One major impact could be increased traffic in Yosemite, Rose said. With reduced staffing and no reservation system to manage the number of vehicles entering the park, Rose said visitors should expect traffic jams, not just when traveling into the park but also around it.
“Popular destinations like Eastern Yosemite Valley may start turning vehicles around early in the morning on numerous days throughout the summer when parking lots fill up,” Rose said. “While these impacts have been seen in past years when day-use reservations were not in place, with less staff, we can expect overcrowding to be even more severe.”
A line of cars creeps slowly from Fish Camp toward the western Highway 41 entrance of Yosemite National Park as viewed on June 18, 2024, just outside Yosemite National Park. (George Rose/Getty Images)
Some of the other impacts visitors should anticipate:
- Limited campground services: Expect fewer rangers available for assistance and possible delays in maintenance.
- Longer lines: There may be longer lines at park entrances and visitor centers due to fewer staff managing traffic and services.
- Reduced ranger programs: Some programs, such as ranger-led talks and guided hikes, may be scaled back.
Park officials encourage visitors to be patient and plan ahead, as the reduced workforce could impact everything from check-in times to restroom maintenance at campgrounds.
Jonathan Farrington, executive director of the Yosemite Mariposa County Tourism Bureau, remained optimistic about the upcoming visitor season despite recent staffing reductions at Yosemite National Park. He also pushed back against advocates and media speculation that essential services would be severely disrupted.
“There are actually more employees in Yosemite who don’t work for the government than do,” Farrington said, highlighting that hotels, restaurants, shuttle services and retail shops operate under private concessions unaffected by federal staffing changes.
Camas and western bistort bloom in Crane Flat, one of Yosemite National Park’s 3,000 meadows. (Brian Whitehead/NPS)
Separately from campground reservations, Yosemite officials had intended to implement a permanent policy this year requiring all visitors without camping or lodging reservations to make a separate day-use reservation before driving into the park. The measure was designed to help manage high visitor volume, especially during peak season.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported that the day-use reservation system, which was first tried in 2020 and was scheduled to become permanent this year, was placed on hold amid uncertainty about its approval by the Trump administration. The park still has not announced further plans for day-use reservations, saying only that officials “[anticipate] sharing details about this year’s reservation system in the near future.”
Farrington said that since a permanent system has never existed, it’s hard to tell if implementing it now would help with overcrowding in the summer.
“If a reservation system was implemented tomorrow, the confusion that it would create at the entrance stations would be debilitating,” he said. “More than half of the reservations in hotels for people that are coming, especially internationally, to Yosemite this summer are already made.”
Rose noted that last year, over 700 vehicles — about 2,000 visitors — a day arrived unaware of the reservation requirement. “That created two-hour backups and a lot of disappointed visitors,” he said.
El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. (Craig Miller/KQED)
Can’t get a Yosemite campground reservation? You still have alternatives
For those who miss out on a campground reservation due to this year’s reduced inventory and Yosemite’s overall popularity, there are still other options to stay inside or near the park:
Inside the park:
- Yosemite’s first-come, first-served campgrounds: for example Camp 4, a popular walk-in campground, may have limited availability.
- Lodging in Yosemite: The Ahwahnee, Yosemite Valley Lodge and Curry Village provide hotel and cabin options within the park, albeit at a premium.
Outside the park:
- Private campgrounds and RV parks: Spots like Yosemite Pines RV Resort, High Sierra RV Park and other private campgrounds near Groveland, Mariposa and El Portal offer alternatives.
- National Forest Land: Nearby areas in Stanislaus, Sierra and Inyo National Forests offer dispersed camping, which can be a good alternative for those comfortable with camping without basic amenities like toilets and potable water.
Farrington urged visitors to plan ahead and to arrive early or late to avoid peak congestion around popular scenic viewpoints between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. He said visitors could also consider biking through Yosemite Valley rather than driving.
“Sunrise is the best time to visit Tunnel View,” he advised. “And renting a bike is one of the best ways to explore the park at your own pace.”
Many of the bear-proofing designs you see in parks with bears were invented in Yosemite. (Marissa Ortega Welch/KQED)
Useful reminders for visiting Yosemite in 2025
Here’s a list of essential tips if you’re hoping to visit Yosemite this summer:
Book early and check for cancellations
If reservations are full, check Recreation.gov frequently for cancellations, as spots may open up unexpectedly.
