Hard-to-get reservations open Monday. We have tips
By Sarah Mohamad | KQED
Published March 23, 2025 10:00 AM
A National Park Service employee guides tourists at the welcome center during snowy weather in Yosemite National Park, California, on March 6, 2025.
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Tayfun Coskun
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Anadolu via Getty Images
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Topline:
After several months of uncertainty and delays, Yosemite National Park has announced it will begin accepting reservations for summer camping in several of the park’s most popular campgrounds starting tomorrow [Monday, March 24].
Why the delay? On Feb. 14, President Donald Trump’s administration fired over a thousand National Park Service staff nationwide as part of a broader plan to cut federal spending. Then, on March 20, the National Parks Conservation Association announced that NPS was authorized to reinstate all probationary park staff who were fired in February.
When do reservations open? Reservations will be released at Recreation.gov for Yosemite campgrounds, including the Upper Pines, Wawona and Hodgdon Meadow sites at 7 a.m. PDT on March 24 for stays June 15–July 14 and at 7 a.m. PDT on March 31 for stays July 15–Aug. 14.
Read on . . . for tips on booking your 2025 stay at Yosemite National Park.
After several months of uncertainty and delays, Yosemite National Park has announced it will begin accepting reservations for summer camping in several of the park’s most popular campgrounds starting Monday.
The campgrounds, which include the Upper Pines, Wawona and Hodgdon Meadow sites, will begin accepting camping reservations on Recreation.gov on Monday, March 24, for stays June 15–July 14, and on Monday, March 31, for stays July 15–Aug. 14. Reservations will be released at 7 a.m. PDT.
Several other Yosemite campgrounds, including Lower Pines and North Pines, will remain closed until further notice, with no advance reservations possible at the moment.
Camping reservations for Yosemite tend to sell out within minutes, so campers hoping to snag a spot are encouraged to act quickly when reservations are released.
Why were Yosemite reservations delayed this year?
On Feb. 14, President Donald Trump’s administration fired over a thousand National Park Service staff nationwide as part of a broader plan to cut federal spending.
The firings, including those at Yosemite, affected biologists, rangers, search and rescue personnel, custodians, locksmiths and wildlife specialists who had not completed their probationary periods, raising concerns about park maintenance and visitor safety. The NPS was also forced to temporarily freeze hiring for crucial seasonal workers.
A view of a welcome sign as hundreds of tourists and photographers flock in Yosemite National Park, California, United States on Feb. 19, 2025.
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Tayfun Coskun
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Anadolu via Getty Images
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That same day, Yosemite officials announced on social media that summer camping reservations for the park would be delayed. While the announcement did not attribute the delay directly to the layoffs, it noted, “We understand the impact this has on visitors who are planning camping trips to the park.” In addition, Yosemite’s 2025 separate day-use entry reservation system, intended to limit traffic in the park at peak times, was already delayed by the time layoffs hit. (Jump straight to more on the delay on day-use reservations.)
On March 20, the National Parks Conservation Association announced that NPS was authorized to reinstate all probationary park staff who were fired in February. In a statement, a Yosemite National Parks spokesperson said all reinstated employees would receive back pay and “individual notifications are underway, and while the process takes time, affected employees can expect to receive notification soon, if they have not already.”
Many national park workers, however, say they remain anxious about the longer-term future of their jobs, and Yosemite National Park did not comment on how the reinstatements might affect the park’s plan for limited campground reservations this summer.
Mark Rose, NPCA’s Sierra Nevada and Clean Air Program Manager, attributed Yosemite’s decision not to open reservations for all its campgrounds, in part, to the post-firing shortage of park staff, as well the park’s forced delay in hiring seasonal workers.
“Even with the new reservations finally going online for some campgrounds, Yosemite is still holding back over 250 sites from reservations,” Rose told KQED by email. Rose supports NPCA’s conservation efforts in Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, as well as in the surrounding Central Valley and Sierra Foothill communities.
Yosemite officials say the park may release further sites if operational capacity allows and will “provide at least seven days advance notice via the park’s website and social media if additional reservations are released.” The new reservations, once released, will not impact any reservations made beforehand.
NPS reported a record 331.9 million visits to its lands nationwide in 2024, with Yosemite accounting for over 4% of all visits to national parks that same year.
Tourists visiting Yosemite National Park on Aug. 3, 2022.
