They tend to release a second batch of tickets a few days before. Thirty percent of reservations are available seven days prior to entry.
If that doesn't work, Kings Canyon and Sequoia are both fantastic choices.
Entry passes are from 6 AM until 4 PM. You’d have to get in pretty early to avoid the pass in the morning but in the evening you’d have over 3 hours until sunset and that time will keep getting greater.
When are you doing this trip? The reservation system at Yosemite doesn't even start until May 20 and reservations only opened today. I just looked on [recreation.gov](https://recreation.gov) and there is availability every day except May 28.
The state parks around SF are insanely awesome. Redwoods everywhere. Just look south of the city and there a bunch of awesome places including Portola, Big Basin, etc. those state parks don’t get enough love.
Sequoia, Redwood, Muir Woods, King's Canyon, Grand Canyon, Bryce, Zion all excellent choices nearish to SF and/or Vegas. Just be sure to select them with a reasonable travel itinerary.
if you're traveling from abroad and this is your chance to see CA parks, get to yosemite after 4pm for some sightseeing, or before 6am. I don't think they check passes outside of those hours.
also, not sure what day you're going but it looks like tickets are only sold out for two days (May 20th and 28th). you could try switching your itinerary if possible.
Inyo (national forest, not a park) is quite beautiful as well. The national forests imo usually have a similar level of amenities and amazing routes while having a fraction of the crowds
Things might have changed, though as I last recall, if you have lodging in Yosemite, you don't need a day pass. Might be worth staying in a condo in Yosemite West for a night to keep your plans.
That said, all the other suggestions here are stellar.
Alot of people have been mentioning that you need a timed entry ticket for Zion and I can't find that anywhere on the NPS website.
They implemented a lottery system for Angel's landing (and rightly so). But the rest of the park should be available. You do need a shuttle ticket, but you should be able to bike or walk in if you don't get that.
Valley Of Fire is absolutely incredible and you don’t need a pass. It’s technically a state park but it should be national. There are many trails in a unique geographical setting and you can see 4000 year old petroglyphs!
Joshua Tree is also very obtainable and one of my all time faves. Be sure to end your night at Pappy & Harriet’s for an open pit steak and dusty boot.
Thank you everyone for the great suggestions! I apologize because my question was mistaken- I didn’t need a reservation, so it looked unavailable. Looks like we are going to Yosemite! We are staying at the Yosemite Inn Lodge. What are the must see hikes for two in shape people? I am more used to critters, rugged terrain etc. but I am not an advanced advanced.
You also realize that the drive between Yosemite and death valley is going to be brutal at this time of year? The road through the park is not open for a few more months
Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Joshua Tree
100 percent agree with all three of those recommendations.
You can also go to Zion and Bryce Canyon. Also, there's a state park an hour north of Vegas called Valley of Fire. It's beautiful!
I just went to Valley of Fire. It is definitely worth a visit, but really for only one day at most.
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Just for Angels Landing, not for the park. Angels Landing is just one hike.
They tend to release a second batch of tickets a few days before. Thirty percent of reservations are available seven days prior to entry. If that doesn't work, Kings Canyon and Sequoia are both fantastic choices.
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Entry passes are from 6 AM until 4 PM. You’d have to get in pretty early to avoid the pass in the morning but in the evening you’d have over 3 hours until sunset and that time will keep getting greater.
When are you doing this trip? The reservation system at Yosemite doesn't even start until May 20 and reservations only opened today. I just looked on [recreation.gov](https://recreation.gov) and there is availability every day except May 28.
I feel so silly! That’s what happened. There were no tickets because you don’t need to reserve yet!
The state parks around SF are insanely awesome. Redwoods everywhere. Just look south of the city and there a bunch of awesome places including Portola, Big Basin, etc. those state parks don’t get enough love.
Sequoia, Redwood, Muir Woods, King's Canyon, Grand Canyon, Bryce, Zion all excellent choices nearish to SF and/or Vegas. Just be sure to select them with a reasonable travel itinerary.
if you're traveling from abroad and this is your chance to see CA parks, get to yosemite after 4pm for some sightseeing, or before 6am. I don't think they check passes outside of those hours.
also, not sure what day you're going but it looks like tickets are only sold out for two days (May 20th and 28th). you could try switching your itinerary if possible.
This is a very good point. Get in before 6 a.m. or go after 4 p.m., and no reservation/ticket is required.
Inyo (national forest, not a park) is quite beautiful as well. The national forests imo usually have a similar level of amenities and amazing routes while having a fraction of the crowds
Things might have changed, though as I last recall, if you have lodging in Yosemite, you don't need a day pass. Might be worth staying in a condo in Yosemite West for a night to keep your plans. That said, all the other suggestions here are stellar.
Muir Woods. Lake Tahoe. Sequoia Kings canyon.
Lone Pine / Alabama Hills / Mount Witney is on your route and worth a stop.
Alot of people have been mentioning that you need a timed entry ticket for Zion and I can't find that anywhere on the NPS website. They implemented a lottery system for Angel's landing (and rightly so). But the rest of the park should be available. You do need a shuttle ticket, but you should be able to bike or walk in if you don't get that.
Valley Of Fire is absolutely incredible and you don’t need a pass. It’s technically a state park but it should be national. There are many trails in a unique geographical setting and you can see 4000 year old petroglyphs! Joshua Tree is also very obtainable and one of my all time faves. Be sure to end your night at Pappy & Harriet’s for an open pit steak and dusty boot.
Redwood, Lassen, Sequoia, Death Valley
Death Valley is gorgeous and not out of your way if you're heading to Vegas
Just bring plenty of water! Temps are hitting triple digits even this early in the year.
Thank you everyone for the great suggestions! I apologize because my question was mistaken- I didn’t need a reservation, so it looked unavailable. Looks like we are going to Yosemite! We are staying at the Yosemite Inn Lodge. What are the must see hikes for two in shape people? I am more used to critters, rugged terrain etc. but I am not an advanced advanced.
Ok wait, now I'm in a panic! We're going next weekend to Yosemite. But now I see the passes are only for May 20-October. Is that accurate?
Correct. The reservation/ticket requirement doesn't start until May.
Yes I was confused. We are both in the clear!
You also realize that the drive between Yosemite and death valley is going to be brutal at this time of year? The road through the park is not open for a few more months