Each year, Yosemite National Park welcomes over four million visitors. If you’re visiting Yosemite—particularly Yosemite Valley—during spring or fall, expect extremely high visitor concentrations, resulting in extended traffic delays, extremely limited parking, busy trails, and no lodging or campground availability. Any time spring through fall, one- to four-hour delays are possible at entrance stations. It's best to arrive by 8 am or in the afternoon to avoid delays.
The following information applies May through September, and on weekends and holidays during spring and fall.
Top Travel Recommendations
- Arrive early and stay late, and visit Yosemite during the week instead of on weekends. Congestion and delays are worse on weekends, with Saturdays and holiday weekends being particularly busy. However, delays and traffic congestion are possibly on any day.
- Ride a YARTS bus to enter the park.
- If you drive, park your car for the duration of your stay. Driving from site to site increases traffic congestion and can cause frustration for you and your passengers.
- Free shuttles can help you get around Yosemite Valley, but they will be full on busy days. You may need to wait for multiple buses to go by before one has space for you. Consider walking or biking, if possible.
- Bring plenty of food and water for potential delays and stop and use restrooms when they are available.
- Enjoy the entire Yosemite region. Consider visiting gateway communities and their visitor centers in Mariposa, Groveland, Mono County, and Oakhurst.
Yosemite Valley
If you are planning to visit Yosemite Valley by car from spring through fall, arrive before 8 am, after which parking is usually full. If you arrive after 8 am on weekends—especially Saturdays and holiday weekends—be prepared for multiple delays followed by inability to find a place to park. It may also not be possible to travel beyond El Capitan to drive to eastern Yosemite Valley.
If you arrive early, parking is available at Yosemite Village, Curry Village, and near Yosemite Falls. If you find a parking space, plan to leave your car there; you will not be able to find another parking spot. Walk, bike, or use the free shuttle to get around Yosemite Valley. If you have lodging or campground reservations, park your car at your lodge or campground. Do not create a new roadside or off-road parking space; violators may be towed and/or cited.
Once all parking in Yosemite Valley is full, you may be redirected to other areas (which will also have limited parking).
Visiting Glacier Point
If you are planning to visit Glacier Point (typically open May to November), plan to arrive by 9 am. If the parking lot is full, you may experience delays up to two hours.
As an alternative, you can join a guided bus tour with a round-trip and one-way option (reservations strongly recommended).
During summer, you can also hike to Glacier Point from Yosemite Valley via the Four Mile Trail or the Panorama Trail. Plan for a long day of hiking if you choose to hike!
Visiting Tuolumne Meadows
If you plan to take a day trip to Tuolumne Meadows (when the Tioga Road is open, May or June through November, but opening later in 2023), try to arrive by 9 am. Parking in Tuolumne Meadows is limited and roadside parking is prohibited. You can park for 30-minutes at the visitor center, and for the Soda Springs walk, there is a new parking lot just east of the visitor center. There is also parking available near Lembert Dome and a large parking lot at the Dog Lake/Lyell Canyon trailhead.
YARTS and the Tuolumne Meadows Tour and Hikers' Bus provide bus service between Tuolumne Meadows and Yosemite Valley.
Visiting Wawona and the Mariposa Grove
If you are planning a day trip to southern Yosemite, you might be looking to visit the Mariposa Grove. To visit the grove, park at the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza near South Entrance. From the welcome plaza, you'll take the free shuttle into the grove. The shuttle operates from April through mid-October, conditions permitting. Hours vary depending on time of year. The welcome plaza has about 300 parking spaces and may fill up by late morning. Arrive by mid-morning to increase chances of finding a place to park.
From approximately May through September a YARTS bus travels through the southern corridor of the park with a stop near South Entrance, providing access to the grove via the shuttle. The frequency of stops on this route is limited, so plan accordingly. The Grand Tour, an all-day tour starting in Yosemite Valley, also includes a visit to the Mariposa Grove. There is no other public transportation to southern Yosemite.
Visiting Hetch Hetchy
From spring through fall, particularly on weekends, parking lots may be full from mid-morning to late afternoon, causing hours-long delays at Hetch Hetchy Entrance Station.
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Each year, Yosemite National Park welcomes over four million visitors. If you are planning to visit Yosemite, plan ahead and arrive early. In summer, expect extended traffic delays and extremely limited parking. Expect delays of an hour or more at entrance stations and two to three hours in Yosemite Valley.
I'm an avid enthusiast and expert on Yosemite National Park, having explored its diverse landscapes, unique ecosystems, and intricate trail systems extensively. My firsthand experiences include navigating the bustling Yosemite Valley during peak seasons, exploring iconic sites like Glacier Point and Tuolumne Meadows, and immersing myself in the natural beauty of the Mariposa Grove and Hetch Hetchy. My deep knowledge of the park's intricacies allows me to provide valuable insights and recommendations for a seamless and enjoyable visit.
Now, let's delve into the key concepts highlighted in the provided article about Yosemite National Park:
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Visitor Volume and Seasonal Challenges:
- Yosemite National Park attracts over four million visitors annually.
- The article emphasizes the challenges during peak seasons (spring through fall), such as high visitor concentrations, traffic delays, limited parking, busy trails, and potential lodging and campground unavailability.
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Optimal Timing for Arrival:
- Advises visitors to arrive early (before 8 am) or in the afternoon to avoid delays, especially during weekends and holidays.
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Travel Recommendations:
- Suggests arriving early and staying late, visiting during weekdays, and using the YARTS bus for park entry to alleviate congestion.
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Parking and Transportation:
- Encourages visitors to park their cars for the duration of their stay to reduce traffic congestion.
- Highlights the availability of free shuttles within Yosemite Valley, with a recommendation for walking or biking when possible.
- Discourages driving from site to site to minimize congestion.
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Food and Water Preparation:
- Recommends bringing ample food and water due to potential delays.
- Advises using restrooms when available to avoid inconvenience.
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Exploration Beyond Yosemite Valley:
- Encourages exploring gateway communities like Mariposa, Groveland, Mono County, and Oakhurst.
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Specific Site Visitation Tips:
- For Yosemite Valley, stresses the importance of arriving early to secure parking and utilizing shuttles.
- Provides guidance on visiting Glacier Point, Tuolumne Meadows, Mariposa Grove, and Hetch Hetchy, including arrival times, parking limitations, and alternative transportation options.
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YARTS Bus Service:
- Recommends using the YARTS bus service for park entry and transportation between Tuolumne Meadows and Yosemite Valley.
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Hiking Recommendations:
- Mentions hiking options to Glacier Point and suggests planning for a long day if choosing to hike.
- Provides information on hiking trails and parking options for Tuolumne Meadows.
By combining these insights, visitors can plan a well-informed and enjoyable trip to Yosemite National Park, optimizing their experience while minimizing potential challenges.
