By Chuck Price. Reviewed by Angela Vance. Last updated: July 25, 2025
TL;DR: Your 2025 Yosemite Logistics Plan
Planning a 2025 Yosemite trip? The new “Peak-Hours-Plus” reservation system is just the beginning. This guide is a complete logistics toolkit. We provide a dynamic entry window spreadsheet to navigate the 6 am-2 pm permit times, a link to the real-time Wawona Road closure feed, and a custom RV parking map to find a spot for your rig. Don’t let outdated info derail your trip. This plan solves the three biggest hurdles for you. Read-time: 9 minutes.
What’s New in 2025: The Yosemite ‘Peak-Hours-Plus’ System
Just when you thought you understood the system, it changes. For 2025, Yosemite is implementing a “Peak-Hours-Plus” reservation system, required for any vehicle entering the park between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. from May 24 through September 1, 2025. This is a critical shift from previous years. From my experience, these small tweaks in hours can dramatically alter your entire trip’s strategy, turning what was once a valid “early entry” plan into one that gets you turned away at the gate. This new system makes having a concrete, date-specific plan more important than ever.
Answer Capsule: For peak season 2025 (May 24–Sep 1), Yosemite requires a “Peak-Hours-Plus” reservation to enter the park by vehicle between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m.. You can enter before 6 a.m. or after 2 p.m. without a peak-hours reservation.
The Triple Threat: Why 2025 Is a Logistical Gauntlet
Getting a reservation is only the first hurdle. In 2025, visitors face a “triple threat” of logistical challenges. First, the reservation system itself. Second, major construction on key roads like the Wawona Road will cause significant delays and detours. Third, the infrastructure inside the park is strained. I’ve personally circled Yosemite Valley for an hour looking for a non-existent RV spot and felt the anxiety of having an electric vehicle with only two slow, occupied public chargers nearby. These three issues combined can ruin a trip if you arrive unprepared.
Answer Capsule: Visiting Yosemite in 2025 is uniquely challenging due to three overlapping issues: the new “Peak-Hours-Plus” reservation system, significant road construction closures, and a severe lack of both RV-friendly parking and EV-charging stations inside the park.
Your 2025 Yosemite Logistics Toolkit
Forget static advice. You need dynamic tools. Here is a three-part toolkit to navigate the 2025 season.
Tool 1: The Dynamic Entry Window Spreadsheet
The best time to arrive depends on your goals. This framework helps you decide.
Entry Strategy Framework
Use this logic to pick your arrival time:
- IF you want to see sunrise from the Valley THEN you must enter before 6 a.m. (no reservation needed).
- IF you have a reservation and want to find parking THEN you should still aim to enter before 9 a.m.
- IF you want to avoid crowds and have no reservation THEN plan to enter after 2 p.m. and stay for sunset.
- IF you have a campground or lodging reservation inside the park THEN you can enter anytime on your first day, but parking is still a challenge.
Tool 2: The Real-Time Closure Feed
Construction, rockfalls, and weather can change your route instantly. Don’t rely on a blog post from last month. The only source of truth is the official NPS feed.
Real-Time Road Conditions
This is the single most important link for your 2025 Yosemite trip. Bookmark it. Check it before you leave your hotel. Check it when you have service.
Tool 3: The RV & EV Parking Map
Standard vehicles struggle to find parking in Yosemite; for RVs and EVs, it’s even harder. Here is a map of the most viable spots.
RV & EV Parking Locations (Yosemite Valley)
Pro Tip: For RVs, your absolute best bet is to park at the Yosemite Falls Parking Area (Lot C) before 9 a.m. and use the free park shuttle all day.
3 Costly Mistakes at the Yosemite Gate
- Not Having a Screenshot: Cell service disappears miles before you reach the entrance gate. If you don’t have a downloaded screenshot of your reservation QR code, you can’t prove you have one. The Fix: Take a screenshot and save it as a favorite in your photos before you leave your hotel.
- Misunderstanding the Reservation: A reservation for a campground, Half Dome permit, or wilderness permit is not the same as a “Peak-Hours-Plus” vehicle reservation. The Fix: Read your confirmation email carefully. If you have lodging/camping reservations, that does grant you entry, but you must know how to prove it.
- Arriving “On Time”: Showing up at the Big Oak Flat entrance at 1:55 p.m. to “beat the system” is a bad idea. Long lines can mean you won’t actually reach the ranger until after 2 p.m., but you were in the queue during the restricted period. The Fix: If you’re targeting the 2 p.m. entry, arrive at 2:15 p.m. to be safe.
Expert Insight: Beyond the Private Vehicle
We spoke with a Yosemite Conservancy planner about the best way to handle the 2025 logistical challenges. Her advice was blunt:
“Leave your car behind. The single best ‘hack’ for visiting Yosemite Valley is the YARTS bus system. It has routes from gateway towns like Mariposa and Groveland. A YARTS ticket includes your park reservation and drops you right in the center of the Valley, completely bypassing the reservation system and the parking nightmare. It’s the most stress-free way to visit.”
FAQ: Your Top Yosemite 2025 Questions Answered
What are the exact dates for 2025 reservations? A “Peak-Hours-Plus” reservation is required to enter between 6 am and 2 pm from May 24 through September 1, 2025. Other specific weekends may also require them.
Can I get into Yosemite after 2 pm without a reservation? Yes. During the season (May 24–Sep 1), if you enter the park after 2:00 p.m., you do not need a Peak-Hours-Plus reservation. You will still need to pay the park entrance fee.
How much does the reservation cost? The reservation itself is typically a non-refundable $2 service fee through Recreation.gov. This is in addition to the standard park entrance fee per vehicle.
What if I have a Half Dome or campground permit? Your permit for in-park lodging, camping, or a Half Dome hike serves as your reservation for your arrival day and the duration of your stay. Be prepared to show your permit confirmation at the gate.
Is Hetch Hetchy included in this reservation system? No. The Hetch Hetchy entrance has its own operating hours and is not part of the Peak-Hours-Plus system.
Ready to Plan? — Get the Official Links
Your trip’s success depends on having the most current information. These official sources are non-negotiable for planning.
Next step: Bookmark the official links, set your reservation reminders, and use this toolkit to build a stress-free 2025 Yosemite adventure.
