Which US National Parks Require Reservations to Visit in 2025
The busiest months for America's national parks are fast approaching. While some may be understaffed this summer, park officials are still hoping to see you among the guests. However, you will need a reservation before visiting some parks, informs Fox8.
Photo: Mkopka | Dreamstime.com
While more than 300 national parks are free to visit at any time, some have a timed reservation system to help manage crowds, preserve natural beauty, and guarantee you a parking spot (sometimes in addition to paying an entrance fee).
Two parks, Mount Rainier and Yosemite, required advance reservations for visits in 2024, but as of late March, details of what requirements would apply in 2025 had not yet been released.
As SFGate reported on March 28, Yosemite has a new reservation system in place. Reservations will likely be required to enter the park from mid-June to mid-August, as well as on weekends from late May to mid-June and again from mid- to late August. The park said it "plans to share details about this year's reservation system soon."
Below are the national parks that have such requirements in place this summer.
Rocky Mountain National Park
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If you plan to visit this Colorado park between May 23 and mid-October, reservations will be required to enter during certain hours.
There are two booking options available, each with a specific time of visit.
The first option, required from 9:00 a.m. to 14:00 p.m., gives access to the park and surrounding areas, but not to Bear Lake Road.
If you want to visit Bear Lake Road, you will need the second reservation option. It is valid from 5:00 AM to 18:00 PM, with re-entry to Bear Lake Road allowed after 14:00 PM.
The first option is required daily from May 23 to October 13, and the second from May 23 to October 19.
Timed reservations for Rocky Mountain National Park are sold in batches beginning on the first of each month for the following month: for example, reservations available on May 1st cover May 23rd through June, those opening on June 1st cover July, and so on through September.
Additional reservations are available the day before the appropriate date. Those planning to camp in the park automatically receive a reservation with a timed visit, but access to Bear Lake Road may vary by campsite.
Glacier National Park
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Like Rocky Mountain, Glacier uses a timed reservation system for the western Going-to-the-Sun Scenic Byway and North Fork area from 7 a.m. to 00 p.m. daily from June 15 to September 00.
Reservations are possible in one of four time slots: 7:00–9:00, 9:00–11:00, 11:00–13:00 and 13:00–15:00.
You can stay in the park as long as you like, but entry is only possible during a two-hour time slot. If you miss your slot, entry will be prohibited until 15:00 p.m.
Those who have made advance reservations for lodging, camping, or other activities (such as boating or horseback riding) may use those reservations to enter designated areas of the park.
Arches National Park
Photo: Arches National Park © Cammeraydave | Dreamstime.com
A timed reservation system is also in effect at Arches National Park in Utah this year.
From April 1 to July 6, and then from August 28 to October 31, those entering the park between 7:00 a.m. and 16:00 p.m. will need a timed ticket.
Those with permits for camping, wilderness, Fiery Furnace (closed March 25) or other special activities do not need a timed ticket.
Tickets are issued six months before the booking date. For example, tickets for August became available for booking at the beginning of March, and for September they will go on sale on April 1, and for October - on May 1.
A limited number of tickets become available the day before the scheduled date starting at 7 a.m. Mountain Time, but park officials warn that "they are likely to sell out quickly."
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Photo: National Park © Michaelfitzsimmons | Dreamstime.com
Unlike other parks where timed reservations are only required on certain dates, Carlsbad Caverns requires reservations year-round.
This, as the park administration notes, helps “to ensure more comfortable visiting conditions and protect cave formations.”
The only exceptions are three days - Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day, when the park is closed.
Acadia National Park
Photo: Acadia National Park © Luckydoor | Dreamstime.com
Entry to Acadia, Maine does not require a timed reservation, but a vehicle reservation is required to hike to the summit of Cadillac Mountain from May 21 to October 26.
There are two types of booking available: sunrise and daytime.
30% of sunrise and daytime reservations are available 90 days prior to your visit date, with the remaining 70% available two days prior to your visit date from 10:00 AM.
Haleakala National Park
Photo: National Park © Digum Photography | Dreamstime.com
If you want to catch the sunrise at Haleakala, you'll also need a reservation. Reservations are required to enter the park between 3:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.
Reservations are possible 60 days in advance, with some places being offered two days before the selected date.
Only one sunrise booking is allowed per three day period.
There are four viewing platforms in the park, but a reservation does not guarantee a specific parking spot. A maximum of 150 vehicles are allowed in the park for sunrise viewing.
Muir Woods National Monument
Photo: National Park © Lawrence Weslowski Jr | Dreamstime.com
If you plan to park at Muir Woods, you will need to make a reservation in advance.
It includes a 30-minute arrival window during which a parking space is guaranteed.
The cost of booking depends on the type of vehicle.
Additional Information
In addition to reserving parking at Muir Woods, timed reservations at most parks cost between $1 and $2.
In most cases, you will need to pay an entrance fee or purchase a pass to visit the park.
Walking in some areas of park zones also requires special permits, which may be subject to a fee.
For example, in Zion National Park, hikers planning to climb Angels Landing must apply in advance to obtain a permit.
Before visiting any of these locations, the National Park Service recommends checking the official website of each park before your trip to help plan your vacation.
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