Everything You Need to Know About National Park Summer Reservations

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, but no vehicle reservations are required. 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: Yes for specific dates
• Standard entrance pass: $20-35
• Wilderness permits for overnight camping: Yes
• Half Dome Permits for hiking Half Dome: Yes

Reservations are required to visit Yosemite National Park, including those who plan to drive through between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. on these days: May 24 to 26, June 15 to August 15, and August 30 to September 1. All visitors must purchase an entrance pass ($20-$35), and it’s important to note that the Yosemite National Park does not accept cash.

Hiking Half Dome (Memorial Day to the second Monday in October) requires a Half Dome Permit. 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 cancelled 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 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. 

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 23 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. 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 between June 13 and September 28
• Standard entry pass: $20-$35
• Wilderness use permit: Yes
• Boating permits: Yes

Beginning in summer 2025, an additional vehicle reservation will be required for Going-to-the-Sun Road (West) and the North Fork from June 13 to September 28. 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.

If you’re planning on visiting more than two national parks this year, consider getting an America the Beautiful pass. The $80 pass gives you access to more than 2,000 recreation areas, including these national parks, and the money goes directly to improve the protected lands. The standard entrance fee to most national parks is $35 for vehicles and $20 for pedestrians, so you can see how the pass can save you money if you’re planning on visiting multiple parks!