Planning a trip to Yosemite has become much simpler. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning for another adventure, several new digital tools can help you spend less time planning and more time enjoying the park.
From checking entrance wait times before you leave your hotel to having an AI travel assistant available 24 hours a day, here are four tools every Yosemite visitor should know about before their trip.
1. Buy Your Yosemite Entrance Pass Online
One of the easiest ways to save time is by purchasing your Yosemite entrance pass before you arrive.
Instead of paying at the entrance station, you can buy your pass online and simply show the digital version on your phone when you arrive. While you’ll still stop at the entrance station, having your pass ready can help make the process quicker and easier.
This is especially helpful during busy weekends and holidays when traffic entering the park is heavier than usual.
Why it’s helpful:
- Less time digging for a credit card
- Your pass is stored on your phone
- One less thing to worry about on travel day
2. Check Yosemite Entrance Wait Times Before You Drive
One of the newest and most useful tools from Yosemite National Park is the live entrance wait time page.
Before leaving your hotel each morning, you can see estimated wait times at each entrance station. If one entrance is experiencing delays, you’ll know before you get there.
For guests staying at Yosemite View Lodge near the Arch Rock Entrance, this makes it easy to decide the best time to head into the park. During busy summer mornings, even leaving 30 to 60 minutes earlier can make a noticeable difference. The National Park Service updates entrance wait times throughout the day to help visitors plan around traffic.
Why it’s helpful:
- See current entrance delays
- Plan the best departure time
- Spend more time exploring and less time waiting
3. Ask Sierra, Yosemite View Lodge’s AI Concierge
Planning doesn’t have to stop after you’ve booked your room.
Guests staying at Yosemite View Lodge can chat with Sierra, the lodge’s AI concierge, directly from the website.
Available day or night, Sierra can answer many of the questions travelers typically search for before arriving. Instead of searching through multiple websites, you can get quick answers in one place while planning your trip.
Whether you’re still deciding where to hike or wondering what to do if it rains, Sierra is available whenever you need help.
4. Download the National Park Service App
If you only download one app before your trip, make it the official National Park Service app.
The app includes downloadable offline maps, hiking information, restroom locations, visitor centers, accessibility information, and important park alerts.
Since cell service can be limited throughout Yosemite, downloading the Yosemite National Park content before you arrive lets you continue using maps and park information even when you lose signal. The National Park Service recommends downloading park content in advance for this reason.
Why it’s helpful:
- Offline maps
- Trail information
- Park alerts and closures
- Visitor services in one place
A Little Planning Goes a Long Way
Yosemite is one of the most visited national parks in the country, but today’s digital tools make planning easier than ever.
Before your trip, take a few minutes to:
- Purchase your entrance pass online.
- Check the live entrance wait times.
- Download the National Park Service app.
- Ask Sierra any questions before you arrive.
A few minutes of preparation can help you spend less time waiting and more time enjoying waterfalls, granite cliffs, giant sequoias, and everything that makes Yosemite unforgettable.