National Parks Will Use Timed Entry Again Next Summer

Several of the most-visited national parks will require timed-entry reservations again next summer, the Park Service announced. If you are hoping to drive a famous scenic road at sunrise, hike to a popular waterfall or simply find a parking spot at a trailhead in July, you will likely need to plan months ahead, and set an alarm on the day reservations open.

Reservations open in April for May through September. A smaller batch is released seven days ahead of each date. The systems, first tested a few years ago, have become a regular part of summer at some of the country’s busiest parks, and officials say they are here to stay in some form.

Why timed entry is back

Park officials say visitor numbers at the most popular parks have grown faster than roads, parking lots and trails can handle. On peak summer days before the reservation systems, some entrances saw lines of cars stretching for miles, trailhead lots filled before sunrise and rangers spent much of their time directing traffic rather than helping visitors.

Timed entry spreads arrivals across the day. Visitors choose a window, usually a one- or two-hour slot, and must enter the park during that time. Once inside, they can generally stay as long as they like. Officials say the systems have reduced congestion, cut down on illegal roadside parking and made it easier for emergency vehicles to get where they need to go.

Timed entry isn’t about keeping people out. It’s about making sure the park is still worth visiting when they get in.

Ranger Kevin Holt

Holt, who has worked at three western parks, said the difference on busy days is noticeable. “Before, people would spend two hours in a line and another hour circling a parking lot,” he said. “They’d get to the overlook stressed and exhausted. Now they get there and actually enjoy it.”

How reservations work

Each park sets its own rules, so the first step is to check the official website of the park you plan to visit. In general, the systems follow a similar pattern, with reservations made through the federal recreation booking website and a small processing fee, typically a few dollars per vehicle, in addition to the regular park entrance fee or pass.

1. Decide on your dates and check whether the park requires timed entry during that season.
2. Create an account on the federal booking site ahead of time so you are ready on release day.
3. Note the exact release time for the main batch in April, usually in the morning.
4. Log in a few minutes early and have your preferred date and backup dates ready.
5. If you miss out, try again for the smaller batch released seven days ahead of each date.
6. Print or download your reservation, since cell service in many parks is weak or nonexistent.

Reservations usually sell out quickly for weekends and holidays, sometimes within minutes. Weekdays and early-season dates in May tend to be easier to get. Officials recommend having a backup plan, such as a nearby state park or national forest, in case you cannot secure a spot.

Tips for getting in

Arrive before the reservation window starts (usually 6 a.m.), visit in late September, or book a campground — campers don’t need a separate entry ticket. Those three strategies came up again and again in conversations with rangers and frequent visitors.

Go early

At many parks, timed entry applies only during the busiest hours of the day. Visitors who enter before the window begins, often before 6 a.m., can come in without a reservation. Early arrivals also get cooler temperatures, softer light for photos and a better chance of seeing wildlife. Pack breakfast and coffee the night before, and plan a midday break back at your lodging.

Go late in the season

Late September brings smaller crowds, cooler weather and, in many mountain parks, the first fall colors. Some reservation systems end in early or mid-September, meaning visitors can enter freely for the rest of the fall. Check road and facility schedules, since some high-elevation roads and visitor centers begin to close as autumn sets in.

Stay inside the park

Campers and guests at in-park lodges generally do not need a separate timed-entry reservation, since their booking gives them access. Campsites at popular parks book far in advance, often six months ahead, so set a reminder. Some parks also allow entry for visitors with a wilderness permit, a tour reservation or a confirmed booking for certain activities.

Key takeaway: Mark your calendar for April, have backup dates ready and remember the seven-day release. If all else fails, arrive before the window opens or visit in late September.

What visitors are saying

Reactions to the reservation systems have been mixed. Many visitors say they appreciate the lighter traffic and easier parking. Families who planned ahead told the Ledger they enjoyed quieter trails and scenic stops without the stress of crowds.

Others find the process frustrating, especially those who live near a park and are used to visiting on short notice. Local business owners in gateway towns have raised concerns that the systems discourage spontaneous day trips. Some parks have responded by setting aside more next-day or same-week reservations and by expanding hours outside the timed-entry window.

Retired teacher Howard Lindqvist, who visits parks across the West each summer with his wife, said the reservation systems changed how they travel for the better. “We used to wing it and spend half the day in traffic,” he said. “Now we plan the big parks around reservations and fill in the gaps with smaller places nobody talks about. We’ve found some of our favorite spots that way.”

Gateway towns have adapted as well. Several outfitters and lodges now help guests book entry windows, and some local shuttle services offer rides into parks that count as an alternative to driving a private vehicle. Visitor bureaus near the busiest parks have also started promoting nearby state parks, scenic byways and lesser-known trails as day trips for travelers who cannot get a reservation.

“I get why they do it,” said Megan Sorensen, who drove four hours with her two children last summer and was turned away because she had not booked. “But it would have been nice to know before we left home. Now I tell everyone: check the website first.”

Plan now for next summer

Although the official details for each park will be posted closer to spring, there is plenty you can do now. Choose which parks you want to visit, look at lodging and campgrounds, and decide whether an early-morning arrival or a late-season trip might fit your schedule better than a reservation.

• Check each park’s official website for timed-entry dates and hours.
• Buy an annual pass if you plan to visit several parks in a year.
• Book campgrounds and lodges as early as possible.
• Download offline maps and park information before you go.
• Pack water, snacks and layers, since services inside parks can be limited.

Rangers say a little preparation goes a long way. The parks are as beautiful as ever, and with fewer cars on the road during the busiest hours, many visitors say the experience is better than it has been in years. The trick is simply to plan your visit before the parks plan it for you.