Prepare for self-sufficiency
With reduced staffing, expect to handle basic campsite upkeep and pack out all trash. Bring extra supplies, including toilet paper, trash bags and hand sanitizer.
Arrive early
Due to staffing cuts, campgrounds and entrances may be more congested than usual. Arriving early in the day can help avoid long waits.
Follow fire safety rules
Summer wildfires are a growing concern and fire restrictions may be in place. Check for updates before lighting campfires.
Respect wildlife
With fewer rangers patrolling the park, bear activity could increase. Always store food in bear-proof containers and never leave food unattended.
Plan for limited cell service
Yosemite’s remote areas have little to no phone reception. Download maps, bring a GPS and let someone know your itinerary before heading into the backcountry.
KQED’s Carly Severn contributed to this story.
Separately from campground reservations, Yosemite officials had intended to implement a permanent policy this year requiring all visitors without camping or lodging reservations to make a separate day-use reservation before driving into the park. The measure was designed to help manage high visitor volume, especially during peak season.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported that the day-use reservation system, which was first tried in 2020 and was scheduled to become permanent this year, was placed on hold amid uncertainty about its approval by the Trump administration. The park still has not announced further plans for day-use reservations, saying only that officials “[anticipate] sharing details about this year’s reservation system in the near future.”
Farrington said that since a permanent system has never existed, it’s hard to tell if implementing it now would help with overcrowding in the summer.
“If a reservation system was implemented tomorrow, the confusion that it would create at the entrance stations would be debilitating,” he said. “More than half of the reservations in hotels for people that are coming, especially internationally, to Yosemite this summer are already made.”
Rose noted that last year, over 700 vehicles — about 2,000 visitors — a day arrived unaware of the reservation requirement. “That created two-hour backups and a lot of disappointed visitors,” he said.
El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. (Craig Miller/KQED)
Can’t get a Yosemite campground reservation? You still have alternatives
For those who miss out on a campground reservation due to this year’s reduced inventory and Yosemite’s overall popularity, there are still other options to stay inside or near the park:
Inside the park:
- Yosemite’s first-come, first-served campgrounds: for example Camp 4, a popular walk-in campground, may have limited availability.
- Lodging in Yosemite: The Ahwahnee, Yosemite Valley Lodge and Curry Village provide hotel and cabin options within the park, albeit at a premium.
Outside the park:
- Private campgrounds and RV parks: Spots like Yosemite Pines RV Resort, High Sierra RV Park and other private campgrounds near Groveland, Mariposa and El Portal offer alternatives.
- National Forest Land: Nearby areas in Stanislaus, Sierra and Inyo National Forests offer dispersed camping, which can be a good alternative for those comfortable with camping without basic amenities like toilets and potable water.
Farrington urged visitors to plan ahead and to arrive early or late to avoid peak congestion around popular scenic viewpoints between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. He said visitors could also consider biking through Yosemite Valley rather than driving.
“Sunrise is the best time to visit Tunnel View,” he advised. “And renting a bike is one of the best ways to explore the park at your own pace.”
Many of the bear-proofing designs you see in parks with bears were invented in Yosemite. (Marissa Ortega Welch/KQED)
Useful reminders for visiting Yosemite in 2025
Here’s a list of essential tips if you’re hoping to visit Yosemite this summer:
Book early and check for cancellations
If reservations are full, check Recreation.gov frequently for cancellations, as spots may open up unexpectedly.
Prepare for self-sufficiency
With reduced staffing, expect to handle basic campsite upkeep and pack out all trash. Bring extra supplies, including toilet paper, trash bags and hand sanitizer.
Arrive early
Due to staffing cuts, campgrounds and entrances may be more congested than usual. Arriving early in the day can help avoid long waits.
Follow fire safety rules
Summer wildfires are a growing concern and fire restrictions may be in place. Check for updates before lighting campfires.
Respect wildlife
With fewer rangers patrolling the park, bear activity could increase. Always store food in bear-proof containers and never leave food unattended.
Plan for limited cell service
Yosemite’s remote areas have little to no phone reception. Download maps, bring a GPS and let someone know your itinerary before heading into the backcountry.
KQED’s Carly Severn contributed to this story.
