US National Parks With Timed Entry Pass Requirements – 2024 Dates You Need To Know
Our regular readers will know we love nothing better than incorporating national parks into our family road trips, but the humble national park trip in the United States can certainly have its challenges, particularly during summer vacations.
National parks have always been popular with US residents and international visitors alike but recent years have seen numbers swell at many locations to unsustainable levels.
Rather than deny entry to any of the country’s 63 national parks, the National Parks Service introduced a timed entry system in 2020 to stem the flow of traffic throughout the day at those receiving the highest visitor numbers.
Not only can the crowds have a devastating impact on the parks that are supposed to be protected, but they can also cause overcrowding in the surrounding towns that simply don’t have the infrastructure to support the number of visitors
Whilst many parks have already operated permits for camping and other activities within the park for many years, this timed entry system applies to simply entering the park or key roads, trails, or parking lots within the parks at peak times.
These timed systems will continue in 2024, with a small fee for the service booked through recreation.gov. Here’s what you need to know and which national parks will be impacted in summer 2024.
Top Tip – You can register your account with recreation.gov in advance of reservations opening to save you time when the permits are released – they can be snapped up within minutes!
5 National Parks With Park-Wide Timed Entry During Summer 2024
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Best Months: April & May, September & October
Hours: Open 24 hours, 365 days a year (some extreme weather closures may occur)
Regular Entrance Fee: $30 single-day vehicle pass
Reservation Cost: $2 per vehicle
Effective Dates: May 24, 2024 – October 20, 2024
Hours Required: 5:00 AM to 6:00 PM for the Bear Lake Corridor and 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM for the rest of the park (2-hour entry window)
Tickets Released: 60% of reservations can be applied for on the 1st of the month at 8:00 AM MDT for the following month, i.e.
- May 1, 2024, for May 24 – June 30, 2024
- June 1, 2024, for July 2024
- July 1, 2024, for August 2024
- August 1, 2024, for September 2024
- September 1, 2024, for October 2024
40% of reservations will now be made available the day prior at 7:00 pm MDT
Good to Know
Three are two different reservation tickets for this park; Option 1: Park Access + Bear Lake Road Corridor will include the entire Bear Lake Road Corridor (from the junction of Trail Ridge Road to the Bear Lake Trailhead) plus access to scenic driving routes the rest of the park.
NB Option 1 does not guarantee trailhead car parking. You may still need to park your vehicle at Rocky’s Park & Ride Parking Area and use the park’s free shuttle system to access desired trailheads.
Option 2 is ‘rest of park’ access, excluding Bear Lake Corridor. It is valid only until October 15, 2024.
If you have booked camping, guided trips, or commercial tours, you do not need to purchase the day-use reservation in addition. Campers must pay a $36 non-refundable admin fee for reservations from May 1 to October 31, 2024.
Timed entry does not apply after 6:00 PM/2:00 PM and outside of the peak summer season.
Glacier National Park, Montana
Best Months: July to September
Hours: Open 24 hours, but outside of summer, there can be seasonal closures for snow
Entrance Fee: $35 (summer), $25 (winter), valid for 7 days
Timed Areas: Going-to-the-Sun Road, North Fork, and Many Glaciers
Reservation Cost: $2 per vehicle
Effective Dates: May 24, 2024 – September 8, 2024 West Entrance and North Fork; from July 1 – September 8 Many Glaciers
Hours Required: 6:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Tickets Released: Some permits are available 120 days in advance on a rolling basis. Open from 8:00 AM MST:
- From January 25, 2024, for May 24-June 30, 2024
- From March 1, 2024, for July 2024
- From April 1, 2024, for August 2024
- From May 1, 2024, for September 1-8, 2024
- The remaining reservations will be released at 8:00 AM 24 hours in advance
Good to Know
The reservation system was slightly altered in 2024 to cover different areas of the park that received the most vehicular traffic. Two Medicine has been removed. Each is a unique scenic drive in Montana requiring a different reservation.
While the timed tickets are only needed for parts of the park, you essentially can’t experience the national park over the summer without them.
Your permit for the Going-to-the-Sun road is now only valid for one day (it was three consecutive days). Likewise, North Fork and Many Glaciers permits are only valid for one day. They do not guarantee the availability of trailhead parking.
Visitors staying within the park with lodging or camping reservations or those with commercial tour reservations do not need to purchase a timed entry permit.
