In the works: Yosemite National Park may restrict summer visitors to prevent congestion

A heads-up if you're planning a family trip to Yosemite National Park this summer: Be ready with a backup plan.

Officials are reportedly considering a cap on visitor numbers at Yosemite this summer due to concerns about severe congestion in the park. This traffic worry arises from several significant construction projects scheduled to start as the peak summer season kicks off. Park authorities are looking to implement a reservation system for day visits to manage the visitor flow and reduce traffic jams.

This trend is increasingly common in national parks grappling with crowd management to protect the environment while ensuring visitors have a pleasant experience. Glacier National Park is implementing timed tickets for those wanting to drive the iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road this summer. TPG has previously noted that the rising popularity of national parks suggests that the best way to enjoy them might involve waking up before dawn to avoid the crowds.

In recent years, day-use reservations have been implemented to alleviate overcrowding at Zion, Rocky Mountain, and Glacier national parks, as well as on the renowned Kalalau Trail in Kauai and Muir Woods in Marin County.

"This summer is going to witness an unprecedented construction season in Yosemite," Yosemite Superintendent Cicely Muldoon informed local elected officials and tourism leaders, according to the Mercury News. "Don’t forget to bring your hard hats."

And remember to bring your patience, too.

"Visitors will definitely notice the changes," said Frank Dean, president of the non-profit Yosemite Conservancy, which is covering half the costs of renovation projects at Mariposa Grove, Bridalveil Fall, and the park’s new welcome center. "If possible, they should avoid weekends and holidays. Plan ahead and explore the less-traveled areas of the park. It's truly lovely to find a trail away from the crowds."

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The projects encompass significant road repairs and upgrades to outdated campgrounds that have been on the park's agenda for decades. Funding became available following Congress's passage of the Great American Outdoors Act in 2020, which allocated billions for repairs and improvements to America's national parks.

Muldoon informed the Yosemite Gateway Partnership that the specifics of a new reservation system will be finalized in a few weeks. "Our goal is to accommodate as many visitors as possible while preventing congestion in the valley and other areas of the park," she stated.

Park officials are assessing how many visitors should be permitted daily and evaluating traffic and parking requirements in the renowned Sierra Nevada park. Additionally, they must also take into account COVID-19 protocols in case of another surge.

The pandemic prompted the park to implement significant changes. For the first time in its 157-year history, day visitors were required to make online reservations for entry, resulting in some guests being turned away at the gates on days when all reservation slots were filled.

In 2020, visitor capacity was capped at around 50% of historical averages. In 2021, this figure fluctuated between 50% and 80%, depending on the month and the severity of COVID-19 cases. Since October, reservations have no longer been necessary for park entry.

The renovations planned for this summer may cause short-term inconveniences but will yield long-term advantages. Some construction, including a new welcome center in Yosemite Valley, will temporarily remove 300 parking spaces. The $10 million project also features an outdoor plaza with new restrooms, pathways, and signage. The welcome center will provide rangers to assist visitors, as well as information kiosks, touchscreens, maps, guidebooks, and other resources.

Additionally, several key campgrounds, such as Crane Flat, Tuolumne Meadows, and Bridalveil Creek, will be closed for essential upgrades. These renovations will include the installation of modern water systems and restrooms. Many current facilities have not been updated since the 1950s, making these replacements long overdue.

The trails and facilities surrounding Bridalveil Fall in Yosemite Valley are also undergoing reconstruction, alongside road repairs on Tioga Pass Road.

Local tourism officials are questioning why, after two years of significant disruptions due to COVID-19 and wildfires in the Mariposa County community, some repairs couldn't be postponed until after the summer season.

"Our residents and businesses have really felt the impact, and they need time to recover," stated Jonathan Farrington, executive director of the Yosemite Mariposa County Tourism Bureau. "We had hoped for a return to a normal season. Many of our well-managed businesses are on the edge. We need a chance to breathe."

Reports indicate that more than half of the workforce in Mariposa County is involved in the tourism sector, making Yosemite vital to the local economy.

However, officials explain that due to the structure of federal funding, Yosemite's renovation schedule must remain on track.

Local tourism leaders are also apprehensive about the new reservation system, which will limit the total number of visitors to the park.