National Park Summer Reservations: What You Need To Know Before You Go

Planning to visit a national park this summer? Many national parks require a permit, and depending on what you want to do, you’ll need a specific type of permit. The most common types of national park permits are entrance passes and timed-entry permits. Depending on what you plan to do, you may also need backcountry permits and special use permits. Most day hikes or day trips will require just an entrance pass, but there are exceptions (like Angels Landing in Zion National Park).

We always recommend checking the National Park Service website before your visit to ensure you won’t be turned away at the gate. 

We’ve listed the 10 most visited U.S. National Parks and the permits required to help you plan your trip. Let this national park summer reservations guide be your inspiration for an epic summer filled with endless outdoor adventure. 

Yellowstone National Park

Permits required: 

• Entrance reservations: No
• Standard entrance pass: $20-35
• Recreational permits (fishing, horseback riding, boating): Yes
• Backcountry camping permit: Yes

An entrance pass is required to visit Yellowstone National Park, which includes your vehicle. It’s faster if you purchase your pass in advance, but they can be purchased at any entrance station when you arrive. A standard entrance pass to visit Yellowstone costs $20-$35, depending on whether you are a pedestrian or in a vehicle. This is a fairly standard price for most national parks.

Grand Canyon National Park

Permits required:

• Entrance reservations: No
• Standard entrance pass: $20-35
• Backcountry Permits required for overnight hiking, horseback riding, or camping: Yes
• River Permits: Yes

A standard entrance pass to visit Grand Canyon National Park is valid for seven days and includes the South Rim and North Rim (when in season). Keep in mind that the park’s three entrance stations are credit/debit card only—no cash. The pass costs $20-$35. 

Zion National Park

Permits required:

• Entrance reservations: No
• Standard entrance pass: $20-35
• Backpacking permit (Wilderness permit) is required for overnight adventures, including backpacking, canyoneering, river trips, and rock climbing. 

A standard entrance pass ($20-$35) will be sufficient for most people planning to visit Zion National Park. Depending on your vehicle, you may need a large vehicle permit. Those who wish to hike Angels Landing will need to enter the lottery system for a permit first. The Narrows does not require a permit, but only if you’re hiking bottom-up from the Temple of Sinawava—the 16-mile through-hike from Chamberlain’s Ranch does require a Wilderness permit. All canyoneering and overnight backpacking in Zion requires a Wilderness Permit. See the full list of permits required for Zion National Park for more information.

Yosemite National Park

Permits required:

• Entrance reservations required: No
• Standard entrance pass: $20-35
• Wilderness permits for overnight camping: Yes
• Half Dome Permits for hiking Half Dome: Yes

Reservations are no longer required to visit Yosemite National Park, which is a recent change for 2026. All visitors must purchase an entrance pass ($20-$35), and it’s important to note that the Yosemite National Park does not accept cash. Yosemite is known for long wait times during peak days, so be sure to check the website to stay up to date on wait times. You can also get up-to-date traffic conditions by texting ynptraffic to 333111. This is one National Park where being an early bird will work to your advantage. Get there early to avoid lengthy wait times.

Hiking Half Dome (Memorial Day to the second Monday in October) requires a Half Dome Permit when the cables are up. The park issues a maximum of 300 permits per day for this popular hike, many of which are issued during a pre-season lottery. There is a daily lottery based on canceled permits, and you can apply two days prior to the hiking date. You’ll receive a notification the same night you apply.

Grand Teton National Park

• Entrance reservations required: No
• Standard entrance pass: $20-35
• Backcountry permits: Yes
• Boating/floating permits: Yes

No entrance reservations or timed entry slots are required to visit Grand Teton National Park, but everyone needs a standard pass ($20-$35) to enter. Those wishing to backpack and enjoy some primitive backcountry camping will need a backcountry permit. If you plan to BYOB (bring your own boat), you will need a special boating permit, which goes for human-powered boats, including kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, too. A climbing permit is not required, but depending on your itinerary, you may still need a backcountry permit. 

