Entrance to Yosemite NP

Question

I am planning on visiting Yosemite April 23-25th. I will be staying at a hotel outside of the park. What passes/permits are required to enter the park during the day? Thanks.

Answer

If you are visiting Yosemite National Park for a day trip in late April, you will need to pay the standard park entrance fee. Yosemite does not require a special permit for general daytime access, except in specific cases such as wilderness overnight trips or entering certain high-demand areas.

Here are the key points for entering Yosemite:

Day-use entrance fee: As of 2025, the vehicle entrance fee is $35 per car for 7 days. This fee covers all occupants in the vehicle. If you are on a motorcycle, the fee is $30, and for pedestrians or cyclists entering at a gate, the fee is $20 per person.
Wilderness permits: Required only if you plan to hike overnight in Yosemite’s wilderness areas.
Timed-entry reservations: Yosemite occasionally requires timed-entry passes for peak periods, but for your dates in April (outside the summer peak), general day-entry is typically allowed without reservations.
How to pay: You can purchase the entrance pass at any park entrance station, or online in advance through the official National Park Service system.

Additional tips:

Arrive early in the day if you want to park conveniently, especially near popular sites like Yosemite Valley, since parking can fill quickly even in April.
Check road conditions, as some high-elevation areas or entrances may still have snow in April.
If your hotel is outside the park, ensure you allow extra travel time to Yosemite Valley or trailheads you plan to visit.

In summary, for a daytime visit in late April, you only need the standard entrance fee unless you plan special activities that require additional permits.

Entrance to Yosemite NP

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