2 weeks ago
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Three years after massive crowds during the July 4th weekend caused three-hour traffic jams and gridlock stretching for miles at Yosemite National Park, the Trump administration has eliminated rules designed to limit crowds by requiring visitors to obtain reservations on busy summer days.
The rules, which were first put in place during the COVID pandemic from 2020 to 2022, then dropped in 2023, and brought back over the past two years, were opposed by many hotel owners around the park and by Rep. Tom McClintock, R-El Dorado Hills, whose district includes Yosemite.
On Wednesday afternoon, the U.S. Department of Interior announced it would be dropping entry reservations this year at Yosemite, Arches National Park in Utah, and Glacier National Park in Montana.
“Our national parks belong to the American people, and our priority is keeping them open and accessible,” said Kevin Lilly, acting assistant Interior secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
Environmental groups blasted the move, saying it would lead to snarled roadways during summer weekends.
“It’s going to be chaos for the visitors,” said Neal Desai, regional director of...
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