Similar to Yellowstone, National Parks without timed entry (so you can arrive whenever) tend to have long wait times at the entrance. Get there early!

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

• Parking tag required—no entrance fee!
• Backcountry camping permit required: Yes

There is no entrance fee to Great Smoky Mountains National Park—just the parking tag! Daily, weekly, and annual parking tags are offered and can be purchased online or in person. Backcountry camping permits are required for backcountry camping, and you will still need a parking tag. Fishing is a popular pastime, so remember to have a valid Tennessee or North Carolina fishing license and know your limits before you cast.  

Rocky Mountain National Park

• Timed entry reservations from May 22 to mid-October
• Standard entrance pass: $15-$35

Summer is a popular time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park, and you will need a timed entry reservation to enter from May to October. I personally love the timed entry system, because it makes sure the park doesn't get too crowded and protects the park's resources. Once you enter the park, you can stay as long as you’d like. A valid park pass ($15-$35) is required to enter the park, and it's important to note that Rocky Mountain National Park does not accept cash. Camping at Rocky Mountain National Park does require a reservation, so be sure to visit the website to learn more. 

Acadia National Park

• Standard entrance pass: $20-$35
• Vehicle Road Reservation: May 21 to October 26
• Climbing permits: Yes (with exceptions)

A park entrance pass is required for Acadia National Park year-round, and a vehicle reservation may also be necessary for those visiting in the summer/fall and wishing to tackle Cadillac Summit Road. Vehicle reservations must be made online and are not available for purchase at the park. Climbing permits are required to climb Otter Cliffs, but not for everyone—double-check the website to see if you need a permit beforehand. The park does not accept cash.

Olympic National Park

• Entrance reservations required: No
• Standard entrance pass: $15-$30
• Backcountry camping permit: Yes

Wilderness backpacking permits are required in Olympic National Park and can be purchased online or in person at a Wilderness Information Center. Permits for the summer season (May 15 to October 15) are released on April 15. Bear canisters are required in many camp areas. These are available for loan on a first-come, first-served basis, so you might want to bring your own.

Glacier National Park

• Vehicle reservation for certain areas
• Standard entry pass: $20-$35
• Wilderness use permit: Yes
• Boating permits: Yes

An additional vehicle reservation will be required for Going-to-the-Sun Road (West) and the North Fork to reduce congestion on the road. The vehicle reservation is in addition to the standard entry pass. Nature lovers looking to camp in the backcountry of Glacier National Park require a wilderness use permit, which can be purchased online or in person at one of the Backcountry Ranger Stations. All water vessels (boats, kayaks, etc) must be inspected before issuing a boating permit. Glacier National Park is cashless.

National Parks Where Reservations Sell Out Fastest

Obviously, some National Parks are more popular than others, and those permits go quick—we’re talking months in advance. Many travelers book these permits and passes a year in advance. Yosemite, Glacier, and Rocky Mountain certainly fall into this category, as well as the permits for Angels Landing at Zion. 

If you find yourself in a predicament where the reservation or permit you want is sold out, you can either change your plans or, in the case of some permits, try the daily lottery if it’s offered. For example, Zion National Park holds a daily lottery for some canyoneering routes, including 16-Mile, Virgin River Narrows Through-Hike, and Left Fork (Subway). To enter the lottery, you’ll need to submit your entry two days before your desired date and select your preferred canyons. You’ll hear back by the end of the day. Each park has its own system, which can be viewed on the recreation.gov website. 

If you’re planning on visiting multiple National Parks, you may benefit from obtaining an America the Beautiful National Parks Pass. It covers entrance fees and day-use fees to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas across the United States for one year. Do some mental math and see if this would be a cost-efficient solution for you! Generally speaking, if you're planning on visiting more than two National Parks, it's a deal. You can also check to see the 2026 Free Entrance Days at the National Parks and see if you can plan your trip around one of those dates. 

As always, be sure to check the National Park's website before you head over, so you can stay up to date on any important announcements. These can include anything from wait times to road and trail closures.