Do I need a timed entry reservation for national parks like Arches, Rocky Mountain and Yosemite?

The short answer

In 2026, Rocky Mountain National Park required a timed entry reservation during certain hours, while Arches and Yosemite did not require one. The NPS announced those decisions in February 2026. Because parks can change their systems each year, check the park's own page and Recreation.gov before you plan a trip.

What did each park decide for 2026?

• Rocky Mountain: timed entry reservations required, continuing the system from late May through mid-October.
• Arches: no timed entry reservation in 2026. Visitors can enter at any time during operating hours, but a valid entrance pass is still required.
• Yosemite: no advance reservations in 2026, including peak summer months and the February to March firefall period.
• Glacier: no park-wide vehicle reservation system in 2026, though the park manages congestion in busy corridors such as Going-to-the-Sun Road.

How does Rocky Mountain timed entry work?

In 2026 a timed entry reservation was needed to enter between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily from Friday, May 22 through Monday, October 12. You could enter before 9 a.m. or after 2 p.m. without one. Reservations give a 2-hour entry window, and once inside you can stay as long as you like.

A separate Timed Entry plus Bear Lake Road reservation was needed to enter the Bear Lake Road Corridor between 5 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily from May 22 through Sunday, October 18. It also gives access to the rest of the park. If you miss your window you are asked to return after 2 p.m.

The only cost is a non-refundable $2 Recreation.gov processing fee.

How and when do I book?

Reservations are made only on Recreation.gov, by its mobile app or by phone on 877-444-6777 (606-515-6777 from outside the US). They are not sold at park entrances. In 2026 reservations were released in blocks at 8 a.m. MDT, for example July dates on June 1 and August dates on July 1. Extra reservations were released at 7 p.m. MDT the night before the arrival date, and sell out quickly.

What do I still need at Arches and Yosemite?

At Arches, reservations continued to be required for Devils Garden Campground and for self-guided and ranger-led Fiery Furnace hikes. When parking areas fill, staff may temporarily restrict access to specific locations, and the park asks visitors not to wait in roadways for spaces.

Yosemite said it would rely on real-time traffic monitoring, parking management and extra staffing, and encouraged weekday visits and trips beyond Yosemite Valley. Without a reservation system, expect possible congestion at peak times.

Will the rules be the same next year?

Not necessarily. The NPS says parks not using timed entry will monitor visitation and are prepared to add measures if conditions warrant. The dates above are for 2026 and the Rocky Mountain season has ended. Check the park website and Recreation.gov for the next season before you travel.

Sources: NPS: Summer 2026 access plans for Arches, Glacier, Rocky and Yosemite (18 February 2026), Rocky Mountain National Park: Timed Entry Permit System, Arches National Park: reservation requirement lifted for 2026, Yosemite National Park: Entrance Reservations. Read 5 November 2026. Rules and fees change, so check the official page before you travel.

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