If you’re planning your next national park road trip or hiking vacation, you might want to take note of the required reservations in some national parks in 2024.
After another busy year across the National Park Service system, a number of parks will continue their pilot reservation programs in 2024. Others will start updated timed entry or ticket systems to manage peak visitation periods, as well as offering a better national park experience.
Popular national parks that are implementing a reservation system once again include Rocky Mountain, Arches, and Glacier. Those parks will require a timed entry ticket for busy roads and/or areas.
Other parks use other ways to limit visitor use during busy times and in popular areas, such as sunrise viewing areas and/or hiking trails.
In 2024, just like the previous few years, there are several national parks that require reservations of some kind:
- Yosemite National Park, California (entire park, February and mid-April through the last weekend of October)
- Arches National Park, Utah (entire park)
- Zion National Park, Utah (Angels Landing Trail)
- Glacier National Park, Montana (Going-to-the-Sun Road, North Fork, and Many Glacier)
- Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado (entire park)
- Haleakalā National Park, Hawaii (sunrise viewing at the summit)
Why do some national parks require entry reservations?
National parks are some of the most beautiful and pristine places on Earth, attracting millions of visitors each year. With the increasing popularity of these parks, it has become necessary to implement entry reservation systems in order to manage the flow of visitors and protect the delicate ecosystems within the parks.
Reservations help to prevent overcrowding, which can lead to environmental degradation and a decline in the quality of the visitor experience. By limiting the number of visitors allowed in a park at any given time, park officials can ensure that the natural resources are preserved and that visitors have a more enjoyable and less crowded experience.
Additionally, reservations allow park officials to better plan for visitor needs, such as staffing, facilities, and services. They can allocate resources more efficiently and provide a higher level of service to visitors.
Furthermore, reservations help to reduce the impact of human activities on wildlife. By controlling the number of visitors, park officials can minimize disturbances to wildlife habitats and protect endangered species.
Which National Parks Require Reservations in 2024?
Note that these advance reservation requirements often apply to just a certain time period, time window, and/or location in the specific park. All are aimed to manage visitation, spread out visitors across larger areas, and protect natural and cultural resources.
In addition to these advance reservations in the national parks, you will also need to pay the regular entrance fee. You can do that either when you arrive at the park or get an America the Beautiful Pass beforehand.
The latter is highly recommended, which gives you access to all public lands in America, including national parks, forests, BLM lands, and other federal recreation areas, for a full year. Especially if you regularly visit national parks, or even if you’re going on just one national parks road trip each year, it can save you hundreds of dollars.
Okay, so let’s take a look at which national parks require advance reservations in 2024. They include advance reservation requirements to drive a specific scenic road, hike a certain trail, and/or access a particular area within a national park.
For more detailed information about each park and its reservation policies, requirements and system, I’ve included a link to the national park’s website.
NOTE: This overview of national parks that require reservations in 2024 is up-to-date, but it’s quite likely that more parks will be added in the near future. As soon as a particular park releases its reservation system for 2024, the list will be updated.
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK RESERVATIONS 2024
In 2024, Yosemite National Park will have not one, but two separate reservation systems. One for weekends and holidays in February (Horsetail Fall sunset phenomenon) and the other from mid-May through the last weekend of October (peak visitor season). See below for details on each entry reservation program.
Yosemite National Park Reservations for February 2024
One of the most popular annual events in the National Park System, the orange sunset glow of Yosemite’s Horsetail Fall attracts massive crowds to the park each February.
This entirely natural phenomenon is reminiscent of the historic and man-made “firefall” that used to take place from Glacier Point. The Horsetail Fall glow occurs from mid- to late-February and only on evenings with clear skies and provided that Horsetail Fall is flowing in the first place, which it usually does in winter.
In 2024, due to the increasing popularity of this spectacular event, Yosemite National Park is implementing a temporary entrance reservation system through February.
In order to manage this event, a reservation will be required to enter Yosemite National Park on the weekends of February 10–11, February 17–19, and February 24–25, 2024, even for those not visiting Horsetail Fall.
Visitors who arrive Mondays through Fridays (except Monday, February 19) won’t need a reservation. The $35/car entrance fee is valid for entry for seven days, regardless of day of arrival.
Beginning at 8 am Pacific time on December 1, 50% of day-use reservations are available for all three weekends on Recreation.gov.
Beginning at 8 am Pacific time two days prior to a day-use reservation date, the remaining 50% of day-use reservations will be available. For example, on February 23 at 8 am, day-use reservations for February 25 will be available.
