Yosemite National Park will reopen this week with new reservation system
Yosemite National Park will be reopening to the public beginning June 11.
All primary attractions will be open “to some extent,” and guests can enter the park in a variety of ways, one of which is a new measure that was implemented to adhere to health regulations from local and federal authorities: a temporary day-use reservation system.
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During this gradual reopening phase, the system will provide passes for 1,700 vehicles to enter Yosemite every day. These passes must be validated at the entrance gate of the park starting on the specific date of the reservation and are valid for entry into the park for seven days following.
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“Upon showing proof of your reservation and a matching photo ID at the entrance station, you will be issued a vehicle permit to enter the park,” the National Park Service (NPS) website states.
Visitors can purchase the day-use vehicle reservations via the Recreation.gov website when they become available for sale on June 9.
The utilization of this system will be terminated once the park goes back to its regular operations, the site explains.
The cost of day-use reservations is included in the park entrance fee, with the non-refundable reservation fee being USD $2. If visitors choose to cancel their day-use reservation ($35), they will receive a refund of $33. The bookings are suitable for entry to Yosemite from 5 am to 11 pm for the seven consecutive days from the initial start date.
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Those with camping or “concession-operated lodging” reservations, as well as those with a wilderness of Half Dome permits, vacation rental within Yosemite, and those entering through local transit (the Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS buses) or on a local tour with commercial use authorizations (CUAs), do not require day-use reservations to enter the park on June 11. However, park entry-fees will still apply.
During the initial reopening phase, Yosemite National Park plans to permit approximately 50% of its average entry rate for vehicles seen in June (3,600 vehicles per day).
As well, park workers will observe conditions on a daily basis and adjust accordingly to ensure the safest conditions for visitors, the NPS explains.
While most of the attractions will be opened, due to concerns regarding public health and safety, some locations will remain closed, including the Lower Yosemite Fall boulders, Bridalveil Fall area, Crane Flat Helibase, and the Chowchilla Mountain Road.
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Visitors can still explore 800 miles of trails and popular attractions, including Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point, Mariposa Grove, Tuolumne Meadows and Hetch Hetchy.
A video posted by the park back in April showed various high-traffic areas being reclaimed by animals due to the absence of tourists resulting from the pandemic. As various restrictions continue to be lifted, many others will also be eager to return to exploring the great outdoors.
For more comprehensive details surrounding the specifications of the Yosemite National Park reopening and the day-use reservation system, visit the National Park Service website.
Note: As border closures and travel restrictions begin to lift, health authorities are reminding individuals to monitor themselves for any signs of COVID-19. If you are feeling unwell, it is recommended you stay at home. If you do decide to travel, follow the health and safety precautions and protocols outlined by the departure and arrival locations you will be travelling to/from.