Seasonal reservation requirements ending at some of America’s most popular national parks
The long list of things to prepare before visiting America’s national parks just got shorter.
With the summer travel season over, reservation requirements are easing at some of the National Park Service’s busiest parks.
Effective Wednesday, travelers no longer need reservations to enter Rocky Mountain National Park. Reservation requirements were also recently lifted at Arches National Park, Yosemite National Park and Glacier National Park, where they were needed for Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Only Acadia National Park is still requiring seasonal reservations for Cadillac Summit Road.
There are a few park sites that require other types of timed-entry reservations year-round. Here’s what travelers should know:
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Do US national parks require reservations?
Only a few of the 423 sites within the National Park Service require reservations for entry, though many require reservations for activities like camping or boating.
How do you make reservations at national parks?
Details are available on individual park websites, but most reservations are available at Recreation.gov.
Reservation fees are in addition to any entrance fees required by the parks.
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Which national parks require reservations?
- Acadia National Park: Timed-entry reservations are required for vehicle access to Cadillac Summit Road through Oct. 22. Reservations cost $6.
- Haleakalā National Park: Reservations are required year-round to view the sunrise from the summit. Summit sunrise reservations cost $1 per vehicle.
- Muir Woods National Monument: To reduce traffic and noise in Muir Woods’ old-growth redwood grove, reservations are required year-round for cars and shuttles. Parking passes cost $9 for standard vehicles. Visitors who prefer to take a shuttle from nearby Mill Valley must pay $3.50 per person ages 16 and up. Reservations are available at gomuirwoods.com.
- Shenandoah National Park: To reduce congestion on Old Rag Mountain, the park is testing out a ticketing system for day hikers. Reservations cost $1 per person, with an 800-person cap each day.
- Washington Monument: Reservation fees cost $1 per person.
- Zion National Park: Permits have been required to hike Angels Landing until at least next February. Hopeful hikers must pay $6 to apply for an online lottery an additional $3 per person if they get a permit.
Does Yellowstone require reservations?
America’s first national park does not require reservations for entry. However reservations are required for camping and lodging, and permits are required for certain activities, like fishing and horseback riding at Yellowstone.