Park Essentials

Park Fees and Permits

The admission fee, valid for seven days, is $35 per vehicle, $30 per motorcycle, or $20 per individual.

If you plan to camp in the backcountry or climb Half Dome, you must have a wilderness permit. Availability of permits depends upon trailhead quotas. It's best to make a reservation, especially if you will be visiting May through September. You can reserve two days to 24 weeks in advance by phone, mail, or fax (preferred method) (Box 545, Yosemite, CA 209/372–0826); you’ll pay $5 per person plus $5 per reservation if and when your reservations are confirmed. You can apply online via the park website (www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/backpacking.htm). Without a reservation, you may still get a free permit on a first-come, first-served basis at wilderness permit offices at Big Oak Flat, Hetch Hetchy, Tuolumne Meadows, Wawona, the Wilderness Center in Yosemite Village, and Yosemite Valley in summer. From fall to spring, visit the Valley Visitor Center.

Park Hours

The park is open 24/7 year-round. All entrances are open at all hours, except for the Hetch Hetchy entrance, which is open roughly dawn to dusk. Yosemite is in the Pacific Time Zone.

Automobile Service Stations

There are gas stations at Crane Flat, Wawona, and El Portal (a few miles west of the Arch Rock entrance). There's one garage in Yosemite Village, but it performs only basic repairs, and no gas is available there (209/372–8320). However, electric vehicles can charge up at the garage and at The Ahwahnee),

Cell Phone Reception

Cell phone reception can be hit or miss everywhere in the park. There are public telephones at entrance stations, visitor centers, all park restaurants and lodging facilities, gas stations, and in Yosemite Village.