Yosemite National Park testing reserved parking

Keith Arnold, left, and Ian Moore start off their weekend backpacking trip as they hike by Hetch Hetchy Reservoir June 12, 2015 in Yosemite National Park, Calif. The 117-billion-gallon reservoir supplies water to millions of Bay Area residents. less Keith Arnold, left, and Ian Moore start off their weekend backpacking trip as they hike by Hetch Hetchy Reservoir June 12, 2015 in Yosemite National Park, Calif. The 117-billion-gallon reservoir supplies water ... more Photo: Leah Millis / The Chronicle 2015 Buy photo Photo: Leah Millis / The Chronicle 2015 Image 1 of / 5 Caption Close Yosemite National Park testing reserved parking 1 / 5 Back to Gallery

Yosemite National Park officials may have an answer to all the traffic in paradise — at least for a few lucky visitors.

The park announced last week that it is testing reserved parking in Yosemite Valley, with the goal of ensuring drivers a place to park in the granite canyon marked by stunning mountain views but plagued by long lines of cars.

Beginning Saturday, visitors could reserve one of 150 day-use parking spots cordoned off near the Yosemite Valley Lodge for June 25-26 and July 2-4. Park officials say the program may be extended to other summer weekends, depending on how well it goes.

“The goal of the pilot day-use reservation program is to ensure that all Yosemite Valley parking spaces are utilized to provide maximum availability, encourage visitors to park once and use available free transit to enjoy Yosemite Valley, reduce visitors’ frustration, and increase visitors’ satisfaction,” the park service said in a statement. “Yosemite National Park has been extremely busy this spring, especially on weekends.”

Yosemite is one of the most highly trafficked parks in the national park system, seeing almost 4.2 million visitors last year.

Reserved parking is one of many ideas for handling crowds that’s suggested in the Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan, the blueprint for managing Yosemite Valley.

A fee of $1.50 is charged to reserve a parking spot. The park also has an entrance fee.

Under the pilot program, visitors must arrive at their parking spot by 11 a.m.

Reservations for parking can be made through the park service’s reservation site, www.recreation.gov, or by calling (877) 444-6777.

Kurtis Alexander is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kalexander@sfchronicle.com Twitter: kurtisalexander