If you’re planning to visit a national park this year, you might want to get a jump on that plan because national parks across the country are bringing back timed reservations in 2025. The reservations are usually used to control crowds at those popular, Instagram-worthy destinations. Some national parks use reservation systems to manage how many vehicles are entering a park, others use reservations to time out how many people are gathering at a natural feature or inside a particular building.
You can make those reservations through recreation.gov, where you can also download the mobile app. The National Park Service recommends booking reservations “well in advance.” Here’s a look at what’s required for reservations at some of the most popular national parks.
Glacier National Park – Montana
This park will open vehicle reservations on February 12. The reservation system is for the west side of Going-to-the-Sun Road and the North Fork. You’ll need reservations from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. starting on June 13 through September 28, 2025. Once you have reserved a spot you can stay in the park for as long as you’d like on that day, but if you miss your reserved slot, you can enter after 3 p.m.
There is a $2 processing fee for booking a reservation.
Arches National Park – Utah
Arches National Park will start using time entry per vehicle starting on April 1, 2025. Reservations for April are already open and timed entry will be in effect between 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. except between July 2 to August 27. Park Superintendent Len Pace said, “We continue to hear positive comments from people who enjoyed the guaranteed arrival time and reduced congestion they experienced during these pilots.” There is a $2 processing fee.
Yosemite National Park – California
Starting February 8, you’ll need reservations 24 hours a day on Saturdays and Sundays at Yosemite. Reservations will be required through February 23. The fee per car is $35 and it’s valid for entry for seven days. The park has not yet announced its plans for summer reservations.
Rocky Mountain National Park – Colorado
Visitors climbing at a lookout point along trailridge road in Rocky Mountain National Park
You’ll have two options when timed entry begins at this national park on May 23, 2025, One permit will be for the Bear Lake Road Corridor, plus the rest of the park. Reservations will be needed from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. The second permit excludes the Bear Lake Road Corridor and the reservation period is 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. There’s a $2 processing fee for bookings.
Zion National Park – Utah
This park will use a lottery system to make hiking reservations for its very popular Angels Landing in 2025. You can apply for a $6 seasonal permit (which covers up to 6 people), you’ll get to pick seven days and times and if you win the lottery you’ll receive an email.
Haleakala National Park – Maui
A reservation is required for each vehicle entering the park from 3 a.m. to 7 a.m., sunrise hikes are popular at this park that’s home to Maui’s highest peak. You can make a reservation as early as 60 days out and as little as 2 days before your arrival. There’s a $1.00 fee per vehicle.
For a full list of parks requiring reservations go here.
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