Yosemite National Park Entrance Fees and Passes (2026)

Where these numbers come from

Yosemite sells one basic ticket: a seven-day pass of $35 for a private vehicle, $30 for a motorcycle or $20 per person on foot or by bicycle. The vehicle price covers every occupant, so a carload of six pays the same as a solo driver. Children under 16 enter free when arriving without a vehicle. The park only takes cards and mobile payments at its gates, so carry a card even if you normally use cash.

The annual Yosemite pass costs $70, exactly double the vehicle fee. That means a second visit within twelve months pays for it, and every visit after that is free. Suppose you drive in for a long weekend in spring and again in autumn: you would pay $70 at the gate anyway, so the pass costs nothing extra and keeps the option open for a third trip. The pass covers this park only. Use our park pass break-even calculator to compare it against the $80 America the Beautiful pass.

The America the Beautiful annual pass costs $80 for US citizens and residents. At a $35 gate price you need three visits at a fee-charging site to come out ahead, and those visits can be at different parks. If your itinerary also includes a second and third fee-charging federal site, the $80 pass usually wins. If Yosemite is your only stop this year, the $70 park pass is cheaper.

Since January 1, 2026, nonresident visitors aged 16 or older pay a $100 surcharge on top of the standard fee. A couple visiting from abroad in one rental car pays $35 plus $200, which is $235. A third adult takes the total to $335, so the $250 nonresident America the Beautiful pass becomes the better deal. Holders of that pass, or of an annual pass, skip the surcharge. The pass covers a vehicle or the holder plus three adults.

Fee-free days changed too. For 2026 the dates are Feb 16, May 25, Jun 14, Jul 3-5, Aug 25, Sep 17, Oct 27, Nov 11, but they apply only to US citizens and residents. Nonresidents pay the full fee and surcharge even on those days. As of 2026-09-30, only October 27 and November 11 remain this year. Yosemite also dropped its timed reservation system for 2026, so you can enter without booking, although weekend and holiday parking in the Valley can still fill early. Try our entrance fee finder to compare other parks.

Sources

• NPS Yosemite fees and passes
• NPS Yosemite 2026 reservations
• NPS nonresident fees
• NPS America the Beautiful passes

Figures checked on September 30, 2026.

This page is general information, not legal, insurance or travel-agent advice. Fees, rules and limits change, so confirm the figures with the official sources listed above before you book or travel.