Yosemite National Park’s recent Facebook post claimed that entrance waits are under 15 minutes and parking is plentiful. Yet many visitors are describing a very different reality.
Visitors report gridlock and safety concerns
Comments on the park’s post range from praise for smooth operations to stark skepticism. One visitor noted that parking at Curry Village filled by 7:30 a.m., with traffic backed up for miles on Northside Drive. Another said the reservation system, which was in place until February, had “math that ain’t mathing” and that the current experience is hurting both people and wildlife.
Policy shift under the Trump administration
The reservation system was introduced in 2020 to ease pandemic‑era crowds and was highlighted in a 2024 Biden administration draft plan addressing overcrowding, road congestion and damage to natural resources. In February 2026, the Trump administration eliminated the system, returning to a first‑come‑first‑served model.
Media and conservation groups sound alarm
National outlets are echoing visitor complaints. The New York Times called the crowds “crushing,” while the Fresno Bee reported massive gridlock, wildlife safety concerns and calls from two California senators to reinstate reservations. SFGATE noted that June saw a record 634,508 visits, the highest since the National Park Service’s centennial in 2016.
Mark Rose, senior program manager for the Sierra Nevada and clean‑air division of the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), said the park is “a complete mess this summer,” with illegal parking and insufficient staffing to enforce traffic laws. Former park ranger Cassidy Jones, now NPCA senior visitation manager, argued that ending the reservation system abruptly discarded a proven tool for managing visitor flow.
Government response
The Department of the Interior’s communications office defended the park’s statements, asserting that reporters have published inaccurate accounts that contradict factual information from the National Park Service.
Broader context
Yosemite is not alone in facing congestion. Arches and Glacier National Parks also reported crowding after their reservation systems were halted. By contrast, Rocky Mountain National Park, which still uses reservations, continues to manage visitor numbers effectively. Acadia National Park in Maine, which never adopted a park‑wide reservation system, has not reported similar problems despite staffing cuts.
The NPCA estimates that the National Park Service has lost roughly a quarter of its permanent workforce—about 4,000 positions—since January 2025, due to terminations and early retirements. Seasonal staff numbers remain high, but the loss of experienced rangers hampers the ability to protect wildlife, preserve cultural sites and maintain park facilities.
As the summer season progresses, the debate over reservation systems versus open access is likely to intensify, with conservation advocates urging a return to the policy that helped keep Yosemite’s natural beauty accessible and safe for all.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
