OAKHURST, CA, (JULY 1, 2020) –  The National Park Service has made adjustments to the access of Yosemite this summer. Each day 1,700 day-use park passes are available via online reservation. While the situation is not ideal when passes sell out, Yosemite and the communities that surround the park are prioritizing visitor comfort and health, providing creative solutions during temporary setbacks.  

 "Thankfully, when you book a tour it includes your park entry pass for the day. Now, taking an expertly guided tour into Yosemite is a better option than ever!" emphasized Rhonda Salisbury, CEO of Visit Yosemite | Madera County. "When people need reservations, we've got them covered. Local tour businesses have been safely guiding travelers to Yosemite for decades, and now they are ready to step in and meet the demand."

Madera County pledges to maintain standards of cleanliness and safety for all visitors and staff. Posters at each shop, restaurant, and hotel are there to inform potential guests of the safeguards being implemented and encouraged.

So far this summer, visitors speak of idyllic conditions, with cascading waterfalls, an abundance of wildlife, and glorious sunshine-filled days. Add in the reduced number of people and ample parking, and we are all set for a unique summer in this national treasure.

Are you curious to see what Yosemite looks like this week? Access and view footage provided by Yosemite Hospitality, at YOSEMITE NOW. Download video of Yosemite's Cooks and  Ahwahnee meadows, plus waterfall views from the Yosemite Village. (Videos are permitted for personal and commercial use.)

On your visit to Yosemite via a guided tour, be assured, all operators are dedicated to all current state guidelines of safety and sanitation standards. On tour vehicles, touchpoints are repeatedly cleaned, and there is plenty of hand sanitizer for frequent hand washing. But there is also something else - there will be fun! Let's not forget, with group, private, jeep, backpack, horseback, aviation tours, and climbing excursions providing spectacular views of El Capitan at every turn, this summer's skies and family fun times are limitless. 

The tour companies listed are able to provide access to Yosemite National Park.   

These tour companies do not enter the Yosemite National Park boundary (at least not on the ground), but are the perfect alternative for adventurous couples, friends, and families.

Get your group together and get back to the wild places that make us feel alive and free. Yosemite wants you back and local tour companies have the know-how to get you there.