Do you need reservations to enter national parks? These parks require them in 2025
National park trips require planning. Period.
But some of America's most popular parks also require reservations, particularly during their busy season: summer.
Most requirements are similar to last year, with a few exceptions.
It's not yet clear whether Mount Rainier National Park, in Washington, will bring back the timed-entry system it piloted last summer. 'No decisions have been,' according to Recreation.gov, the central trip planning and reservation site for more than a dozen federal agencies, including the National Park Service.
Yosemite National Park, in California, also required vehicle reservations last summer but has not yet revealed plans for this year. The park's website says details are expected 'in the near future.'
Here are the national parks definitely requiring reservations in 2025.
Where: Maine
What: Vehicle reservations are required to drive along Cadillac Summit Road during its busiest time of year.
When: May 21 – Oct. 26
How to get them: Reservations are only available on Recreation.gov. Less than a third of them are released 90 days in advance. The bulk of reservations are released two days before intended visits. Visitors should note there are two types of vehicle reservations. Sunrise reservations have a 90-minute entry window, while daytime reservations have a 30-minute entry window.
Cost: $6 per vehicle. A separate park entrance fee or valid park pass is also required.
Visiting a national park after layoffs? What to know before you go
Where: Utah
What: Time-entry tickets are required for all vehicles entering Arches between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m.
When: April 1 - July 6, Aug 28 - Oct. 31
How to get them: Many reservations are already available on Recreation.gov. October reservations will be released on May 1. Additional tickets become available at 7 p.m. nightly for next-day visits.
Cost: $2 per vehicle. A separate park entrance fee or valid park pass is also required.
Exceptions: The park says timed-entry tickets are not required for visitors "with camping, backcountry, Fiery Furnace, or special use permits; nor those with concessions contracts, commercial use authorizations, or academic fee waivers; nor people from associated Tribal Nations.'
Where: Montana
What: Timed-entry reservations are required for vehicles entering Going-to-the-Sun Road from the west or North Fork from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
When: June 13 - Sept. 28
How to get them: Reservations are released 120 days in advance on Recreation.gov. Additional tickets become available at 7 p.m. nightly for next-day visits.
Cost: $2 per vehicle. A separate park entrance fee or valid park pass is also required.
Exceptions: "Visitors with lodging, camping, or commercial activity reservations (e.g., boat tours and horseback rides) within the specified reservation areas can use proof of their reservation for entry instead of a vehicle reservation,' according to the park.
Where: Hawaii
What: Reservations are required for every vehicle entering the park for sunrise between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m.
When: Year-round
How to get them: Summit-sunrise reservations are released 60 days in advance on Recreation.gov. Additional reservations are released two days ahead of intended visits.
Cost: $1 per vehicle. A separate park entrance fee or valid park pass is also required.
Where: Colorado
What: Timed-entry reservations are needed to access Rocky Mountain Park during the busiest times of its most popular season. There are two different types to choose from: Timed Entry (which covers most of the park) and Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road (which covers the entire park including Bear Lake Road).
When: Timed Entry reservations are required from 9 a.m.- 2 p.m between May 23 - Oct. 13 to access everything but Bear Lake Road. Visitors who also want to access Bear Lake Road will instead need Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road reservations, which are required from 5 a.m.- 6 p.m. between May 23 - Oct. 19.
How to get them: Both types of reservations will be available on Recreation.gov. The first batch will be released on May 1 for visits through June. July reservations will be released on June 1. August reservations will be released on July 1 and so on. Additional reservations will become available at 7 p.m. nightly for next-day visits.
Cost: $2 per vehicle. A separate park entrance fee or valid park pass is also required.
Where: Virginia
What: Day-use tickets are required to hike Old Rag Mountain most of the year.
When: March 1– Nov. 30
How to get them: Tickets are available on Recreation.gov. Half of them are released 30 days in advance of intended visits. The other half are released 5 days in advance.