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Michael Ho Wai Lee
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SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
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What to expect at Yosemite when visiting this summer
Reservations will be released at Recreation.gov for Yosemite campgrounds, including the Upper Pines, Wawona and Hodgdon Meadow sites on:
7 a.m. PDT on March 24 for stays June 15–July 14.
7 a.m. PDT on March 31 for stays July 15–Aug. 14.
For the latest updates, be sure to check the official Yosemite National Park website or follow the park on social media.
Rose warned that visitors and campers should prepare for a potentially different Yosemite experience this summer as a result of the federal personnel cuts, which have reduced staffing across various departments.
One major impact could be increased traffic in Yosemite, Rose said. With reduced staffing and no reservation system to manage the number of vehicles entering the park, Rose said visitors should expect traffic jams, not just when traveling into the park but also around it.
“Popular destinations like Eastern Yosemite Valley may start turning vehicles around early in the morning on numerous days throughout the summer when parking lots fill up,” Rose said. “While these impacts have been seen in past years when day-use reservations were not in place, with less staff, we can expect overcrowding to be even more severe.”
A line of cars creeps slowly from Fish Camp toward the western Highway 41 entrance of Yosemite National Park as viewed on June 18, 2024, just outside Yosemite National Park.
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George Rose
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Getty Images
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Some of the other impacts visitors should anticipate:
Limited campground services: Expect fewer rangers available for assistance and possible delays in maintenance.
Longer lines: There may be longer lines at park entrances and visitor centers due to fewer staff managing traffic and services.
Reduced ranger programs: Some programs, such as ranger-led talks and guided hikes, may be scaled back.
Park officials encourage visitors to be patient and plan ahead, as the reduced workforce could impact everything from check-in times to restroom maintenance at campgrounds.
Jonathan Farrington, executive director of the Yosemite Mariposa County Tourism Bureau, remained optimistic about the upcoming visitor season despite recent staffing reductions at Yosemite National Park. He also pushed back against advocates and media speculation that essential services would be severely disrupted.
“There are actually more employees in Yosemite who don’t work for the government than do,” Farrington said, highlighting that hotels, restaurants, shuttle services and retail shops operate under private concessions unaffected by federal staffing changes.
Camas and western bistort bloom in Crane Flat, one of Yosemite National Park’s 3,000 meadows.
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Brian Whitehead
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NPS
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Day-use reservations still in limbo
Separately from campground reservations, Yosemite officials had intended to implement a permanent policy this year requiring all visitors without camping or lodging reservations to make a separate day-use reservation before driving into the park. The measure was designed to help manage high visitor volume, especially during peak season.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported that the day-use reservation system, which was first tried in 2020 and was scheduled to become permanent this year, was placed on hold amid uncertainty about its approval by the Trump administration. The park still has not announced further plans for day-use reservations, saying only that officials “[anticipate] sharing details about this year’s reservation system in the near future.”
Farrington said that since a permanent system has never existed, it’s hard to tell if implementing it now would help with overcrowding in the summer.
“If a reservation system was implemented tomorrow, the confusion that it would create at the entrance stations would be debilitating,” he said. “More than half of the reservations in hotels for people that are coming, especially internationally, to Yosemite this summer are already made.”
Rose noted that last year, over 700 vehicles — about 2,000 visitors — a day arrived unaware of the reservation requirement. “That created two-hour backups and a lot of disappointed visitors,” he said.
El Capitan in Yosemite National Park.
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Craig Miller
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KQED
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Can’t get a Yosemite campground reservation? You still have alternatives
For those who miss out on a campground reservation due to this year’s reduced inventory and Yosemite’s overall popularity, there are still other options to stay inside or near the park:
Inside the park:
Yosemite’s first-come, first-served campgrounds: for example Camp 4, a popular walk-in campground, may have limited availability.
Lodging in Yosemite: The Ahwahnee, Yosemite Valley Lodge and Curry Village provide hotel and cabin options within the park, albeit at a premium.
Outside the park:
Private campgrounds and RV parks: Spots like Yosemite Pines RV Resort, High Sierra RV Park and other private campgrounds near Groveland, Mariposa and El Portal offer alternatives.
National Forest Land: Nearby areas in Stanislaus, Sierra and Inyo National Forests offer dispersed camping, which can be a good alternative for those comfortable with camping without basic amenities like toilets and potable water.
Farrington urged visitors to plan ahead and to arrive early or late to avoid peak congestion around popular scenic viewpoints between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. He said visitors could also consider biking through Yosemite Valley rather than driving.
