In 2025, travelers visiting national parks in the United States will need to plan ahead as reservations will be required at popular destinations to manage overcrowding. The National Park Service has introduced timed entry systems and tour reservations as part of their efforts to control vehicle traffic and access to natural features. It is recommended to make reservations well in advance to secure a spot at these parks.
Zion National Park in Utah will require reservations for visitors wanting to hike to Angels Landing in 2025. Reservations will be released on a rolling basis through a lottery system with an application fee of $6. If accepted, there will be a charge of $3 for each person listed on the permit, which can include up to six people. This system aims to regulate the number of visitors to ensure a high-quality experience for everyone.
Yosemite National Park in California will be implementing a reservation system for visitors entering the park from Feb. 8 to Feb. 23, 2025. Reservations will be required 24 hours per day on Saturdays and Sundays, as well as on Washington’s Birthday, Monday, Feb. 17. Further details on visitor access plans for the summer of 2025 will be announced by the National Park Service at a later date.
Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado will introduce a timed entry reservation system starting on May 23, 2025. Reservations will be available for access to the entire park, including the Bear Lake Road Corridor, or for the rest of the park excluding the corridor. Visitors will have a two-hour window to enter the park with no set time for departure. Reservations will be free except for a $2 processing fee.
Haleakala National Park in Maui will require reservations for visitors looking to hike to the summit during sunrise. The park has been a popular tourist attraction since the late 1800s. Each vehicle entering the park between 3 a.m. to 7 a.m. will need a reservation, which costs $1. Tickets are limited to one per customer every three days to limit the number of vehicles accessing the park at peak times.
Glacier National Park in Montana will reintroduce a vehicle reservation system on the west side of Going-to-the-Sun Road and the North Fork from June 13 to Sept. 28, 2025. Reservations, which can be made starting Feb. 12, will be required from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors can enter these areas without a reservation before or after the designated reservation hours. The only cost for reservations is a $2 processing fee.
Arches National Park in Utah will implement a timed-entry vehicle reservation system beginning April 1, 2025. Reservations will be required every day between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., except from July 7 to Aug. 27 when visitation slows down. Reservations will be released three months in advance in monthly blocks and will be free of charge except for a $2 processing fee. This system will help manage the number of visitors and ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.
