My favorite thing about roadtripping is being spontaneous, but spontaneity doesn’t always pay off when taking a road trip to National Parks. The list of National Parks requiring reservations seems to grow every year—there are currently 10—so make sure you plan ahead to ensure your travel adventures aren’t spoiled. Here’s the complete alphabetical list with reservation details.
Acadia National Park (Maine)
Acadia National Park boasts rocky coastlines and stunning sunrises from the summit of Cadillac Mountain. But to catch those epic views between May 22 and October 27, 2024, you must make a vehicle reservation for Cadillac Summit Road. Passes for daytime and sunrise timed entries are sold online in advance and are NOT available at the park. Reservations are available on a rolling 90-day advance basis. Reservations
Arches National Park (Utah)
To see the iconic rock formations in Utah’s Arches National Park between April 1 and October 31, 2024, you must make a timed-entry reservation if you enter the park between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. Timed entry tickets are required in addition to your park pass OR entrance fee. Reservations are available on a rolling 90-day advance basis. Reservations
Carlsbad Caverns National Park (New Mexico)
Timed entry tickets are required in addition to your park pass OR entrance fee to enter the caverns for self-guided tours. Ranger-led tours are available for an extra fee and sell out quickly! Reservations
Glacier National Park (Montana)
Vehicle reservations are required beginning May 24 for the west side of Going-to-the-Sun Road and North Fork and July 1 for Many Glacier. Each location requires a separate timed entry reservation. Reservations
Haleakala National Park (Hawaii)
Catch the sunrise above the clouds in Maui’s Haleakala National Park—but only with an advance reservation ($1). Due to the popularity of sunrise viewing at the summit and limited parking, Haleakala National Park requires reservations for each vehicle entering the park before sunrise (3:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.) year-round. Reservations
Mount Rainier National Park (Washington)
If you want to explore Mount Rainier National Park’s iconic Paradise and Sunrise Corridors, you must snag a vehicle reservation this year. Beginning May 24 for Paradise Corridor and July 4 for Sunrise Corridor, timed-entry reservations are required between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. Reservations
Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado)
Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park is a haven for hiking and scenic drives, but you’ll need a timed-entry reservation for most roads between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. from May 24 to Oct. 14. And if Bear Lake Road is on your agenda, snag a Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road reservation between 5 a.m. and 6 p.m. from May 24 to Oct. 20. Reservations
Shenandoah National Park (Virginia)
Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park offers panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, but for access to Old Rag Mountain, including hikers on the Saddle, Ridge, and Ridge Access trails, you’ll need an Old Rag day-use ticket in advance between March and November. Only 800 tickets are up for grabs daily, so act fast! Reservations
Yosemite National Park (California)
A reservation will be required to drive into or through Yosemite National Park on peak days from April 13 through October 27, 2024, for those driving into the park between 5 am and 4 pm as follows:
April 13 through June 30: A reservation is required from 5 am to 4 pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays (May 27 and June 19).
July 1 through August 16: A daily reservation is required from 5 am to 4 pm.
August 17 through October 27: A reservation is required from 5 am to 4 pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays (September 2 and October 14). Reservations
Zion National Park (Utah)
If hiking the red rock cliffs of Angel’s Landing is on your bucket list, you must enter the seasonal or day-before lottery for a permit. Reservations
And there you have it – your roadmap for navigating the reservation system across America’s national parks this summer! A bit of pre-planning guarantees that your outdoor escapades will be nothing short of spectacular. So, here’s to happy trails and unforgettable adventures!
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