Those hoping to visit Yosemite National Park in California should bear in mind that day visitors will need to have made advance reservations if they’re planning to go between 21 May and 30 September.
The park, located in Sierra Nevada mountains, is a UNESCO World Heritage site, welcoming over four million visitors annually. After its closure in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a phased reopening requiring permits began in June for day visitors. This system was implemented to manage guest numbers, supporting a safe reopening, but it was lifted in November.
Although the permit system resulted in Yosemite’s visitation rates dropping by half, the system will now be implemented again this year for day visitors during the peak summer season. Therefore, limiting the number of visitors aims to facilitate social distancing and curb the spread of the virus. The number of permitted entries will also depend on the county’s tier status at that time. Once at the park, visitors can marvel at the stunning granite formation of El Capitan, the breathtaking plunge of Bridalveil Fall, and the majestic, often wildflower-strewn Half Dome.
Park shuttle buses will not run this summer, and each day-use reservation is valid for one vehicle for three days. Across the US, the National Park Service is adopting a phased approach to enhance access based on individual park needs. Visitors at Yosemite are still advised to follow CDC guidance by maintaining a safe distance between groups, wearing cloth face coverings when social distancing is not possible, and staying at home if feeling unwell or displaying symptoms.
Reservations for day tickets can be made here.
This article was first published on 5 June 2020 and updated on 14 April 2021.
