FIRST LIGHT RESORTS ANNOUNCES THREE NEW REASONS TO LOVE YOSEMITE | News
First Light Resorts at Yosemite is pleased to share three major improvements that will pave the way for travelers around the world to visit Yosemite with more ease and care than ever before.
#1 – Replace park-wide admission reservations with real-time traffic management by 2026
Yosemite National Park has announced that it will replace the park-wide peak hour reservation system with real-time traffic management in and around Yosemite Valley, allowing visitors to experience the park and explore beyond Yosemite Valley at their leisure.
To promote park-wide exploration and enrich the visitor experience, especially during times of transient traffic control in Yosemite Valley, a broad group of regional supporters have created an “Explore Beyond Yosemite Valley” map with local tips on memorable trips through the park.
#2 – Buy an entrance ticket online to streamline arrival
To further enhance the visitor experience, Yosemite recently introduced online ticket purchasing to speed up the entry process. Guests can now obtain weekly admission tickets and annual park passes in advance, reducing delays and eliminating the need for transactions at entrance stations, making arrivals smoother and more efficient during peak travel periods.
#3 – Extensive connectivity with Entry Gate Wi-Fi
Yosemite now offers WiFi access at the entrance to Big Oak Flat/Highway 120 West, less than 1 mile from Rush Creek Lodge & Spa. This initiative reflects the park’s continued investments in improving visitor communications, access to real-time updates and trip planning tools, and serves as a model for public-private partnerships to support Yosemite visitors. First Light Resorts designed the system and provides connectivity and maintenance, while Visit Tuolumne County’s expert staff provides timely updates.
For the first time in history, this new connectivity at the gateway allows guests to access reservations, stay informed about road conditions and traffic management, and explore activity options upon arrival in Yosemite.
“These refinements, driven by the park’s new leadership in collaboration with local experts, will ensure Yosemite visitors have a better experience than ever this year. We appreciate the park’s renewed commitment to working closely with Yosemite gateway communities to innovate creative solutions that combine thoughtful management with enhanced visitor experiences,” said Lee Zimmerman, CEO of First Light Resorts.
