The National Park Service has announced its reservations policy for 2025. Most entrances will require advance reservations on weekends beginning May 24 and during the peak summer season, while Hetch Hetchy will be managed on a case-by-case basis.
It’s good news all around. These decisions appear to have been made as a result of public input, so it’s great to see that both the National Park Service and the Department of Interior are listening.
Reservations will not be required to visit Hetch Hetchy in 2025, but visitors will be denied entrance if there is no parking. Photo: Joe Braun
Yosemite officials had paused their decision pending approval by the Trump Administration. The decision to move forward with the plan came only after Senator Alex Padilla, among others, wrote to Secretary of Interior Doug Burgum asking that it be approved.
Senator Padilla (right) met privately with Secretary Burgum prior to his confirmation hearing and voted in favor of his appointment.
There is widespread support for requiring reservations to enter Yosemite. While it is unfortunate that we cannot enter all of our national parks whenever we like, places like Yosemite do need to manage and limit crowding. (Note reservations are required only in late spring and summer and affect private automobiles only – visitors can always enter using public transportation.)
We are especially pleased that, as we and others asked, Hetch Hetchy will be handled differently. The National Park Service’s draft plan had indicated that the same regulations would be applied to the Hetch Hetchy entrance but changed course – perhaps after realizing that use patterns at Hetch Hetchy are different and that public transportation is not currently an option at Hetch Hetchy. (See Restore Hetch Hetchy’s comments sent last September along with a letter signed by hundreds of supporters).
2025 should be a great year to visit Yosemite. This week’s snowstorms should bring the snowpack up to average, so the waterfalls will be spectacular when the weather warms.
It’s always wise to plan your travel carefully. Make a reservation if necessary. And enter the park early or late in the day to avoid lines at the entrance stations.
Note that it is very likely visitors to Hetch Hetchy will be turned away during weekends this spring when the parking spots are all filled. If you go to Hetch Hetchy, and we hope you will, avoid the weekend or get there early!