Arches National Park, Utah
Peak Visitor Months: May, June & September
Hours: Open year-round, 24 hours a day
Regular Entrance Fee: $30 per vehicle, valid for 7 days
Reservation Cost: $2 per vehicle
Effective Dates: April 1, 2024 – October 31, 2024
Hours Required: 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM daily
Tickets Released: You can make reservations up to three months in advance from 8:00 AM MST/MDT. For example, on April 1, 2024, tickets will be released for all of July 2024.
A limited number will be available 1 day prior at 6:00 PM.
Good to Know
Your timed access ticket provides access for one private vehicle to the main Scenic Drive within Arches. It is only valid for one hour, and if you arrive early or late, you may be denied entry.
Once inside the park, you can stay as long as you like for one day, meaning the morning tickets are still more valuable to make the most of your time and available parking at trailheads.
If you hold a camping permit, you do not require a timed entry ticket. Similarly, visitors arriving on a bicycle or on foot do not require a timed entry reservation.
Yosemite National Park, California
First, they were, then they weren’t, but afraid they are back for 2024 to keep the crowds under control over the peak visitation periods. Here’s how it’ll work in 2024:
Peak Visitor Months: May through October – busiest July & August
Hours: Open year-round, 24 hours
Regular Entrance Fee: $35 per vehicle, valid for 3 days
Reservation Cost: $2 per vehicle
Effective Dates: April 13 to October 27, 2024 (From April 13-June 30 & August 17 to October 27 – on Sat, Sun & Public Holidays only; July 1 to August 16 – Daily)
Hours Required: 5:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Tickets Released: Summer tickets will be released on 5 January 2024, but a limited number will also become available seven days prior at 8:00 AM PT.
Good to Know
Your timed access ticket provides access to the park for one private vehicle for up to 3 days. Your Day 1 entry MUST be at the reservation time; if you return on Day 2 and Day 3, you can enter at any time.
There are half-day permits available from noon to 4:00 PM, which may have more availability. Note that you can still return at any time on Days 2 and 3.
If you come before 5:00 AM or after 4:00 PM, you can avoid paying the reservation fee altogether but note that you will need to do the same on Day 2 and Day 3.
If you hold a lodging reservation or a camping, Half Dome or wilderness permit, you do not require a timed entry ticket. Similarly, visitors arriving on a bicycle or on foot do not need a timed entry reservation.
See also below more on area-specific exceptions for Yosemite outside of summer
Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico
We are adding this one in as although this isn’t a national park with a summer-specific permit, if you want to guarantee entry and avoid disappointment, everyone needs to pre-book throughout the year.
Peak Visitor Months: June to August
Hours: Open 362 days (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, NY) 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Regular Entrance Fee: $15 per person (over 16 years of age), or annual pass holder + max. 3 adults. Addtional Fees apply to Ranger Tours.
Reservation Cost: $1 per person (including children under 16)
Effective Dates: Year Round
Hours Required: During all operational hours; daily slots from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM last entry
Tickets Released: Tickets are released 30 days in advance; a very limited number may be available on the day, in person at the visitor centre.
Good to Know
Carlsbad is quite unique in that there’s pretty much one reason to come – to see inside the caves. Therefore visitor numbers, for obvious reasons with a combined space, need to be limited.
This reservation system applies whether you are self guiding or joining the Ranger Tour of King’s Palace of Lower Cave. There are significantly more ‘self guided’ tickets available daily than the tours (and families note, kids under 6 can’t go on the tours). A very limited number of tickets for afternoon tours are sold at the park, on the day.
Note there’s a further section of the park known as Walnut Canyon Desert Drive; since heavy rain damage in 2022, this part of the park has been closed – so you really need your timed entry tickets for this one, unless you only plan on backcountry camping.
- Booked Timed Entry For Carlsbad Caverns National Park Here or call 877-444-6777
5 National Parks With Area-Specific Reservations Required
Whilst there’s no park-wide entry reservation system needed for these national parks, you do need a reservation to enter some of the most popular areas of the park to prevent congestion at peak times.
