Yosemite National Park Faces Crowds and Safety Concerns as 2026 Reservations Expand As summer approaches in California, Yosemite National Park is preparing for a surge in visitors, with no vehicle reservations required during peak seasons. The National Park Service (NPS) announced in February plans to expand public access to Yosemite and other parks while maintaining safety and responsible management. This shift means visitors can now enter the park without advance booking, potentially leading to larger crowds and longer wait times. Yosemite saw 2.9 million visits in the summer of 2025, a 7% increase from the previous year, according to The Fresno Bee. Over 4.2 million people visited the park in 2025, according to NPS data. With no reservation system in place for 2026, including during busy summer months, officials expect the park to become even more crowded. Critics warn that this could result in overcrowding, especially in iconic areas like Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point, and Mariposa Grove. The NPS stated it will rely on real-time traffic management measures to handle the influx. These include diverting traffic when parking areas reach capacity and deploying additional seasonal staff to manage high-use zones. Officials emphasized that their priority is keeping parks open and accessible to the public. “Our national parks belong to the American people,” said Kevin Lilly, the U.S. Department of the Interior’s acting assistant secretary for fish, wildlife and parks. “We’re expanding access where conditions allow and using targeted tools only where necessary to protect visitor safety.” However, groups like Friends of Yosemite Search and Rescue (FYSR) caution that the lack of reservations could worsen overcrowding.#national_park_service #yosemite_national_park #friends_of_yosemite_search_and_rescue #yosemite_valley #glacier_point
