Be aware of 3rd parking reservations website

I know there are old threads but wanted to warn people.

We are staying at Yosemite Valley Lodge this long weekend. When we checked in, someone next to us had a 3rd party booking that didn’t have a room reserved.

The lodge worker said that was the 6th person today with these unfulfilled reservations. They were given a list of other places to stay outside the park.

The only website to use for in park reservations is:

https://www.travelyosemite.com/

If you are planning a stay within Yosemite National Park, it is crucial to be aware of potential issues with third-party reservation websites. There have been multiple reports of travelers attempting to use unofficial sites that claim to reserve rooms in Yosemite, only to find upon arrival that no reservation exists. This can cause significant disruption to your plans, especially during peak travel times such as long weekends.

For example, visitors at Yosemite Valley Lodge have reported encountering other guests who believed they had reservations through a third-party site, only to discover that no room was actually booked. In such cases, lodge staff provided a list of alternative accommodations outside the park, but this is far from ideal for guests expecting to stay within Yosemite.

To avoid these issues, follow these guidelines:

  • Only book lodging through the official Yosemite National Park reservation system.
  • The authorized website for all in-park accommodations is https://www.travelyosemite.com/.
  • Double-check your booking confirmation and ensure it comes from the official site.
  • Avoid third-party sites that advertise “guaranteed” Yosemite bookings, as these can be misleading or fraudulent.

Additional tips for staying in Yosemite:

  • Make reservations well in advance, particularly for holidays and summer months, as rooms fill quickly.
  • If a third-party site claims to have availability, verify directly on the official Travel Yosemite website before completing any payment.
  • Keep a printed or digital copy of your official reservation confirmation to present at check-in.

In summary, using only the official Travel Yosemite website ensures your booking is secure and avoids the risk of arriving without a room. Planning ahead and confirming your reservation is key to a smooth visit to Yosemite National Park.


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