Yosemite Will Require Reservations for Summer Visitation. Click here for more TRAVEL ALERTS and information.
Menu
Visitor Guide
Get Our Newsletter
Search
Yosemite Tunnel View - Spring 2024
Updated May 19, 2025
Blog What to Know When Visiting Yosemite - Right Now

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.  
  • Road delays - Hazard tree removable is being conducted along the Big Oak Flat Road between the park boundary and Rattlesnake creek. Traffic control will be in place with short delays. 
  • Seasonal Road & Trail Closures/Status:
    • Glacier Point Road is OPEN!
    • Mariposa Grove Shuttle is RUNNING!
    • Tioga Road is still closed for the season. Crews are working to clear and open the road for the summer season. There is no estimated date as of yet, but stay tunned!
    • Half Dome cables are still DOWN for the season.
    • 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 )opens May 22), Tamarack Flat, White Wolf, Yosemite Creek, Porcupine Flat, and Tuolumne Meadows 

Top Tips to Maximize Your Yosemite Experience

Looking for a great way to experience Yosemite all while leaving the driving to someone else? Take a guided tour!


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.  


Our annual Visit Yosemite | Madera County Visitors Guide can answer all your questions about visiting California's Gateway to Yosemite. From the park itself to the museums, wineries, art galleries and more throughout Madera County, our guide can help you plan the perfect vacation. Please note that we mail to the USA only, but anyone can download the guide.
Visit Yosemite - Madera County
Oakhurst Visitor Center, 40343 Highway 41, Oakhurst, CA 93644
(559) 683-4636
Email us!

Hours:
7 days a week: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
FOLLOW US

Developed by Drozian Webworks | ©2025 Southern Yosemite Visitors Bureau. All Rights Reserved.