{"id":39902,"date":"2025-01-21T15:44:31","date_gmt":"2025-01-21T15:44:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/adventure\/10-us-national-parks-that-require-a-reservation-in-2025\/"},"modified":"2025-01-21T15:44:31","modified_gmt":"2025-01-21T15:44:31","slug":"10-us-national-parks-that-require-a-reservation-in-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=39902","title":{"rendered":"10 US national parks that require a reservation in 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n

We take a look at the US national parks that require a reservation in 2025 along with when and how to secure your visit<\/p>\n

Yellowstone National Park is a slice of quintessential America<\/a>. A place where wild animals \u2013 bison, bears, elk and wolves \u2013 roam among wilder beauty and where hot springs and geysers evoke a primeval era. In some ways, Yellowstone is a slice of lost<\/em> America; a stark contrast to the skyscrapers and spaghetti junctions that populate US cities.\u00a0<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

We owe its preservation to the 42nd US Congress who established Yellowstone as a national park in 1872. It became the first national park in the country and only the second in the world after Bogd Khan Uul<\/a> in Mongolia<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Yellowstone set the standard for the preservation of biodiversity and cultural history; a standard that has since been widely replicated around the globe. <\/p>\n

In 2021, however, the park struggled with severe overcrowding as pandemic-weary Americans flocked to the nation\u2019s outdoor spaces. Yellowstone received<\/a> a staggering 4,860,537 recreation visits, up 28% from 2020, making it the busiest year on record. In fact, July 2021 was the busiest month in the park\u2019s history and the first time visits exceeded one million in a single calendar month.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Other parks experienced similar overcrowding with reports<\/a> of<\/a> congested trails and overrun facilities. One park regularly closed its gates as early as 8am. Some days, it stayed closed for as long as five hours.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Yellowstone has experimented with pilot projects to control overcrowding: altering traffic, parking and visitor flow configurations, and adding staff to highly congested areas. <\/p>\n

Other parks have taken stricter measures. This year, 10 national parks will implement a reservation system in some form to cut crowds and preserve the fragile landscapes, wildlife and ecosystems that the parks were created to protect.<\/p>\n

US national parks that require a reservation<\/h2>\n

Here, we list the US national parks that require a reservation in 2025 along with details of when, where and how to organise the permits.<\/p>\n

\n
\n

1. Acadia National Park<\/h4>\n

Location: <\/strong>Maine
What: <\/strong>Timed-entry for cars on the Cadillac Summit Road
When:<\/strong> 21st May to 26th October 2025
More info: <\/strong>recreation.gov<\/a><\/p>\n

\"The\"The<\/a>
Alexey Stiop\/Shutterstock<\/a><\/span> The view from Cadillac Mountain<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After the launch of a successful pilot scheme in 2021, Acadia National Park<\/a> has renewed its vehicle reservations for the popular Cadillac Summit Road<\/a>. The highest point on the US eastern seaboard, Cadillac Mountain is a popular destination for visitors to Acadia, particularly sunrise hikers.<\/p>\n

The National Park Service (NPS) will require vehicle reservations for Cadillac Summit Road from late May to late October. Passes will be available 90 days in advance on a rolling basis with some last-minute tickets available from two days before. Visitors have two types of tickets to choose from: sunrise or daytime.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n

2. Arches National Park<\/h4>\n

Location: <\/strong>Utah
What: <\/strong>Timed-entry for all visitors
When:<\/strong> 7am to 4pm, 1st April to 31st October 2025 (exception: 7th July to 27th August)
More info: <\/strong>recreation.gov<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Arches\"Arches<\/a>
Adam Springer\/Shutterstock<\/a><\/span> Arches is one of the US national parks that require a reservation in 2025<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In 2021, Arches National Park<\/a> hit the headlines<\/a> when it was regularly forced to close its gates by 8am as car parks and trails hit their capacities. Some days, the gates stayed closed for five hours before reopening.<\/p>\n

It was hardly surprising when, in 2023, the NPS introduced a site-wide timed-entry system for all visitors to Arches. This pilot program will continue in 2025 to help cut the long lines stretching from Moab towards the entrance gates.<\/p>\n

There is a $2 reservation fee in addition to the park entrance fees (beginning at $15 per person). Reservations will be released three months in advance, on a rolling basis. Some next-day tickets will also be available from 31st March, released at 7pm MST each evening.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n

3. Glacier National Park<\/h4>\n

Location: <\/strong>Montana
What:<\/strong> Ticketed entry for day-use visitors of the west side of Going-to-the-Sun Road and North Fork
When:<\/strong> 7am to 3pm, 13th June to 28th September 2025
More info: <\/strong>recreation.gov<\/a><\/p>\n

\"A\"A<\/a>
Martina Birnbaum\/Shutterstock<\/a><\/span> A view of Glacier National Park from the Going-to-the-Sun Road<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In spring 2021, Glacier National Park<\/a> piloted a ticketing system for its renowned 50-mile Going-to-the-Sun Road<\/a>, the scenic road traversing the park that is designed to blend into its mountain setting. <\/p>\n

Unsurprisingly, the NPS renewed and expanded the system in 2022 and it will continue in 2025.<\/p>\n

There is a $2 reservation fee in addition to the park entrance fees (beginning at $15 per person). Reservations will be released four months in advance, on a rolling basis from 12th February. Some next-day tickets will also be available from 12th June, released at 7pm MDT each evening.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n

4. Great Smoky Mountains National Park<\/h4>\n

Location: <\/strong>North Carolina and Tennessee
What:<\/strong> Parking tag for anyone planning to park inside the grounds for more than 15 minutes
When:<\/strong> Year-round
More info: <\/strong>recreation.gov<\/a><\/p>\n

\"The\"The<\/a>
Jeff Morgan\/Shutterstock<\/a><\/span> The Great Smoky Mountains National Park<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In 2023, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park introduced a requirement for visitors to purchase a daily, weekly or annual parking tag if they wish to park inside the grounds for more than 15 minutes. No reservations are required for parking locations once the tag is bought and displayed.<\/p>\n

Three tags are available for purchase for all vehicle types and sizes: <\/p>\n