“Sunrise is the best time to visit Tunnel View,” he advised. “And renting a bike is one of the best ways to explore the park at your own pace.”
Many of the bear-proofing designs you see in parks with bears were invented in Yosemite.
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Marissa Ortega Welch
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KQED
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Useful reminders for visiting Yosemite in 2025
Here’s a list of essential tips if you’re hoping to visit Yosemite this summer:
Book early and check for cancellations If reservations are full, check Recreation.gov frequently for cancellations, as spots may open up unexpectedly. Prepare for self-sufficiency With reduced staffing, expect to handle basic campsite upkeep and pack out all trash. Bring extra supplies, including toilet paper, trash bags and hand sanitizer. Arrive early Due to staffing cuts, campgrounds and entrances may be more congested than usual. Arriving early in the day can help avoid long waits. Follow fire safety rules Summer wildfires are a growing concern and fire restrictions may be in place. Check for updates before lighting campfires. Respect wildlife With fewer rangers patrolling the park, bear activity could increase. Always store food in bear-proof containers and never leave food unattended. Plan for limited cell service Yosemite’s remote areas have little to no phone reception. Download maps, bring a GPS and let someone know your itinerary before heading into the backcountry.
Mariana Dale
is proud of her distant Norwegian heritage and excited to cheer on the team in the quarter-final.
Published July 8, 2026 5:12 PM
Fans cheer during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Brazil and Norway in East Rutherford, N.J.
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Pamela Smith
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AP
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Topline:
Norway’s historic World Cup performance has brought together Southern California’s relatively small, but spirited Norwegian community.
Why now: They’ve been packing into a San Pedro Church, a Westside Irish bar and have taught people to row like a Viking at watch parties throughout the region, after Norway qualified this year for the World Cup for the first time since 1998.
Norwegian pride: Vilde Vevatne, who was born and raised in Oslo but now lives in L.A., said she’s proud of the team’s performance on the pitch but also their attitude outside of the matches. “ How kind and humble the team are being. … They're not bragging unnecessarily,” Vevatne said. “They're genuinely just excited to be there. They're doing their best job and not thinking they're better than anyone else.”
What's next: Saturday’s quarterfinal game between Norway and England in Miami is scheduled to start at 2 p.m.
Norway’s historic World Cup performance has brought together Southern California’s relatively small, but spirited Norwegian community.
They’ve been packing into a San Pedro Church, a Westside Irish bar and have taught people to row like a Viking at watch parties throughout the region, after Norway qualified this year for the World Cup for the first time since 1998.
Several Norway soccer watch parties, including the one at Joxer Daly's in Culver City, promise waffles.
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Courtesy Elise Maeland
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“This whole experience also just reminded me of why I'm proud of being Norwegian and all of these values that the society and my parents instilled upon me from a young age,” said Vilde Vevatne, who was born and raised in Oslo but now lives in L.A.
She’s proud of the team’s performance on the pitch but also its attitude outside of the matches.
“ How kind and humble the team are being. … They're not bragging unnecessarily,” Vevatne said. “They're genuinely just excited to be there. They're doing their best job and not thinking they're better than anyone else.”
Vevatne says it’s the embodiment of the Law of Jante.
“That's like an unwritten rule in Norwegian culture where we're taught from a young age — ‘Don't think you're special. Don't think you're better than everyone else,’” Vevatne said. “Just be part of the pack and just be a nice, genuine person."
Norway's Erling Haaland has scored seven goals in the World Cup as of July 8. “ I think he has just exploded as a superstar coming out of the game,” said Erik Steigen.
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Image Photo Agency
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Getty Images
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And now SoCal’s Nordic community has an open invitation for anyone looking for a team to support during the quarterfinals.
Row with us. (The practice of imitating a Viking longboat of warriors rowing into battle started within the last year, but quickly became a viral phenomenon.)
“ We're a small country. We need every fan we can have,” said Petter Isaksen, who helped organize the watch parties at the Norwegian Seaman’s Church in San Pedro.
“Now there are almost no Norwegian sailors left, but there's still a lot of Norwegians in L.A. and in SoCal,” Isaksen, who works as a host at the church, said. “We're there for them as a church and as a cultural center,”
The church hosts groups for toddlers, knitting and Norwegian language classes in addition to a Sunday Lutheran service that welcomes all faiths.
And five days a week, there are waffles for sale — always heart-shaped and with your choice of goat cheese, jam or sour cream.
“We can eat several,” Isaksen said.
