“Plan Ahead: National Parks Requiring Reservations in 2025 Unveiled!”

Timed reservation systems are set to be restored across national parks nationwide for 2025, necessitating travelers to prepare in advance.

These reservation systems, which have gained traction in recent years, are frequently implemented to manage crowding at some of the most sought-after locations. The precise stipulations differ depending on the specific park and may necessitate booking anywhere from days to several months in advance.

Bookings can typically be made via Recreation.gov.

“Certain national parks utilize a timed entry approach to regulate vehicle traffic. Other parks employ tour reservations for controlling access to a building or natural site,” stated the National Park Service on their website. “If a reservation is necessary, we suggest arranging it well in advance.”

Below are some of the most sought-after national parks that will require reservations for 2025.

Arches National Park

The park in Utah will reinstate reservation requirements starting April 1, 2025. Visitors must secure timed entry tickets between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily, except from July 7 to Aug. 27, or if they possess another camping, tour reservation, or special use permit. Reservations can be accessed through Recreation.gov and are released monthly, three months ahead of time. While reservations are at no cost, visitors must pay a processing fee of $2.

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Glacier National Park

The Montana park will re-establish a vehicle reservation system for the west section of its well-known Going-to-the-Sun Road and the North Fork from June 13 to Sept. 28, 2025. Reservations will be mandatory from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and can be initiated starting Feb. 12. Each area within the park mandates a distinct vehicle reservation, available via Recreation.gov. Although these reservations are free, there is a $2 processing fee.

The park will shutter the Swiftcurrent area of Many Glacier Valley throughout the summer of 2025 due to ongoing construction work.

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Haleakalā National Park

This Hawaiian park, home to the highest peak on Maui, necessitates reservations for sunrise hikes to the summit. Tickets are assigned per vehicle and limited to one per guest every three days. The reservation fee is $1 for each ticket.

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Rocky Mountain National Park

The Colorado park is set to implement a timed entry reservation system commencing May 23, 2025. For 2025, as with the previous year, two types of timed permits will be available: one for accessing the entire park, including the Bear Lake Road Corridor, and another offering access to the remaining portions of the park excluding the Bear Lake Road Corridor. Required reservations for the Bear Lake Road Corridor are from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Oct. 20, while the rest of the park necessitates reservations from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. until Oct. 14. Visitors may enter within two-hour intervals, but there is no fixed time for exiting. Reservations are complimentary, apart from a $2 processing fee from Recreation.gov.

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Yosemite National Park

The California park will implement a reservation requirement for visits 24 hours a day on Saturdays and Sundays from Feb. 8 through Feb. 23, 2025. Reservations will additionally be necessary on Washington’s Birthday on Feb. 17. Further details regarding summer reservations will be announced later.

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Zion National Park

The Utah park will once again necessitate reservations for visits and hikes to the renowned Angels Landing in 2025. The park administers a lottery system for reservations, which are made available on an ongoing basis. An application for a permit incurs a fee of $6, covering up to six individuals. Each permit has a cost of $3 per person.

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