In 2023, 325.5 million people visited the beaches, lakeshores, battlefields, historic sites, and monuments that make up the National Park Service, an increase of 4% from the previous year.
National Park Service Commissioner Charles F. Sams III praised the growing interest in “learning our common American story through the hidden gems of the National Park System.”
With even higher crowds expected in 2024, the Park Service and federal land reservations reservations platform Recreation.gov are introducing new features to streamline the park experience, manage overcrowding, and protect the environment. measures have been introduced.
More and more parks require reservations
To better avoid crowded trails, crowded parking lots, and overflowing trash cans, this year Rocky Mountain National Park, Arches National Park, Glacier National Park, and more offer day trips for travelers looking to visit, especially during peak times. More parks have been added that require permits, timed entry, and other reservations. Opening hours, holidays, park high season. Yosemite National Park is reinstating the timed entry system that was introduced in 2020 but suspended in 2022.
Many park enthusiasts have expressed mixed feelings about the reservation policy, with some lamenting the lack of first-come, first-served campsites, while others are relieved to know their reservations are confirmed. Park authorities support this system because each year, nearly 75% of visitors visit the national park from May to October (often on weekends).
“In some parks, the level of demand exceeds what the infrastructure design allows for or the National Park Service’s ability to sustainably support visitors,” said Kathy Kupper, a public affairs specialist for the service. ” he said. “This trend is creating a need to explore new strategies to protect natural and cultural resources and provide opportunities for safe and meaningful visitor experiences.”
It may be confusing.
Newly introduced timed entry reservations for vehicles is Washington state’s Mount Rainier National Park, home to the Paradise Corridor and Sunrise Corridor, which are popular during certain summer months. The reservation fee is $2, valid for one day, and must be purchased with a park ticket, but does not apply to visitors with conservation permits or camping or lodge reservations. Reservations for similar vehicles are now required for a limited period of time to watch the sunrise at Haleakala National Park in Maui, Hawaii, or drive Cadillac Summit Road in Acadia National Park, Maine.
Visitors wishing to hike Old Rag Mountain in Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park must obtain a day ticket between March 1st and November 30th. Hikers wishing to hike in Utah’s Zion National Park should also visit the dramatic 488-foot-tall Angel’s Landing. Rock formations also require the purchase of permits. Prices range from $1 to $6 in addition to park admission.
Each destination has different administrations, so check the park’s webpage for the type of reservation required. Most reservations can be made through Recreation.gov, but some sites, such as Muir Woods National Monument, use a different system.
What’s new on Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov reports that in 2023, more than 4 million camping reservations and 2 million timed entry reservations were booked online, and 1.5 million permits were issued. Approximately 2.9 million new users signed up to the site. With a growing user base, the reservations platform now offers 58 reservations, including 17 campgrounds, including the Central Avenue Walk-In Site at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and Bluff Hike-In Camp in South Carolina’s Congaree National Park. Added possible national park locations.
Recreation.gov also improved its alerts feature, which was piloted in July 2023, to notify users through email or mobile push notifications when sold-out campgrounds become available. Once Recreation.gov notifies you of availability, you must reserve your own campsite online. It will show you how many people (probably hundreds) have received the same alert, so you should book now.
Although its customer support center and mobile app are still only available in English, Recreation.gov recently introduced a Spanish translation option. The Park Service is partnering with Latino Conservation Week, which hosts national hikes and events on environmental education and stewardship in parks, and will celebrate his 10th anniversary in September.
America the Beautiful Annual Pass Limits
The 2024 America the Beautiful Pass will no longer allow two owners. This annual pass costs $80, covers admission to more than 2,000 federal recreation facilities (about 100 of which have free admission year-round), and currently features one of his signatures on the back of the card. It has columns. Pass holders must show identification and be with a companion who wishes to use the pass to access the park. (Annual passes issued in 2023 are valid until the expiration date.) This pass is valid for all passengers in the vehicle (up to 4 adults, children under 16 free) or up to This is for 4 people. Active duty military or veterans, and people with permanent disabilities are eligible for a free lifetime pass. Fourth-year students receive a free annual pass. Seniors can purchase a $20 annual pass or pay $80 for a lifetime pass.
Parks coming with more accessible features, EV chargers and new accommodations
To better protect against global warming, the Park Service is channeling more than $65 million from the Inflation Control Act and the Great American Outdoors Act into climate change mitigation and ecosystem restoration.
With $15.9 million budgeted for zero-emission vehicle deployment, charging capacity and infrastructure, the Park Service will reduce carbon emissions by installing new electric vehicle charging stations and operating electric buses, Sams said. The company is prioritizing reductions.
An interactive online search tool created in 2023 shows EV charging stations and available charger types in 27 national parks. In addition to this tool, all national park pages display warnings about road closures, parking capacity, construction, and other incidents.
Mr. Sams also said the Park Service is investing $1.3 billion from the Great American Outdoors Act to upgrade everything from a new ADA-compliant visitor center at Morristown National Historical Park in New Jersey to a new beach wheelchair at Sleeping Bear Dunes in the Channel States. He stated that he is working on improving accessibility features. Islands and Virgin Islands National Park. His website for each destination has an accessibility tab to help visitors plan their trip, and the Recreation.gov homepage now has search filters to easily find accessible accommodations. Ta.
Flamingo Lodge, a new lodging facility now available across the country, opened last fall outside Everglades National Park and features 24 guest rooms built from recycled shipping containers. In March, Cataloochee Ranch along the southeastern border of Great Smoky Mountains National Park reopened with 11 renovated cabins and a new restaurant. This spring, Clubhouse Hotel & Suites will welcome its first guests to Rapid City, South Dakota, the closest major city to Badlands National Park. Also opening in May is his Yellowstone Peaks Hotel in Idaho, a 30-minute drive from Yellowstone National Park. . This fall, California-bound travelers planning a visit to General Sherman, the largest known tree on Earth, can visit Sequoia and Kings Auto Camp just outside of His Canyon National Park. I might book it.
The same goes for California. Those who didn’t score a coveted (and controversial) spot at Yosemite’s newly opened Hi-His Sierra Camp should consider trying out Mariposa’s, which offers more affordable rates, hiking trails, and views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. You can also make reservations at Wild Haven Yosemite. Reservations for the first season will begin May 1st.