Cost: $2 per person. A park entrance fee or valid park pass is also required.
Where: Utah
What: Permits are required to hike Angels Landing all year long.
When: Year-round
How to get them: Permits are available by seasonal lottery or day-before lottery on Recreation.gov. This year's spring and summer lotteries have already closed, but hopeful hikers can still enter a different lottery the day before their intended hike. Registration for the fall lottery opens on July 1.
Cost: $6 non-refundable lottery fee for up to 6 people plus a $3 permit fee per person. A separate park entrance fee or valid park pass is also required.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: See which national parks require reservations
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
What else to know about the Blue Lakes area closure
OURAY, Colo. (KREX) — On Monday, June 2, the Blue Lakes area closed for trailhead construction and restoration efforts. After the closure announcement, the U.S. Forest Service for the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) areas received inquiries from visitors and community members. In response, GMUG released follow-up information to address the questions: Visitors can still access the Blue Lakes through Yankee Boy Basin and Blue Lakes Pass by doing an out-and-back hike. Access to this area requires a high-clearance vehicle and technical driving skills. Visitors should expect more primitive trail conditions along the trail. Visitors cannot access Blue Lakes from the Dallas Trail due to the closure. Visitors can access the Blaine Basin from County Road 5 or from the Dallas Trailhead off of County Road 17. The new parking lot will occupy the existing parking area and will have improved drainage, a new double-vault restroom and delineated parking spaces for visitors. GMUG is currently working with to develop details and logistics for a new permit system. The earliest the new system will be put in place would be at the start of the 2026 season, however, there is no confirmed implementation date. The Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) will be funding the improvements made to the area. Temporary fences will be installed to protect and preserve restoration areas during construction. The project is expected to last through August 2025 and the area will reopen once it is safe for the public to access. More information about the closure can be found at Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
%3Amax_bytes(150000)%3Astrip_icc()%2Ftl-travel-friendly-reef-safe-sunscreens-tout-d4ce142034f64c1184a934740f69554d.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Travel + Leisure
2 days ago
- Travel + Leisure
I've Been Diving for 22 Years—These Are the 8 Best Reef-safe Sunscreens I've Tried
I was 13 the first time I saw a coral reef. The endless blue of the ocean gave way to an explosion of color unlike anything I'd seen before. Colorful schools of fish moved around vibrant corals while the sun shone through, glittering like a stained glass window set aflame by the sun. In the 22 years since that moment, I've been fortunate enough to go snorkeling and diving all over the world, from the cold waters of Jeju Island in Korea to the warmth of the Indian Ocean in Seychelles and numerous places in the Caribbean. Although coral reefs are still magical, there is an uncomfortable truth anyone who knows the ocean has to painfully acknowledge: Corals are dying. According to the National Park Service, swimmers leech an estimated 4,000 to 6,000 tons of sunscreen into the ocean every year, and sunscreen has been linked to coral bleaching—a phenomenon wherein coral loses its vibrant pigment and turns white over time, becoming weak and susceptible to starvation and death. It's been a long time since I've seen a truly thriving reef; even the one I visited in middle school is mostly bleached now. Though we may not individually have the power to reverse climate change, there are smaller—albeit very significant—actions that we can take, like switching to reef-safe sunscreens. Since terms like 'reef-safe' are unregulated, consumers should look out for specific ingredients when choosing an eco-conscious sunscreen, especially oxybenzone and octinoxate. Now banned in places like Hawaii, Mexico, and Aruba, these ingredients aren't just harmful for marine life, but have also been linked to hormone disruption in humans. Other toxic ingredients to avoid include non-nano-sized zinc or titanium, parabens, and triclosan. To keep coral reefs as healthy as possible while diving, I've tested out several reef-safe