Changes to National Park Reservation Systems

Three major national parks in the U.S. will no longer require advance reservations this peak season. The National Park Service announced the discontinuation of the timed entry system that had been implemented in Arches, Glacier, and Yosemite national parks to manage crowds in recent summers.

This year, visitors to Yosemite won’t need reservations to witness the popular “Firefall” event either. The timed entry system was originally introduced to limit the number of visitors present at one time, particularly during the hectic summer months.

Kevin Lilly, the acting assistant secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks, expressed a commitment to keeping national parks accessible to the public, stating, “Our national parks belong to the American people.”

Looking ahead, Arches National Park will also not utilize a timed entry reservation system in 2026. Officials recommend that visitors arrive early, remain flexible, and explore less crowded areas, especially since Arches is recognized as an international dark sky park, encouraging after-hours visits.

Glacier National Park will eliminate its vehicle reservation requirements entirely this summer. However, management will still be in place for busy areas like Going to the Sun Road and Logan Pass, and vehicles may be temporarily diverted if capacity limits are reached.

In Yosemite, the elimination of advance reservations will extend to the Firefall event in February and March of 2026. Instead of a reservation system, parks will employ real-time traffic management, increased seasonal staff, and other temporary parking solutions to address capacity challenges.

Meanwhile, Rocky Mountain National Park will maintain its timed entry system from late May through mid-October, reflecting the unique needs of each park.

Officials noted that this tailored approach considers each park’s infrastructure and visitation demands, alongside coordination with state and local entities.