Arrive Ready to Locations that Require Timed Reservations

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Demand for outdoor recreation experiences continues to grow, and some locations have implemented a timed entry reservation system to manage the number of vehicles or people accessing an area per day or time period. These popular locations, like Rocky Mountain National Park and Arches National Park, offer an opportunity to visit during peak hours and high seasons with a reservation.

Planning ahead for your trip is more important now than ever

Tip #1: Learn the Lingo

A female ranger explains driving information to a male driver at a self-serve information station

Glacier National Park (National Park Service)

Recreation.gov is a unique collection of parks, forests, refuges, and other conservation areas that are all managed differently to meet specific resource and visitation demands. This explains why one park may use the term "timed entry" or "timed ticket" whereas another location will use "vehicle reservation." Some of these variations include, but are not limited to:

Timed Entry
Timed Tickets
Ticketed Entry
Vehicle Reservations

Tip #2: Stay Up to Date

A crowd of people gather at an overlook in Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park (Rachel Williams, National Park Service)

Always check the individual location page on Recreation.gov for current season dates, fee updates, rules and regulations. As of June 2023, these locations are requiring reservations to visit during peak season:

Arches National Park Timed Entry – Arches National Park, UT
Cadillac Summit Road Vehicle Reservations – Acadia National Park, ME
Glacier National Park Vehicle Reservations – Glacier National Park, MT
Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge Ticketed Entry – Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, HI
Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive Timed Entry – Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, NV
Rocky Mountain National Park Timed Entry – Rocky Mountain National Park, CO
Yosemite National Park Ticketed Entry – Yosemite National Park, CA

For a list of additional locations that require a reservation, click here.

Tip #3: Understand the Booking Window

A circular parking lot is packed with cars at a popular trailhead

Acadia National Park (National Park Service)

The booking window is the number of days in advance of your desired arrival date in which you can reserve a site or activity. The primary booking window will vary by location, from as early as four months to as late as 30 days in advance. Some locations will offer a secondary booking window with a small number of additional tickets one or two days in advance. Be sure to check the Seasons & Booking tab of the location you wish to visit and note the specific release dates and times for that location.

Tip #4: Create or Log In to Your Recreation.gov Account

Dozens of people crowd around the overlook at Delicate Arch

Arches National Park (Stephen Sutherlin, Share the Experience)

If you already have an account, we encourage you to log in and update your password. If you are new to Recreation.gov, this is a good time to create an account.

Once you login to your account, try these tips prior to reservations becoming available:

If you are new to Recreation.gov, practice speed drills and get comfortable with the site. Add your dates first, then check availability at each location.
If you can, select travel dates that do not include a Friday and Saturday. Expect that some locations are so popular, that even weekdays are in high demand.
Learn more about securing a reservation at a popular location.

Tip #5: Be Ready on the Day!

Crowds gather atop dusty Haleakala summit to watch the sunrise

Haleakala National Park (Betty Greene, Share the Experience)

Check the location's Seasons and Booking tab for the specific time and date reservations go on sale. On the day reservations become available, log in well before the sale time. Bring up the location’s page, add your dates, be ready to select an available timeslot and ticket quantity, and Request Tickets the moment they are released. Have your credit card ready and your alternate dates in mind.

Refresh your page at exactly the time sites are released for sale by selecting the Refresh button in the toolbar of your browser. Once you click Request Tickets, the tickets are locked in your cart for 15 minutes to give you time to complete your reservation. If you do not complete the transaction after 15 minutes, the ticket is released for others to reserve.

Pro Tip: Do NOT log in to multiple browsers, multiple tabs or windows using the same account on the day reservations become available. You may be prompted to complete the reCAPTCHA challenge, adding extra time to the reservation process.

Tip #6: Explore Your Alternatives

Red banded rocks rise dramatically above a scrub desert

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area (Johan Joubert, Share the Experience)

Maybe you didn't get the reservation that you wanted. The beautiful thing about your public lands is there are endless opportunities, destinations, and experiences waiting for you just around the corner.

Here are a few more tips to stick in your backpack as you consider planning alternate trips:

Most reservations apply to a specific timeframe during the peak season. If you don't get a reservation for your preferred date, in some cases, you can enter the park, conservation area, or forest early in the morning or late in the afternoon when reservations are not required. Check each location description carefully for these early morning or late afternoon access periods.
At some locations, if you already have an existing camping, lodging, or permit reservation, then you do not need a timed reservation.
To avoid the crowds, use Recreation.gov to find less explored, off-the-beaten-path destinations.

Remember that these reservations are often in place during the peak season. If you have flexibility in your schedule, you may find that shoulder seasons or weekday trips are ideal for avoiding the crowds.

For more information, check out this Ticketed and Timed Entry FAQ.

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Tips for Making Campsite Reservations at Popular Locations

Bring Home a Story

Glacier National Park Vehicle Reservations Glacier National Park, MT
Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge Ticketed Entry Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, HI
Arches National Park Timed Entry Arches National Park, UT
Cadillac Summit Road Vehicle Reservations Acadia National Park, ME
Rocky Mountain National Park Timed Entry Rocky Mountain National Park, CO
Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive Timed Entry Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, NV

Camp, RV, and Explore Outdoors

Recreation.gov is your gateway to explore America's outdoor and cultural destinations in your zip code and across the country. We provide tools and tips to discover new adventures through a one-stop shop for inspiration and ideation, trip planning, information sharing, and reservations. Find incredible places and experiences that help you bring home a story through Recreation.gov!