Project overview: Break down obstacles preventing marginalized communities from accessing Yosemite by initiating a camp lottery system, transportation stipends, a gear-loaning system, and staff support for affinity groups.  

How your support helps: At Yosemite National Park, there is a longstanding issue of unequal access to the park, particularly for marginalized communities. Access to gear, entrance and reservation costs, public transportation systems, and English-only communications are a handful of the unspoken challenges that prevent these communities from experiencing Yosemite. 

This project aims to enhance cultural access to Yosemite for underserved communities by implementing a camp lottery system, launching transportation stipends and gear-loaning initiatives, and increasing comprehensive staff support for these groups. Through partnerships with affinity groups, the project hopes to increase diversity among park visitors, offer educational experiences, and foster a deeper appreciation for the park’s cultural and natural resources. 

  • The camp lottery system will designate eight group campsites from May through October that will exclusively serve affinity groups from underserved communities and offer educational talks for participants.  
  • Transportation stipends for participating groups will offset the expense of traveling to and from the park. 
  • A gear-loaning system will allow participants to borrow all necessary camping equipment for their Yosemite adventure. This cost-free system will eliminate financial barriers to participation.  
  • Staff support will facilitate communication between groups and park staff, manage the camp-lottery calendar, develop and maintain the gear-loaning system, and coordinate educational talks. 

With your support, this project will address historical inequities and ensure all communities — especially in the face of a new reservation system being implemented in 2025 — have equitable access to Yosemite National Park. 

This year: In 2025, National Park Service staff will enhance cultural access to Yosemite for underserved communities by offering eight camping trips with affinity groups, establish a gear-loaning system for group participants, and facilitate eight educational programs on access to public lands and the untold stories of Yosemite. 

Project partner: Yosemite National Park