Yosemite visitors fume as 'moronic' change to booking system fuels horrendous 'crushing' crowds

Published: 14:01, 25 July 2026 | Updated: 14:09, 25 July 2026 For more than a century Yosemite National Park has represented the ultimate American wilderness escape. A place of towering cliffs, roaring waterfalls and silent forest sanctuaries where visitors could leave the hustle and bustle behind. But not any more. Now the famous Californian landmark is facing a new problem - being too popular for its own good. Yosemite Superintendent Ray McPadden terminated the park's reservation system after a federal order from Interior Secretary Doug Burgman in April 2025 that stated that national parks should remain open and accessible to the public. The National Park Service (NPS) had said data from previous years suggested blanket reservations were no longer necessary and that staff could instead respond dynamically to changing conditions. Supporters said the move would remove barriers, allowing more Americans to experience one of the country’s greatest natural treasures. But locals and frustrated visitors say the change has come at a significant cost. Critics say the move has plunged the park back into the gridlock that the reservation system was specifically designed to prevent. For many tourists, Yosemite remains a breathtaking destination, the sight of El Capitan rising above the valley and the roar of Yosemite Falls continue to inspire millions Yosemite Superintendent Ray McPadden terminated the park's reservation system after a federal orders from Interior Secretary Doug Burgman  With staff numbers cut by a quarter and reduced wages for maintenance staff, federal cutbacks have caused severe ranger shortages and employee burnout They claim that the park has become so packed that travelling through Yosemite can feel less like a journey into nature and more like navigating a theme park during peak season. On busy weekends, visitors have reported hours-long queues at entrance gates, parking lots filling before midday, shuttle buses packed to capacity and Yosemite Valley grinding almost to a standstill as thousands of vehicles compete for limited space. Social media has been flooded with images of overflowing parking areas, traffic stretching for miles and crowds packed shoulder-to-shoulder at iconic viewpoints that were once symbols of wilderness rather than congestion. A March 2026 survey by the Yosemite Union showed that 85 percent of the 135 verified employee responses did not approve of Superintendent McPadden’s decision. Workers predicted that not having an entry limit would lead to angry, disappointed and exasperated guests who take out their frustrations on them.  Now, more than 300 disgruntled staff members have taken a stand, petitioning passionately for the decision to be reversed. The petition denounces the decision as 'indefensible and negligent' and warns that overflowing traffic could delay emergency vehicles, encourage illegal roadside parking that damages fragile meadows and dramatically worsen the visitor experience. It also questions whether relying on staff to manage ever-growing crowds is realistic at a time when staffing levels have massively declined. US senators said they have received reports of multiple bears being hit by vehicles A survey of workers predicted that not having an entry limit would lead to angry, disappointed, and exasperated guests  Don Neubacher an Yosdemite ex-superintendent is one among the many of the parks former staff who is less than thrilled about the changes. Neubacher, who served the park between 2010 and 2016, helped oversee many of the its long-term visitor management initiatives. 'This is fraught with problems and it's gonna lead to a major issue,' he told the Daily Mail. He said that memorial day was 'out of control' and added: 'Statements put out by the park that proclaim "Everything is fine" are complete and utter propaganda.' The National Park Service says rangers are actively monitoring traffic conditions, directing vehicles to available parking, adjusting operations in real time and encouraging visitors to explore less crowded areas outside Yosemite Valley. Officials have also urged visitors to avoid weekends wherever possible and arrive early to reduce congestion. Some early data suggests traffic management measures have performed better than critics expected. Officials have also urged visitors to avoid weekends wherever possible and arrive early to reduce congestion  A spokesperson from the Department of the Interior told the Daily Mail: 'During the July 4 holiday, one of the park's busiest periods, traffic remained free-flowing, entrance waits at major entrances were less than 10 minutes, and Yosemite Valley shuttle wait times remained short. Temporary delays can occur during periods of peak visitation, but they do not reflect typical park operations.' Yet residents living near the park are not convinced and have repeatedly taken to social media platforms such as X to condemn the situation and say they fear Yosemite is losing the very qualities that made it special. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff have publicly questioned the National Park Service over the decision to eliminate reservations, seeking explanations about congestion, staffing and visitor safety after widespread reports of the chaos. In a letter addressed to Burgum and Acting Director of the National Park Service Jessica Bowron just before the July 4th weekend, both California Democrats, expressed fears for the park during the upcoming summer season. 'The increased visitation we have seen without the reservation system, mixed with the reduction in staff and resources over the past year, leaves us deeply concerned about how the Park will be able to manage visitation safely and effectively protect park resources during the peak summer months,' they wrote. 'Yosemite National Park is the crown jewel of the National Park System, yet overcrowding, vehicle congestion, limited parking, and long lines have long been issues that diminish what should be a world-class experience.'