Each user can make one reservation per seven days. An occupant of the arriving vehicle must be the reservation holder (with photo ID). The reservation is then valid for seven consecutive days (including arrival date).
Reservations are taken almost immediately. Be sure to have an account and be logged in and ready to get a reservation promptly at 8 am Pacific time.
The non-refundable reservation fee is $2. You will pay the entrance fee (or show an annual or lifetime pass) when you arrive..
Cancelled reservations become available immediately on Recreation.gov.
Each user can make one reservation per day. Only one reservation is needed per vehicle (regardless of the number of people in the vehicle). An occupant of the arriving vehicle must be the reservation holder (with photo ID).
Day-use permits are valid for seven consecutive days for unlimited entries.
If, however, you have a reservation for one of the following, you do not need an additional reservation. You do, however, still have to pay the $35/car entrance fee upon arrival (credit card only) unless you have an annual or lifetime pass.
- Day-use reservation (valid for 7 consecutive days for unlimited re-entries)
- Campground reservation at Upper Pines, Wawona, Hodgdon Meadow, or Camp 4
- Lodging reservation at The Ahwahnee, Yosemite Valley Lodge or Curry Village
- Private lodging or vacation rental reservation in Wawona, Yosemite West, or Foresta
- Commercial use authorization
The overnight vehicle permit you receive will be valid for seven consecutive days for unlimited entries. Your overnight vehicle permit is valid for seven days starting on the date of your campground or lodging reservation.
- 2024 Yosemite National Park Horsetail Fall reservation period: Weekends in February 2024
- Reservation cost (not including regular park entrance fee): $2
- More information about Yosemite National Park Horsetail Fall reservations: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/reservations.htm
Yosemite National Park Reservations for Summer 2024
In 2024, Yosemite National Park is announcing a “Peak Hours Plus” 2024 vehicle reservation pilot system for park entry on the following dates:
- On weekends and holidays from April 13 to June 30
- Every day from July 1 to August 16
- On weekends on holidays from August 17 to October 27
This system will be similar to the 2022 “Peak Hours” system, with the addition of more reservations for afternoon entries.
Park officials say the goal of the pilot is to ease overcrowding during peak times and continue to offer access for all to this extremely popular park.
“This summer’s pilot system is built from extensive public feedback, data from three years of pilot reservation systems here in Yosemite, and lessons learned from other national parks,” said Superintendent Cicely Muldoon. “This pilot system will inform how we ensure an equitable and outstanding visitor experience while protecting Yosemite’s world class resources.”
Reservations will be required for vehicle entry to the park between 5 a.m. and 4 p.m. during the reservation periods.
Reservations are not required to enter the park after 4 p.m. Visitors will pick from two types of reservations:
- Reservations valid for a full day, or
- Reservations valid for entry any time after noon.
Yosemite National Park entry reservations will be available for purchase online beginning at 8 a.m. (PST) on January 5, 2024, for all arrival dates (April 13 to October 20) at recreation.gov/timed-entry/10086745.
Reservations will be available until none remain. Afternoon arrivals and additional full day reservations will be added one week in advance. For example, reservations for a September 30 arrival date will be added on September 23.
Both reservation types (full day and afternoon) are valid for up to three consecutive days, including the arrival date.
It’s also worth noting that visitors with in-park lodging or campground reservations, wilderness or Half Dome permits, or visitors entering the park via YARTS buses and on permitted commercial tours do not need a vehicle reservation.
Superintendent Muldoon noted that these pilots are a key part of learning and evaluating what strategies could best ensure that the long-term solution at Yosemite provides visitors and surrounding communities access to the outstanding resources of the park while protecting resources and providing high quality experiences for the future.
- 2024 Yosemite National Park summer reservation period: mid-May through October 27
- Reservation cost (not including regular park entrance fee): $2
- More information about Yosemite National Park summer reservations: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/reservations.htm
ARCHES NATIONAL PARK RESERVATIONS 2024
One of many national parks that saw visitation numbers skyrocket in recent years, popular Arches National Park will continue its timed entry reservation system in 2024, starting on April 1.
Visitation to Arches National Park grew 73 percent between 2011 and 2021, nearing 2 million people annually, the National Park Service says. This increase was concentrated during certain hours, causing congestion at key park destinations, reduced visitor enjoyment, and increased resource damage.
