If you are planning to go hiking in a National Park next year or perhaps you want to take the tour of a lifetime and visit some National Parks, then you may want to know the following. To visit some National Parks you must have a reservation or permit. In some cases only for parts of the park, but also in some cases for the entire park. Read all about the most important National Park Reservations here.
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National Park Reservations
The National Parks have again had a particularly busy period, as a result of which a number of parks have decided to continue their pilot reservations programs. Some parks have updated timed entry or ticket systems to manage the periods with the highest peaks of visitors. All of this aims to provide a better visitor experience.
Popular National Parks such as Arches, Glacier and Rocky Mountain have once again implemented a reservation system. For the parks you need a timed entry ticket for busy roads or entire areas. Other National Parks use different ways to limit visitors during busy periods in popular areas. Think of busy hiking trails or sunrise viewing areas.
As in previous years, there are some National Parks that will use some kind of reservation in 2024.
- Arches National Park, Utah – entire park
- Yosemite National Park, California – entire park in February and April – October
- Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado – entire park
- Zion National Park, Utah – Angels Landing Trail
- Glacier National Park, Montana – Going-to-the-sun Road, Many Glacier and North Fork
- Haleakalā National Park, Hawaii – Sunrise viewing at the summit
Which National Parks require reservations in 2024?
It is good to know that these reservations, which you must make in advance, are only valid for a certain period of the year. In some cases only for part of the park or a certain period of time. All this with the aim of spreading visitors and protecting cultural and natural areas.
What I would also like to point out to you is the fact that these reservations are separate from the normal entrance fee that must be paid. The entrance fee can be paid at the park entrance or if you purchase the National Park Pass in advance. This America the beautiful Pass, as it is called, can also be purchased at any entrance or in advance via the internet.
Ok, with that said, let’s see which parks require advance reservations in 2024. It may be that these advance reservations will prove themselves and more National Parks will be added in the future. As soon as this has been announced, we will update this page.
Yosemite NP
Since the Corona pandemic, Yosemite Nation Park has been experimenting with advance reservations. In 2024, Yosemite will even have two different reservation systems.
The first will start soon because it will be during the Horsetail Fall Sunset. The second will mainly be during the peak visitor season between May and October. In some cases you only need a reservation in advance on the weekend and sometimes during the week.
In all cases, reservations are only required between 5:00 AM and 4:00 PM. So the real early birds can enter the park without a reservation during the peak visitor season.
Please note: Tioga Pass is part of Yosemite. So if you don’t want to visit Yosemite but only want to be over the Tioga Pass, you also need a reservation in advance.
In the following periods you will need a reservation in advance for Yosemite Nationa Park in 2024.
Horsetail Fall
Due to the Horsetail Fall event in February, advance reservations are required for this month. This event where the waterfall lights up at sunset, when conditions are right, always attracts many visitors. Reservations will be required to enter Yosemite National Park on the weekends of February 10–11, February 17–19, and February 24–25, 2024, and on Washington’s Birthday (Monday, February 19). Visitors coming to Yosemite National Park Monday through Friday do not need a reservation, except on February 19, 2024.
When to make a reservation
Reservations can be made in advance from 8 am Pacific time on December 1, 50% of day-use reservations will be available for all three weekends. The remaining 50% of the available day-use reservations become available two days before the date. For example, on February 9 at 8 am, day-use reservations for February 11 will be available.
How to make a reservation
Reservations can be made via Recreation.gov.
How much does a reservation cost?
The non-refundable reservation fee is $2. You pay the normal entrance fee at the entrance or show your National Park Pass. Credit cards are the only form of payment accepted for entrance fees.
When do you not need a reservation?
You don’t always need a day-use reservation. In some cases you don’t or already have one. The following reservations are valid for those arriving on Saturday, Sunday, and on Monday, February 19, during the reservation period:
- 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
If you enter the park via YARTS (Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System) buses, bicycle, on foot, or on horseback, you do not need a day-use reservation to enter the park. Park entrance fees still apply.
More information and FAQ’s can be found on the official website of Yosemite National Park.
Summer 2024
For some days from mid-May to the end of October it is necessary to make a reservation in advance. You need the reservation when you drive into or drive through the park between 5 am and 4 pm as follows:
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April 13 through June 30: A reservation is required from 5 am to 4 pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and on holidays (May 27 and June 19).
- July 1 through August 16: A reservation is required from 5 am to 4 pm every day.
- August 17 through October 27: A reservation is required from 5 am to 4 pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays (September 2 and October 14).
When to make a reservation
Most reservations for all dates between April 14 and October 27 will be available starting at 8 a.m. Pacific time on January 5, 2024
Additional reservations will become available 7 days prior to arrival. So you make a reservation on October 20 for October 27. Reservations will be available daily from 8 am Pacific time.
How to make a reservation
Reservations can be made via Recreation.gov.
How much does a reservation cost?
The non-refundable reservation fee is $2. You pay the normal entrance fee at the entrance or show your National Park Pass. Credit cards are the only form of payment accepted for entrance fees.
When do you not need a reservation?
If you have a reservation for one of the following, you do not need an additional reservation.
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Curry Village, Housekeeping Camp, Yosemite Valley Lodge, The Ahwahnee, Wawona Hotel, White Wolf Lodge, and Tuolumne Meadows Lodge
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Private lodging or vacation rental in Wawona, Yosemite West, or Foresta
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Yosemite wilderness permit or Half Dome permit
Reservations for lodging or vacation rentals outside the park and in communities other than these three do not provide access to Yosemite.
If you enter the park via YARTS (Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System) buses, bicycle, on foot, or on horseback, you do not need a day-use reservation to enter the park. Park entrance fees still apply.
More information and FAQ’s can be found on the official website of Yosemite National Park.
Arches NP
Rocky Mountain NP
Zion NP