sunscreens. Keep scrolling for eight travel-friendly, reef-safe sunscreens I recommend that are perfectly sized for stowing in your carry-on luggage. Thrive's Mineral Face SPF is the only reef-safe facial sunscreen I found that was able to replace my regular one. The formula states that it's made for sensitive skin, and it delivers on its promise. It's lightweight and soothing for my rosacea and acne-prone face. It also leaves no white cast. As a bonus, all Thrive products are plastic negative, meaning that the company recovers more plastic from the ocean than it uses to package its products. My only qualm with it is that the SPF is lower than I would like, and that the body sunscreen is too large to pack in a carry-on. Since it costs nearly $30 for 2 ounces, I wouldn't use this product when I'm at the beach and need to reapply sunscreen around the clock. Instead, I'd use this for daily life and SPF touch-ups, and opt for longer-lasting options when I plan to be outside in the sun all day. It's important to remember that using reef-safe sunscreen is still important for protecting aquatic environments, even if you're not near the ocean—harmful chemicals from non-reef-safe sunscreens can seep into local water sources when you shower. SurfDurt Mineral SPF is now one of my favorite facial sunscreens, especially because of its impressively short list of 10 ingredients, including organic cocoa butter, organic coconut oil, and natural iron oxide pigment. There is nothing on the list that I don't recognize, so I feel comfortable diving while wearing it, knowing I'm not harming the very reefs that I'm swimming next to. I've also found that this product is perfect for kids. My three-year-old niece, who usually hates putting on sunscreen, loves it so much to the point where I have to tell her to save some for later. Since it's not a messy, runny liquid, she's able to put it on herself, making the SPF application process feel more like a game than an annoying pre-pool requirement. Since I have mixed skin, this sunscreen is a bit too greasy for me to use every day. But when I made my brother, another sunscreen hater, try it, he said that it worked well for his dry skin. I love that you don't have to ever worry about the sunscreen spilling all over your suitcase or purse, and that you can reuse the cool bamboo and tin packaging to pack things like jewelry and pills once you're run out of product. If you've never used tin sunscreen before, try it out for yourself; you'll probably end up appreciating how nice and smooth it feels without leaving your hands gooey or greasy. Hawaiian-based Kokua Sun Care contains natural, locally-grown ingredients like spirulina, noni, flower extracts, and seed oils; however, its formula also includes chemical ingredients. Despite being the most expensive sunscreen on the list, its texture isn't very smooth, so you'll have to thoroughly rub it in. That said, it has a high SPF, and it doesn't leave a white cast or have a strong smell, which are two factors that I believe justify the high price. For the packaging, the company uses bio-based sugar cane that is chemically identical to polyethylene, making it easy to recycle. Because sugar cane absorbs more CO2 while growing than the amount that is released when making the packaging, this is considered a carbon-negative packaging solution, giving this sunscreen option bonus points for eco-friendliness. Badger sunscreen is dermatologist-approved, and it's not hard to see why. The product is fairly lightweight and doesn't leave a white cast, which means you can reapply it multiple times without overwhelming your skin. It wins bonus points for its high SPF and relatively low price. The brand's facial sunscreen is great as well, and it doesn't make my sensitive skin react. I could definitely see this becoming my to-go product for daily protection if I couldn't shell out $30 for the Thrive restock. I use the tin version in order to reduce plastic waste, but the company has a tube sunscreen with 50 percent recycled plastic packaging, and all products are made in solar-powered facilities within the U.S. The thing I love the most about Raw Elements' SPF is that you can recognize everything on the ingredient list. Besides non-nano zinc oxide, you'll find ingredients like sunflower, organic beeswax, mango, green tea leaf extract, rosemary, and coffee. This gives the product a strong smell, but it's not a chemical one, so I actually prefer its scent to that of most 'regular' sunscreens. Other positives are that it doesn't leave a white cast, and that it feels nourishing, especially