During times of peak congestion prior to implementing the vehicle reservation pilots, the park had to temporarily close its gates until crowding lessened, resulting in many visitors being unable to enter the park at their preferred time or at all.
The vehicle reservation pilots in 2022 and 2023 were successful in reducing congestion, improving visitor experiences, providing reliable access, and distributing visitation throughout the day. Visitors arriving with the appropriate vehicle reservation and park pass were guaranteed entry to the park during the pilots.
“We received many positive comments from people who enjoyed the guaranteed arrival time and reduced congestion they experienced during the 2023 vehicle reservation pilot,” said Arches National Park Acting Superintendent Brendan Bray.
“A repeat pilot program in 2024 will help us learn more about how such systems can provide visitors with the opportunity for enjoyable experiences while protecting the extraordinary landscapes they come to see,” Bray added.
Program parameters will be the same as the 2023 pilot. Visitors can book reservations on a first-come first-served basis through Recreation.gov beginning at 8 a.m. MST on January 2, 2024.
Reservations will be released three months in advance in monthly blocks. For example, on January 2, reservations will open for the month of April. On February 1, reservations will open for the month of May and unreserved times in April will remain open.
Additional months will continue the same pattern according to the following schedule:
- April reservations (April 1–30) open January 2 at 8 a.m. MST.
- May reservations (May 1–31) open February 1 at 8 a.m. MST.
- June reservations (June 1–30) open March 1 at 8 a.m. MST.
- July reservations (July 1–31) open April 1 at 8 a.m. MDT.
- August reservations (August 1–31) open May 1 at 8 a.m. MDT.
- September reservations (September 1–30) open June 1 at 8 a.m. MDT.
- October reservations (October 1–31) open July 1 at 8 a.m. MDT.
After booking a reservation, visitors will receive a timed entry ticket. Timed entry tickets will allow visitors to enter during a one-hour specified window of availability between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m.
After entering, visitors may stay in the park for the remainder of the day. Ticket holders may exit and re-enter the park on the same day with a correctly validated ticket. The only cost associated with booking a reservation is a $2 Recreation.gov processing fee.
For those without early reservations, a limited number of additional tickets will be released at 7 p.m. MDT each day for park visits the following day.
Tickets must be booked online or by calling Recreation.gov before entering the park and will not be available at the park entrance. Tickets book up quickly, especially for morning arrival times, so visitors are encouraged to plan ahead.
It’s also worth noting that timed entry tickets will not be required for visitors who have camping permits, backcountry permits, Fiery Furnace permits or tour tickets, special use permits, concessions contracts, or commercial use authorizations.
- 2024 Arches National Park reservation period: April 1 through October 31, 2024
- Reservation cost (not including regular park entrance fee): $2
- More information about Arches National Park reservations: https://www.nps.gov/arch/planyourvisit/timed-entry-pilot.htm
ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK RESERVATIONS 2024
One of the most popular U.S. national parks, Rocky Mountain National Park was the first national park in the country to implement a temporary timed entry permit in 2020 to reduce visitation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In subsequent years, Rocky Mountain National Park management introduced a new pilot temporary timed entry reservation system, which it will continue in 2024 as well.
The park experienced a 44 percent increase in visitation from 2012 to 2019. In 2021, the park received 4.4 million visits. Even with a vehicle reservation timed entry system in place, Rocky Mountain National Park received some of the highest visitation in its history.
“Between 2016 and 2023, the park piloted several day-use visitor management strategies to address crowding, congestion, and impacts on park resources. These pilots have demonstrated this strategy is effective at easing congestion impacts and improved the visitor experience in the park,” the park said in a statement.
In 2024, Rocky Mountain National Park will continue that system, requiring visitors to have timed entry reservations to enter (parts of) the park from May 24 through October 20.
The pilot reservation program is similar to that used in the previous year. Visitors can choose between two types of timed entry reservations for Rocky Mountain National Park in 2024.
- Bear Lake Road Corridor: includes the whole corridor and access to the rest of the park, from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Rest of the park: all areas of Rocky Mountain National Park, except for the Bear Lake Road Corridor, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Permits issued using the reservation system will allow park visitors to enter the park within two-hour windows of availability, with no set time for departure. The reservation system will apply to all areas of the park.
The only cost associated with booking a reservation is a $2 recreation.gov processing fee. The Bear Lake Road Corridor timed entry reservation system will continue through Sunday, October 20. However, the rest of the park reservation system will end on Tuesday, October 15.
