National Parks Week begins this weekend with free admission to all National Park Service sites this Saturday, Earth Day, and events throughout the park system through April 30th.
The next free admission date isn’t until August 4th, Great American Outdoors Day. But prices aren’t the only thing tourists have to plan for this summer.
Some of America’s most popular national parks require reservations for admission and popular destinations like Angel’s Landing at Zion and Glacier’s Going to the Sun Road. Additionally, some reservation slots are already open.
Here’s what you need to know about national park timed entry requirements for summer 2023.
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Do U.S. National Parks require reservations?
Only a few of America’s 63 national parks require reservations for admission, most during peak summer season. However, many parks require reservations or permits for activities such as camping and climbing in certain areas.
Details can be found on each park’s website. Reservations can be made at recreation.gov.
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Which national parks will require timed entry in summer 2023?
The following national parks require reservations in addition to admission fees, with a maximum of $35 per vehicle or $20 per person.
Acadia National Park, Maine: Cadillac Summit Road requires timed entry vehicle reservations from May 24 to October 22. The cost is $6 per vehicle. Arches National Park, Utah: Timed entry vehicle reservations required through October 31st. The cost is $2. Glacier National Park, Montana: Timed entry vehicle reservations are required to access Going to the Sun Road, North Fork, Many Glacier, and Two Medicine this summer from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. . Dates vary depending on your destination, but can start as early as May 26th and end as early as September 10th. Reservation fee is $2 per vehicle. Hawaii’s Haleakala National Park: Reservations are required year-round to watch the sunrise from the summit. The Summit Sunrise reservation fee is $1 per vehicle. Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park: A timed park access permit is required to enter the park from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 26 through October 22. Fees are $2 per vehicle and vary by type. The number of permits selected may or may not include access to the Bear Lake Road corridor. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia: To access Old Rag Mountain, a one-day admission ticket is required through November 30th. Tickets cost $1 per person. Zion National Park, Utah: Permits are required to hike Angel’s Landing year-round as part of a pilot program. The seasonal lottery for summer permits ended on April 20th, but drawings are available daily. It costs $6 to enter the lottery for up to 6 people. Winners will pay an additional permit fee of $3 per person.
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Do I need to make a reservation to go to Yosemite now?
No, reservations are not required to enter Yosemite National Park at this time. Also, no reservations are required this summer.
Due to the pandemic, admission reservations are required from summer 2020 to summer 2021. His mandate was similar last summer when many attractions were closed for needed repairs, and several weekends in February during the popular Fire Falls viewing period at Horsetail Falls.
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Are there any other sites where I can make reservations?
Ford Theater in Washington, DC: Although reservations are not required, this historic site strongly recommends purchasing advance tickets. A limited number of free admission tickets are available at the ticket office. Advance tickets start at $3.50 and are available at fords.org. Independence Hall of Pennsylvania: March through December, timed admission tickets are required from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are free, but there is a $1 reservation fee per ticket. Muir Woods National Monument, California: Car and shuttle reservations are required year-round and are available at gomuirwoods.com. Parking passes cost $9 for regular cars. If you wish to take the shuttle bus from nearby Mill Valley, you must pay $3.50 per person if you are 16 years or older. Washington Monument in Washington, DC: Reservations are not required as during the pandemic, but are recommended as same-day walk-up tickets can sell out quickly. Tickets are free, but there is a $1 service fee for each online reservation.
