Did you know that some national parks requiring reservations? With more and more people embarking on the Great American Road Trip, the National Park System is moving towards requiring reservations for some of the most popular parks during peak season. These reservations help to limit the number of people that enter the parks.
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Information About National Parks Requiring Reservations
In 2022, the National Park Service piloted a reservation system that allows for a larger number of reservations per day. By offering timed tickets, they are able to allow most visitors into the park each day. The reservations are based on approximately 90% of the park’s parking capacity. It helps to spread out usage throughout the park and better use all of the parking areas.
National Parks Requiring Reservations in 2025
Arches National Park
Between April 1 and October 31 Arches National Park will require a $2 timed entry ticket, in addition to a photo ID, and park entrance fee, to enter the park. Visitors will be required to obtain timed entry tickets between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. each day, except from July 7 to Aug. 27 or if they have another camping or tour reservation or special use permit.
Reservations are available through Recreation.gov and are released three months in advance in monthly blocks.
Glacier National Park
From June 13 to September 28, visitors will be required to book a vehicle reservation to enter the Going to the Sun Road at the West, Camas, and St. Mary entrances. Vehicle reservations will be available on Recreation.gov with each area of the park requiring a separate reservation. These reservations are free but incur a $2 processing fee.
A separate ticket is also needed to enter the Polebridge Ranger Station in the North Fork area.
Visitors entering the park between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m. will need to book a vehicle reservation. Individuals may book one vehicle reservation every 3 days for the sunrise viewing.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Between May 23 and October 20, a timed entry ticket will be needed to enter Rocky Mountain National. There are 2 different tickets available; Bear Lake Road, and Park Access without Bear Lake Road Access from 9am to 3pm.
Travelers will be able to enter within two hour periods, but there will be no set time for departure. Reservations will be free, except for a $2 Recreation.gov processing fee.
The California park will require reservations to visit 24 hours per day on Saturdays and Sundays from Feb. 8 through Feb. 23, 2025. Reservations will also be required on Washington’s Birthday on Feb. 17. Further reservation details for the summer will be announced at a later date.
Reservations are required 7 days a week from July 1 to August 16.
Reservations must be purchased online at Recreation.gov or using the Recreation.gov mobile app. Reservations will not be sold at the park.
In 2025, Zion will be continuing their lottery permit program to hike Angels Landing. The lottery opens 2 months before your potential hike. It costs $6 to apply for a permit, which covers an application for up to six people. Each permit costs $3 per person.
A next-day lottery is also available for hopeful last-minute hikers. These slots are released at 12:01 AM MT and close at 3 PM MT. Winners will be emailed at 4:01 PM MT.
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