The Seaman's Church in San Pedro has long been a gathering place for Southern California Norwegians and has hosted watch parties since the World Cup qualifying matches.
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Courtesy Petter Isaksen
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Isaksen has followed Norway’s football team “since I was born” and started organizing the watch parties at the church during the qualifying matches.
He said dozens of people, including several new to the church, have attended each watch party for communal singing, waffle eating and rowing.
“Everyone, whether they're, like, 12 weeks or 99 years old, they're in on it,” Isaksen said. “It's so much fun, and it brings so much togetherness.”
Cathrine Chiaro, left, and Petter Isaksen, right, both work at the Norwegian Seaman's Church in San Pedro.
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Courtesy Petter Isaksen
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‘Where are all the Norwegians at?’
A Culver City Irish sports bar has become another bastion of Norwegian pride during the World Cup thanks to Erik Steigen.
When he first moved to Los Angeles 30 years ago to work in the music industry, he didn’t prioritize seeking out his countrymen.
“I'm not moving to the US … to hang out with Norwegians and eat lutefisk,” Steigen said, referencing the divisive dried, lye-soaked fish. “I'm here to try to build a career and pursue my own dreams.”
But that changed about a decade ago.
Petter Wichman, right, and his son Erik, left. During the knockout game against Brazil, they lead the whole bar in a session of rowing, despite the fact that most people were cheering for their opponents.
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Courtesy of Petter Wichman
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“I started wondering, ‘Where are all the Norwegians at?’” Steigen said. He joined the board of the Seaman’s Church in San Pedro and today helps organize events through Peer Gynt LA, a cultural group that evolved from an early 20th century chapter of the Sons of Norway lodge.
“When you're from a different country — I've spent most of my life in the U.S. now — I think you become extra patriotic about your native country,” Steigen said.
So why organize a watch party at an Irish sports bar?
Steigen is a lifelong soccer fan, but when he first arrived in the U.S., the national team’s games didn’t broadcast in the states. So he adopted the Liverpool Football Club and often catches the games at Joxer Daly's in Culver City.
When people asked him where to watch Norway play, he defaulted to his home bar.
Steigen wasn’t sure if anyone would show up to watch Norway take on Iraq in their first match, but dozens did — and Norway won 4-1.
“ It's amazing how many Norwegians really exist in L.A. that you've never heard of,” Steigen said.
From left, Erik Steigen, Finn "The Viking" Orvin and Henning Gabrielsen are among the many Norway fans that have watched the matches at Joxer Daly's in Culver City.
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Courtesy Erik Steigen
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Elise Maeland, has attended several of the matches at Joxer Daly’s.
She’s made a handful of Norwegian friends since moving to Southern California more than a decade ago for grad school, but outside of May 17, Norway’s Constitution Day, she said there are few large Norwegian gatherings.
“I feel like that was what was really cool about the World Cup is that it really brought Norwegians together in L.A.,” Maeland said.
She hasn’t decided whether she’ll watch Saturday’s quarterfinal at Joxer Daly’s or join a larger watch party in Venice Beach.
“ I'll go where the most Norwegians go,” Maeland said.
Where to watch the game
Saturday’s quarterfinal game between Norway and England in Miami is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. local time.
The Seaman’s Church / Sjømannskirken
Address:1035 S. Beacon St., San Pedro Watch party: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. More information:Website, Facebook Good to know: This family-friendly watch party promises waffles, hot dogs, popcorn and a bouncy castle for the kids. In addition to Sunday services, the church also runs a Norwegian goods shop — and sells waffles — Wednesday through Sunday.
Joxer Daly's
Address:11168 Washington Blvd., Culver City Watch party: Noon-Until the match is over. More information:Facebook, Peer Gynt LA website (organizers) Good to know: There will be waffles starting at noon, and organizer Erik Steigen recommends arriving early to snag a seat.
Los Angeles World Cup 26 Fan Zone at Venice Beach
Address:1 Windward Ave. Watch party: Noon-10 p.m. More information:Website, Facebook Good to know: This event has both free and premium tickets that include a reserved viewing area, food and drinks.
Makenna Cramer
covers the daily drumbeat of Southern California — events, processes and nuances making it a unique place to call home.
Published July 8, 2026 4:50 PM
People standing in line at the Tom Bradley International Terminal at LAX.
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Yusra Farzan
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LAist
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Topline:
L.A. County has confirmed another case of measles in a traveler passing through LAX and at least one other public place July 3, public health officials announced Wednesday. They’re urging people to take precautions against the highly contagious virus.
