Yosemite National Park has opened reservations for summer camping after a series of delays caused by a new reservation system and staff cuts. Starting this week, visitors can book campsites in popular areas like Upper Pines, Wawona, and Hodgdon Meadow for dates between June 15 and July 14. This reservation window opened at 7 a.m. on Monday, with another round of bookings for July 15 to August 14 set to open on March 31.
These delays began in February when reservations were put on hold indefinitely. The National Park Service was waiting for approval from the Trump administration for its new reservation system. Compounding the issue, the administration announced significant cuts to the federal workforce, resulting in a loss of about 10% of the Park Service’s staff. This left many wondering when reservations would be available again.
On March 20, the National Park Conservation Association announced that it had received authorization to reinstate probationary staff who had been let go in the previous month. This reinstatement was crucial in addressing the staff shortages that contributed to the reservation delays.
Yosemite is a major attraction, drawing over 4 million visitors last year alone. The park’s busiest months are typically from June to August, making the timely opening of reservations especially important for planning summer trips. Reservations can be made through the Recreation.gov website, where visitors can secure their spots for a summer adventure in the stunning landscapes of Yosemite.