That makes perfect sense. If you want to see the extremely popular “Firefall,” February weekends are the time to go, along with the holiday commemorating our first president’s birthday. (Read more about the annual Firefall here.)

Surprise!

The next paragraph on the reservation site surprised and confused me. Here’s what it said:

After February 26: “Yosemite National Park anticipates sharing details about this year’s reservation system early in 2025. We recognize the importance of providing clarity on that system as soon as possible to accommodate peak summer season travel planning. We are grateful for the robust public engagement in this process to shape an improved and sustainable visitor experience”

Visitor Access Management Plan

After a bit of digging, I found out about this plan. Turns out, Yosemite’s new management plan began back in October 2022.

I remember 2022. The country was finally coming out of the COVID pandemic. Two years of lockdowns, virtual schools, and work-from-home mandates brought thousands of new visitors to our national parks. This sudden and overwhelming influx of park visitors caused traffic jams, crowding, and infrastructure damage to many parks.

The huge increase of park visitors prompted Yosemite to develop a long-term plan. Enter the Visitor Access Management Plan. The plan plugged along for several years. Last year, a pilot plan was developed and put into use. The goal? Here’s what the park said:

“Before making a decision about plans for summer 2025 the park staff will consider both the results of the summer 2024 pilot as well as public comment … A plan for summer 2025 will be announced later this fall.”

Just wait

Here’s the final word from Yosemite’s reservation site:

Reservations April through October: “We will announce details on plans for managing visitor access in summer 2025 soon.”

Going to Yosemite?

If you plan a trip to Yosemite National Park this year, here are some suggestions:

• Check official sources regularly: Visit the National Park Service’s official website for the latest updates on reservation requirements and park access.
• Use Recreation.gov: This platform is your go-to for securing reservations for various national parks, including Yosemite. It’s user-friendly and provides up-to-date information on availability. Check it regularly.

By staying informed and proactive, you can ensure a memorable and hassle-free RV trip to Yosemite National Park. Happy travels!

More articles you might really like

• Alternative to Quartzsite: Low-cost AZ desert boondocking at Imperial Dam
• A new take on the offensive neighbor in the RV park
• How to protect your RV’s decals from fading and sun damage
• RV Tire Types 101: Selecting the correct tire for your RV or other vehicle
• Be careful how you wash your rubber RV roof
• A step-by-step guide to applying self-leveling sealant on your RV’s roof

##RVT1195b