What to know before going to Yosemite: Long waits, packed trails as crowds surge after reservation system ends

YOSEMITE, Calif. (KGO) — Crowds have been flooding Yosemite National Park after the park eliminated its reservation system, leading to long lines and heavy traffic on weekends.

Visitors reported hourslong waits to enter the park, along with congestion on shuttle buses and popular trails – far from the quiet experience many expect. “Like an amusement park, there’s just people everywhere. It seems chaotic, people are kind of stressed out, driving around,” said visitor Alfonso Saldana. He said this summer’s crowds stand out compared to previous years. “This weekend was just way different. You could tell right off the bat – more people, more lines,” he said.

Experts with the National Parks Conservation Association say the surge is unlikely to ease and are urging travelers to plan ahead. They recommend arriving early, visiting on weekdays and avoiding Yosemite Valley, the park’s most popular area. They note that no entrance consistently offers shorter wait times.

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“Parking is filling up as soon as 8 a.m. in Yosemite Valley and other parts of the park. So getting there early, having a plan,” said Mark Rose with the association.

Data shows visitation has risen sharply compared to last year – up 12% in February, 45% in March during good weather, and 2% in April – adding nearly 100,000 more visitors overall. “I think every weekend from here throughout the rest of the summer is going to be busy. Holidays, weekends, especially July 4,” Rose said.

With the increase in visitors, safety concerns are also growing. Officials are urging caution, including staying out of rivers and remaining on designated trails. “Emergency response times can be much slower if ambulances or searchandrescue teams are stuck in traffic or on crowded trails,” Rose said.

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Travelers can get traffic updates by texting YNPTRAFFIC to 333111. For those seeking a quieter experience, officials say the offseason remains the best option. “I saw videos from this past weekend, and I do not think I’ll be going any time soon,” Saldana said.

Officials with the National Park Service and Yosemite Superintendent Ray McPadden did not respond to questions about whether the reservation system could return or if new measures may be considered to manage crowds.