It’ll Be Harder to Visit These Three National Parks in 2025—Here’s Why

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Last week, three popular national parks in the United States announced they will be using timed-entry reservation systems for 2025. Here’s what you need to know.

Arches National Park, Utah

Arches National Park announced it will implement a pilot program trialing a vehicle reservation system that uses timed entry in 2025, beginning April 1. The park ran a similar pilot program in 2024, and there will be some adjustments in 2025 based on past experience.

In essence, visitors will need timed entry tickets when arriving at Arches between 7 AM and 4 PM daily while the program is in effect (April 1-October 31), unless they have camping, tour, or special use permits. Visitors can reserve their tickets through Recreation.gov.

Find more details here.

Glacier National Park, Montana

Glacier National Park also announced it will implement a pilot vehicle reservation system in 2025. The program will be in effect from 7 AM to 3 PM between June 13 and September 28, 2025 for the west side of Going-to-the-Sun Road and the North Fork. Visitors can begin making advance reservations on February 12, 2025 via Recreation.gov.

The park also piloted a reservation system in 2024 and is using what it learned to further minimize congestion, optimize visitor arrival, and improve visitor experiences.

Find more details here.

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Rocky Mountain National Park announced it will similarly implement a timed-entry reservation system in 2025, beginning May 23 and lasting through the end of October. Similar to the 2024 system, visitors to the park have two types of reservation options.

One permit is for the Bear Lake Road Corridor, which includes the corridor and offers access to the rest of the park, effective between 5 AM and 6 PM. The second permit is for the park, excluding the Bear Lake Road corridor, between 9 AM and 2 PM. Both types of reservations will be available through Recreation.gov.

Find more details here.

What do you think about timed-entry systems? Weigh in below.