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Visiting a US National Park is so incredibly rewarding! Inside these picturesque lands are glaciers, mountains, oceans, alpine lakes, rainforests, seashores, remote islands, lakeshores, wild elk, bears, mountain lions, mountain goats, canyons, caves, sand dunes, and so much more.
What is so amazing about our public lands is the incredible diversity. There are coastlines, deserts, rainforests, glaciers, mountains, waterfalls, oceans, cliffs, and lakes. You can hike, camp, paddle, ski, backpack, sandboard, snowboard, and snowshoe. Sometimes, all within the same state! The possibilities are truly endless.
So if this sounds intriguing to you, and you are planning a visit to one (or many) of the United States National Parks in 2026, this National Parks visitor’s guide is for you.
In this National Parks travel guide, you will learn all of the new changes in 2026 that you need to be aware of. This includes which National Parks are on timed-entry reservations this year and what the free entrance days are. I’ll also share some tips for making the most of your National Parks trip!
PRO TIP: Before heading out on your National Parks adventure, be sure to purchase the America the Beautiful pass! For just $80, this pass gets you free access to over 2,000 public lands, including all 63 National Parks, for an entire year! Get yours from REI now – free shipping for members!
2026 US National Parks Visitor’s Guide
Which National Parks Require Timed-Entry Reservations in 2026?
Timed entry passes kickstarted in 2020 as a way to tackle the record-shattering crowds and congestion on the roads and trails inside the parks.
To combat the surge in popularity and the skyrocketing visitation numbers, the NPS introduced a pilot timed entry system in Rocky Mountain National Park. This was in addition to the wilderness permits that were already in place for popular trails and backcountry campsites. A handful of other National Parks have followed suit since then, as they all continue to see record numbers of visitors each year.
Here are some visitor statistics from 2024:
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park: 12.1 million
- Grand Canyon National Park: 4.9 million
- Zion National Park: 4.9 million
- Yellowstone National Park: 4.7 million
- Rocky Mountain National Park: 4.1 million
- Yosemite National Park: 4.1 million
- Acadia National Park: 3.9 million
- Olympic National Park: 3.7 million
- Grand Teton National Park: 3.6 million
- Joshua Tree National Park 2.9 million
The trial run proved to be a success, achieving its goal of eliminating overcrowding at the gates, trailheads, and other popular areas, but the responses from visitors were mixed.
Some believed it was a good idea to combat the overloaded trails and congested roads, while others believed it was simply an inconvenience.
I heard about one family who traveled across the country to visit Rocky Mountain National Park, and they were turned away at the gate because the family didn’t have a permit; they were unaware of the current system.
Very few parks mimic Rocky Mountain’s timed entry system, but it’s important to go online to the NPS website before embarking on your adventure so that there are no unfortunate surprises at the gate.
Acadia National Park
Vehicle reservations are required to drive Cadillac Summit Road from May 20 – October 25, 2026. You can purchase your reservations in advance here.
Arches National Park
Timed-entry vehicle reservations are no longer required in Arches National Park.
Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park is no longer implementing a park-wide vehicle reservation system.
However, there are a few changes to note in 2026.
One, beginning July 1st, parking is limited to just 3 hours at Logan Pass. If you want to be at Logan Pass for longer than 3 hours, or don’t wish to deal with the traffic and parking, you must take the shuttle.
To take the shuttle, you’ll have to buy $1 tickets in advance. Shuttle tickets will be released two months ahead of time, with a few remaining released the day before.
Haleakala National Park
Since observing sunrise from Haleakala Summit is so popular, anyone entering the park in a vehicle between 3 AM and 7 AM must have an advanced reservation. You only need one reservation per vehicle, and you will be guaranteed a parking spot at one of the four sunrise viewing areas at the summit.
Purchase your $1 tickets up to 60 days ahead of time at recreation.gov.
For full details, visit the Haleakala NPS page.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Beginning May 22, 2025, timed entry reservations are required to enter the park. Similar to last year, there are two types of permits: Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road and Timed Entry (does not include access to Bear Lake Road).
Two Types of Rocky Mountain Reservations in 2025:
- Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road. This permit will be for the Bear Lake Road Corridor, which includes the entire corridor, as well as access to the rest of the park. Reservations will be required from 5 AM to 6 PM from May 22 – October 18, 2026.
- Timed Entry (does not include access to Bear Lake Road). This permit will be for the “rest of the park,” excluding the Bear Lake Road corridor. Reservations will be required from 9 AM to 2 PM from May 22 – October 12, 2026.
Reservations will go on sale May 1st at 8 AM MDT for May 22 to June 30 dates at recreation.gov. The remaining reservations will go on sale the 1st of the month prior to the month you’re going. Permits issued using the reservation system will allow park visitors to enter the park within two-hour windows of availability, with no set time for departure.
If you cannot make a timed entry reservation in advance, some additional reservations will be released on recreation.gov at 7 p.m. MDT the night before a desired arrival date.
Yosemite National Park
Timed-entry reservations are no longer required in 2026.
National Parks Fee-Free Entrance Days in 2026
Each year the NPS announces a handful of free entrance days to celebrate various holidays and encourage everyone to get outdoors and explore our beautiful public lands!
Here are the NPS fee-free days in 2026:
- February 16: Presidents’ Day (Washington’s Birthday)
- May 25: Memorial Day
- June 14: Flag Day
- July 3–5: Independence Day weekend
- August 25: 110th Birthday of the National Park Service
- September 17: Constitution Day
- October 27: Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday
- November 11: Veterans Day
NOTE: Ironically, crowds are a real concern on these free entrance days. If you have an annual pass, it’s best to skip the parks on these days to allow those who don’t have the pass to enjoy them instead.
