Know Before You Go: 2025 Yosemite Park Updates

This blog was last updated on: March 4, 2025. 

NOTE: Due to ongoing presidential orders and federal policy changes impacting. park staffing, the National Park Service has been delayed in announcing many visitor services for the summer of 2025. We’ll be updating the blog with as more information develops.

Regardless of how visitor services such as the reservation system and campground reservations are impacted this season, the National Park Service (NPS) will be understaffed in Yosemite National Park. Last year, the NPS was already operating at a 30% staffing deficit — meaning any other cuts and restrictions to their staffing and funding will deepen that deficit. 

It’s always good to be prepared when coming to Yosemite with a plan and a few backups in mind, especially when you want to hike popular trails. As Yosemite National Park’s primary philanthropic partner, it’s our mission at Yosemite Conservancy to support the park’s people, wildlife, and habitat.  

Keep the tips below in mind when planning your summer trips to Yosemite to ensure you are up to date with reservation information and the tools to protect the park during your visit.  

TLDR

• Background 
• Day-use/peak hours reservations
• Camping 
• Backpacking 
• Visitor centers, exhibits and information stations
• Things to do in Yosemite 
• How you can support Yosemite right now 

Background

Yosemite National Park is run by the National Park Service (NPS). NPS staff include the classic “flat hat” rangers, as well as scientists, administration staff, facilities and custodial management, and so many more. In addition to the NPS there are other park partners who help to sustain Yosemite National Park. 

Yosemite Conservancy supports the NPS philanthropically, as well as through our in-park operations — educational art and outdoor programs, retail services, visitor information and orientation, and volunteer projects. 

Yosemite Hospitality is the park concessionaire, which runs park lodging (The Ahwahnee, Yosemite Valley Lodge, Housekeeping Camp, and Curry Village), Yosemite Mountaineering School, several stores and restaurants, and more. 

While in the park, you may also visit places or attend programs run by other park partners, such as the Ansel Adams Gallery, NatureBridge, and Travel Yosemite. If the NPS is understaffed and unable to open certain campgrounds, visitor centers, and/or bathrooms, or has limited programming available, park partners can help supplement visitor services. 

Day-use reservations 

Over the past several years, Yosemite National Park has piloted reservations for day-use visitors. In recent years, reservations were limited to the busiest visitation hours in peak season to prevent traffic congestion, ease parking, and improve visitor experiences.  

No information has been provided regarding a peak hours reservation system for the summer of 2025. According to the Yosemite National Park website: “We will announce details on plans for managing visitor access in summer 2025 soon.” We will update this blog as information develops. 

Camping 

The NPS has currently delayed the advance sale of campground reservations for June 15 to July 14. Impacted campgrounds include Upper Pines, Lower Pines, North Pines, Wawona, and Hodgdon Meadow. If campsites are released for these dates, the NPS will provide seven days’ notice on their website and social media channels before the campsites go on sale. We’ll update this blog as soon as we have any updates on this process. 

Making a campground reservation in Yosemite National Park often requires planning — check out our tips and recommendations of everything you need to know about car camping in Yosemite National Park.  

Backpacking 

More than 90% of Yosemite National Park’s 704,028 acres is federally designated wilderness. Maintaining wilderness areas requires staff — restoration crews, wilderness rangers, and more. This year, Conservancy donors are supporting the restoration of Kerrick Meadow and the Keep It Wild wilderness restoration crew.  

The Wilderness Operations team at Yosemite Conservancy manages the park’s wilderness permit reservation system, in partnership with the National Park Service. Whether you’re looking to go on a one-night backpacking trip or a multi-day adventure, learn more about acquiring wilderness permits here. And if you’re looking for a guided wilderness adventure, check out our Outdoor Adventures.  

Visitor centers, exhibits, and information stations 

During peak season in Yosemite National Park, there are various locations that provide visitor information, education, and orientation services to the public. Hours for these locations are all listed in the Yosemite Guide, the park newspaper that is distributed at entrance gates. If staffing shortages impact these locations, changes will be noted here. 

Things to do while you’re in Yosemite 

• Naturalist walks: Join our naturalists for casual, one- to two-hour programs in Yosemite Valley! Join us for birding and wildlife walks in the spring, and a sunset walk or stargazing programs all season. 
• Art classes: Connect with Yosemite through art. Join us for a class or creative activity that will help you see the natural world in a new way while in Yosemite Valley. Our classes follow a variety of mediums and focuses, including watercolor, sun printing, sketching, nature journaling, paint and sips, kids’ art classes, and more. 
• Outdoor Adventures: Discover the awe-inspiring wonders of Yosemite’s natural and cultural history with our expert instructors on an Outdoor Adventures. We have a variety of adventures planned for 2025 — from camping and day hikes, backpack excursions, and in-depth trips focused on flora and fauna. 
• Art retreats: Our art retreats are an in-depth way to get your creativity flowing in Yosemite. Backpack or tent camp with our art retreats and receive multi-day art instruction and peaceful days spent creating in nature.
• Custom art classes and adventures: Looking to do something specific in Yosemite? Our Outdoor Adventure naturalists can create the perfect custom adventure, and our art instructors are available to build the perfect art program for you and your group.
• Our Yosemite favorites: While you’re in Yosemite, check out some of our favorite places to check out:
  • 10 Yosemite Landmarks You Can’t Miss 
  • Iconic Yosemite Wildlife 
  • Incredible Wildflowers That Bloom in Yosemite 
  • 5 Places for Your Perfect Sunset Picnic in Yosemite 
  • Our Favorite Swimming Holes in Yosemite National Park 
  • 5 Epic Peaks to Send in a Day 
  • Our Favorite Backcountry Trails in Yosemite 