if you have dry skin. While the product is supposed to be used on both the body and face, my sensitive face immediately started itching when I put it on. The rest of my body reacts well to it, though, so I'd recommend this as an affordable body sunscreen made with natural ingredients. Besides having the coolest logo out of all the sunscreens on this list, Raw Love SPF earns points for being the smoothest tin sunscreen I've ever tried. Its ingredient list is short and mostly made up of organic ingredients, like coconut oil and shea butter, and it has a fresh, minty smell. This Maui-based brand was founded by a marine biologist, which explains its commitment and dedication to keeping things natural and healthy for both humans and sea life. Unfortunately for me, this product is a bit too oily to put daily on my mixed-type skin, though Amazon reviews claim it works well with other skin types—some people even use it as a makeup primer. While the product's consistency is fantastic, it only comes in a 2-ounce or 4-ounce packaging, so if you need to keep it TSA-friendly, you'll have to opt for the smaller of the two. There is a minimal white cast that wasn't very noticeable on my pale skin, though it might be more obvious on darker skin tones. Stream2Sea's sunscreen is not greasy and doesn't make my rosacea flare up—this alone immediately earned it a spot on this list. I also like that the product is biodegradable and packaged in recycled materials. The only downside is that it leaves a noticeable white cast, even after rubbing intensely. If this is a non-negotiable for you, I've found that the tinned balm version doesn't have this issue, so I'll certainly be making it my go-to for dive days when I mostly reapply to my hands and face. Besides foregoing the use of harmful chemicals, the company claims to have developed a sunscreen product that actually helps corals—aptly named Coral Care—by providing nutrients that naturally exist in sea water, though this study is still being peer reviewed. Although the Coral Care sunscreen line isn't available on Amazon yet, you can purchase it on Stream2Sea's website. While Blue Lizard's products are Hawaiian Act 104-compliant—meaning that they contain no octinoxate or oxybenzone—they do have more chemical ingredients than the other options on this list. Still, this sunscreen has a high SPF, works well for sensitive skin, and beats out the competition in terms of affordability. It was also the only reef-safe sunscreen that I could find at my local drugstore, making it more easily accessible than brands that you have to order online. It is worth noting that it rubs clear when you first put it on, but then turns slightly white when you go into the water. Overall, I'd keep this as a last-minute or low-budget option for when you can't get any of the other recommended sunscreens—and despite this shortcoming, I'd definitely still choose it over products made with chemicals that are harming the ocean. Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.
%3Amax_bytes(150000)%3Astrip_icc()%2FTAL-header-cliff-palace-mesa-verde-national-park-co-CLIFFDWELLINGS0525-4e1afbf5ea1f4eb3b89691562ad8c1ee.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Travel + Leisure
3 days ago
- Travel + Leisure
This National Park Has Some of the Oldest Pueblos in North America—and They're Carved Directly Into a Cliff
In southwest Colorado, where the Rocky Mountains give way to canyons and mesas, is one of the most intimate places you can connect with ancient history in the United States. In Mesa Verde National Park, you'll find elaborate villages tucked beneath sandstone overhangs. These cliff dwellings were built by the Ancestral Pueblo people and date back more than 700 years. The historic structures provide a rare glimpse into a civilization that built complex homes, ceremonial kivas, and irrigation systems. 'Mesa Verde is unique because it is a national park telling the story of people on the landscape. Even though all national parks have human stories, the Ancestral Pueblo people, the ancestral sites they built, and the park's connection to modern Pueblos and Tribes are key here,' said Dalton Dorrell, a park ranger on Mesa Verde's Interpretation and Visitor Services team. These dwellings are some of the best preserved in the world and are the hallmark of Mesa Verde National Park, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With its rare blend of cultural heritage and natural beauty, Mesa Verde isn't just a stop or another national park on the list—it's a journey into the deep history of the American Southwest. Dalton