Reservations to enter the park will be available through Recreation.gov following the below schedule.
- May and June reservations (May 24-June 30) open May 1 at 8 a.m. MT.
- July reservations (July 1-31) open June 1 (also includes any remaining days that have not been booked for June).
- August reservations (August 1-31) open July 1 (also includes any remaining days that have not been booked for July).
- September reservations (September 1-30) open August 1 (also includes any remaining days that have not been booked for August).
- October reservations (October 1-20) open September 1 (also includes any remaining days that have not been booked for September).
Modifications from the 2023 pilot system to the 2024 pilot system include making the night before reservations available at 7 p.m. MT through Recreation.gov, rather than 5 p.m. These are expected to run out quickly and visitors are encouraged to plan ahead when possible.
- 2024 Rocky Mountain National Park timed entry reservation period: May 24 through October 20, 2024 (Bear Lake Road Corridor), May 24 through October 15, 2024 (rest of the park)
- Reservation cost (not including regular park entrance fee): $2
- More information about entry permit reservations in Rocky Mountain National Park: https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/timed-entry-permit-system.htm
GLACIER NATIONAL PARK RESERVATIONS 2024
Glacier National Park will implement a pilot vehicle reservation system in 2024, beginning May 24 for the west side of Going-to-the-Sun Road and North Fork and on July 1 for Many Glacier.
“Our balanced approach for the 2024 pilot reflects feedback from Tribes, the public, partners, and stakeholders, particularly regarding access to the Apgar Village area and Two Medicine,” said Glacier National Park Superintendent Dave Roemer. “We also heard that knowing what park operations and access will look like sooner, rather than later, is important.”
West Entrance
One reservation per vehicle will be required to travel Going-to-the-Sun Road beyond the Apgar Village area from May 24 through September 8, 2024, from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors can enter before 6 a.m. or after 3 p.m. without a vehicle reservation.
New in 2024, vehicle reservations will be valid for one day only, down from three days in 2023. Data from 2023 indicates that only two percent of three-day reservations were used for all three days. By changing to a one-day reservation, consistent with other park areas, a greater number of reservations can be made available.
Also new in 2024, visitors will be able to access Apgar Village amenities, including the Apgar Visitor Center and the western shore of Lake McDonald, without a vehicle reservation.
Lodging, camping (including front country developed campgrounds and backcountry camping permits), transportation, or commercial activity reservations originating in Apgar will no longer provide access beyond the Apgar filter check point.
North Fork
One reservation per vehicle will be required at the entrance station May 24 through September 8, 2024, from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Reservations are good for one day. Visitors can enter before 6 a.m. or after 3 p.m. without a vehicle reservation. There are no changes in the North Fork from 2023.
Many Glacier Valley
One reservation per vehicle will be required at the entrance station July 1 through September 8, 2024, from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Reservations are good for one day. Visitors can enter the valley before 6 a.m. or after 3 p.m. without a vehicle reservation. There are no changes in Many Glacier from 2023.
St. Mary
Also new in 2024, visitors will be able to access the Going-to-the-Sun Road from the east side beyond Rising Sun without a vehicle reservation. Visitors will also have access to the St. Mary Visitor Center and shuttle stop on the east side of Glacier National Park, as in 2023.
“We will be testing vehicle reservations proactively in areas where congestion most frequently occurs – the North Fork, Many Glacier, and through the West Entrance to Going-to-the-Sun Road – and will take a wait-and-see approach at other locations and manage adaptively if needed,” said Roemer. “In all locations, our goal is to learn how effective these systems are at improving visitor experiences and protecting park resources.”
Vehicle Reservations and Entrance Passes
Vehicle reservations will be available on Recreation.gov, the Recreation.gov mobile app, or the Recreation.gov Call Center (Reservation Line: 877-444-6777).
Each of the specified areas of the park will require a separate reservation. Visitors will need to set up an account on Recreation.gov to obtain reservations. The only cost associated with booking a reservation is a $2 Recreation.gov processing fee.
Pursuant to the American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978, vehicle reservations are not required for tribal members throughout the park.
Vehicle reservations will be available through two booking windows.
- A portion of reservations will be available 120 days or approximately four months in advance, starting on January 25, 2024, at 8 a.m. MST on a rolling basis on Recreation.gov.
- New in 2024, the remaining vehicle reservations will be available at 7 p.m. MDT for next-day entry starting on May 23, 2024.
In addition to a vehicle reservation, each vehicle entering the park is required to have an entrance pass for any entry point into the park.
