Travel Advisories

Yosemite National Park - Timed Entry Reservations are NOT Needed for 2026

UPDATE: Yosemite National Park announced it will no longer use a timed reservation system in 2026. The decision follows a comprehensive evaluation of traffic patterns, parking availability and visitor use during the 2025 season.

Without a reservation system in place, Yosemite will broaden its use of operational strategies that proved effective during the 2025 season. These include:

  • Real-time traffic monitoring to identify and respond quickly to congestion hotspots.

  • Active parking management in Yosemite Valley to maximize available capacity.

  • Additional staffing at key intersections and decision points during peak periods.

  • Improved visitor information through road condition alerts, congestion warnings and trip-planning tools.

  • Expanded guidance encouraging weekday visitation, when parking and traffic conditions are more favorable.

  • Promoting recreation outside Yosemite Valley, including Tuolumne Meadows, Wawona, Hetch Hetchy and other high-quality destinations across the park.

Visitors traveling in 2026 are encouraged to:

  • Plan visits early, especially for weekends and holiday periods.

  • Consider weekday trips for lower congestion and greater parking availability.

  • Explore options for hiking, sightseeing and recreation outside Yosemite Valley.

  • Check the park website for real-time conditions, seasonal updates and trip-planning tools.

Visit the park site to learn more >

UPDATED February 19, 2026

Highway 1 through Big Sur, California has REOPENED

The iconic Highway 1 coastal drive is back, offering uninterrupted ocean views and easy travel between Big Sur and Monterey County. Explore dramatic cliffs, historic Cannery Row, playful sea otters, and fresh local cuisine - perfect for scenic drives, outdoor adventures, and a taste of California’s coastal charm. Read More >

UPDATED JANUARY 21, 2026

Important Update: National Park Entrance Fee Changes for 2026

Effective January 1, 2026, the cost of the America the Beautiful Annual Pass for non-U.S. residents will increase from $80 to $250. This pass is valid for 12 months and provides entry to all U.S. National Parks as well as many federal recreation sites. It covers one non-commercial vehicle or two motorbikes.

Without an annual pass, international visitors will pay standard park admission fees — for example, currently $35 per vehicle at Grand Canyon and Yosemite — plus an additional $100 per person, per park, making the annual pass the most cost-effective option.

The additional $100 per person fee will apply at the following parks:

  • Acadia National Park

  • Bryce Canyon National Park

  • Everglades National Park

  • Glacier National Park

  • Grand Canyon National Park

  • Grand Teton National Park

  • Rocky Mountain National Park

  • Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks

  • Yellowstone National Park

  • Yosemite National Park

  • Zion National Park


How to Purchase the Annual Pass?

"Digital” Annual Passes can be purchased here: nps.gov. The price will remain $80 until December 31, and the pass will be valid through December 2026.

The online purchase process is simple, and the digital pass can be saved to an Apple Wallet. A printable paper version is also available. Please note: many parks have limited cellular or Wi-Fi coverage, so ensure the pass is saved to your device or printed in advance.

UPDATED DECEMBER 2, 2025

Dragon Bravo Fire - North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park

The North Rim is closed for the remainder of the 2025 season because of damage and losses caused by the Dragon Bravo Wildfire.

In July 2025, the Dragon Bravo Fire destroyed approximately 70 structures, including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge, the North Rim Visitor Center, and many guest cabins. As a result, the North Rim developed area remains closed to all public access for the remainder of the 2025 season. This closure includes all lodging, visitor services, and developed facilities.

The park is currently focused on emergency stabilization to protect remaining infrastructure and natural resources. Planning is underway for the recovery and rebuilding of visitor facilities, including the Grand Canyon Lodge, although this process will take time. Read more here >

Additionally, the Grand Canyon is a vast park with other areas remaining open. As a reference point, the North Rim is about a 5-hour drive from the South Rim of the Canyon. For further details on what areas are open, visit this link: Grand Canyon National Park Operations >

AFFECTED HOTELS:

  • Grand Canyon North Rim Lodge (Hotel ID: 93) - The hotel was unfortunately destroyed in the fire.

UPDATED AUGUST 4, 2025

Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel Restrictions

The restrictions on vehicle size for the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel are set to begin in mid-2026. Specifically, vehicles exceeding 11 feet 4 inches tall, 7 feet 10 inches wide, or 35 feet 9 inches long, or weighing over 50,000 pounds, will be rerouted. This change is part of a broader effort to address safety concerns and protect the historic highway and tunnel.

CURRENT RESTRICTIONS

Depending on the size of the vehicle, guests may not be able to travel through the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel on SR-9 between Zion National Park’s south and east entrances. The following are currently prohibited in the tunnel:

  • Vehicles over 13 feet 1 inch tall (4.2 meters)

  • Semi-Trucks

  • Vehicles carrying hazardous materials

  • Vehicles weighing more than 50,000 pounds (22,680 kilograms)

  • Single vehicles over 40 feet long (12.2 meters)

  • Vehicles and trailers with combined length over 50 feet (15.5. meters)

  • Bicyclists

  • Pedestrians

UPDATED AUGUST 4, 2025