Essential Reservation Tips for Visiting US National Parks

Even though those warm summer days may feel far away, if you’re planning to visit a US National Park, you need to set calendar alerts for the coming weeks. As some National Parks in the United States have recorded record traffic, several have introduced reservation and permitting systems to control crowds and enhance visitor experiences. Many of those permits and tickets for the busy summer travel season are actually available now.

Acadia National Park: February 24, 2023

New England’s beloved Acadia National Park is among the ten most popular national parks. One of its most spectacular experiences is witnessing the sunrise from the summit of its highest peak, Cadillac Mountain. To get there, you’ll need to drive Cadillac Summit Road, and from mid-May to October, a reservation is required.

Reservations are tentatively scheduled to open to the public on a rolling basis starting February 24, 2023.

Angels Landing: Starting January 20, 2023

Angels Landing in Zion National Park attracts hikers globally due to its reputation as a dangerous trail that is not for the faint-hearted. The trail climbs 1,488 feet, and the last section requires hikers to navigate a narrow pathway by holding onto chains.

Since that area can bottleneck, Utah park requires a permit to access its iconic chained segment. The park will close its first seasonal lottery of the year for permits from March 1 through May 31 on January 20, with results available on January 25. The next lottery for applications will be open from April 1 – 20 for hike dates between June 1 through August 31, with permits selected and issued on April 25.

Entrance to the lottery requires a non-refundable $6 fee. If chosen for a permit on January 25, you will pay an additional $3 fee per person listed on the permit. This fee helps support the program and pays for rangers who check permits and assist visitors on the trail.

If you do not receive a permit through the initial lottery for your dates, you can try to enter a second lottery the day before your planned hike. The lottery opens daily at 12:01 am Mountain Time and closes at 3 pm, with rangers drawing permits at 4 pm Mountain Time.

Arches National Park: Starting January 10, 2022

Arches National Park near Moab experienced a 66 percent increase in visitors over a decade, attracting an estimated 1,659,702 visitors in 2019. Consequently, the park is trying to balance the desire to see its red rock arches while managing the pressure of increased visitors. The park has seen longer entrance line wait times, parking lot congestion, and trail crowding.

To manage crowds better, the park will implement a new seasonal reservation system for all visits between April 1 through October 31 from 6 am to 5 pm. Tickets are released three months in advance in monthly batches, with the current schedule as follows:

• January 10 at 8 am MST: April reservations (April 1–30)
• February 1 at 8 am MST: May reservations (May 1–31)
• March 1 at 8 am MST: June reservations (June 1–30)
• April 1 at 8 am MDT: July reservations (July 1–31)
• May 1 at 8 am MDT: August reservations (August 1–31)
• June 1 at 8 am MDT: September reservations (September 1–30)
• July 1 at 8 am MDT: October reservations (October 1–31)

The reservation costs $2. Visitors will need to present both the reservation and a photo ID to enter the park.

Mt. Whitney: February 1, 2023 – March 1, 2023

Mt. Whitney, the tallest peak in the lower 48 states, has gained popularity as it can be summited as a day hike. However, this challenging hike can be difficult, even for experienced hikers, due to altitude.

For those wishing to summit, a permit is required from May 1 through November 1 for hiking Mt. Whitney. Two separate permits are available: one for summiting as a day hike (midnight to midnight) that allows 100 people daily, and another for multiple days as an overnight hike, permitting 60 people each day.

The lottery for permits is open from February 1 through March 1, 2023, with results announced on March 15. If you do not secure a permit, you can return on April 22 at 7 am PST when unclaimed permits will be made available.

Rocky Mountains National Park Backcountry: March 1, 2023

Rocky Mountains National Park plans to pilot a timed entry system for peak season (May 26 through October 22) this year. Reservations will be available starting May 1 at 8 am MDT and will release on the first day of each month for the following month. If you visit on June 1, for example, you can make reservations for July and check remaining reservations for June.

Permits for backcountry camping will also be available starting March 1 at 8 am MDT, with a $36 non-refundable administrative fee for reservations made from May 1 through October 31.

Half Dome, Yosemite National Park: March 1-31, 2023

During the summer months, typically late May to mid-October, Yosemite National Park rangers implement chains to allow fearless hikers to summit Half Dome. Rangers issue permits to 300 hikers daily (225 for day hikes and 75 for backpackers).

These permits are in high demand, and the preseason lottery opens from March 1-31. Participants can apply for up to six permits, and applicants will receive results by mid-April. If you do not secure a permit during this time, additional permits may be available through a daily lottery that opens two days prior to the hiking date.

Going-to-the-Sun Road, Glacier National Park: February 1, 2023

An iconic 50-mile winding road through Glacier National Park, Going-to-the-Sun will once again require a reservation to enter in 2023. On February 1 at 8 am MT, the park will release its first block of reservations covering May 26 through June 30.

Glacier will release subsequent reservations as follows:

• March 1, 2023, for July 1 through July 31
• April 1, 2023, for August 1 through August 31
• May 1, 2023, for September 1 through September 10

Tickets are required from May 26 through September 10, 2023, and are valid for three days after the reserved date. The reservation fee is $2, and visitors also need to pay the $35 park entry fee or present an America is Beautiful park pass upon entry.

Granite Park and Sperry Chalet, Glacier National Park: January 9, 2023

Preserving the spirit of Swiss architecture, two historic chalets in Glacier National Park can only be accessed by hiking through the backcountry. These chalets are open for a limited time each summer and fill up quickly. In 2023, Granite Park Chalet will be open from June 26 through September 10, while Sperry Chalet will open from July 8 through September 10.

Reservations will open on January 9, 2023, at 8 am MDT. Due to record demand, these reservations are likely to book quickly, so be sure to check frequently for any cancellations.

Ongoing Reservations Throughout the Year

Three other popular hikes require ongoing reservations year-round.

• The Wave: Offers just 64 permits daily for the 6-mile roundtrip hike, with 48 available in advance and 16 for the day before.
• Phantom Ranch: Opens its lottery for cabin and dorm spots 14 months in advance, making it a popular destination for those looking to hike to the Grand Canyon and relax before heading back.
• Old Rag, Shenandoah National Park: This strenuous 9.2-mile hike became highly popular and requires a day-use ticket in addition to an entrance pass during peak season.