National Parks Ease Timed Entry Rules for 2025 Visitors

Yosemite: Timed Entry Still in Effect (For Now)

Timed-entry reservations are required at Yosemite National Park daily from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. through August 15. After that, entry returns to open access—no permits required unless you're visiting over Labor Day weekend (August 30–September 1), when the system briefly returns.

Reservations are $2 via Recreation.gov and can sell out quickly.

🚫 Important: Don’t arrive early to wait in line before 2 p.m.—vehicles blocking roads may be cited.

Arches: A Summer Break from Reservations

If you're heading to Arches National Park this summer, good news: from now through August 27, no timed-entry permits are required. This gap was designed to account for the park’s seasonal dip in visitation during the hottest months.

Timed-entry reservations return from August 28 to October 31, required from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

• Reservations are $2 and available up to six months in advance.

• Some next-day slots are released each evening at 7 p.m. MDT.

Other Parks with Active or Upcoming Entry Systems

Even as some parks ease rules, several still have timed-entry permits in place:

• Rocky Mountain National Park

  Two zones are managed separately through October 20: the Bear Lake Corridor and the rest of the park. Reservations are required during peak hours.

• Glacier National Park

  From now until September 8, reservations are required for Going-to-the-Sun Road (west side only) and North Fork entries.

• Zion National Park

  The Angels Landing permit lottery is ongoing for those planning hikes. General park access does not require a reservation.

• Haleakalā National Park
  Continues to require sunrise summit reservations, available two days in advance.

• Acadia National Park

  Cadillac Mountain summit drives require a separate vehicle reservation, especially at sunrise.

🎟️ All permit systems use Recreation.gov, with fees ranging from $1 to $6 depending on the park.

📌 Tip: Some parks release dates in rolling windows, others drop them monthly. Always confirm exact release times on NPS or Recreation.gov.

Why These Systems Still Matter

• Staffing limits continue to strain park operations.

• High visitation remains the norm—Yosemite alone saw over 4 million visitors in 2024.

• Smart targeting: Instead of blanket restrictions, many parks now apply permits only during high-demand windows.

How to Plan Smart

• Know your dates and check Recreation.gov well ahead of time.

• Arrive early or late if you want to avoid permit hours.

• Consider a guided tour or wilderness permit—many are exempt from timed-entry rules.

• Go off the beaten path: parks without entry systems offer flexibility and smaller crowds.

2025 marks a shift toward smarter, more seasonal reservation systems at U.S. national parks. The strictest days are already behind us, but summer weekends and key routes still require a little planning. Stay flexible, read the fine print, and your next national park trip can still be everything you're dreaming of—minus the hassle.