Tickets for summer trips to Yosemite National Park are now available on the Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS).
On Friday, May 22, service to Yosemite from Merced and Mariposa along Highway 140 will transition to its expanded summer service schedule, and seasonal summer service from Sonora, Groveland, Oakhurst and Fresno to Yosemite National Park will commence.
YARTS service originating in Mammoth Lakes to Yosemite will begin July 1.
This summer, the National Park Service has removed the vehicle reservation requirement for entry into Yosemite National Park, which is expected to bring heavier traffic and increased demand for parking in Yosemite Valley. Riding YARTS offers a simple way to avoid the congestion while helping protect the park’s environment by reducing the number of vehicles on the road.
“The best thing about YARTS is connecting people from all walks of life to one of the most awe-inspiring natural habitats on the planet, letting them experience it stress free without worrying about driving or parking,” said Serenity Anderson, Transit Director for YARTS. “It is truly special to see Yosemite’s majesty in a relaxed environment on YARTS.”
Booking YARTS tickets in advance is highly encouraged as only a limited number of walk-on tickets are issued. Both one-way and round-trip tickets are available with prices varying by destination.
Discounted ticket rates are available for seniors, disabled passengers, veterans and older children. Children under five are always free and each child between the ages of six and 12 ride free if accompanied by a full-fare paying adult.
All YARTS buses are equipped with lavatories and both undercarriage and overhead storage for personal items. For more information about YARTS schedules, fares, routes or to purchase tickets, visit www.yarts.com or call (877) 989-2787.
It is important to note that passengers riding into Yosemite on YARTS are responsible for payment of both National Park Service gate fees and non-resident fees, as applicable. Payment of the NPS fees should be made via the Recreation.gov online platform.
YARTS does not require these fees to be paid as a condition of making a reservation or boarding the bus and will not ask for proof of payment of these fees at any point.
YARTS is a California Joint Powers Authority comprised of Merced, Mariposa, Tuolumne, Madera and Mono counties, and the city of Fresno, in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration, National Park Service and United States Forest Service. The Merced County Association of Governments provides administrative services and operational support for YARTS.
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