These passes could include any of the following: a $35 vehicle pass, good for seven days; a valid Interagency Annual/Lifetime Pass; or a Glacier National Park Annual Pass. A vehicle reservation does not include an entrance pass, and the park entrance pass does not serve as a vehicle reservation.
Like previous years, visitors with lodging, camping, transportation, or commercial activity reservations within the specified reservation areas can use proof of their reservation for entry in lieu of a Recreation.gov reservation to gain access to the portion of the park for which they have a reservation.
As in past years, entry will be temporarily restricted in areas of the park that become too congested for visitor safety and resource protection. Parking at Logan Pass, Apgar Village, and other areas may be unavailable.
Visitors are encouraged to take advantage of free shuttles for hiker access to Logan Pass although waits for shuttles may be long depending on the time and location. They are also encouraged to plan their visit outside of peak hours (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.). Visitors with service reservations (e.g., boat tours, lodging, horseback ride, guided hikes) in these areas will be permitted entry during temporary restrictions.
Future visitors are encouraged to check the park website frequently for updates and additional information.
This will be the fourth year of piloting vehicle reservations in the park. The pilots help test the effectiveness of different approaches to manage high traffic volumes within the park while delivering quality visitor experiences.
- 2024 Glacier National Park vehicle reservation period: May 24 through September 8, 2024 (Going-to-the-Sun Road West Entrance and North Fork) and July 1 through September 8, 2024 (Many Glacier)
- Reservation cost (not including regular park entrance fee): $2
- More information about Going-to-the-Sun Road reservations: https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/vehicle-reservations.htm
HALEAKALĀ NATIONAL PARK RESERVATIONS 2024
The mighty Haleakalā volcano dominates the eastern part of Maui, Hawaii. The highest point on the island, it offers epic hiking, stunning moon-like landscapes and—most popular of all—unforgettable sunrise viewing.
Watching the sunrise at the summit of Haleakalā is easily one of the park’s top things to do.
It’s so popular, in fact, that the park requires all visitors to get make a reservation ahead of time. This is to offer visitors the best possible experience during sunrise hours (3 a.m. to 7 a.m.), as well as to protect natural and cultural resources.
You can purchase your Haleakalā sunrise ticket on Recreation.gov. They cost $1 per vehicle.
Besides that 4-hour window around sunrise, you don’t need a reservation to enter and explore Haleakalā National Park at any other time of the day. So, it’s possible to enjoy the sunset at Haleakalā without any restrictions or ticket requirements.
- 2024 Haleakalā Summit sunrise reservation period: year-round
- Reservation cost (not including regular park entrance fee): $1
- More information about sunrise reservations in Haleakalā National Park: https://www.nps.gov/hale/planyourvisit/sunrise.htm
ZION NATIONAL PARK RESERVATIONS 2024
Another ultra-popular national park that’s been forced to implement a pilot permit lottery program is Zion National Park, one of the most visited and renowned national parks in Utah.
Just like last year, this program does not cover the entire park in 2024, though, but focuses on one particular trail: the world-famous Angels Landing Trail.
“Issuing permits is something we did after substantial public input, and it has been effective,” Jeff Bradybaugh, Zion National Park Superintendent said. “[Through] 2023, park rangers will continue recording data and enhancing the pilot program to maximize the number of people making the hike while minimizing crowding and congestion on this half-mile, perennially popular trail.”
Since the pilot program started on April 1, 2022, Zion National Park issued hundreds of thousands of permits to hikers. Hikers report the program is succeeding at reducing crowding and congestion on the last half mile of trail from Scout Lookout to Angels Landing.
The Angels Landing hiking permit will be required for all people who are planning to hike Angels Landing through all of 2024 and up until February 28, 2025. You can apply for a permit on Recreation.gov.
The tickets for the Angels Landing winter seasonal lottery (through February 29, 2024) have all been reserved at this point. However, these are the other seasonal lottery dates for Angels Landing permits in 2024:
In addition to these dates, hikers can also apply the day before hikes to get a permit for Angels Landing.
Hikers must be able to show their Angels Landing hiking permit at all times while on the trail.
- 2023-2024 Zion Angels Landing hiking permit reservation period: March 1, 2023 through February 28, 2025
- Reservation cost (not including regular park entrance fee): $6 application fee, plus $3 per person if you get a permit
- More information about Angels Landing permits in Zion National Park: https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/angels-landing-hiking-permits.htm
