Yosemite Planet - Plan Before You Arrive
Planning for Yosemite
Entrance Fees
Vehicles $35.00
Motorcycles $30
Pedestrians & Bicycles (16 yrs and over) $20. NO CASH ACCEPTED
This fee is valid for three consecutive days for a non-commercial car, pickup truck, RV, or van with 15 or fewer passenger seats. The $35.00 fee covers the vehicle and everyone inside of it.
Major credit cards and mobile payment services (we do not accept cash) when you arrive. Online purchase of entrance fees is not available. If you are arriving in a private vehicle, you only need to pay the vehicle fee (not the per-person fee). All park entrances (except Hetch Hetchy) are open 24 hours per day.
If the entrance station is unstaffed when you arrive, you can pay on the way out.
In-person Purchase Locations
NO CASH ACCEPTED.
Pay only by Credit or Debit Card.
Traffic
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, the following delays at entrance stations are common:
-South Entrance (via Highway 41 and Oakhurst): one to two hours
-Arch Rock Entrance (via Highway 140 and Mariposa): 30 minutes
-Big Oak Flat Entrance (via Highway 120 from the west and Groveland): 30 minutes
-Hetch Hetchy Entrance: varies depending on if Hetch Hetchy parking is full (but could be up to two hours)
-Tioga Pass Entrance (via Highway 120 from the east and Lee Vining): 30 minutes
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.
Parking
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).
A free Yosemite Valley shuttle operates from mid-June to September from 7 am to 10 pm. The Valley shuttle operates only within Yosemite Valley. Park your car and take the shuttle!
Lodging
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A LODGING OR CAMPING RESERVATION BEFORE YOUR ARRIVE TO YOSEMITE, DO NOT COME TO THE PARK AND EXPECT TO GET ONE THE SAME DAY.
Reservations are usually made anywhere from 4-6 months in advance. Yosemite receives over 4 million visitors every year, mostly in the summer time from May to September.
Here is a link for lodging reservations in the park: Lodging in the Park
Lodging outside of the park:
• Highway 41 from the south:
Fish Camp and Oakhurst
• Highway 140 from the west:
El Portal, Midpines, and Mariposa
• Highway 120 from the west:
Buck Meadows, Groveland, and Sonora
• Highway 120 from the east:
Lee Vining, June Lake, and Mammoth Lakes
CAMPING RESERVATIONS - Visit the Yosemite National Park Website for reservation information. CAMPING RESERVATIONS