Named U.S. National Parks that will require reservations in 2024

Several popular U.S. national parks are reintroducing their reservation system for the next year, requiring visitors to plan ahead for their visit.

The measure, often implemented to limit crowds at some of the most popular national parks across the country, is being applied from Arches National Park to Yosemite National Park. Reservations are generally free but include an online processing fee for recreation.gov, as reported by Travel + Leisure.

Arches National Park

Starting April 1, 2024, Arches National Park will reintroduce a pilot program similar to the model it introduced this year. According to the National Park Service, reservations will be posted three months in advance each month, allowing travelers to enter the park for one hour. Visitors can then stay for as long as they like.

Glacier National Park

According to the NPS, the Montana park will resume the reservation system from May 24 this year for the western part of the always popular Going-to-the-Sun Road and North Fork, and from July 1 for the Many Glacier Valley.

New for 2024: vehicle reservations will be valid for one day only, not three days as it was last year, so more reservations can be made. However, park visitors will be able to access Apgar Village amenities without booking a vehicle.

As in other parks, reservations are free, except for a $2 fee.

Mount Rainier National Park

Mount Rainier National Park is introducing timed entry reservations for two areas of the park, according to the NPS. Starting May 24 and July 3, both Paradise Corridor and Sunrise Corridor will require reservations. Reservations are required between 7:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Guests without reservations may visit these areas at any other time.

Visitors can start booking only the Paradise Corridor from February 21 to gain access to this area from May 24 to June 30. Reservations for July - for both areas - will be available on April 1, and reservations for August will be available until May 1 for both Paradise Corridor and Sunrise Corridor. Visitors can reserve their time slots at recreation.gov by paying a $2 processing fee.

Shenandoah National Park

According to the NPS, after a successful 2-year pilot program, Shenandoah National Park is making its Old Rag Mountain ticketing system permanent. All guests of the Old Rag area must present a day ticket and park pass to enter the park starting March 1.

Only 800 single-day tickets will be available daily from March 1 to November 30, with 400 being released 30 days in advance and another 400 being released 5 days in advance. Tickets will be available for purchase starting February 17 at 10:00 a.m. for $2. In addition to day tickets, visitors still pay entrance fees.

Rocky Mountain National Park

On May 24, Rocky Mountain National Park will also resume a reservation system that will require park visitors to obtain two different time permits to access both the Bear Lake Road corridor and the "rest of the park," according to the NPS. Travelers will be able to enter within two hours, but there will be no set time for departure. Reservations will be free, except for a $2 processing fee from recreation.gov.

Yosemite National Park

The California park will expand its reservation system next year with the Peak Hours Plus 2024 program, according to the NPS. Vehicle reservations are required from 5:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekends from April 13 to June 30, daily from July 1 to August 16, and on weekends from August 17 to October 27.

Visitors will be able to choose from two different types of reservations: valid for the whole day or valid for entry anytime after noon.

Reservations are also required for the weekend of February 10-25, as well as for President's Day on Monday, February 19.

A daytime reservation costs $2.

Zion National Park

According to the NPS, the Utah state park will again require reservations in 2024 to visit the popular Angels Landing walking tour. The park operates a lottery system for reservations, which is drawn on an ongoing basis starting from January 1.

Each permit costs $3 per person.