Yosemite Expects Large Crowds For USA’s 250th Anniversary Weekend

Published Jul 3, 2026 3:04 pm

Traffic heading into Yosemite National Park—NPS photo

Yosemite, CA—With large crowds expected in Yosemite National Park this weekend for the nation’s 250th anniversary and no reservations needed, park officials offer visitors driving, parking, and waterfall safety tips to help keep it a celebration and a stress-free July 4th holiday weekend.

One of those ways is to ditch the car and ride a YARTS bus into the park. A good idea, say park officials, especially for visitors staying in lodging in the surrounding local communities. The buses have routes at all park entrances and make multiple stops. Click here for bus details.

“The best thing about YARTS is connecting people from all walks of life to one of the most awe-inspiring natural habitats on the planet, letting them experience it stress-free without worrying about driving or parking,” said Serenity Anderson, transit director for YARTS. “It is truly special to see Yosemite’s majesty in a relaxed environment on YARTS.”

Noting that extra planning is needed for a holiday trip to Yosemite, especially if driving, including navigating traffic, where to find parking, gas stations, and more, park officials provided these top driving tips to cruise through the park:

• Arrive early and stay late. Timing makes all the difference as to whether or not you can avoid traffic, waiting in line, and full parking lots.
• Lines at the entrance stations back up by mid-morning. Delays can be an hour or more. Before you enter the park, check current entrance wait times here.
• Park your car for the duration of your visit and walk, bike, or take the free shuttles around Yosemite Valley. Text ynptraffic to 333111 for notifications on when parking lots become full.
• Please park only in designated parking spots. Parking on the side of the road leads to stranded cars, meadow damage, and potential tows/citations.
• If you find parking along a turnout in Yosemite Valley, take the Valley Loop Trail to the nearest shuttle stop. This trail extends the length of Yosemite Valley and can be reached from any point along the road. Enjoy a hike with beautiful sights instead of passing cars.
• Once all parking in Yosemite Valley is full, you may be redirected to other areas of the park (which will also have limited parking). Consider taking a scenic drive of secluded spots like Tioga Road and returning when parking opens back up.
• Gas stations are located in Wawona and Crane Flat. There is no gas in Yosemite Valley. EV charging stations are available in multiple locations. For a map, click here.
• If you are visiting in an RV, parking for larger vehicles is limited, and some roads have restrictions. To find those, click here.

Water-related incidents are the second leading cause of fatality in Yosemite National Park. Most accidents occur above, below, or near waterfalls. If in doubt, stay out and follow these park-provided safety tips:

• Stay out of water around waterfalls. Strong currents often surge underneath a calm surface and can sweep swimmers over the top of the falls.
• Signs are strong indicators of a tragic history. Emerald Pool and the adjoining Silver Apron are closed to entry and are well signed with warnings against entering the water in this area. Many people have been injured or died here.
• Rocks around waterfalls are very smooth and are incredibly slippery. Many visitors slip and fall into the water while scrambling on base boulders or going off-trail to take pictures.
• Do not enter the water, even for a rescue. Entering the water to aid a distressed swimmer is not encouraged (most would-be rescuers often require rescue themselves or die). The recommended rescue technique is to try to get a floatable object to the struggling swimmer and immediately call or text 911.

Park officials ask the public, “Please help us keep search and rescue efforts as rescues, not recovery. The best rescue is one that doesn’t have to happen at all. Stay on trails, and wait to be around water until your hike is over and you’re back on the relatively flat beaches of Yosemite Valley.”