Haleakala National Park, Hawaii
Best Months: April to July
Hours: Open 24 hours a day, all year
Regular Entrance Fee: $30 per vehicle, valid for 3 days
Timed Area: Haleakala Summit during sunrise only
Reservation Cost: $1 per vehicle
Effective Dates: 365 days a year
Hours Required: 3:00 AM to 7:00 AM
Tickets Released: 60 days in advance
Good to Know
Haleakala National Park is home to Maui’s highest peak, and watching the sunrise from the summit is the park’s most popular experience.
All private vehicles must have a valid reservation to ensure all visitors can park at the four highest-elevation parking lots (Summit, Haleakala Visitor Center, Kalahaku, and Leleiwi) during sunrise hours.
Visitors should arrive at least 90 to 120 minutes before sunrise to expedite entry into the park. Those arriving closer to sunrise may be delayed even with a timed entry permit and miss the moment.
Your reservation does not guarantee parking at any particular lot, staff will guide you to available parking.
Acadia National Park, Maine
Best Months: May, June, July & September
Hours: Year-round, 24 hours a day
Regular Entrance Fee: $35 per vehicle, valid for 7 days
Timed Area: Cadillac Summit Road
Reservation Cost: $6 per vehicle
Effective Dates: May 22 – October 27, 2024 [open on rolling basis from February 22, 2024]
Hours Required: All-day
Tickets Released: 30% will be available 90 days in advance, 70% will be available from 10:00 (EST/EDT) 2 days in advance
Good to Know
Cadillac Summit Road is a 3-mile scenic drive to the highest peak within Acadia National Park. It is the most popular part of the park and, therefore, draws the most traffic.
Tickets can be purchased for either the sunrise or the daytime. You can enter for up to 90 minutes after your reserved time. You can only purchase one sunrise ticket every seven days, whereas the daytime ticket can be pre-booked as many times as you wish.
Timed reservations only apply to private vehicles; hikers and bicyclists do not require a permit.
NB RVs and any vehicles over 21 feet are not permitted on Cadillac Summit Road.
Mount Rainer National Park
A new entrant for 2024, there will be two area-specific reservation requirements this summer and a pilot scheme to reduce crowding and wait times.
Best Months: July to September
Hours: Open year-round; however, some areas are closed in winter
Regular Entrance Fee: $30, valid for 7 days
Timed Area: Paradise Corridor (southern route) and Sunrise Corridor (northeast)
Reservation Cost: $2
Effective Dates: Paradise Corridor from May 24 to September 2, 2024, and Sunrise Corridor from July 4 to September 2, 2024.
Hours Required: 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Tickets Released: February 21 for May 24 – June 30, 2024; April 1 for July 2024; May 1 for August to September 2. Next-day tickets will be released on a rolling basis at 7:00 PM PT.
Good to Know
Your reservation is valid for a 2-hour window. You must not arrive before or after, though once you are in the park, you are allowed re-entry at any time within 7 days.
Your entry does not guarantee you a parking spot; once you are in, you may be directed that your chosen destination or trailhead car park is full. Do come with a backup plan, especially when visiting on peak weekends and public holidays.
Your timed entry also does not guarantee you a camping spot at White River Campground which operates first come, first served.
Zion National Park, Utah
Best Months: May & April, September & October
Hours: Open 365 days a year, however, shuttle service is only running during daylight hours.
Regular Entrance Fee: $35, valid for 7 days
Timed Area: Angel’s Landing Trail
Reservation Cost: $6 per application (non-refundable) + additional $3 per person if you win a permit
Effective Dates: Year-round, 4 seasonal lotteries (see below)
Hours Required: 24 hours a day
Tickets Released: Varies depending on the lottery you enter. There are two options:
- Seasonal Lottery: Determines group permits for each season, opening 1 to 3 months in advance. Entry to this lottery happens right before the beginning of each new season. Each applicant can apply for up to 6 people and choose up to 7 desired time slots in order of preference.
- Day Before Lottery: Each day before the desired hike date the lottery is open to enter between 12:01 AM and 3:00 PM. Results are advised by email at 4:00 PM.
Good to Know
This one really is a lottery; just because you apply doesn’t mean you’ll get what you want. This really is the hardest park to get into during peak times, and you should manage expectations accordingly with a backup plan.
Once issued, you are given a timeframe to enter: before 9:00 AM, between 9:00 AM and noon, and after 12:00 PM.
You can apply for both lotteries, paying both sets of non-refundable entry fees. Note that if successful, you then pay for the permit PER PERSON.
