Which National Parks Require Timed Entry in 2025?
Glacier National Park
In 2025, eight US national parks require reservations for entry to limit traffic congestion and overcrowding.
The national parks with 2025 timed entry requirements are:
Acadia National Park
Arches National Park
New this year: Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico
Glacier National Park
Haleakalā National Park
Mount Rainier National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park
Shenandoah National Park
Yosemite National Park
As of 2025, Yellowstone National Park does not require vehicle reservations.
Read on to learn about each park’s timed entry policies and how to bypass the reservation systems from our partner, Good Trip Adventures.
One of Blacksford’s well-vetted and highly-valued travel partners, Good Trip Adventures takes clients on private eco-conscious tours focused on US national parks with trained naturalist guides.
Arches National Park
Timed Entry at National Parks: What You Need to Know
You don’t need a vehicle reservation if you have a Service Reservation (for lodging, camping, or tours in specific park areas). Show that reservation upon entry instead. Check each park’s website for details.
Vehicle reservation costs range from $1–$6, plus a $2 processing fee.
All reservations must be made on recreation.gov. Search by national park name.
These reservations are in addition to the entry fee required by most national parks. You need both.
Every vehicle needs its own reservation.
Book early! Many open 2–4 months before your entry date and sell out fast. Several have additional release dates, explained below.
Most reservations are only good for one day. If you plan to visit multiple days, check the specific national park’s website for details.
Print or take a screenshot of your reservation—internet connection is spotty in many national parks.
Which Parks Have Timed Entry Reservations?
Between the different National Park Service websites, timed entry passes are called permits, tickets, or reservations. No matter what you call them, be sure to book well in advance of your trip.
Acadia National Park, Maine
Acadia National Park
Only Cadillac Summit Road requires a vehicle reservation. There are two types: Sunrise and Daytime. Sunrise reservations have a 90-minute entry window. Daytime reservations have a 30-minute entry window.
30% of available tickets open 90 days before your entry date. 70% of available tickets open at 10:00 AM EST two days before your entry date.
Cadillac Summit Road
Dates: May 21–October 26, 2025
Times: See the time chart on the Cadillac Summit Vehicle Reservations page for details.
Arches National Park, Utah
Reserve up to three months in advance. Some reservations are available the day before your entry date at 7:00 PM MDT on the Recreation.gov website.
All Entrances
Dates: April 1–July 6 & August 28–October 31, 2025
Times: 7:00 AM–4:00 PM MDT
Reserve a premium RV rental for your trip
Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico
Although you won’t need a reservation to enter the park itself, you will need one to enter the caverns.
Carlsbad Caverns
Tickets are released one month in advance at 8:00 AM MDT
Reservations are valid for a specific 60-minute window.
In addition to the reservation fee, an entrance pass must be purchased inside the visitor center upon arrival.
Get Tickets for Carlsbad Caverns.
Glacier National Park, Montana
Reservations open about three months (120 days) before your entry date. A few are available the day before entry at 7:00 PM MDT starting June 12, 2025.
Good to know: Access to the Going-to-the-Sun Road from the east side at St. Mary and Two Medicine does not require a vehicle reservation.
New for 2025: Vehicle reservations are valid for a 2–3 hour block.
West Entrance of Going-To-The-Sun-Road
Dates: June 13–September 28, 2025
Times: 7:00 AM–3:00 PM
Many Glacier
New for 2025: Many Glacier access will require a lodging/camping reservation or shuttle ride with reservation.
Dates: July 1–September 21, 2025
Times: 7:00 AM–3:00 PM
North Fork
Dates: June 13–September 28, 2025
Times: 7:00 AM–3:00 PM
Haleakalā National Park, Hawaii
Watching sunrise? You’ll need a reservation for entry from 3:00–7:00 AM every day of the year.
Reservations open 60 days before your entry date at 7:00 AM HST. A few more open two days before your entry date at 7:00 AM HST.
Entire Park for Summit Sunrise
Dates: January 1–December 31, 2025
Times: Sunrise hours, 3:00–7:00 AM
Get Tickets for Haleakalā Sunrise.
Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
Timed reservations are only required for the Sunrise Corridor (White River Entrance), between 7:00 AM–5:00 PM from July 11–September 1, 2025, then weekends until roughly mid-October. Reservations and are valid for one day.
Sunrise Corridor Timed Reservation Release Dates
Reserve your entry tickets on recreation.gov in advance of your trip:
For travel between July 11-31: Reservations open at 8:00 AM on May 16
For travel between Aug. 1–Sept. 1: Reservations open at 8:00 AM on June 6
For weekend travel starting Sept. 2: Reservations open 7:00 PM the day before
Check the park website or the Mount Rainier Timed Reservations page for more information
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Vehicle reservations are required for all four park entrances starting May 23, 2025. There are two types of reservations: one that includes Bear Lake Road Corridor, and one that does not.
