08/29/2026
Crowds at Yosemite aren't new. For nearly a century, Americans have flocked to the park during summer vacations, holidays and other peak travel periods. Newspaper accounts described Yosemite Valley parking as a problem as early as 1927, proving that finding a parking spot has been a Yosemite tradition for generations. Aww, memories.
So, what’s changing in how Yosemite manages its popularity today? In late June, Yosemite added shuttles, expanded parking, and upgraded entrance processing with digital passes and fast lanes. As visitation increased, the park has also introduced real-time entrance wait times and is piloting an Integrated Visitor Information System and real-time parking technology to give visitors better information before and during their trips.
Will you find the perfect parking spot and hit the trails faster? That’s the idea. Together, these efforts aim to reduce surprises (minus the awe on your face when you see Half Dome for the first time) improve traffic flow and give visitors more time to enjoy the majesty of Yosemite.
Learn more about Yosemite’s summer visitation at: https://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/news/more-visitors-less-waiting-yosemite-survey-shows-strong-peak-season-visitor-experience.htm