The powers that be just announced that Yosemite entrance reservations will not be required for the popular national park 2026. What does this mean? Well although visitors won’t have to buy a special entrance reservation permit for a specific time to gain entrance to the park, there will still be a few restrictions.
2026 Yosemite Entrance Plan
Although you will be able to pass through the entrance gate to Yosemite National Park without any additional documentation in 2026, the park will “will continue to utilize strong traffic management strategies to support visitor safety, access, and resource protection.” More specifically, “If Yosemite Valley reaches capacity, vehicles will be redirected to other areas of the park, including Wawona, the Mariposa Grove, Tuolumne Meadows, and Glacier Point Road.”
So what does that mean? Even though you will be able to get in the gate, you may not be able to access Yosemite Valley (where the bulk of the favorite attractions are) if there’s too much traffic. And with Yosemite Valley being a favorite destination, this could be a daily occurrence.
So, the best advice to visitors is to get an alpine (early) start if you are planning to visit Yosemite Valley. To be honest, that’s the best plan of action anyway, as the afternoon crowds tend to detract from the Yosemite experience. And if you want a real time update on parking , text YOSEMITE to 333111. Additionally, for information about wheelchair-accessible things to do in Yosemite, visit Accessible Yosemite.
And although it hasn’t been officially announced, it’s assumed that folks with campground and lodging reservations will be allowed access to their accommodations.
So, get there early, park your car and take the wheelchair-accessible Yosemite shuttle to enjoy Yosemite Valley.
Located just outside the South Entrance of Yosemite National Park (www.emerginghorizons.com/yosemite-national-park), Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite (tenayalodge.com) has long been a favorite pick for park visitors. And although this luxury property boasts a robust selection of accessible guest rooms, the wheelchair-accessible Waybound Yosemite (https://www.waybound.com/) cabins (called havens) located next door, offer guests a secluded glamping experience. Add in the Tenaya Lodge accessible bus for tours of Yosemite Valley, and you have all the ingredients for a perfect national park getaway.
The Waybound Yosemite Concept
Located a short drive from Tenaya Lodge, the Waybound Yosemite havens offer a bevy of creature comforts combined with the personalized services and perks of a full-service resort. Nestled in a sugar pine and incense cedar forest, the havens exude a dual theme of exploration and community. They inspire guests to explore Yosemite’s great outdoor areas, and then invite them to commune with their fellow travelers and share their adventures in the intimate public spaces dotted throughout the Waybound Yosemite complex.
The cornerstone of the complex is The Commons, an exclusive communal retreat with an expansive deck that offers a panoramic forest view. There’s accessible parking nearby, with plenty of room to maneuver a wheelchair inside The Commons. Waybound Yosemite guests check-in at The Commons, and receive a welcome lemonade and a home-made cookie before proceeding to their havens.
The Commons also features a full service bar and restaurant which serves breakfast and dinner. Add in a coffee counter, a general store and a s’more bar in the evenings, and you have everything you could possible need.
Accessible Explorer Cabins
There are five wheelchair-accessible havens at Wayside Yosemite — Havens 9, 17, 24, 34 and 42. Haven 9, which is a premium accessible cabin is located a short walk from The Commons. Accessible parking is located next to the two-bedroom unit, with level access to the front door. Access features include wide doorways, lever handles, lowered environmental controls, good pathway access and plank floors for easy rolling.
The living area is furnished with a 11-inch high sleeper sofa and an easy chair, which are nestled in front of a cozy gas fireplace. The adjacent kitchenette is equipped with a sink, a microwave, and a refrigerator. It also boasts counter seating with two bar stools.
Living Space in Haven 9
Master Bedroom in Haven 9
Second Bedroom in Haven 9
The master bedroom is furnished with a 23-inch high queen-sized bed with wheelchair access on both sides, a chest of drawers and two night stands. There’s level access out to the roomy back deck, which offers a sweeping view of Big Creek, and is furnished with two Adirondack chairs. The second bedroom is a bit smaller, and it’s also furnished with a 23-inch high queen-sized bed. There’s room enough for a manual wheelchair on one side, but this bedroom is really best suited for a slow walker.
The spacious bathroom features a full five-foot turning radius. It’s equipped with a roll-in shower with grab bars, a hand-held showerhead and a fold-down shower seat. Other access features include a roll-under sink with a lowered mirror, and toilet grab bars on the back and left walls (as seated).
Shower in Haven 9
Sink in Haven 9
Toilet in Haven 9
Haven 42 is also an accessible premium cabin, and Havens 17, 24 and 34 are accessible deluxe cabins. They all have the exact same access features and furnishings as Haven 9; but the deluxe cabins have a porch instead of a back deck.
Tour Yosemite Valley
Even if you don’t stay in one of the wheelchair-accessible havens at Waybound Yosemite, you’ll still want to book a tour of Yosemite with Tenaya Lodge. And the good news is, they have a luxurious wheelchair-accessible bus that can accommodate everyone.
Accessible Tenaya Lodge tour vehicle
The accessible tour bus features lift access and is equipped with wheelchair tie-downs. Wheelchair-users and slow walkers can opt to stay in their own wheelchairs or transfer to one of the comfortable bus seats. The day long Yosemite Valley tour includes stops at Tunnel View, Bridalveil Fall, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls and Valley View. And you’ll also have some time to spend in Yosemite Valley to ride the shuttle bus and explore more of the park.
You just can’t beat the convenience of a Tioga Lodge Tour, as you can dodge the traffic and parking woes, and still manage to see all of the major Yosemite Valley sites in one day. It’s the perfect choice if you have limited time in the park. So book a Tenaya Lodge tour on your next Yosemite visit, for a perfectly accessible seamless travel experience.
Barrier-Free Travel Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