Dorrell is a park ranger on the Interpretation and Visitor Services team at Mesa Verde National Park. He has worked for the National Park Service for over 10 years. Brian Bartlett is the tourism director and CEO at Mesa Verde Country, a local organization that provides information for travelers visiting Mesa Verde National Park and the surrounding area. Scenic view of Mesa Verde National Park from the Visitor and Research Center. JohnMesa Verde National Park is open daily, year-round. No reservations are needed to enter the park, and entrance passes are $20 per vehicle during the low season (Oct. 23–April 30) and $30 during the high season (May 1–Oct. 22). Passes are good for seven days. If you want to walk inside one of the park's renowned cliff dwellings, you must book a tour up to 14 days in advance. Cliff dwelling tours run from May to October, ending in the winter. The park is still open in the colder months, but many of the facilities close, including the lodge, campground, and most dining options. It is worth noting that all of the park's historic sites and cliff dwellings are at least 45 minutes by car (one way) from the park's entrance on Highway 160. Brian Bartlett, the tourism director and CEO of Mesa Verde Country, advises travelers to 'gas up before you come as there is almost no fuel to be purchased in the park.' The park is also completely cashless, so bring a card. And finally, Mesa Verde National Park is different from most because it contains so much human history. The ancestral sites are extremely important to the park's 26 affiliated tribes and are also very fragile. "Two easy ways you can visit with respect is to not touch or sit on ancestral site walls and to leave any artifact where you find it," Dorrell said. The Mesa Top Loop Road Ruins contains some of the most elaborate Pueblo dwellings found today. Christian Kober/robertharding/Getty Images The park is between the Colorado towns of Cortez and Mancos, near the Four Corners region, where Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, and Colorado meet. It shares some land with the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe reservation. The nearest airports to Mesa Verde National Park are Cortez Municipal Airport (CEZ), about 36 miles away, Durango-La Plata County Airport (DRO), about 70 miles away, and Four Corners Regional Airport (FMN) in Farmington, New Mexico, 89 miles away. If you're flying in, you'll need to rent a car, as there's no way to get to or around the park by public transportation. It's a 45-minute drive from the park entrance off of Highway 160 to the first view of a cliff dwelling. The best time to visit Mesa Verde National Park is in late spring and early fall, when the cliff dwellings are still open, but the peak travel season of summer hasn't quite begun yet. The popular, ranger-led cliff dwelling tours begin in May and end in mid to late October. 'I really enjoy September and October in the park," said Dorrell. "It's cooler, there are still tours occurring in parts of the park, and some days are slower. If you do visit during that time, be sure to check the weather. Some years we can start getting snow that early." However, there's a reason why summer is a popular time to visit: the weather is more reliable around this time of year, and the park is usually fully open. Plus, summer comes with wildflowers and chances to spot wildlife, including bears and bobcats. Winter isn't a bad time to visit, either, and you can see sites like Spruce Tree House covered in snow, or you could even cross-country ski or snowshoe the park's winter trails. However, keep in mind that many of the park's facilities close in the colder months. In addition to its national park website, you can follow Mesa Verde's Facebook page, where delayed openings and temporary park closures are posted. Cliff Palace in Mesa Verde National Park is the the largest cliff dwelling in North America. Daniel A. Leifheit/Getty Images Cliff Palace was once home to over 100 people and is the largest known cliff dwelling in North America. It is believed to have been built between 1190 and 1280 C.E. and has 23 kivas, or ceremonial rooms. You can see the Cliff Palace from the Cliff Palace Overlook on Cliff Palace Loop Road, but if you want to step inside this massive structure, you must book a ranger-guided tour. Tours are limited to 50 people and take 45 minutes. Tourists exploring the Balcony House ruin, an Ancient Puebloan (Anasazi) cliff dwelling that was inhabited until the 13th century. wanderluster/Getty Images If you're physically fit and enjoy a bit of a