The capacity of some U.S. national parks reaches its limit during peak season. As a result, mandatory entry reservations were introduced in 2021. By 2025, this requirement will apply to eight national parks listed in this article, including for holders of the America the Beautiful pass. The goal is to regulate visitor numbers in the most popular national parks.
Table of Contents
- Which U.S. National Parks Require a Mandatory Entry Reservation?
- Why Are Entry Reservations Required for National Parks?
- How Much Does a Park Entry Reservation Cost?
- Do I Need a Reservation if I Have an America the Beautiful Pass?
- Where Can I Make a National Park Entry Reservation?
- Acadia National Park Entry Reservation
- Arches National Park Entry Reservation
- Glacier National Park Entry Reservation
- Haleakalā National Park Entry Reservation
- Rocky Mountain National Park Entry Reservation
- Shenandoah National Park Entry Reservation
- Yosemite National Park Entry Reservation
- Zion National Park Entry Reservation
Which U.S. National Parks Require a Mandatory Entry Reservation?
Why Are Entry Reservations Required for National Parks?
During peak season, some national parks become extremely crowded. Visitor numbers continue to rise annually, and experiencing the beauty of America’s landscapes shoulder to shoulder with others can diminish the experience. By implementing a system that limits the number of reservations per day, the number of tourists in the park remains manageable.
How Much Does a Park Entry Reservation Cost?
In some cases, the fee is charged per vehicle, covering all passengers, while in others, it is per person. The validity period and the timeframe for when reservations become available also vary between parks.
Do I Need a Reservation if I Have an America the Beautiful Pass?
Where Can I Make a National Park Entry Reservation?
To successfully reserve your entry, you must create an account on the website by clicking “Sign Up” in the top right corner. Demand for some parks far exceeds the number of available reservations, so it is recommended to register in advance and book as soon as reservations become available. A confirmation email from @recreation.gov serves as proof of reservation and must be presented along with a passport matching the reservation name.
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Acadia National Park Entry Reservation
A reservation is required to drive on Cadillac Summit Road from May 21 to October 26, 2025.
Reservations are not required for other areas of Acadia National Park, nor for visitors entering on foot, by bicycle, or by taxi.
The reservation fee is $6.00 per private vehicle. Reservations can only be made through Recreation.gov and cannot be purchased at the park.
Reservations go on sale starting February 21, 2025, with 30% of reservations available 90 days in advance and the remaining 70% released two days in advance at 10:00 AM ET.
Upon park entry, visitors must present a confirmation QR code. It is recommended to download the QR code to a mobile device, as cellular coverage in the park is unreliable.
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Arches National Park Entry Reservation
In Arches National Park, a prior entry reservation (Vehicle Timed Entry) is required from April 1, 2025, to July 6, 2025, and from August 28, 2025, to October 31, 2025, between 7:00 AM and 4:00 PM.
If you plan to visit outside these hours, no reservation is needed. Additionally, you are exempt from the reservation requirement if you have a campsite reservation or a permit for Fiery Furnace. However, if you stay in the park for multiple days, you must purchase an entry reservation for each day.
The reservation fee is $2.00 per private vehicle, and it can only be purchased through Recreation.gov. Upon arrival at the Arches National Park entrance, you must present the following three items:
- Entry reservation (Timed Entry Ticket)
- Passport
- Park entrance ticket or America the Beautiful pass
Reservations become available six months in advance on the first day of each month for the entire upcoming calendar month. For example, in January, reservations for April, May, and June are released; on February 1, 2025, reservations for May, June, and July become available, and so on. Additional last-minute reservations will be released daily starting March 31, 2025, at 6:00 PM MT / 8:00 PM ET.
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Glacier National Park Entry Reservation
A reservation is required from June 13, 2025, to September 28, 2025 to enter the Going-to-the-Sun Road Corridor (from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM) and the North Fork area (from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM). No reservation is needed for Two Medicine, while the Many Glacier area will remain closed until mid-May 2026 due to road reconstruction. The specific requirements for each area vary slightly.
If you enter outside the designated hours, no reservation is required. Additionally, those with overnight camping reservations in the area do not need an entry reservation.
