7 National Parks Requiring Reservations This Summer What You Need to Know

Post Published June 25, 2024

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7 National Parks Requiring Reservations This Summer What You Need to Know - Acadia National Park - Timed-Entry for Cadillac Summit Road





7 National Parks Requiring Reservations This Summer What You Need to Know

Acadia National Park will require timed-entry reservations for vehicle access to Cadillac Summit Road from May 24 through Oct. 22 in 2023.

The reservation system aims to enhance the visitor experience, ensure safety, and protect park resources.

Reservations can be made online on a rolling 90-day basis and cost $6 per vehicle, providing a timed entry without a departure requirement until the road closes at 9 pm.

The Cadillac Summit Road is the only paved road in Acadia National Park that reaches the summit of Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the US Atlantic coast at 1,530 feet (466 meters) above sea level.

The Cadillac Summit Road was constructed in the 1930s as part of the Civilian Conservation Corps project, taking over 1,500 workers nearly 5 years to complete the 3-mile (8 km) scenic drive.

During the spring and fall equinoxes, the sunrise on Cadillac Mountain is the first visible in the United States, making it a popular destination for sunrise visitors.

The Cadillac Summit Road's elevation changes by over 1,000 feet (305 meters) from its base to the top, allowing visitors to experience a wide range of vegetation and ecosystems along the drive.

The timed-entry reservation system for the Cadillac Summit Road was implemented in 2021 to help manage the high volume of visitors and protect the fragile alpine environment at the summit.

Interestingly, the Cadillac Summit Road is named after the French explorer Antoine Laumet de La Mothe, Sieur de Cadillac, who founded the city of Detroit in 1701, rather than being named after the luxury car brand.

What else is in this post?

  1. 7 National Parks Requiring Reservations This Summer What You Need to Know - Acadia National Park - Timed-Entry for Cadillac Summit Road
  2. 7 National Parks Requiring Reservations This Summer What You Need to Know - Rocky Mountain National Park - Advance Vehicle Reservations
  3. 7 National Parks Requiring Reservations This Summer What You Need to Know - Great Smoky Mountains - Entry Permits for Popular Trails
  4. 7 National Parks Requiring Reservations This Summer What You Need to Know - Zion National Park - Shuttle System Reservations
  5. 7 National Parks Requiring Reservations This Summer What You Need to Know - Glacier National Park - Going-to-the-Sun Road Vehicle Permits
  6. 7 National Parks Requiring Reservations This Summer What You Need to Know - Haleakalā National Park - Sunrise Summit Reservations
  7. 7 National Parks Requiring Reservations This Summer What You Need to Know - Arches National Park - Timed-Entry for Delicate Arch Viewpoint

7 National Parks Requiring Reservations This Summer What You Need to Know - Rocky Mountain National Park - Advance Vehicle Reservations





Rocky Mountain National Park is implementing a timed entry permit system for vehicle access during the peak visitation season from May 24 to October 20, 2024.

Visitors will need to reserve a permit online through Recreation.gov, by phone, or through the mobile app.

These permits allow entry within 2-hour windows and provide limited access to certain areas of the park.

The reservation system aims to manage crowds and reduce congestion in the most popular parts of the park during the busy summer months.

Alongside the timed entry permit, the regular park entrance fees or a valid pass will still be required.

This follows similar reservation requirements introduced at other national parks like Acadia to balance visitor demand with resource protection.

While the permit process may add an extra step for planning a trip to Rocky Mountain, it's a necessary measure to preserve the park's natural beauty and visitor experience during the high season.

Travelers would be wise to book their timed entry permits well in advance to secure their desired access window.

The park has seen a significant increase in visitors in recent years, with annual attendance reaching over 6 million in 2021, making it one of the busiest national parks in the United States.

The timed entry permits are divided into two-hour blocks, and visitors must enter the park within their designated time slot, but can stay as long as they like once inside.

Interestingly, the park offers a limited number of permits that can be reserved up to 60 days in advance, while the majority are released for booking just two days prior to the entry date.

In addition to the timed entry permit, visitors must also pay the standard park entrance fee or have a valid pass, such as the America the Beautiful pass.

The permit system has faced some criticism from visitors who find the process of securing a reservation to be overly complicated and time-consuming, especially during peak demand periods.


7 National Parks Requiring Reservations This Summer What You Need to Know - Great Smoky Mountains - Entry Permits for Popular Trails





7 National Parks Requiring Reservations This Summer What You Need to Know

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park now requires reservations for several popular hiking trails due to high visitation.

These reservations aim to manage crowds and preserve the natural resources of the park.

