Padilla Statement on Trump Administration’s Reckless Cancellation of Yosemite Reservation System

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, issued the following statement after the Trump Administration announced that it would terminate Yosemite's reservation system:

"After already scaling back Yosemite's reservation system, the Trump Administration's shortsighted move to eliminate it altogether will diminish the visitor experience for Californians and tourists alike. With our national park system already strained by Donald Trump's funding and staffing cuts, this decision will limit outdoor recreation opportunities, degrade the Park's natural resources, and strain local businesses that rely on a steady stream of Park visitors.

"Yosemite's reservation system has proven effective at preventing overcrowding, especially during peak season, while increasing visitations to this natural treasure. I urge the Administration to reinstate Yosemite's plan, and I call on my colleagues to pass my RESERVE Federal Land Act to strengthen the reservation process and increase equitable access to our nation's public lands."

Last year, Senator Padilla pushed Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum to allow Yosemite to implement its preferred reservation system, emphasizing its importance in managing park visitation while preserving Yosemite for future generations. Last May, Padilla introduced the Review and Evaluation of Strategies for Equal Reservations for Visitor Experiences (RESERVE) Federal Land Act to expand access to public lands, improve the visitor reservation process, and enhance transparency in how fees are collected for federal lands and national parks.

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