Peak-Hour Entry Reservations are now open on Recreation.gov and dates are selling quickly! 

A reservation is required to drive into or through Yosemite National Park between 6 AM and 2 PM on the following dates: 

• May 24–26 (Memorial Day weekend)

• June 15 – August 15 (Every day)

• August 30 – September 1 (Labor Day weekend)

Can’t find availability? If a date shows as NR (Not Released), more reservations will be added seven days before the arrival date at 8 AM PDT.
So mark your calendar—or set your alarm!—to grab your spot. For more details and tips, visit our Reservation Information Page. 

• The Wawona Hotel is closed to the public for a multi-year repair project.  
• The Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center and the Tuolumne Meadows Post Office are now open for the summer season.
• Road & Trail Closures/Status:
  • Half Dome cable are up for the season. A permit is required to hike to the top of Half Dome when the cables are up.
  • Mist Trail Repair -  June 30th - October 30th  

    The Lower Mist Trail - from the John Muir Trail (JMT) junction (just uphill from the Vernal Fall Footbridge) to the top of Vernal Fall - will be closed M-TH between 7:00am and 3:30pm from 6/30/25 – 10/30/25 (subject to change).

    The trail will remain open Fridays, weekends and holidays. It is expected to be open overnight, however there may be certain days when trail crew is not able to make it safe to open overnight. In that case, the gates will remain closed, and signs will be posted at the two closure gates that the trail is closed.

  • A short section of the Valley Loop Trail at The Ahwahnee remains closed due to rockfall risk, although a short detour is available.
• Happy Isles Art & Nature Center is open for the season. Hours of operation are be Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
• Campground Status
  • In Yosemite Valley
    • Open - Upper Pines, Camp 4, North Pines, Lower Pines - all require reservations (i.e no walk-ins)
    • Closed  - None 
  • Outside Yosemite Valley
    • Open - Wawona & Hodgdon Meadow (reservations required)
    • Closed - Bridalveil Creek, Crane Flat, Tamarack Flat, White Wolf, Yosemite Creek, Porcupine Flat, and Tuolumne Meadows  

Essential tips to maximize your experience during your visit to Yosemite:

1. Optimal Visit Times: Arrive early in the morning (Before 5:00 AM) or later in the afternoon (After 4:00 PM) to avoid peak times and reservation requirements. Remember, the park is accessible 24 hours a day (excluding Hetch Hetchy), allowing for flexible planning.
2. Weekday Visits: If possible, visit mid-week. While early Spring is generally less crowded than the Summer, weekends and holidays can still get busy. If your trip includes weekends, explore the diverse activities in Yosemite's Southern Gateway, such as local attractions, historical sites, wine tasting, hiking, axe throwing, and relaxing at Bass Lake.
3. Guided and Adventure Tours: Take advantage of guided tours and hikes. Tours offer a unique perspective of Yosemite, relieve the hassle of parking, and are your ticket to the park during reservation periods.
4. Explore Beyond the Valley: Visit areas like Wawona near the south gate entrance. Rich in history and activities, Wawona offers the Yosemite History Center, stagecoach rides, various hikes, a dog-friendly trail, and dining at the historic Wawona Hotel.
5. Take Public Transportation: May - September, utilize YARTS for convenient travel to Yosemite with daily early buses on Highway 41, departing from Oakhurst at 7:10 AM and 8:55 AM; visit www.yarts.com for schedules and details.
   
6. Stay Informed with Traffic Alerts: Sign up for Yosemite's valley traffic alerts by texting YNPTRAFFIC to 333111 to stay updated on traffic conditions, enhancing your visit planning.

For more information:

VISIT: Yosemite's Current Conditions page
CALL: Oakhurst Visitor Center at (559) 683-4636
STOP BY: Oakhurst Visitor Center located at 40343 Highway 41 (daily from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm)

There is so much to do here in the Yosemite and it's Southern Gateway. Click the image strip below to find out more.