Beginning in 2020, more and more national and state parks have begun require visitors to make a reservation in addition to paying for a ticket, stating the day and time of your visit, either to enter or to be able to access a particularly popular trail.
While on the one hand, this decision can contribute to making planning your road trip a bit more complicated, on the other hand, it will allow you to enjoy the best views more peacefully.
Therefore, this will call for more planning ahead of time so as not to risk being unable to visit that park or that attraction when you arrive. In most cases it will be necessary, together with the reservation, to show an ID.
Also, make sure not to arrive at the entrance of the parks without having obtained it first because it will not be possible to buy it on the spot and therefore you will not be able to enter. The list is constantly being updated.
Contents
- Which National Parks Require Reservations in 2024?
- Why do parks require reservations in 2024?
- Arches National Park (Utah)
- Zion National Park (Utah)
- Yosemite National Park (California)
- Muir Woods National Monument (California)
- Acadia National Park (Maine)
- Glacier National Park (Montana)
- Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado)
- Shenandoah National Park (Virginia)
- Haleakala National Park (Hawaii)
- Red Rock Canyon (Nevada)
- Essential Packing List for Visiting American National Parks
- Map of Parks That Require a Reservation
Which National Parks Require Reservations in 2024?
Here’s the list of American parks that require a reservation for 2024:
- Arches National Park (Utah)
- Zion National Park (Utah)
- Yosemite National Park (California)
- Muir Woods National Monument (California)
- Acadia National Park (Maine)
- Glacier National Park (Montana)
- Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado)
- Shenandoah National Park (Virginia)
- Haleakala National Park (Hawaii)
- Red Rock Canyon (Nevada)
The methods and steps needed to obtain a reservation are detailed in the chapters dedicated to each park.
Why do parks require reservations in 2024?
Parks require reservations to both improve the visitor experience and protect the delicate balance of their natural ecosystems. Previously, overcrowding, particularly during peak seasons, led to management challenges and environmental stress.
By implementing a reservation system, parks can effectively control the flow of visitors. This regulated approach ensures that the number of people in the park at any given time is kept within a sustainable limit. Such a system is crucial for protecting sensitive habitats, flora, and fauna from the potentially harmful impact of large crowds. It helps in reducing environmental degradation, such as soil erosion, wildlife disturbance, and habitat destruction, which often occur with high foot traffic.
This approach is essential for preserving the parks’ ecological integrity while providing a more enjoyable and responsible visitation experience.
Arches National Park (Utah)
To visit Arches National Park from April 1 to October 31, 2024, between 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., you will have to go through a reservation system. You will then need to go to this website, choose the date and time of your visit, and pay a $2 reservation fee per car (non-refundable).
Obviously, the reservation does not include the entrance fee that you will have to pay at the time (or use the America the Beautiful parks pass).
Due to the popularity of the park, I recommend making your reservation as soon as possible. So here’s a helpful reminder of when tickets will go on sale for 2023:
- For the month of April: from January 2 at 8:00 a.m. (Mountain Standard Time)
- For the month of May: from February 1 at 8:00 a.m. (Mountain Standard Time)
- For the month of June: from March 1 at 8:00 a.m. (Mountain Standard Time)
- For the month of July: from April 1 at 8:00 a.m. (Mountain Daylight Time)
- For the month of August: from May 1 at 8:00 a.m. (Mountain Daylight Time)
- For the month of September: from June 1st at 8:00 a.m. (Mountain Daylight Time)
- For the month of October: from July 1st at 8:00 a.m. (Mountain Daylight Time)
In other words, if, for example, you want to book your visit in August, the earliest you can do so is May 1.
In case you are not able to find an available spot, there is still another way. Every day from 6:00 p.m. onwards you can book reservations for the next day if there are still any available.
Zion National Park (Utah)
Fortunately, visitors do not need to make reservations to enter Zion National Park. However, they are required in order to hike on Angel’s Landing, one of its most famous (and dangerous) trails.
The system that will guarantee access to the trail is actually more of a lottery than a reservation. Here are the steps to take if you are interested in entering the lottery. Go to this website and under the Activities & Experiences section, choose the time period in which you want to go to Angel’s Landing.
You will then need to fill out the form with your information, the number of permits you want to get, the day and time of your visit. Regarding this last point, the system will ask you if your availability for the excursion is for a specific day, or if you have more flexibility, so you have more chances of success.
Again, availability will be posted online about two months before the selected date. This is the schedule for 2024.
