Yosemite visitors are reporting hourlong entrance waits, overflowing parking lots, and heavy trail congestion after the National Park Service and the Department of the Interior ended the seasonwide timed reservation program for Yosemite, Arches National Park, and Glacier National Park on February 18.
The park announced the change after what Superintendent Ray McPadden described as a comprehensive evaluation, saying park data did not support a seasonwide reservation requirement and adding, "We are committed to visitor access, safety, and resource protection." Yet visitors and advocates say conditions have shifted quickly.
By early May social media and travel outlets showed reports of up to 90 minute entry lines and Yosemite Valley lots filling before noon, with some visitors comparing weekend crowds to pre pandemic peaks, according to Condé Nast Traveler and local reporting. One environmental advocate, John Buckley of the Central Sierra Environmental Resource Center, said weekend crowding now exceeds parking capacity.
Park visitation numbers underline why managers are concerned. National Park Service data compiled in reports show June through September visitation in 2025 at Yosemite was about 2.28 million, Glacier 2.61 million, and Arches 626,466, with similar high summer volumes in prior years. Separate reporting noted Yosemite saw nearly 4.3 million visits last year, and about 75 percent occurred during the busy May through October months.
Management Responses Visitors Advice And Wider Park Implications
Officials say they will rely on real time traffic management, targeted staffing, and diversions when lots reach capacity. The Department of the Interior acting assistant secretary Kevin Lilly said the priority is keeping parks open and accessible while managing peak use. Park teams are using real time monitoring and asking visitors to check conditions online.
Arches Superintendent Lena Pace urged visitors to arrive early, explore lesser visited areas, or return after dark when crowds thin, noting Arches is an International Dark Sky Park. Glacier officials emphasized shuttle access to Logan Pass and suggested visitors explore other parts of the park to avoid congestion along Going to the Sun Road.
Advocates warned of consequences. Mark Rose of the National Parks Conservation Association said removing the reservation system "will undoubtedly lead to hours long traffic jams, damage to park resources, strain on remaining park staff, and ruined experiences for visitors." Park social accounts and news outlets have urged visitors not to park in roadways and to use shuttles, and provided practical tips, including arriving before early morning hours, texting ynptraffic to 333111 for parking updates, and parking once to use local transit.
Visitor accounts are mixed. Some families praised the convenience of open entry and found parking without problems during weekdays, while other regular visitors described packing their trips into early mornings or weekdays to avoid crowded summer weekends. Park managers and travel writers alike advised flexibility and patience this season.
