Valley Shuttle

Question

My family and I (4 adults, 2 children) will be visiting Yosemite for three night on weekdays in June. (6/11-6/13). We plan to arrive in the park each morning my car and park and utilize the Valley Shuttle throughout the day. I see that the NPS website says the valley-wide shuttles run every 12-22 minutes. With so many stops, do you think we will have trouble getting on the shuttles or do they stay at capacity? I'm sure the buses stay pretty full but a handful get off and get on at each stop so you probably have a spot every time?

I hope that makes sense. I just don't want to end up waiting in a line for a shuttle and then cannot get on bc its full and end up waiting 30-45 minutes or more for a seat on a shuttle.

Question 2: We are staying at the Yosemite View Lodge. Is it easier to drive our own vehicles into the park each day or should we think about using YARTS, which I haven't researched much yet?

Answer

Visiting Yosemite Valley in June can be busy, but using the Valley Shuttle system is generally convenient and avoids the stress of parking inside the Valley, especially on weekdays.

Regarding your first question about shuttle capacity: while Yosemite Valley shuttles do run every 12–22 minutes, they are rarely completely full for long stretches. Most passengers get off at popular stops like Yosemite Village, Happy Isles, or Mirror Lake, allowing new riders to board. During peak mid-morning and mid-afternoon times, you might encounter a full bus, but typically, you will be able to board the next one within 10–15 minutes. It is uncommon to have to wait 30–45 minutes just to get a seat, especially on weekdays.

Arrive at major stops a little early if you have tight schedules.
Try to ride slightly before or after peak arrival times (10–11 am and 2–4 pm) for shorter waits.
All shuttles are accessible and accommodate families with children, so you shouldn’t have trouble with seats.

Regarding driving your own vehicle vs. using YARTS from Yosemite View Lodge:

Driving your own car: Convenient because you can enter the park at your own pace and leave whenever you want. However, parking in the Valley can be competitive, especially at popular trailheads or viewpoints. Arriving early in the morning will help secure parking at prime spots.
YARTS bus: This is a good alternative if you want to avoid driving stress. The YARTS bus stops near Yosemite View Lodge and will drop you inside the Valley. You can then use the Valley Shuttle for free to reach various stops. YARTS has limited schedules, so make sure the times fit your plans. Also, YARTS eliminates the need to search for parking inside the Valley.

Overall, for a three-night visit with 4 adults and 2 children, a hybrid approach can work well: drive your car early in the morning to secure a good parking spot for half the day, then rely on the Valley Shuttle to move around. On days when you want a more relaxed start, consider taking YARTS into the Valley and letting the shuttle handle the internal transport.

Additional tips:

Bring a small backpack with water and snacks to minimize shuttle stops for amenities.
Check shuttle and YARTS schedules ahead of time; maps are available online or at visitor centers.
Start hikes early in the morning to avoid shuttle crowding and enjoy cooler temperatures.

Valley Shuttle

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