- From January 1st to January 20th: attempts can be made to reserve spots for excursions for the period from March 1st to March 31st. The lottery winners will be announced on January 25th.
- From April 1st to April 20th: attempts can be made to reserve spots for excursions for the period from June 1st to August 31st. The lottery winners will be announced on April 25th.
- From July 1st to July 20th: attempts can be made to reserve spots for excursions for the period from September 1st to November 30th. The lottery winners will be announced on July 25th.
- From October 1st to October 20th: attempts can be made to reserve spots for excursions for the period from December 1st to February 29th, 2025. The lottery winners will be announced on October 25th.
The cost to be able to participate in the lottery is $6 for each entry (non-refundable), and in case you win, on the day of the annoucement you will be automatically charged an additional $3 for each person who participates in the hike.
Your permit will be uploaded to your personal area at recreation.gov. Only the latter $3 per person may be refunded if you give up 48 hours before the day of your hike.
In case you failed to win the lottery on your first try, or you planned a trip at the last minute, you can try your luck with the so-called Day-before Lottery.
The day before your trip from 12:01 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Mountain Standard Time) you can go to recreation.gov and, for the same cost, enter the lottery. The outcome will be announced the same day at 4:00 p.m. Again, $3 per person will be automatically charged if you win.
Since everything will take place the day before your hike, no refunds will be possible in case of cancellation.
Do not attempt to hike the trail without permission because violators can be fined up to $5,000 and imprisoned for six months!
Yosemite National Park (California)
Unlike what happened in 2023, to visit Yosemite National Park during the summer of 2024, reservations will be required for certain periods.
- From April 13th to June 30th: A reservation will be required on all weekends and holidays from 5:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The holidays will be Memorial Day (May 27th) and Juneteenth (June 19th).
- From July 1st to August 16th: A reservation will be needed to access the park every day from 5:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
- From August 17th to October 27th: A reservation will be required on all weekends and holidays from 5:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The holidays will be Labor Day (September 2nd) and Columbus Day (October 14th).
The reservation is valid for three consecutive days, for one vehicle and all its occupants, costs $2 per request (non-refundable), and can be obtained through the website recreation.gov.
We remind you that the reservation system has also remained in place for another very sensitive period of the park; namely during the month of February, when numerous people flock to photograph the spectacle of the Horsetail Fall which, when struck by sunlight, seems to transform into a fiery river.
If you want to visit the park during the weekends of Feb. 10-11, Feb. 17-19, and Feb. 24-25 you will have to book your visit through this website.
Muir Woods National Monument (California)
Muir Woods National Monument was the first national park to implement the new reservation system in 2018. Reservations for entry cost a whopping $9,50 per car (in addition to park admission).
Instead, those accessing the park on foot, by bike, or via a tour do not require reservations. If you do not want to enter the park by car and want to use the shuttle service (operating on weekends) instead, the reservation fee is only $3,75.
The reservation cost is refundable only if it is made 72 hours before the chosen date. Reservations are made on this website.
Acadia National Park (Maine)
As for Acadia National Park, you don’t need a reservation to enter the park. A reservation is only required in order to drive along the Cadillac Summit Road.
If your intention is to drive along this scenic route during a period from mid-May to late October, you will need to pay $6 ($4 is for admission plus a $2 reservation) on this website.
Refunds are only available for the $4 (not the $2 reservation) if you cancel within 48 hours of your chosen date.
Glacier National Park (Montana)
As for Glacier National Park, the reservation is needed to enter 3 areas of the park and to drive along the well-known Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Reservations for Going-to-the-Sun Road
If you want to access Going-to-the-Sun Road through the West Entrance a reservation will be required from May 24 to September 28, 2024 in the time slot from 6:00 AM to 3:00 PM. However, if you enter from the St. Mary Entrance, a reservation will not be necessary.
The reservation can only be made online. The channels for booking will open about 120 days in advance, starting from January 25, 2024, and can be made through this page. As of the time of this article update (January 2024), the details of the various time slots have not yet been made available, but we will insert them as soon as they are available.
If reservation slots are exhausted on a certain date, an opportunity will be given to book for the next day starting at 8:00 a.m. (Mountain Standard Time).
Reservations are valid for 1 day and cost $2 (non-refundable) and are made through this website.