How you can support Yosemite right now: 

If you visit Yosemite in the 2025 season, be aware that NPS staffing shortages could result in fewer open restrooms, decreased ranger presence, closed visitor centers, and congested roads. parking lots, and trails. Please be mindful of staff limitations and engage respectfully with park personnel during your visit. Despite the uncertainty of what reservations and visitation will look like in Yosemite this summer, there are actions you can take as a visitor and supporter of Yosemite to ensure that this park is preserved and cared for. 

Congestion and traffic: 

• Depending on staffing at entrance gates, lines may occur while entering the park. During a typical summer season, visitors have been known to wait for an hour or more — especially on holiday weekends. Please be courteous to park staff as they work to provide the best visitor services possible.
• Please only park cars in designated parking spots. If your trailhead is full, please consider one of your backup options, and either try another day or return later in the day depending on your trip planning. Also consider taking a free Yosemite shuttle to the trailhead.
• If a day-use reservation system is not implemented, expect traffic lines at entry gates and plan accordingly. 

Protecting flora and fauna: 

• Yosemite National Park is home to many black bears and other wildlife. Bear spray and bear mace is not allowed or necessary in the park. The best way to keep yourself safe is to keep your distance from wildlife — do not approach any wildlife and do not feed them. Learn more about bear and wildlife safety here.
• One of the most important ways to care for the earth and local wildlife in Yosemite is through food safety and utilizing the bear-proof lockers in the park. By not leaving out unattended food and properly storing your scented items, food, and trash, you’re ensuring that our bears stay wild and our park stays clean. Learn more about how to use these lockers here.
• Safe storage options include hotel rooms, bear boxes, bear cannisters, and vehicles during the day if the food is not visible from the outside.
• Only walk on designated trails and paths. Walking outside of designated paths harms plants and meadows which are critical parts of the ecosystem.
• Take only pictures: Don’t take home rocks, flowers, leaves, cones, sticks, or anything else — they are all a part of a delicate and important ecosystem in Yosemite. Take only pictures, your memories, and items from our stores. 
• Learn more about Leaving No Trace when you’re in the wilderness. 

Protect yourself and your trailmates 

It’s currently unknown what emergency services will be available. Please be mindful of the choices you are making while in the park to help protect yourself and others. 

• Fire safety 
  • Please follow all rules and regulations regarding where fires are allowed in Yosemite National Park.
  • Never leave a fire unattended.
  • When you are done with your fire, please be sure to drown, stir, and feel that the ashes are cool before leaving the fire. 

• Personal safety
  • Please do not approach waterfalls. Leaving designated pathways and stepping out onto smoothed river rocks can result in injury. 
  • Swift water currents can be dangerous during peak runoff periods. 
  • Listen to your body and to your group when hiking — if you or someone in your group does not feel comfortable with continuing, be prepared to turn around.
  • Pack like a park ranger! Include the ten essentials in your pack. Extra water and snacks are always great, especially in the summer months. 
  • Be aware of your surroundings when in nature. Noticing the tree roots across your path or how close you are to the edge of an overlook can ensure a safe and happy Yosemite experience.  

Trash 

• On hikes or at your campground, take some time to pick up any trash that you see, even if it does not belong to you. Trash can be deposited in available trash bins and dumpsters. 
• Please do not leave trash on top of overflowing trash cans or in bathrooms. If a trash bin is full, please hold onto your trash until you come across a bin with space in it. 
• Bring extra trash bags and as many items that are reusable as possible to prevent trash overflow in the park. A great way to reduce and reuse is to repurpose empty bread bags or produce bags for impromptu trash bags while hiking. 

Bathrooms 

• When nature calls, it is important to answer that call — appropriately. Please use designated bathroom facilities. Due to staffing shortages some bathrooms maybe be closed and less frequently serviced. Having a map and an understanding of toilet locations nearby could be critical.  
• If you’re in the backcountry, as usual, remember these guidelines for using the bathroom safely. 

Support Yosemite from afar 

• For more than 100 years, Yosemite Conservancy has been supporting the conservation of Yosemite’s natural resources. Thanks to generous donors, we have provided more than $172 million in grants to Yosemite for more than 900 projects. In 2025, the Conservancy is providing $18 million in total support and funding around 60 new grants to the National Park Service for projects in the park. Our work as partners to the NPS is more crucial than ever and we couldn’t do it without the support of our donors. Make a gift today.
• Share information about recreating responsibly and Leaving No Trace with your loved ones. Everyone can be a steward of public lands by recreating with care.
• Contact your elected officials to express your support for parks.
• Looking for more ways to support Yosemite and Yosemite Conservancy? Check out our blog 100 ways to support Yosemite.