3 national parks slash red tape for Americans by boldly transforming visitor entry

Three of the country’s busiestnational parkswill no longer require advance reservations during peak seasons this year.

The National Park Service announced this month that Arches, Glacier and Yosemite national parks are removing timed-entry systems that had been used in recent summers tomanage heavy crowds.

Yosemite also will not require reservations for its popular “firefall” viewing period this season.

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Timed-entry systems were introduced in recent years to limit the number of visitors entering parks at one time, particularly during busy summer months, the park service noted.

“Our national parks belong to the American people, and our priority is keeping them open and accessible,” said Kevin Lilly, acting assistant secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks, in a news release. 

Arches National Park, pictured, will end its peak-season timed-entry reservation system this year, a change that Arches and Yosemite are also making.(iStock)

Lilly said the agency is expanding access where conditions allow while continuing to use targeted tools to protectvisitor safetyand park resources.

Timed-entry systems were introduced in recent years to cap the number of visitors allowed in at one time, particularly during the busy summer months.(iStock)

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Glacier National Parkwill also eliminate its park-wide vehicle reservation requirement this summer.

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However, the park will continue managing congestion in high-demand areas such as Going-to-the-Sun Road and Logan Pass.

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not require advance reservationsin 2026, including during the February and March firefall period.

Yosemite will also drop reservation requirements for its popular “firefall” viewing period this season.(Apu Gomes/Getty Images)

Instead, the park will rely on real-time traffic controls, seasonal staffing increases and temporary parking management if lots reach capacity.

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Rocky Mountain National Parkwill continue its timed-entry reservation system from late May through mid-October.

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“The tailored approaches reflect each park’s unique infrastructure, visitation demand and coordination with state and local partners,” the agency said.