Reserve 90 days prior to your entry date. See the timed entry schedule on the RMNP website.
Some reservations are available at 7:00 PM MDT the day before your entry date on the Recreation.gov website.
Entire Park Plus Bear Lake Road Corridor
Dates: May 23–October 20, 2025
Times: 5:00 AM–6:00 PM MDT
Entire Park Without Bear Lake Road Corridor
Dates: May 23–October 14, 2025
Times: 9:00 AM–2:00 PM
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Shenandoah’s permit is a little different—they’re only required for hikers on Old Rag Mountain. Every hiker, no matter their age, on Old Rag Mountain (including Saddle, Ridge, and Ridge Access trails) must get a day-use ticket prior to entry.
Permits open 30 days prior to your hiking date at 10:00 AM EST. More are released five days prior to your hiking date at 10:00 AM EST.
Old Rag Mountain Day Use
Dates: March 1–November 30, 2025
Times: 12:00AM–11:59PM
Get Tickets for Old Rag Mountain.
Yosemite National Park, California
Yosemite National Park
Reservations are required to drive into or through Yosemite National Park during the peak hours of 6AM–2PM on certain days in 2025. If you enter after 2PM PDT, you don’t need a reservation, but avoid waiting along the roadway—you’ll be ticketed.
Note that a vehicle reservation is not needed if you have in-park camping, lodging, or vacation rental, but you will still pay the $35 per-car entrance fee upon arrival (credit cards only) unless you have an annual or lifetime pass.
When You’ll Need a Reservation for Yosemite
Memorial Day Weekend
Dates: May 24–25, 2025
Times: 6AM–2PM PDT
Daily During Peak Season
Dates: June 16–August 16, 2025
Times: 6AM–2PM PDT
Labor Day Weekend
Dates: August 30–September 1, 2025
Times: 6AM–2PM PDT
How to Get Your Yosemite Timed Entry Reservation
Reserve and purchase timed entry tickets for Yosemite on recreation.gov, which were released May 6, 2025.
Additional permits are available seven days prior to entry at 8AM PST on recreation.gov.
A few more permits are available on entry day at 8AM PST on recreation.gov. Log on early—these sell out almost immediately.
Savannah McCauley
Go With a Guide to Bypass Reservations
There's a simpler way to access these parks and bypass all of these timed entries, which typically sell out quickly: by booking a guided trip with our partner, Good Trip Adventures.
With a knowledgeable local leading the way, you’ll make the most of your visit without worrying about entry restrictions, letting your guide take care of all logistics so you can sit back and enjoy your vacation.
What’s Included In A National Parks Day Tour?
Whether you opt for a private or small group tour, you're in for an unforgettable experience. Picture yourself on a journey filled with scenic drives, guided hikes to hidden gems, and wildlife spotting adventures.
Good Trip Adventures’ tours include everything you need for an unforgettable excursion:
Round-trip transportation to the national park in a luxury vehicle stocked with water, snacks, binoculars, guidebooks, and more
Private, medically trained, naturalist guides with unmatched expert knowledge and passion for the parks
Gourmet picnic lunch and refreshments catered to your meal preferences and dietary restrictions
Park entry fees, including the $35-$80 entrance pass and required timed entry reservation
Prior to your trip, your guide will reach out to carefully curate the itinerary to your group’s interests and abilities.
You’ll spend the day hitting the highlights and uncovering hidden gems away from the crowds; connecting with and learning about the parks’ unique ecologies, flora and fauna, and history; hiking, sightseeing, wildlife spotting, and enjoying additional activities; and making memories for a lifetime.
What Clients Love About These Tours
Let a local navigate the roads: With an expert guide at the helm, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenery without worrying about directions, traffic, or parking nightmares.
Maximize your time: Your guide will craft the perfect itinerary to ensure you see everything on your bucket list, especially if you're hitting multiple parks in a single trip.
Learning for your whole group: From educational activities like trivia and word searches, to exciting hikes and wildlife spotting opportunities, there's never a dull moment when you're exploring with Good Trip Adventures in a luxury Blacksford RV.
Explore National Parks With Blacksford & Good Trip Adventures
Timed entry systems can present challenges for most national park visitors, but with Good Trip Adventures and Blacksford by your side, you will navigate them with ease.
Whether you're taking a solo adventure or road tripping with family and friends, Blacksford’s luxury RV rentals and Good Trip Adventure’s expert guides will help you unlock the beauty of national parks like never before.