Yosemite Summer 2023 - Prepare Yourselves! - Not your typical summer. Watch before you visit!

Today is 6-28-23 and I was just there on 6-25-23 and 6-26-23 and I wish I would have seen this video before arriving! She is not exaggerating people this place is packed! We stayed in Fish Camp California and the drive to the park is one hour. The first day we arrived by 7:00am and there was a huge line that took another hour to pay to get into the park. We drove down to the Valley and the rangers closed that entrance and made us park along the side of the road. It was a 3 mile hike just to get to lower Yosemite falls from our car. Yes there bus system is running but the wait is at least 45 min and if no one get off you can’t get on.! Despite the traffic and the huge crowds we had a great time!

Not a rant, this is balanced and it's good to have the heads up. I've heard that it was crowded and the traffic bad, but had no idea how bad. Good to know...but also very sad. Very much hope a reservation system returns and that the shuttle buses could be adequately maintained, repaired and staffed so that those would be an option.

Was there yesterday. We got into the valley by 7:30am w no wait and found easy parking at Yosemite lodge Shuttle stop #1. Camped at Summerdale just outside the entrance. They key is to GET THERE EARLY

I just visited Yosemite last week in October. I drove from Sacramento and arrived at 10am, Easy and quick getting in. I headed to the visitor center for food. All went smoothly. Along the way easy parking and not crowded. Not busy at all considering. Best visits are the non summer ones!

This is insane. Why would anyone in their right mind call this a vacation? MY hats off to you for putting up with this situation to keep us informed of the insanity of people.

I visited Yosemite on July 23-24. We arrived at 3:30pm, and there were no lines to enter. Went to see the sequoias, no lines for the shuttle. At 6 pm we parked at Tunnel View. Ate dinner and stayed at Yosemite Valley Lodge, and it was wonderful! The next day we rented a bike, and explored the valley. Arrive late, stay in the park, and rent a bike.

We went June 23-26 and stayed at hotel just outside of the entrance. Made sure to get our butts to the park by 730am both of our full days. Grabbed the first parking available and didn’t move the car. Smartest move we made. Get there early.

My boyfriend and I went during Memorial Day weekend (May 27) we didn’t know that one of the entrances was closed which added 2 hours to get to the open entrance. When we got about 4 miles to the entrance there was a line that we waited in for about 4 1/2 hours. We finally got inside the park at 3 pm, and then drove around looking for parking for who knows how long. A total disaster.

So glad you posted this. I keep hearing how crowded it is and this has helped me to plan and be prepared. Thanks

Didn’t sound like a rant and lots of very useful information to help make the trip enjoyable. I’ve been wanting to return for a while but have been put off by the prospect of dealing with crowds. This was a nice overview of strategies to avoid the kinds of aggravations that can make a trip become a tale of woe. Nicely done, thanks.

This was a very nice and VERY useful video. Good job getting this information out for any upcoming visitors. Too bad it is so crowded but it is one of the most beautiful places on our planet so folks are going to go there.

We planned to spend 4 days there in Jun 23; postponed until Oct 24. Stuff like this suggests that was the right call. We’ll be there during the week, and staying at the Valley lodge. Hoping these steps will mitigate the crowd problem.

They need to bring back the reservation system to preserve the park and make the experience more enjoyable for everyone who visits.

It was really nice having the reservation system the last few years. It made visiting in the summer so much nicer for those of us that live fairly close. We are back to visiting the valley on shoulder seasons.

It's nice to get out in the wilderness away from people... 😄

I just spent five weeks volunteering in the valley. The crowds and traffic were horrible, worse than I've ever seen in 40 years of going to Yosemite. Very stressful. The boss said that the day use reservation system can't be made permanent without being passed by Congress after a public comment period, which could be two years. In the meantime, people are destroying the park by parking in the bushes along the side of the roads. Contact your Congressmen and maybe we can get something done sooner. The previous day use reservation system was allowed as a covid emergency rule.

Thank you for your feedback and activism. I have also participated in the YNP comments process which is, “my understanding”, part of a multi year effort to better manage park resources. However, if there ever was a time to implement a “temporary” emergency contingency plans it is now. If I receive any feedback from park managers addressing our concerns I’ll forward it to you. Love and respect to you.

I was there in Yosemite on July 1, 2023 (July 4th weekend). I had only 1 day for Yosemite because I was about to end my 30 day trip in US. I parked my car just outside the South Entrance at a random resting spot on the road at midnight a night before. Slept for a few hours in the car. Woke up at 5am. Started driving by 5:30am & reached the Curry village parking around 6:30am. It was practically full & I managed to get one of the few final spots left. I had Half Dome hike planned for the day. So after having breakfast & packing my food/water/bag for the day, I left for the hike, only to realize that the parking was a mile away from the trail head & I would either need to walk or take a bus. I decided to wait for the bus & was 3rd in line.The bus took 30 mins to reach our station & it was full (at 7:45am). 3 people got out & the driver allowed only 3 people to get in. I got in. I did the Half Dome hike that day. Walked 19 miles over 12 hours, crossed 2 beautiful waterfalls (Vernon & Nevada falls). Had a really beautiful outdoor day. But for all of that to happen, YOU GOTTA WAKE UP EARLY & FIND A PARKING.

I drove up in early May. Wanted to see the water and lucked out that a campsite was available-it was snowing so I’m sure someone had cancelled. Got to the entrance gate just before 7 PM, only two cars ahead of me. Drove in, caught some amazing light on half dome as the snowstorm was clearing out. Camped in the back of the Jeep, which was suboptimal. Drove over to Curry right at 7 am for coffee, took in all the sights, and was back at the entrance by 9:30. By that time the backup at the gate was at least a mile.

I’m leaving in 3 weeks for stay In curry village so I appreciate your video! I hope we get parking and we will Definitely bring our bikes now!