dailyloe.com – Yosemite National Park experienced a significant increase in visitors this March, with numbers rising over two-thirds compared to last year.
According to the National Park Service’s monthly public use report, the park recorded 225,817 recreational visitors in March, up about 45% from 155,758 in March 2022.
This count represents the highest number of visitors in March since 2016, indicating a growing trend in park attendance.
The increase in visitors is not limited to March. Annual visitation data shows that Yosemite attracted more visitors in 2025 than in any of the previous five years.
This surge occurs despite ongoing staffing shortages and budget cuts affecting the park service.
Conservationists are concerned that the growing number of visitors may harm park resources and diminish the overall experience for guests.
John Buckley, executive director of the Central Sierra Environmental Resource Center, noted that crowding often exceeds parking capacity on weekends.
He shared that this results in vehicles parked inappropriately along the roads and creates a congested visitor experience.
One visitor reported experiencing hour-long wait times to enter Yosemite and navigating through “wall to wall” crowds.
This visitor remarked that being in Yosemite felt akin to a day at Disneyland, expressing concern that John Muir would have been horrified by the park’s current state.
The increase in visitor numbers follows the National Park Service’s decision to eliminate summer reservation requirements at several popular parks, including Yosemite.
The park faced chaos shortly after this announcement, with staffing shortages leaving some entrance gates unattended during business hours.
As a result, visitors may encounter longer wait times and crowded conditions as the summer season approaches.