What you should know: According to the L.A. County Department of Public Health, the infected traveler arrived on British Airways Flight 281 at Gate 155 in the Tom Bradley International Terminal B on July 3. People who were at the gate between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. may have been exposed.
Potential exposure extended to an LAX Hertz Car Rental Shuttle the same day, as well as a healthcare facility. Anyone at the shuttle from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. may be at risk of getting measles. Public health officials did not share dates, times or other details from the affected healthcare facility.
What if I was on the flight? Passengers who were sitting near the traveler will be notified by their local health departments. The CDC and local departments regularly work together for these kinds of exposures on international flights, according to L.A. County officials.
What if I was exposed elsewhere? People who were at the rental shuttle during that time period could be at risk of developing measles. The healthcare facility is directly reaching out to patients and staff, and the Department of Public Health said it's looking into any other potential exposure locations in L.A. County.
What to watch out for: Symptoms including a fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and a rash can show up a week to three weeks after exposure. Public health officials emphasized that if you start to show these symptoms, don't just walk into a healthcare center without calling ahead first.
The last day to monitor for symptoms from the airport terminal and rental shuttle is July 24.
How to help protect yourself: The best way to protect yourself and your family is with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine — so double-check your medical records. You can find more measles information from L.A. County here.
If you're enjoying this article, you'll love our daily newsletter, The LA Report. Each weekday, catch up on the 5 most pressing stories to start your morning in 3 minutes or less.
Cato Hernández
scours through tons of archives to understand how our region became the way it is today.
Published July 8, 2026 4:23 PM
The sterile moquitoes will be released over 16 weeks.
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Courtesy San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District
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Topline:
The San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District is releasing more than 480,000 mosquitoes over the next few months in an attempt to squash the local mosquito population.
Why now: Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are the culprits behind all those ankle bites. The peak of the season starts in August for the valley, lasting all the way to October (and sometimes even longer).
How it works: The district is releasing only non-biting sterile male mosquitoes. When they mate, the females don’t produce viable offspring, which will hopefully thwart the season's peak. It's a technique that's been used to some success by Riverside County.
Where is this happening? They'll be released into the unincorporated area of Basset, near Baldwin Park, which has historically seen high mosquito activity.
Read on … to learn about what you can expect.
The San Gabriel Valley is heading into peak mosquito season. If a new program goes well, there'll be even more of the pesky fliers than normal — and that's a good thing.
The San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District is releasing more than 480,000 mosquitoes over the next few months, with an aim to squash the invasive ankle-biters known as Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.
What’s happening
The San Gabriel Valley is one of the L.A. County areas that regularly get a lot of mosquitoes, but every season can be different. As well as being a major outdoor annoyance, Aedes aegypti is the primary carrier of dengue, and while local transmission is historically very low, the species is tough to kill off because their eggs can survive in tiny amounts of water.
That’s why the district is using a technique that introduces sterile insects into the mix. The mosquitoes they’re releasing between now and October are males that carry Wolbachia, a naturally occurring bacteria that makes them unable to have offspring with wild females.
Male mosquitoes don’t bite, so while residents may see more of them, they won’t leave a trail of those itchy bumps.
It’s a technique that’s been used elsewhere in SoCal, including San Bernardino County, with some success.
(Courtesy the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District)
They’re going to the unincorporated community of Basset, just south of Baldwin Park, because it historically sees more activity. The area averaged more mosquitoes per trap than the district’s service area between 2020 and 2025, according to Anais Medina Diaz, communications director for the district.
Over 16 weeks, these urban bloodsuckers will be released from cardboard tubes in a 25-acre area between the intersections of East Temple Avenue, Millbury Avenue, Moccasin Street and Vineland Avenue.
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Courtesy the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District
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They likely won’t travel much farther beyond that. Aedes aegypti populations are known for being short-distance flyers, covering about a tenth of a mile in their lifetime.
Why now?
Mosquitoes are becoming a year-around problem for Southern California, but there are still peaks to the season.
For the San Gabriel Valley, Medina Diaz said the higher Aedes activity happens between August and October.
The district’s program is also lasting longer than other programs in L.A. County for a specific reason. They want to increase the chances for sterile males to mate with wild females, which can live up to two months, according to the district.
By stopping new female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes from being born, Medina Diaz said they hope residents won’t have to deal with as many bites.