A reservation is required for vehicles using all sections of the Going-to-the-Sun Road Corridor, including West Entrance Station, Camas Entrance Station, and the Rising Sun checkpoint. This reservation is valid for three days.
A separate reservation is required for the North Fork area, which is valid for one day. You can find affected routes on this map.
The reservation fee for Glacier National Park is $2.00. It can be purchased through Recreation.gov. If you have lodging reservations in these areas, an entry reservation may not be necessary.
A portion of the available reservations is released 120 days in advance, while the remaining spots become available the day before at 7:00 PM MDT. A screenshot of the reservation confirmation is sufficient proof and must be presented at the park entrance.
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Haleakalā National Park Entry Reservation
All visitors who wish to enter the park for sunrise between 3:00 AM and 7:00 AM must secure a reservation in advance. This requirement is in effect year-round.
The reservation fee is $1.00 per vehicle and can be paid on Recreation.gov.
Tickets are released for purchase 60 days in advance, with a smaller portion becoming available two days prior. At the park entrance, visitors must present the reservation confirmation email along with a photo ID that matches the name on the ticket.
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Rocky Mountain National Park Entry Reservation
A Timed Entry Permit Reservation is required for Rocky Mountain National Park between May 23 and October 19, 2025. However, if you have a reservation for another service within the park (such as a campsite), you do not need to purchase an entry permit.
The reservation fee is $2.00 per vehicle per day. You can choose between two options on Recreation.gov:
- Option 1: “Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road” includes access to the Bear Lake Road Corridor. A reservation is required between 5:00 AM and 6:00 PM.
- Option 2: “Timed Entry” does not include access to Bear Lake Road. Reservations are required between 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM and only until October 13, 2025.
Reservations become available on the first day of each month at 8:00 AM MDT for the following month. For example, on June 1, reservations for July will open, along with any remaining slots for June. Additionally, 40% of all available reservations are released one day in advance at 5:00 PM and tend to sell out quickly.
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Shenandoah National Park Entry Reservation
A reservation is required only for access to the Old Rag Mountain trail from March 1 to November 30, 2025.
The conditions remain the same as in 2024, with 800 tickets available per day—400 released 30 days in advance and another 400 released 5 days in advance.
The reservation fee is $2.00 per person per day and must be obtained exclusively through Recreation.gov. Each person in a group must have their own reservation, and one individual can secure up to four permits. Parking at the visitor center is free.
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Yosemite National Park Entry Reservation
During certain periods in 2025, a reservation is required to visit Yosemite National Park. This applies during peak times when the park experiences high visitor numbers. The goal is to manage crowd levels and enhance the visitor experience.
Reservations are typically required on public holidays. The specific dates are announced on the National Park Service website.
The reservation fee is $2.00 per person per day. Visitors must still present either an America the Beautiful Pass or pay the park entrance fee. Detailed information, including reservation instructions, is available on the park’s website.
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Zion National Park Entry Reservation
A special permit is required only for visitors who plan to hike the famous Angels Landing trail. No reservation is needed for general park entry, shuttle rides, or hikes to The Narrows from the Temple of Sinawava.
Permits for Angels Landing are issued through a lottery system, offering two opportunities to secure a permit.
Seasonal Lottery: This lottery covers three months at a time and opens two months in advance. For example, on July 1, 2025, at 8:00 AM MT, the lottery will open for hikes scheduled between September 1 and November 30, 2025. Applicants can select from available dates and times, with each permit covering up to six people, including the lottery winner.
Winners will receive an email notification on the day permits are issued.
The non-refundable registration fee is $6.00, and up to six people can be included. If successful in the lottery, an additional fee of $3.00 per person applies.
Last-Minute Lottery: This takes place one day before the scheduled hike, opening at 12:01 AM MT and closing at 3:00 PM MT. Results are sent via email at 4:00 PM MT. The pricing structure is the same as the seasonal lottery.
The permit confirmation email from Recreation.gov serves as your official permit. Be sure to save it on your phone or print a copy to bring with you on the hike.
US National Parks
- National Parks of the USA – Map, List and Annual Pass
- America the Beautiful Pass 2025 – How It Works, Cost & Parks
- Timed-Entry Reservation for US National Parks (2025 GUIDE)
Travel Guides to USA National Parks
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