- Spring Lottery (visits April 1 to May 31, 2024) opens January 1 to 20, 2024. Results announced January 25, 2024
- Summer Lottery (visits June 1 to August 31, 2024) opens April 1 to 20, 2024. Results announced April 25, 2024
- Fall Lottery (visits September 1 to November 30, 2024) opens July 1 to 20, 2024. Results announced July 25, 2024
- Winter Lottery (visits 1 December to February 28, 2025) opens October 1 to 20, 2024. Results announced October 25, 2024
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Best Months: June to October
Hours: Shenandoah National Park is open 24 hours, however, portions of Skyline Drive (the only public road through the Park), can be closed during inclement weather.
Regular Entrance Fee: $30 per vehicle, valid for 7 days
Timed Area: Old Rag Mountain
Reservation Cost: $1 per person
Effective Dates: March 1 to November 30, 2024
Hours Required: 24 hours a day
Tickets Released: 1 month ahead
Good to Know
Old Rag Mountain, the most popular destination within the park, offers adventurous rock scrambles and 360-degree views.
Visitors to Old Rag Mountain, including hikers on the Saddle, Ridge, and Ridge Access trails, will need to obtain an Old Rag day-use ticket in advance. Entry does not guarantee parking space at your chosen trailhead.
Yosemite National Park, California
We already covered above general park entry in the summer, but you should also be aware of two special permits needed in 2024
Permit Area: Horsetail Fall
Reservation Cost: $2 per vehicle
Effective Dates: February 10-11, 17-19, & 25-26, 2024
Hours Required: Day-Use
Tickets Released: 50% at 8:00AM PST January 13, 2024; 50% at 8:00 AM 2 days prior
Good to Know
Horsetail Fall experiences a natural phenomenon known as ‘Firefall’, which occurs when the falls are backlit by the sunset, making them appear on fire.
The unique lighting effect is anticipated for mid to late February. Given the droves of photographers and curious onlookers who wish to experience this, traffic congestion and safety concerns mean a permit is now required for these specific dates over weekends.
- Book timed entry for Horsetail Fall in February here (NB keep this page bookmarked as the next release could come as early as December 2024)
Timed Area: Half Dome Permits (Half Dome Stewardship Plan)
Reservation Cost: $10 application fee per person, plus $10 if successful
Effective Dates: May 24 to October 15, 2024 (dependent on conditions)
Hours Required: Daily when cables are up
Tickets Released: By lottery, open March 1 to 31, 2024. Announced 11 April 2024
Good to Know
Chains are erected to assist in this hike over the summer months. A daily quota is given for 225 day hikers and 75 overnight backpackers. Applicants can apply on behalf of up to 6 hikers in their group for a fixed date or range of dates.
There will be a subsequent daily lottery, with the number available based on daily under-use/cancellation. These will be available to apply for 2 days before, midnight to 4:00 PM. E.g. apply Thursday for a Saturday climb.
NB Overnight backpackers also need a Wilderness permit.
Will More National Parks Be Added In The Future?
Interestingly, only two of the top 10 most visited US National Park sites in 2022 are on this year’s list of National Parks requiring specific summer reservations in 2024.
Some of the country’s most popular parks, including Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, and the Great Smoky Mountains, are accessible without reservation.
This does not mean they will not require reservations in the future, nor that you may see significant congestion, lack of parking spaces, and tailbacks within the parks; if parking lots are full, rangers will close particular areas within the parks.
The information is correct at the time of publication and was last updated in May 2024. Parks may put emergency measures in place or subsequently change their entry policy at any time, so always check information directly with NPS and recreation.gov before planning your national park visit to avoid disappointment.
More On Road Tripping US National Parks
If you’re looking for more family vacation planning inspiration in the great outdoors, you’ve come to the right place. You may want to read next:
- Top 10 US National Parks to Visit in Spring
- The Best US National Parks to Visit in Summer
- The Best US National Parks to Visit in the Fall
- The Best US National Parks to Visit in Winter
- Every Amazing Alaska National Park – and how to get to them when road-tripping isn’t an option!
- Plan the Perfect West Coast National Park Trip
- How to fit all of California’s National Parks in a 3 Week Road Trip
- Lesser-known US National Parks to Beat the Crowds This Year
- Every Exciting East Coast National Park to plan around an east coast driving itinerary
© Family Road Trip 2024
