News These National Parks Will Require Reservations in 2024 The measure is going into effect from Arches National Park to Yosemite National Park. By Alison Fox Alison Fox Alison Fox is a Travel + Leisure contributor. She has also written for Parents.com, The Wall Street Journal, and amNewYork. When she’s not in New York City, she can be found at the beach or on the slopes. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Published on December 31, 2023 Close Photo: SED Photography/Getty Images Several popular national parks are bringing back timed reservation systems for next year, requiring visitors to plan ahead. Often implemented to limit crowds at some of the most popular national parks around the country, the measure is going into effect from Arches National Park to Yosemite National Park. The reservations are typically free, but come with an online processing fee for recreation.gov. "We received many positive comments from people who enjoyed the guaranteed arrival time and reduced congestion they experienced during the 2023 vehicle reservation pilot,” Arches National Park Acting Superintendent Brendan Bray said in a recent statement. “A repeat pilot program in 2024 will help us learn more about how such systems can provide visitors with the opportunity for enjoyable experiences while protecting the extraordinary landscapes they come to see.” These are the national parks requiring reservations for 2024. Arches National Park Starting on April 1, 2024, Arches National Park will re-introduce a pilot program similar to a model it implemented this year. Reservations will be released in monthly blocks three months in advance, according to the National Park Service, and will allow travelers to enter the park during a one-hour window. Visitors can then stay however long they wish. The reservation is free, save a $2 recreation.gov processing fee. Glacier National Park The Montana park will bring back a reservation system starting May 24 next year for the west side of the always-popular Going-to-the-Sun Road and North Fork, and starting July 1 for the Many Glacier valley, according to the NPS. New for 2024, vehicle reservations will only be valid for one day, rather than the three days this year, so more reservations can be issued. But park goers will be able to access the Apgar Village amenities without a vehicle reservation. Like the other parks, reservations are free except for the $2 processing fee. Mount Rainier National Park Mount Rainier National Park will require a timed entry reservation for two areas of the park, according to the NPS. Both the Paradise Corridor and Sunrise Corridor will require reservations for entry beginning on May 24 and July 3, respectively. Reservations will be required for guests from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. — guests without reservations can access these areas at all other times. Visitors can start booking reservations for just Paradise Corridor as early as Feb. 21 for access to the area from May 24 to June 30. Reservations for July — for both areas — will be available on April 1 while reservations for August will May 1 for both Paradise Corridor and Sunrise Corridor. Visitors can reserve their time slots on recreation.gov with the $2 processing fee. Shenandoah National Years After a successful 2-year pilot program, Shenandoah National Park is making their Old Rag Mountain ticketing system permanent, according to the NPS. All guests of the Old Rag area must present a day-use ticket and a park entrance pass for entry beginning on March 1. Only 800 day-use tickets will be available each day from March 1 to Nov. 30, with 400 releasing 30 days in advance and another 400 releasing five days in advance. Tickets are available for purchase starting on Feb. 17 at 10 a.m. for also for $2. Visitors are still responsible for entrance fees in addition to the day-use tickets. Rocky Mountain National Park On May 24, Rocky Mountain National Park will also bring back a reservation system, requiring park visitors to obtain two different timed 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 hour periods, but there will be no set time for departure. Reservations will be free, except for a $2 recreation.gov processing fee. Yosemite National Park The California park will enhance its reservation system next year with the “Peak Hours Plus” 2024 program, according to the NPS. Reservations will be required for vehicles between 5 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekends from April 13 to June 30, every day from July 1 to Aug. 16, and on weekends from Aug. 17 to Oct. 27. Visitors will be able to choose from two different types of reservations: Those valid for a full day, or those valid for entry any time after noon. Reservations will also be required on weekends from Feb. 10 through Feb. 25 as well as on Presidents' Day on Monday, Feb. 19. Day-use reservations cost $2. Zion National Park The Utah park will once again require reservations to visit and hike the popular Angels Landing in 2024, according to the NPS. The park holds a lottery system to make reservations, which are released on a rolling basis starting on Jan. 1. Each permit costs $3 per person.