Timed-entry permits at national parks: how they work
Reservation systems keep changing. Here is how to plan around them.
By CampingSpirit Editors · August 8, 2026 · 6 min read
Several of the busiest national parks now control crowds with reservations. The details change almost every year. Some parks require a timed-entry ticket for the whole park, some only for one road or one hike, and some have dropped the system altogether.
Where to check
Always start with the park's own page on nps.gov and the matching listing on recreation.gov. Most tickets are released in batches. Usually one batch goes out months ahead and a smaller one opens the day before or at 7 p.m. the evening before.
How to work around them
Many parks allow entry without a reservation before a set time in the morning, often 6 or 7 a.m. Having a campground or lodge booking inside the park often counts as entry. Ranger-led tours and commercial tours may include access too.
Build it into your trip
Add reservation deadlines to the notes on each stop in your planner. If you don't get a slot, a flexible day in the itinerary gives you a second chance with the next-day release.
