Lotteries, timed entry & reservations
National Park Permits & Reservation Systems
Ten national parks where you cannot just show up: timed-entry reservations, permit lotteries, and parking tags, with how to book each one.
The parks with quota systems: Arches, Glacier, Rocky Mountain, Yosemite, Zion, Haleakalā, Acadia, Mount Rainier, Shenandoah, Great Smoky Mountains.
Arches
Timed entry reservation
A timed entry reservation is required to enter the park during the reservation season, typically April through October, 7 a.m.
Glacier
Vehicle reservations
Vehicle reservations are required for the Going-to-the-Sun Road corridor, the Many Glacier area, and the North Fork, typically from July through September..
Rocky Mountain
Timed entry reservation
Timed entry reservations are required during the summer season, typically late May through mid-October.
Yosemite
Day-use reservations (select periods)
On high-demand days, typically summer weekends and the February Horsetail Fall event, a day-use reservation is required to enter the park..
Zion
Angels Landing permit lottery
Hiking Angels Landing past Scout Lookout requires a permit, issued by lottery.
Haleakalā
Sunrise reservation
A reservation is required for sunrise viewing at the summit district, 3 a.m.
Acadia
Cadillac Summit Road reservation
Vehicle reservations are required to drive Cadillac Summit Road, typically late May through mid-October..
Mount Rainier
Timed entry (pilot)
The park has piloted timed entry reservations for the Paradise and Sunrise corridors during summer..
Shenandoah
Old Rag day-use permit
Day hiking Old Rag Mountain requires a day-use permit, typically March through November..
Great Smoky Mountains
Parking tags
The Smokies charge no entrance fee, but parking longer than 15 minutes anywhere in the park requires a parking tag (daily, weekly, or annual)..
Rules change year to year. Always confirm the current season's requirements on each park's official nps.gov page before planning around them.