Don’t Forget Your America the Beautiful Pass
If you’re a “National Park-aholic” or are planning on visiting many of these public lands this year, then I’d highly recommend purchasing an America the Beautiful Pass.
The park pass is honored by over 2,000 sites managed by the National Park Service, Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Currently, 106 out of the 429 National Park sites charge an entrance fee, ranging from $5-$35. The $80 pass quickly pays for itself, so bring it along on your next adventure to avoid paying at the gates!
Also, all of the money from entrance fees remains in the National Park Service, and at least 80 percent stays in the park where it was collected.
Military, senior, and permanent disability discounts are available, and all fourth graders are eligible for a free pass! Read more about the America the Beautiful pass in my full guide here.
NOTE: If you live close to one particular National Park site and you only plan on visiting that park throughout the course of the year, ask a ranger at the front gate for a park-specific annual pass!
Plan Your National Parks Trip Ahead of Time
Spontaneity is one of the more attractive parts of a road trip. Deciding on a whim to hike a trail or enter a park that is not too far off the route could turn out to be the highlight of your trip.
But before you take off all the way across the country for one or two particular parks, be sure that there are no specific reservations, requirements, or permits that you need to buy or reserve ahead of time. If you drive twelve hours to a park and realize that a timed reservation ticket is required to enter or an advanced online permit is required to hike the most-anticipated trail of your trip, you will be disappointed.
To avoid those unwelcome surprises, glance at the NPS website for up-to-the-minute alerts and updates before heading to the park. Most campgrounds are booked out 6 months in advance and permits to popular trails and park entrances are sold out within minutes of going live.
That being said, adventure is out there. Surprises will pop up, and spontaneous decisions will need to be made; it’s an adventure after all! Just keep your eyes and ears open and be attuned to any and all opportunities that could come your way!
READ NEXT: 14 Mistakes to Avoid When Visiting the National Parks
How to Make the Most of Your National Parks Trip This Year
Arrive Early
Arrive before sunrise to ensure that you can snag a good parking spot and not be overwhelmed by hundreds of hikers at the trailheads. This is especially important on famous trails like Delicate Arch in Arches National Park or The Narrows in Zion National Park. People are showing up earlier and earlier every year not only to ensure that they can get a parking spot but to enjoy the trail in moderate solitude.
Stay Late
Stay until after sunset. Visitors tend to dwindle in the evening, and after sunset, most people leave. You will get to see the park in a way that few see it, and you will get to experience complete serenity and solitude under the stars.
READ NEXT: How to Avoid Crowds When Hiking
Gas Up and Pack Food
Bringing all of the food you’ll need into the park for the day makes it easier to see all of the things you want to see and hike all of the trails you want to hike with no interruptions. Gas up before you enter the park, too.
If you pack all of your food and have enough gas in your tank, you will avoid the unnecessary time that it takes to leave the park, find food or gas somewhere, and drive back. When you come back into the park, there could be a line to get in, or the roads and parking areas could be jammed.
Make the most of your time by bringing everything you need for the entire day: food, water, gas, and gear.
If you’re interested, some parks have food and gas options within their boundaries, so research that before you arrive!
READ NEXT: 8 Tips for Visiting National Parks on a Budget
Ask a Ranger For Tips
The first thing you should do upon your arrival at one of the National Parks is to stop by the visitor center and kindly interrogate a ranger. They will grant you valuable information regarding current conditions, possible closures, best trails for your particular skill level, and must-sees and must-dos.
If you’re lucky, they may even spill a secret spot or two!
Visit Lesser-Known Parks
Did you know there are 433 National Parks in the NPS system? While only 63 of them are designated “National Parks,” there are 362 other beautiful parks to see within NPS boundaries with designations like National Monument, National Seashore, National Recreation Area, etc.
Fewer people visit these because they don’t have one of the coveted 63 National Parks titles. It’s a known fact that when a park transforms from a title like National Monument to a National Park, visitation numbers immediately skyrocket, but nothing’s changed other than the title!
So while there’s a reason people visit the 63 National Parks, and you absolutely SHOULD see them all (even the least-visited ones), consider visiting more of the parks within the NPS system.
Also, expand your National Parks road trip by stopping by state parks; some of these are just as spectacular as National Parks.
- Some lesser-known National Parks to visit: Isle Royale National Park, Dry Tortugas National Park, Congaree National Park, and Great Basin National Park.
- Some lesser-known NPS sites to visit: Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Craters of the Moon National Monument, and Colorado National Monument.
- Some state parks to visit: Dead Horse Point State Park, Valley of Fire State Park, Eldorado Canyon State Park, and Lost Dutchman State Park.
READ NEXT: National Park Etiquette: Dos and Don’ts of Visiting National Parks
Leave No Trace
As always, recreate responsibly and follow the seven Leave No Trace Principles no matter where in the US you plan on adventuring this year.
- Plan Ahead & Prepare
- Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Dispose of Waste Properly
- Leave What You Find
- Minimize Campfire Impacts
- Respect Wildlife
- Be Considerate of Others
National Park Road Trip Ideas
Ready to go explore the National Parks? Here are some of my road trip recommendations!
- Washington National Parks Road Trip
- Florida National Parks Road Trip
- Utah Mighty Five National Parks Itinerary
- Arizona National Parks Road Trip Itinerary
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