Americans have a new way to invest in their kids' futures: Trump Accounts launched over the weekend. Congress approved them last year as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Who qualifies: If you have a child born between 2025 and the end of 2028, financial advisors say signing up for a Trump Account should be a simple decision for one reason: The child's account will automatically get a $1,000 seed contribution from the federal government. The money in these accounts will be invested in an index fund that broadly tracks the stock market. Any American citizen under age 18 can have an account, and once they turn 18, they can access that money for things like education or buying a house.
Kids born before that window aren't completely out of luck: Millions of children under age 11 will still get $250. That comes from more than $6.25 billion donated by Michael and Susan Dell of Dell Technologies. That money will only go to children who don't qualify for the federal contribution. To qualify, their families must also live in zip codes where the median family income is under $150,000.
Read on... for other things to consider when planning to save for your children.
Americans have a new way to invest in their kids' futures: Trump Accounts launched over the weekend. Congress approved them last year as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Republicans' tax and spending law. They function similarly to retirement accounts, but instead of being for adults preparing for their senior years, they're for assisting kids with the start of their adult lives.
The money in these accounts will be invested in an index fund that broadly tracks the stock market. Any American citizen under age 18 can have an account, and once they turn 18, they can access that money for things like education or buying a house. (The money can also be used for other purchases, but that comes with a tax penalty.)
The accounts function as a kind of digital "donation bucket" that many people can contribute to — kids' families, but also philanthropists, their parents' employers, and even the government. Contributions from family and other adults in the children's lives are made in after-tax dollars; contributions from others, such as employers or the government, are pre-tax. The child will only pay tax on the investment's growth once they withdraw the funding.
But there are already plenty of other options for parents to invest in, from education saving plans to their own retirement accounts. So should you sign up your family for Trump accounts? Here are four things to consider.
Your child could get free money from the federal government
If you have a child born between 2025 and the end of 2028, financial advisors say signing up for a Trump Account should be a simple decision for one reason: The child's account will automatically get a $1,000 seed contribution from the federal government.
Financial planner Michael Reynolds with Indiana's Elevation Financial did the math for Morning Edition and said that, even without any additional investments, that $1,000 would become almost $4,000 by the time a kid turns 18. (That's assuming an 8% rate of return and doesn't count the income tax that has to be paid on the growth and initial federal contribution.)
Your kid might be eligible for other donations
Kids born before that window are not completely out of luck. Millions of them under age 11 will still get $250. That comes from more than $6.25 billion donated by Michael and Susan Dell of Dell Technologies.
That money will only go to children who don't qualify for the federal contribution. To qualify, their families must also live in zip codes where the median family income is under $150,000.
And if your children don't qualify for the Dell donation, there are other options that could come your way.
Some companies are also offering contributions, like the memory chip maker Micron. It's giving $250 to up to a million children living near some of its worksites in states like Minnesota, California and New York, as a way to support the local workforce and community. Micron will also match employee donations to their own children's accounts, up to $1,000 per kid.
Other companies, including Mastercard, Uber and Visa, are also offering matches to employees.
That includes some small businesses, too. "We're going to try it out," said Luke Delorme, co-owner and director of financial planning at the finance firm Tableaux Wealth. "Maybe it'll fit into their financial picture in the future in some meaningful way."
Consider your own retirement funding first
Parents should also prioritize their own retirement before putting money away for their kids' retirement, said Carrie Joy Grimes, CEO of the nonprofit personal finance company WorkMoney.
She suggests parents max out their own retirement accounts before other options, "because what happens is we put money into our kids' stuff, and then we end up needing help in retirement — and that is a way worse financial stress on our kids."
Your kids may also benefit from a 529 education plan
Parents can already choose to invest for their children's futures through 529 savings plans. As with Trump accounts, family members can contribute to these plans with post-tax dollars.But there are differences. First, 529 plans allow kids to withdraw the money tax-free. And second, that money can only be used for education.
Parents can opt for both. Financial advisors say how families can benefit from Trump Accounts will depend on their financial situation. For wealthier families with parents who can already afford to max out their retirement accounts and put aside money in a 529, Trump Accounts are essentially an extra tax benefit for their kids.
Ray Boshara, a senior policy advisor at the Aspen Institute, says that lower-income families will primarily benefit from having that digital donation bucket that can accrue contributions for their kids. Those children might be able to start their adult lives with thousands of dollars they otherwise wouldn't have had.
"These accounts will be transformative for them," Boshara says.
Note: Dell Technologies is a financial supporter of NPR.
