Yosemite Peak Hours Reservations: How to Get One Fast (and What to Do If You Can’t)
Clear steps to snag a Yosemite peak-hours reservation, release timing, exemptions, and smart backups if you missed out. Practical, current, and no fluff.
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Yosemite entrance fee: what to know before you go
That little gate at Yosemite can surprise first-time visitors. The entrance fee is straightforward in how it’s charged, but there are smart ways to avoid paying more than you need. Read this short guide so you know where to pay, who gets in free, and which pass makes sense for your trip.
How the fees work
Yosemite charges an entrance fee that covers a set number of days (usually seven) per visit. Fees are applied per vehicle, per motorcycle, or per person for walk-ins and cyclists. You pay at staffed entrance stations or from kiosks and sometimes by envelope in remote entrances. The fee covers park upkeep, visitor services, and road maintenance — not camping or special-use permits, which are separate charges.
Certain groups get free admission: active-duty military, holders of the Interagency Senior Pass or Access Pass (if eligible), fourth graders using the Every Kid Outdoors pass, and occasional fee‑free days the National Park Service announces each year. Yosemite also accepts the America the Beautiful Interagency Pass, which waives entrance fees for the pass owner and other benefits at many federal sites.
Ways to save on fees
If you plan multiple national park visits in a year, the America the Beautiful annual pass often pays for itself after two or three paid entries. If your group fits in one car, the per-vehicle fee is usually the cheapest way to enter. Consider combining your trip with friends in one car or using a shuttle or tour that includes park entry.
Look for fee-free days if your dates are flexible. Bring proof if you qualify for a free pass (military ID, Access Pass card, or Every Kid Outdoors voucher). If your visit includes camping or guided activities, compare total costs—sometimes a package with a tour or campsite reservation makes the entrance fee feel smaller.
Buy passes online in advance if you want to skip lines at busy entrances. Keep your pass or receipt visible; rangers check them at entry and sometimes inside the park. If you plan long hikes, remember the entrance fee doesn’t cover wilderness permits or reserved shuttle tickets for special areas, so budget for those separately.
Final practical tip: check the official National Park Service Yosemite page before you go. Fees and policies can change, and that site lists current prices, valid passes, and upcoming fee-free days. With the right pass and a little planning, Yosemite’s entrance fee becomes just one part of an otherwise easy trip.