Address the backlog of collected research specimens that...
Project overview: Contribute critical monitoring and evaluation data — based on lessons learned during pilot reservation systems in 2020–2025 — to assess visitors’ impact on park resources and to improve park operations, traffic congestion, and day use crowding.
How your support helps: Crowding and traffic congestion have long been detriments to both the visitor experience and resource protection in Yosemite National Park. As visitation in the park continues to trend upward, so do concerns about overcrowding and the need for a visitor management plan that guides visitation levels, traffic, resource impacts, and more. A strategic framework of this type would ultimately provide opportunities for safe and meaningful visitor experiences by proactively setting limits through strategies such as reservations, monitoring usage, and adaptive management.
In 2020, the first reservation and monitoring system was piloted to limit the number of cars entering the park during peak hours in peak seasons. The data collected during this period was critical for improving upon the systems piloted in 2021, 2022, 2024, and 2025.
Then, in 2024 and 2025, the University of California, Merced, Pathways to Parks program was implemented to offer paid internship opportunities for students to support park operations while collecting critical data for evaluating Yosemite’s reservation system.
Critical research and evaluation are necessary for continued monitoring and improvement of the system. This will enable the park to understand current visitor use patterns and develop a long-term plan to improve the visitor experience: less crowding, reduced entry wait times, improved traffic flow and parking, and better preparation to enjoy the park.
This year: In 2026, park managers will work closely with the Yosemite Field Station to provide paid internship opportunities for four students from the University of California, Merced. The part-time interns will work exclusively on monitoring reservation systems and resource-impact monitoring, contributing critical evaluation data to support the park’s reservation system plans.
Project partners: Yosemite National Park; University of California, Merced