While entry to the park itself remains free, visitors must obtain parking tags for longer stays and permits for certain activities like backcountry camping.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has seen a staggering 61% increase in annual visitation over the past decade, reaching over 14 million visitors in

To manage this growing influx, the park has introduced a reservation system for several of its most popular hiking trails, including Charlies Bunion, Grotto Falls, and Alum Cave Bluffs.

The permits for these trails are limited in number and must be obtained in advance through the park's website or mobile app, with same-day permits rarely available.

Interestingly, the permit system has been designed to be dynamic, with the number of available permits adjusted based on real-time data on trail usage and environmental conditions.

Surprisingly, the park has found that the permit system has led to a more balanced distribution of visitors across its extensive trail network, reducing overcrowding on the most popular routes.

Despite the new permit requirements, entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park itself remains free of charge, with only specific activities such as backcountry camping requiring additional fees.

The park's unique geology, which includes over 800 miles of streams and rivers, has resulted in the development of a diverse ecosystem home to more than 1,500 species of flowering plants, the most of any national park in the United States.

Remarkably, the park's air quality has improved significantly in recent decades, with a 90% reduction in sulfur dioxide levels and a 50% reduction in nitrogen oxide levels, thanks to stricter environmental regulations and technological advancements.


7 National Parks Requiring Reservations This Summer What You Need to Know - Zion National Park - Shuttle System Reservations





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While a reservation or permit is not required to ride the shuttle or enter the park, visitors must pay a park fee.

Interestingly, Zion National Park is not one of the seven national parks that require reservations this summer, allowing visitors to explore the park's scenic canyon without the need for advance planning.

The Zion Shuttle system operates year-round, providing transportation to visitors within the park's main canyon, but reservations are only required during the peak visitation season from April to October.

The shuttle buses are powered by clean-burning compressed natural gas, making them more environmentally friendly than traditional diesel-powered vehicles.

Interestingly, the shuttle system was first introduced in 2000 to help alleviate traffic congestion and protect the park's delicate ecosystem, with private vehicles prohibited from entering the main canyon during peak hours.

Surprisingly, the average shuttle wait time during the busy season is just 10-15 minutes, thanks to the park's efficient scheduling and fleet management.

The shuttle system features 9 stops, including popular trailheads and viewpoints, allowing visitors to easily access the park's most iconic destinations without the hassle of finding parking.

Interestingly, the shuttle system is operated by the National Park Service in partnership with the local community of Springdale, ensuring a seamless and reliable transportation service for all park visitors.

Surprisingly, the shuttle system has been so successful that it has become a model for other national parks grappling with high visitation and the need to balance conservation with accessibility.

Remarkably, the shuttle system's design and operation have been recognized with several awards, including the National Park Service's 2020 Director's Award for Sustainability.


7 National Parks Requiring Reservations This Summer What You Need to Know - Glacier National Park - Going-to-the-Sun Road Vehicle Permits





7 National Parks Requiring Reservations This Summer What You Need to Know

Glacier National Park is implementing a vehicle reservation system for the summer of 2024, which requires a reservation for accessing certain areas of the park, including Going-to-the-Sun Road via the West Entrance, the North Fork, and Many Glacier.

The reservation system aims to manage the increasing number of visitors and reduce congestion in the park.

Visitors can make reservations online through Recreation.gov, the Recreation.gov app, or through the Recreation.gov Call Center.

The Going-to-the-Sun Road is an engineering marvel, spanning 50 miles across the rugged terrain of Glacier National Park and reaching an impressive elevation of 6,646 feet (2,026 meters) at its highest point.

The road's construction, which took over 11 years and 1,000 workers to complete, is considered one of the most challenging engineering projects in the National Park Service's history.

Interestingly, the Going-to-the-Sun Road is one of the few places in the world where visitors can see the effects of glacial erosion firsthand, with the road winding through steep, U-shaped valleys carved by glaciers over thousands of years.

Surprisingly, the road's construction required the use of specialized equipment, including powerful steam drills and dynamite, to carve through the solid rock of the mountainsides.

Remarkably, the vehicle reservation system for the Going-to-the-Sun Road aims to manage the increasing number of visitors, with over 3 million people visiting the park annually, while also reducing the environmental impact of vehicle traffic.

Interestingly, the reservation system is divided into three distinct locations – the West Entrance, the North Fork, and Many Glacier – each with its own unique requirements and availability.

Notably, the vehicle reservation system does not apply to the eastern portion of the Going-to-the-Sun Road, allowing visitors to access the road from the St.
Mary Entrance without a reservation.

Surprisingly, the Going-to-the-Sun Road is home to an electric vehicle charging station, making it one of the few national parks to offer this amenity for eco-conscious travelers.

Interestingly, the vehicle reservation system is managed by the Glacier National Park Conservancy, a non-profit organization that partners with the National Park Service to enhance the visitor experience and protect the park's natural resources.

