This year the National Park Service dropped reservation requirements at several national parks around the country, including the massively popular Yosemite National Park in California. Instead, the park is set to rely on real-time traffic management, temporary diversions when parking fills, and additional seasonal staff.
This past weekend, being Memorial Day Weekend, served as a proper test for the new management system, and based on several reports from the park it didn’t go all that well.
Footage from inside the park showed heavy traffic along the roads, massive lines for busses, and packed trails. Cars had parked illegal on the side of roads, pulled into fields, and blocking cross walks. Several vehicles were towed and plenty of people received tickets, but damage to the surrounding landscape was done.
According to ABC 7, Yosemite has already seen nearly 100,000 more visitors than at the same point last year. For many people, getting inside the park this weekend took at least an hour and a half. By 7:30am on most days this weekend, the parking was completely full.
If you’re hoping to visit Yosemite National Park this summer, know that there’s a good chance it will be very crowded when you do. You’re still required to pay entrance fees to enter the park, starting at $35 per vehicle for the standard pass. To avoid parking and traffic congestion, arrive at the park early and make several backup plans for every day plan. The earlier you arrive, the better your chance at finding parking where you need it. You can read more on preparation for Yosemite on the Yosemite Conservancy website.
