Yosemite National Park officials recently announced that starting last weekend and likely extending until spring of next year, visitors will no longer need to make reservations to drive into or through the park. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, this decision comes two weeks earlier than initially planned for the reservation system.

Last Thursday, the National Park Service shared on social media that reservations will be lifted for the last two weekends of October. In a statement posted on Instagram, park officials explained, “The reservation requirement was originally set to continue until October 27. However, based on our monitoring of visitor usage patterns and impacts, we will conclude the reservations a few weeks early.”

Visitors who made reservations after Sunday, October 13, will automatically receive refunds. It’s worth noting that the park charged a $2 service fee on top of the entry ticket for reservations.

Yosemite implemented its reservation system in 2020 to prevent overcrowding and protect the park’s environment. While the park hasn’t yet announced its plans for 2025, officials hope to make the reservation system a permanent part of their long-term visitor management strategy, with details expected to be released by the end of this year.

For 2024, the policy will require reservations during peak times for most of the year: all seven days a week during the summer months, as well as weekends and holidays in spring, early summer, and fall. This requirement applies to drivers entering or passing through Yosemite during peak hours, typically from 5 AM to 3 PM.

While the reservation system has faced criticism from some visitors and neighboring communities that rely on park tourism, park officials assert that the system is essential for reducing congestion that once led to four-hour wait times at entrance stations.

The park management reports that Yosemite attracts approximately 4.4 million visitors annually, with around 94% arriving by private car. However, those who use public transportation, bike, ride horses, enter with tour groups, or walk into the park are exempt from the reservation requirement.