10 Magical Winter Activities in Yosemite
Winter is a beautiful time to explore the park and gateway towns. With fewer visitors, you can find peace in this winter wonderland, and also adventure without lines.
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FAQs
13 Must-Pack Items for Your Yosemite Trip
Your ultimate packing list, with expert-tested picks from our editors, plus one item not to bring.
Itineraries
4 Heart-Pounding Yosemite Adventures
Hike, climb and backpack your way through this incredible park.
Road Trips
Strike Gold on This San Francisco to Yosemite Road Trip
Explore San Francisco before heading inland to sample Northern California’s amazing food and wines on this epic adventure en route to Yosemite.
Maps
Yosemite National Park Overview Map
Do you know where you're going?
Gateway Towns
Our 9 Favorite Towns Near Yosemite
From Gold Rush architecture to lakeside stays, these spots make the best basecamps for a visit to the park.
Neighbor Parks
6 Scenic Stops at Death Valley National Park
Where the best views are plus road-trip-readiness tips.
Natural Wonders
Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias in Yosemite
Mariposa is the largest of the three groves inside Yosemite with about 500 mature sequoias.
Hiking Trails
Which Yosemite Trail Should I Hike?
Follow our guide by picking what you want to see in Yosemite.
Hotels and Cabins
Where Should I Stay in Yosemite National Park?
The ultimate guide to lodging inside Yosemite National Park
Transportation
Do I Need a Car to Visit Yosemite?
It’s cheap and easy to get to this national park by public transportation.
Do I Need a Reservation to Visit Yosemite?
See if you need reservations to visit Yosemite National Park summer 2025.
In 2025, Yosemite National Park required visitors to make a reservation to enter or drive through the park during peak hours on certain days throughout the summer. As of January 2026, park staff had yet to announce whether summer reservations would be in place for 2026.
Peak-Hours Reservations for 2025
Park visitors are required to have a reservation to enter or drive through Yosemite during peak hours and times during Summer 2025. These include Memorial Day Weekend, May 24-26, the busy summer season, June 15-August 15 and Labor Day Weekend, August 30-September 1. Reservations are required from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Each reservation is good for an entire car’s worth of visitors, so carpooling is a great idea. Just make sure the reservation-holder is present with a photo ID when entering the park. Reservations are good for a three-day consecutive window, starting on the reservation date.
The majority of reservations will become available for the 2025 season on May 6, 2025 at 8 a.m. PDT on Recreation.gov. Reservations are popular are expected to sell out immediately. Prepare by creating an account ahead of time, logging in early and making sure you have a reliable internet connection. Additional reservations become available seven days before your desired visit, also at 8 a.m. PDT on Recreation.gov.
February Weekend Reservations Not Required During Firefall Firefall in Yosemite (Photo by Jeongrae Cho)
In 2026, Yosemite National Park will no longer require visitors to obtain a reservation to visit during February’s annual Firefall phenomenon when the setting sun turn’s El Capitan’s Horsetail Fall into liquid gold. Restrictions are in place to protect the landscape, but the park no longer caps the number of visitors that can see this event. Expect crowds.