Yosemite National Park — Visitor Information
Yosemite is open 24 hours a day, year-round, and — as of the 2026 season — no longer requires a timed entry reservation. The park is cashless, several signature hikes need permits, and a free shuttle covers most of Yosemite Valley. Here's what to know before you go.
Page content last verified: July 2026
Visitor Centers
Tap a visitor center for its official NPS hours & facility info.
Hours vary seasonally — confirm current hours on the official NPS operating hours page before you go.
Entrance Fees & Passes
Every vehicle entering Yosemite needs a park pass — the park is cashless, so bring a credit or debit card.
- Private vehicle: $35, valid 7 days (covers all passengers)
- Motorcycle: $30, valid 7 days
- Per person (on foot/bike, age 16+): $20, valid 7 days
- Yosemite Annual Pass: $70 (Yosemite only)
- America the Beautiful Annual Pass: $80 — covers Yosemite and every other federal fee site
Note: non-U.S. residents (age 16+) pay an additional $100/person fee unless entering with an Annual or America the Beautiful pass. All entrances except Hetch Hetchy are open 24 hours.
Free Entrance Days (2026)
Feb 16 · May 25 · Jun 14 · Jul 3–5 · Aug 25 (NPS's 110th birthday) · Sep 17 · Oct 27 · Nov 11
Every Kid Outdoors — Free 4th Grade Pass
Every U.S. 4th grader (and their family, in the same vehicle) can get a free annual pass covering entrance to Yosemite and every other federal fee site. Get it at everykidoutdoors.gov or at any entrance station.
Yosemite Valley Shuttle System
Two free shuttle routes cover Yosemite Valley — lodges, campgrounds, and trailheads — running roughly 7am to 10pm.
- Valleywide Shuttle: serves all stops in Yosemite Valley
- East Valley Shuttle: limited to Yosemite Village, Curry Village, the Pines campgrounds, and eastern trailheads
- Mariposa Grove Shuttle: free, the primary way to reach Mariposa Grove (roughly mid-April–November)
- Glacier Point Tour & Tuolumne Hikers' Bus: fee-based, seasonal (roughly late May–September)
Full routes and schedules on the official public transportation page — schedules shift seasonally.
Permits & Reservations
You do not need a permit to enter the park or day-hike most trails. You do need one for:
Half Dome
A permit is required 7 days a week whenever the cables are up (roughly Memorial Day weekend through mid-October), for both day hikers and backpackers, awarded through a March preseason lottery plus a daily lottery two days before each hiking date.
Wilderness & Backpacking
Any overnight stay in Yosemite Wilderness needs a wilderness permit, year-round. Reservations open 24 weeks ahead for 60% of each trailhead's quota; the rest opens 7 days ahead.
Overnight Climbing
Any overnight big wall climb requires a free wilderness climbing permit.
Campgrounds & RV Options
Nearly all Yosemite campgrounds are reservation-only, bookable up to 5 months ahead via recreation.gov. RV length limits vary by campground and change year to year — use the links below for current details.
In Yosemite Valley
Outside the Valley
In-park lodging books separately, up to 366 days ahead, via Yosemite Hospitality.
Good to Know
- Cashless park: entrance fees and most services are credit/debit only.
- Bears: very active throughout the park — store food properly and keep your distance.
- No luggage storage: the park does not offer luggage storage for visitors arriving by public transit.
- Cell service: limited outside Yosemite Valley and major developed areas.
More National Parks
See our other National Park visitor guides, or browse the full National Parks guide.
Entry requirements, permit lotteries, and shuttle schedules change from year to year — Yosemite's own reservation policy has changed multiple times in recent years. This page is a starting point for trip planning — always confirm current details on the official Yosemite National Park site before you go.
Sources: NPS – Fees & Passes · NPS – Entrance Reservations · NPS – Half Dome Permits · NPS – Wilderness Permits · NPS – Campgrounds · NPS – Current Conditions & Alerts