challenge, reserve a tour of Balcony House, where Dorrell said visitors must 'climb a 32-foot ladder, climb two smaller ladders, and crawl through a 12-foot tunnel.' But the effort is all worth it. The path leads to a mid-sized village of 38 rooms set inside a rock alcove. Like the Cliff Palace, the Balcony House can be viewed from the six-mile-long Cliff Palace Loop Road. Those who want to set foot in the village must book a guided tour. Bartlett recommends that first-time visitors drive the six-mile Mesa Top Loop Road, which gives a good overview of the park. The loop is open year-round and provides access to 12 archeological sites, including pueblos and pit houses. You'll also see stunning views of Square Tower House, Cliff Palace, and Sun Temple. The Mesa Top Loop Road is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to sunset. The interior and exterior of a pit house reconstruction inside the Step House ruins. Rebecca L. Latson/Getty Images The only cliff dwelling you can visit without a ranger or a reservation is the Step House on Wetherill Mesa. Visiting it lets you explore a part of Mesa Verde National Park that very few people get to see. "This year, the Weatherall Mesa Road will be open, allowing folks to access and discover the other 50 percent of the park," Bartlett said. The journey to Step House usually takes three to four hours, and the site itself requires a hike on a one-mile, steep trail. There's usually a ranger on-site to answer questions. The Mesa Verde Cliff Dwellings lit by lantern light sit under a star filled sky. BradWhile most people come to the park to see how early humans lived, the park becomes a stargazing destination at night. Due to its high elevation, arid climate, and distance from the nearest community, the skies above Mesa Verde tend to be clear and inky black—ideal conditions for stargazing. Mesa Verde National Park became the world's 100th International Dark Sky Park in 2021. Booking a campsite at Morefield Campground (open May through October) is a great way to see the night sky. And in late summer, the park runs evening stargazing programs. A guest room at the Far View Lodge within Colorado's Mesa Verde National Park. Morefield is the only campground in the park and is open from May to October. But if you time a visit just right, you can enjoy a night in one of the 267 campsites that dot the grassy canyon near the park's entrance. Each site has a picnic table, fire pit, and barbecue grill. RVs and trailers are permitted. There's also a camp store as well as showers and laundry. The only traditional accommodations within the park are at Far View Lodge, typically open from April to October. The lodge is in the center of the park, around 30 minutes from the park entrance. The rooms in Far View Lodge have private balconies, Wi-Fi, and free guest parking. Pets are allowed, and there are ADA accessible rooms. The property also has a lounge and bar, and a dining room. Mesa Verde Motel is in Mancos, one of the park's neighboring towns. The motel provides just the basics, but it's modern and clean with a hip Americana feel. The property has a community fire pit and an onsite coffee shop and cocktail lounge. Bartlett describes the motel 'is not to be missed.' This little gem in Cortez describes itself as "a little different than the norm"—and it's easy to see why. The Retro Inn has a host of eccentrically decorated rooms—including the hippy-dippy Woodstock Suite—and a range of interesting amenities, including lawn bowling, nostalgic board games, and old-school video games. As an added bonus, there's an outdoor theater with swings and a fire pit. For in-park fine dining, head to the Metate Room in Far View Lodge. The menu highlights regional heritage foods, including wild game, local produce, and fresh fish. Above the lodge, the aptly named Far View Lounge has views that stretch for hundreds of miles and it's a great place to get a pre or post-dinner drink. 'While in the park one must dine at the incredible Metate Room, enjoy a cocktail at the Far View Lounge, and enjoy our incredible dark skies firsthand," Bartlett said. Another favorite of Bartlett's is Cortez's Loungin' Lizard, located on Main Street. The restaurant and bar are set in a hip, contemporary space and serve unique fare like elk shepherd's pie, pork belly tacos, and spicy barbecue chicken pizza. In Mancos, The Boathouse on Grand is the place to be. It's run by locals Jenn and Dave Stewart and has a seasonal menu that changes throughout the week. They're also known for their menu of Spanish sherries and vermouth, served by the glass.
