2021 Day Use Reservation System for Yosemite National Park

A reservation will be required to drive into Yosemite May 21 through September 30, 2021. You must display your permit on your dashboard at all times while inside the park. A reservation is not required to visit Yosemite prior to May 21. This permit is included for all SYMG guests that are joining us this summer.

Ways to Get a Reservation

Graphic stating reservations for day-use, camping, wilderness & Half Dome permits, and regional transit

Day-Use Reservations

Reservations are available on recreation.gov, with most reservations available in spring, and limited reservations available seven days before the arrival date (e.g., make a reservation for an arrival date of September 30 on September 23):

First day to reserveArrival date
April 21May 21–June 30
April 28July 1–31
May 5August 1–31
May 12September 1–30
May 14–September 23seven days in advance
(through September 30)

Reservations are available each day at 8 am Pacific time. Reservations are taken almost immediately. Be sure to have an account and be logged in and ready to get a reservation promptly at 8 am Pacific time.

The non-refundable reservation fee is $2 and is included in the $35/car park entrance fee. If you have an annual or lifetime pass, be sure to specify you’re a current pass holder to pay the discounted rate ($2).

Cancelled reservations become available immediately on recreation.gov.

Each user can make one reservation per day. Only one reservation is needed per vehicle (regardless of the number of people in the vehicle). An occupant of the arriving vehicle must be the reservation holder (with photo ID).

Day-use permits are valid for three consecutive days for unlimited entries. Day-use permits are not valid for overnight use (the park is only open to day-use permit holders from 5 am to 11 pm).

If you don’t have computer access, you can call 877/444-6777 to make a reservation.

Born and raised in the Midwest (Iowa & Illinois), I always held a fascination for the outdoors and mountain landscapes as some “distant place” on maps. That fascination continues today but I am fortunate to have now lived and worked in the mountains for 15+ years. My first job as a guide was leading sea-kayak trips in coastal Ketchikan Alaska. After that season, I attended undergrad in the Southeast (Montreat College) studying Outdoor Education and Environmental Studies and went on to pursue my MBA. I first visited the Yosemite area during a spring break climbing trip with some buddies. I can vividly recall driving in and being completely awestruck by the beauty of The Valley, ...as well as all the great climbing : ) After college I worked as a Guide with Summit Adventure in Yosemite as well as internationally in the Ecuadorian Andes and mountains of Mexico. I enjoyed teaching outdoor education in Santa Cruz and Yosemite Valley during my off-seasons. I also worked with Outward Bound California leading youth trips and eventually worked as Program Director at their Midpines and Joshua Tree locations. In 2016, I transitioned to SYMG and appreciated the thoughtful approach to the work of guiding. I enjoy spending time with the great crew of guides that come here to work, live and play. Beyond work in the outdoors, I am a proud father of two children, Owen & Eleanor. I enjoy adventures with them and my wife Sarah not quite as far afield. While we still return regularly to visit family in the midwest, we are happy to call Southern Yosemite home.
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Southern Yosemite Mountain Guides
Southern Yosemite
Mountain Guides
(800) 231-4575 info@symg.com (800) 231-4575 Local/International
+1 (559) 642-2817
Yosemite National Park, CA

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