What the 2025 Yosemite Reservation System Means for Your Elopement, Wedding, or Proposal

If you’re planning a wedding, elopement, proposal, or couple’s session in Yosemite during the busy season in 2025, there’s a new park policy you’ll want to understand before finalizing your plans. Yosemite National Park has just announced its 2025 peak-hours reservation system, and while it won’t stop you from having an unforgettable day, it’s essential to know how it may affect your experience—and how to plan around it.

Let’s break it down so you know what to expect and how we, as your local Yosemite photographers and elopement guides, help make it easy.

🗓️ 2025 Yosemite Reservation System: Key Dates & Times

A reservation will be required to drive into or through Yosemite National Park during peak hours (6am–2pm) on certain dates in 2025:

May 24–26 (Memorial Day Weekend)
June 15–August 15 (daily)
August 30–September 1 (Labor Day Weekend)

Reservations for all dates will become available May 6 at 8am PDT. You can apply here. Mark your calendar and be ready, the reservations go very fast and you’ll want to be on it as soon as they’re available at 8am sharp.

The reservation system applies only if you plan to drive into or through the park between 6am and 2pm on those dates. If you’re entering outside of those hours, no reservation is needed. For Sunrise Sessions you’ll be entering before 6am anyway.

🎉 Good News: Many of Our Clients Are Exempt!

Here’s why you likely won’t need a separate peak-hours reservation:

You have a wedding or elopement permit — These special use permits automatically exempt you from needing a timed-entry reservation.
You’re staying overnight inside the park (e.g., Ahwahnee Hotel, Yosemite Valley Lodge, campgrounds).
You have a wilderness permit (for backpacking elopements).
You’re entering before 6am or after 2pm (something we often recommend anyway for ideal light and privacy, especially sunrise).

If none of those apply and you’re visiting during a reservation period, you can still reserve a peak-hours entry pass through Recreation.gov. It costs $2 and is tied to your vehicle.

💍 How This Affects Weddings, Elopements & Proposals

If you’re working with us, we’ve got you covered—and we’ll make sure your permits, timing, and logistics align with the new system. Here’s what to keep in mind:

Elopement or Wedding Day: We’ll handle permit timelines and help you enter the park without reservation issues.
Proposals: If you’re planning a surprise proposal, we’ll recommend locations and timing that either qualify for exemption or allow for easy planning around peak hours.
Couple Sessions: Whether it’s an engagement shoot or anniversary session, we often plan these for sunrise, sunset, or off-peak hours anyway—which avoids crowds and the reservation requirement.

🌄 Pro Tip: Use This to Your Advantage

While some see reservation systems as a hassle, we see opportunity:

Fewer crowds during peak times
More solitude in epic locations
Smoother traffic and parking experiences

And with our help, you won’t be stuck figuring it all out alone. We know how to work around these systems while still creating magic.

🚐 If You’re Traveling In

Driving from outside California? Flying in and renting a car? Staying in a gateway town like El Portal, Mariposa, or Groveland? We’ll help you:

Choose the best entrance to the park for your day
Time your arrival to match lighting goals and permit windows
Build a timeline that lets you avoid both crowds and reservation restrictions

📸 You Focus on the Moment. We’ll Handle the Details.

As your local Yosemite elopement photo + video team, we know the ins and outs of park logistics, from permits to road closures to reservation systems. You won’t have to figure it all out yourself.

We’ll help you:

Navigate the reservation system if it applies to you
Avoid needing one altogether with smart planning
Time your day around golden hour, starry skies, or quiet overlooks

Ready to Plan an Epic Yosemite Experience?

Let’s make your elopement, wedding, proposal, or session in Yosemite everything you’re dreaming of—and completely stress-free.