Yosemite National Park draws millions of visitors every year; in 2020, it was the second-most visited national park in the country, drawing 3.8 million people total. It isn’t hard to see why — it is, after all, home to some of the most majestic views in the nation, and it offers plenty to intrigue visitors no matter the season. And during a time when indoor vacations offer more uncertainty, the idea of appreciating outdoor spaces is even more pronounced than usual.
But if you’re thinking about traveling to Yosemite this year, you might want to take some precautions with your schedule. A number of high-profile construction projects within the park could lead to some restrictions on attendance.
As reported by The Mercury News, the park’s management is thinking about ways to find a balance between an influx of summer visitors and the traffic problems that can arise as a result of the aforementioned construction projects.
The park’s superintendent, Cicely Muldoon, referred to the coming summer as “a crazy construction season in Yosemite like you have never seen before” at a recent meeting. In the summer of 2020, the Great American Outdoors Act was signed into law with bipartisan support. That, in turn, provided some much-needed funding for parks requiring repairs to their infrastructure.
Over the last two summers, Yosemite used an online reservation system and reduced attendance due to COVID-19 concerns. Online reservations might make a return this year, though local businesses that have been affected by the drop in summer visitors have been pushing for the construction to be staggered somewhat. As the warmer months grow closer, we should know more about what to expect if you’re heading to Yellowstone this year.
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