These National Parks Will Require Reservations This Summer

Last summer, as travelers with cabin fever took to national parks to stretch their legs and get fresh air amid the pandemic, heavily trafficked parks like California's Yosemite turned to new reservations systems to limit the number of cars, and keep trails more social-distance friendly. But then, over the winter when crowds died down, those same parks paused requiring reservations, with many wondering if, as vaccinations rolled out, the systems would be back in place come summertime. We now have our answer: a number of parks, Yosemite and Rocky Mountain National Parks included, are bringing back timed reservations starting in May.

While there are more than 400 national park sites (monuments, seashores, recreation areas, and memorials), only 63 of them are designated as national parks and require entrance fees. All of these 63 major parks—think Yellowstone, Acadia, and the Grand Canyon—will continue charging those $20–$35 park entrance fees upon arrival, even if you don't have to make a timed reservation to access the park. If you're planning to visit more than one national park this summer, consider purchasing an America the Beautiful pass for $80, which covers a year's worth of entry fees for a single vehicle (at parks that charge per-car fees), or up to four adults where fees are charged per person.