Please note: If you have a booked tour, hotel, or camping reservation at a facility that is located along the Going-to-the-Sun Road Corridor, you will not have to make an additional reservation, but simply submit proof of the one you already have. It will not be vaid for 3 days. Instead, it will only give you access on the day you need to go to this area of the park. The list of facilities where this applies can be found on this link.
How to book to enter other areas of the park
- A reservation will be required to reach the North Fork from May 24 to September 8, 2024, between 6:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. The reservation will only be valid for one day and can only be made online through this page at a cost of $2 (non-refundable).
- To visit the Many Glacier area, a reservation will be required between July 1 and September 8, 2024, between 6:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. The reservation will only be valid for one day and can only be made online through this page. The cost of the reservation is $2 (non-refundable).
Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado)
The reservation system to access Rocky Mountain National Park has also been renewed for the year 2024 starting from May 24th.
In this case, there are two distinct types of reservations to choose from depending on the areas you want to visit:
- With one reservation you will have access to the entire park and Bear Lake Road from 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. until October 20th.
- With the other, you will have access to the park but without access to Bear Lake Road from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. until October 15th.
A fairly significant percentage (about 40%) of permits will be issued the previous day for the next day starting at 5:00 p.m.
Reservations are made on this website and cost $2 (non-refundable). The schedule for reservations is as follows:
- from May 1 at 8:00 a.m. (Mountain Daylight Time) to book a visit between May 24 and June 30.
- from June 1 at 8:00 a.m. (Mountain Daylight Time) for reservations during the month of July.
- from July 1 to 8:00 a.m. (Mountain Daylight Time) for reservations during the month of August.
- from August 1 to 8:00 a.m. (Mountain Daylight Time) for reservations during the month of September.
- from September 1 to 8:00 a.m. (Mountain Daylight Time) for reservations during the month of October.
Shenandoah National Park (Virginia)
Also in this case, in 2022, the reservation system was only required for access to a portion of the Shenandoah National Park during a specific time period.
From March 1 to November 30, 2022, to visit Old Rag Mountain, one had to purchase a one-day reservation for $1 (non-refundable) at this link.
At this time, when we are updating this article, it has not yet been disclosed what the regulations will be in 2023.
Haleakala National Park (Hawaii)
One of Hawaii’s national parks has adopted a reservation system to enter the park in the afternoon between 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm.
This is a popular spot to watch the sunset. The area became so congested due to the number of people visiting the park at sunset that the decision was made to limit entries.
The reservation is not per person but per car; it is non-refundable and costs $1.
Red Rock Canyon (Nevada)
Nevada’s Red Rock Canyon, not to be confused with the other parks with red rock in their names scattered throughout the U.S., managed by the BLM, has introduced a reservation system for access to its Scenic Drive between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. from October to May.
Reservations can be made through this website. You will pay $2 (non-refundable) in addition to the entrance fee. Once you choose your access time you will then have a 30-minute window (either before or after) to gain access.
When that time slot has expired, you will not be able to enter.
Essential Packing List for Visiting American National Parks
When you’re planning a visit to an American national park, it’s crucial to pack smartly to enhance your experience and ensure safety. Here’s a comprehensive list of items you should consider bringing:
- Backpack: A comfortable and sturdy backpack is essential for carrying your day’s supplies.
- Mosquito Repellent: Essential for keeping away mosquitoes, especially near water bodies or in dense woods.
- Hiking Shoes: Ensure they are durable and comfortable for traversing various terrains.
- Water Bottle: Staying hydrated is key. A refillable bottle is environmentally friendly and handy.
- Sun Protection: Include sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat to protect against sun exposure.
- Snacks: Bring energy-boosting, lightweight snacks like nuts or granola bars.
- First Aid Kit: A basic kit for any minor injuries or emergencies.
- Map and Compass/GPS: Essential for navigation, especially in less frequented or remote park areas.
- Weather-Appropriate Clothing: Dress in layers to adapt to changing temperatures.
- Camera or Smartphone: For capturing memories. Don’t forget a portable charger.
- Binoculars: Useful for safely observing wildlife at a distance.
- Bear-Proof Food Container: In areas with bear activity, a bear-proof food container is a must. This helps to prevent attracting bears with your food, which is important both for your safety and the protection of wildlife.
- Trash Bag: Help preserve the park’s natural beauty by carrying out all your trash.
Remember, specific parks may have additional recommendations or rules, so checking the park’s website before your visit is always a good idea. This list ensures that you’re well-equipped for a safe and enjoyable adventure in America’s stunning national parks.
