Trump Administration Drops Yosemite Reservation System

Environmental groups warn of potential chaos and overcrowding without entry limits.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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The Trump administration has announced it will be eliminating the reservation system at Yosemite National Park this summer, as well as at Arches National Park in Utah and Glacier National Park in Montana. Environmental groups have criticized the move, saying it will lead to snarled roadways, long lines, and overcrowding during peak visitation periods.

Why it matters

The reservation system was first implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 to limit crowds, but was later dropped in 2023 only to be reinstated in 2024 under the Biden administration. Environmental advocates argue the reservations helped spread out visitation and improve the overall visitor experience, while tourism officials have long opposed the system as too complicated. This decision to eliminate the reservations again could have significant impacts on park access, natural resources, and local businesses.

The details

The U.S. Department of Interior announced on Wednesday that it would be dropping the entry reservation requirements at Yosemite, Arches, and Glacier national parks this summer. The move reverses a policy put in place in 2024 under the Biden administration that required visitors to obtain a reservation to enter the parks between April and October. Environmental groups warn this will lead to gridlock, with cars circling endlessly around full parking lots and long lines of vehicles trying to access the parks, similar to what was seen in 2023 when the reservations were briefly lifted.

  • In 2020, the Trump administration first implemented the reservation system at Yosemite to limit the spread of COVID-19.
  • In 2023, the reservation system was dropped as the pandemic waned.
  • In 2024, the Biden administration reinstated the reservation requirement for Yosemite between April and October.
  • In 2025, the Trump administration loosened the reservation rules, only requiring them on certain peak visitation weekends.
  • On February 20, 2026, the Trump administration announced it would be eliminating the reservation system entirely at Yosemite, Arches, and Glacier national parks for the upcoming summer season.

The players

Kevin Lilly

Acting Assistant Interior Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

Neal Desai

Regional Director of the National Parks Conservation Association, an environmental group.

Ray McPadden

Superintendent of Yosemite National Park.

Tom McClintock

Republican Congressman representing the district that includes Yosemite National Park.

Alex Padilla

Democratic U.S. Senator from California.

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What they’re saying

“'Our national parks belong to the American people, and our priority is keeping them open and accessible.'”

— Kevin Lilly, Acting Assistant Interior Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks (mcall.com)

“'It's going to be chaos for the visitors. We're going to see hours-long traffic and disappointment. It's an absolute shame. The tools to solve this were well-known and studied and available.'”

— Neal Desai, Regional Director, National Parks Conservation Association (mcall.com)

“'This isn't good for visitors. It isn't good for business. People post social media showing they are waiting in line for hours, and they have to pull over to the side of the road to use the bathroom, and vegetation is trampled.'”

— Neal Desai, Regional Director, National Parks Conservation Association (mcall.com)

“'I am delighted that the Park Service has finally scrapped the cumbersome reservation system at Yosemite. This is good news for park visitors and for the gateway communities that depend on Yosemite commerce for their livelihoods.'”

— Tom McClintock (Facebook)

“'With our national park system already strained by Donald Trump's funding and staffing cuts, this decision will limit outdoor recreation opportunities, degrade the park's natural resources, and strain local businesses that rely on a steady stream of park visitors.'”

— Alex Padilla, U.S. Senator, California (mcall.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This decision to eliminate the reservation system at Yosemite and other national parks highlights the ongoing debate over balancing public access with protecting natural resources and the visitor experience. While some welcome the return to unrestricted entry, environmental groups warn it could lead to overcrowding, traffic jams, and damage to the parks, underscoring the need for sustainable visitation management policies.