Understanding Yosemite’s Reservation and Admission System for Summer 2021
(Pro tip: Book a tour with us and we’ll deal with it for you.)
As Yosemite continues to navigate the changing climate of coronavirus along with the rest of the world, their admission policy and visitor permit plan evolve. Last summer, Yosemite instituted a day-use reservation system that limited visitor entry and required guests to reserve their entry pass in advance of their visit. That reservation system is being reinstated for Summer 2021, but the terms and capacities have changed.
Fortunately for guests of Lasting Adventures guided multi-day trips, summer camps, and day hikes, entry to the park is included with the booking, and you won’t need to make reservations in advance to enter Yosemite for your trip.
Yosemite’s new visitor policy and reservation system will be in effect Friday May 21, through Thursday September 30, 2021, and non-Lasting Adventures guests will need to make reservations and acquire permits for entering Yosemite. The policy can be confusing, so we’ll break down everything you need to know. The following list outlines what admission looks like for Summer 2021, how to get a Yosemite reservation, and what that reservation entails.
Again, the following does not apply to guests of Lasting Adventures. We have arranged your visitor permits for you, so all you’ll need to do is show your entrance documents at the gate (these are emailed to you the week prior to your trip) and pay the park entry fee at the gate ($30/vehicle).
What You Need To Know About Yosemite’s 2021 Ticketed Entry System
-Yosemite day-use reservations will again be in effect beginning Friday, May 21 through Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021, but with greater capacities than last summer (see graph).
-Reservations can be made at Recreation.gov starting on April 21st at 8am.
-Day-use reservations will be required for all users, including annual and lifetime pass holders, and will become available at 8am on April 21 on recreation.gov
-Under the new policy, reservations will be valid for 3 days following the date reserved, instead of 7 like last year.
-Visitors can enter on any and all of those three days.
-Day-use reservations are included for all visitors staying overnight in the park. If you have lodging reservations in the park or a reserved wilderness permit, that is your pass.
–If you book a trip with Lasting Adventures, we provide you a park entrance document in the week prior to your trip in lieu of the needed reservation. If you are a parent dropping off your child for one of our summer camps, this document will be provided and give you access to drop them off and pick them up.
Here’s a comparison chart of the Summer 2020 and Summer 2021 Yosemite admission, use and reservation systems:
Here are Yosemite’s targeted vehicle levels for the Summer 2021 based on CDC guidance.
If you have questions regarding Yosemite’s reservation system, or if you’re interested in booking a tour with Lasting Adventures and avoiding the reservation system altogether, feel free to contact us for a quick reply.
For more info on Yosemite reservations, entry, and access for Lasting Adventures guests, visit our FAQ page.
For more info on how Covid-19 will effect your visit, click here.
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