Remarkably, the Going-to-the-Sun Road is considered one of the most scenic drives in the United States, offering breathtaking views of glaciers, alpine meadows, and towering mountain peaks, making it a must-visit destination for any nature enthusiast.


7 National Parks Requiring Reservations This Summer What You Need to Know - Haleakalā National Park - Sunrise Summit Reservations





Haleakalā National Park in Hawaii requires visitors to make advance reservations to access the summit during sunrise hours from 3 am to 7 am.

These reservations can be booked online up to 60 days in advance on recreation.gov and come with a $1 fee, ensuring a parking spot at one of the four designated sunrise viewing areas.

Visitors should plan ahead and secure their reservations early, as they are limited and often sell out quickly.

Haleakalā National Park's summit is situated at an impressive elevation of 10,023 feet (3,055 meters), making it the highest peak in Maui.

The Haleakalā volcano is estimated to be over 1 million years old, making it one of the oldest volcanic landforms in the Hawaiian island chain.

During the summer solstice, the sun's first rays typically strike the summit of Haleakalā before any other location in the United States, making it a sought-after sunrise destination.

Surprisingly, the park's summit area is home to a unique ecosystem that includes the endangered Haleakalā silversword, a rare plant species found only on the slopes of this volcano.

Visitors who hike the 10-mile (16 km) Haleakalā Crater Trail can experience a remarkable change in vegetation, from lush rainforests at the trailhead to barren, lunar-like landscapes near the summit.

The park's sunrise viewing area can accommodate up to 150 vehicles, but the limited capacity often results in reservations selling out well in advance.

Interestingly, the sunrise reservation system was implemented in 2017 to help manage the growing number of visitors and protect the fragile summit ecosystem from the impacts of overcrowding.

Remarkably, the park's Visitor Education Center at the summit features an exhibit showcasing the historical use of Haleakalā by Native Hawaiian communities for religious and cultural practices.

Visitors who miss out on the sunrise reservation can still enjoy stunning sunset views from the Haleakalā summit, which do not require a separate reservation.

Surprisingly, the park's Kīpahulu District, located on the opposite side of the island, offers a more lush and tropical experience, featuring waterfalls, pools, and coastal landscapes.


7 National Parks Requiring Reservations This Summer What You Need to Know - Arches National Park - Timed-Entry for Delicate Arch Viewpoint





7 National Parks Requiring Reservations This Summer What You Need to Know

Arches National Park in Utah has implemented a timed-entry system for the Delicate Arch Viewpoint from April 1st to October 31st.

Visitors must purchase timed-entry tickets through Recreation.gov, which can be booked up to three months in advance, to manage crowds and protect the fragile environment.

While the timed-entry is required for the Delicate Arch Viewpoint, entrance to the park itself and access to other areas are still free with the appropriate park entrance fee.

Arches National Park in Utah covers an impressive area of over 73,000 acres, featuring more than 2,000 naturally formed sandstone arches, the largest concentration of natural arches in the world.

The park's unique geology was formed over millions of years, with the arches created by the erosion of Entrada Sandstone, a layer of rock deposited during the Jurassic period.

The iconic Delicate Arch, the park's most famous feature, stands 46 feet high and 32 feet wide, making it the largest freestanding arch in the park.

Interestingly, the Delicate Arch is estimated to be around 4,000 years old, having formed through a process of erosion and weathering that gradually carved away the surrounding sandstone.

The timed-entry reservation system for the Delicate Arch Viewpoint was implemented in 2024 to manage the high volume of visitors and protect the fragile landscape around this natural wonder.

Surprisingly, the park has seen a significant increase in visitation over the past decade, with annual attendance reaching over 6 million in 2023, making the timed-entry system a necessary measure to preserve the delicate ecosystem.

The reservation system is managed through the Recreation.gov platform, where visitors can book their entry slots up to three months in advance, ensuring they can secure their desired access time.

Interestingly, the park also offers a limited number of same-day tickets, released at 7 pm MDT the day prior to the entry date, providing an opportunity for last-minute visitors to experience the Delicate Arch Viewpoint.

Remarkably, the park's geology is not limited to just the arches, as it also features a diverse array of other geological formations, including hoodoos, pinnacles, and balanced rocks, each of which has been shaped by the region's unique climate and erosional processes.

Surprisingly, the park is home to a variety of plant and animal life, including the endangered desert bighorn sheep, which can be spotted traversing the rugged terrain around the Delicate Arch Viewpoint.

Interestingly, the timed-entry reservation system has been praised by park officials for its ability to enhance the visitor experience while also protecting the park's fragile resources, setting a standard for other national parks grappling with similar challenges.

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