Arrive Ready to Locations that Require Timed Reservations

Demand for outdoor recreation experiences continues to grow, and some locations have implemented a timed entry reservation system to manage the number of vehicles or people accessing an area per day or time period. These popular locations, like Rocky Mountain National Park and Arches National Park, offer an opportunity to visit during peak hours and high seasons with a reservation.

Planning ahead for your trip is essential for a smooth and safe adventure

Tip #1: Learn the Lingo

Glacier National Park (National Park Service)

Recreation.gov is a unique collection of parks, forests, refuges, and other conservation areas that are all managed differently to meet specific resource and visitation demands. This explains why one park may use the term "timed entry" or "timed ticket" whereas another location will use "vehicle reservation." Some of these variations include, but are not limited to:

• Timed Entry
• Timed Tickets
• Ticketed Entry
• Vehicle Reservations

Tip #2: Stay Up to Date

Rocky Mountain National Park (Rachel Williams, National Park Service)

Always check the individual location page on Recreation.gov for current season dates, fee updates, rules and regulations. You can also search by the park, forest, refuge, or conservation area name. For example, search "Arches National Park" to view all locations at Arches requiring a reservation, including Arches National Park Timed Entry.

Pro Tip: Use the map feature on the Recreation.gov homepage to check the geographic area you plan to visit and look for the purple "ticket" map pin. The purple pin indicates a ticket reservation is required.

Tip #3: Understand the Booking Window

Acadia National Park (National Park Service)

The booking window is the number of days in advance of your desired arrival date in which you can reserve a site or activity. The primary booking window will vary by location, from as early as four months to as late as 30 days in advance. Some locations will offer a secondary booking window with a small number of additional tickets one or two days in advance. Be sure to check the Seasons & Booking tab of the location you wish to visit and note the specific release dates and times for that location.

Tip #4: Create or Log In to Your Recreation.gov Account

Arches National Park (Stephen Sutherlin, Share the Experience)

If you already have an account, we encourage you to log in and update your password. If you are new to Recreation.gov, this is a good time to create an account.

Once you log in to your account, try these tips prior to reservations becoming available:

• If you are new to Recreation.gov, practice speed drills and get comfortable with the site. Add your dates first, then check availability at each location.
• If you can, select travel dates that do not include a Friday and Saturday. Expect that some locations are so popular, that even weekdays are in high demand.
• Learn more about securing a reservation at a popular location.

Tip #5: Be Ready on the Day!

Haleakala National Park (Betty Greene, Share the Experience)

Check the location's Seasons and Booking tab for the specific time and date reservations go on sale. On the day reservations become available, log in well before the sale time. Bring up the location’s page, add your dates, be ready to select an available timeslot and ticket quantity, and Request Tickets the moment they are released. Have your credit card ready and your alternate dates in mind.

Refresh your page at exactly the time sites are released for sale by selecting the Refresh button in the toolbar of your browser. Once you click Request Tickets, the tickets are locked in your cart for 15 minutes to give you time to complete your reservation. If you do not complete the transaction after 15 minutes, the ticket is released for others to reserve.

Pro Tip: Do NOT log in to multiple browsers, multiple tabs or windows using the same account on the day reservations become available. You may be prompted to complete the reCAPTCHA challenge (designed to ensure you are a human and not a bot), adding extra time to the reservation process.

Tip #6: Explore Your Alternatives

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area (Johan Joubert, Share the Experience)

Maybe you didn't get the reservation that you wanted. The beautiful thing about your public lands is there are endless opportunities, destinations, and experiences waiting for you just around the corner.

Here are a few more tips to stick in your backpack as you consider planning alternate trips:

• Most reservations apply to a specific timeframe during the peak season. If you don't get a reservation for your preferred date, in some cases, you can enter the park, conservation area, or forest early in the morning or late in the afternoon when reservations are not required. Check each location description carefully for these early morning or late afternoon access periods.
• At some locations, if you already have an existing camping, lodging, or permit reservation, then you do not need a timed reservation.
• Set an Availability Alert! Availability alerts send you an email if another ticketholder cancels their reservation and tickets become available for the date or time you choose. Please note, setting up an availability alert does not guarantee you a reservation.
• To avoid the crowds, use Recreation.gov to find less explored, off-the-beaten-path destinations.

Remember that these reservations are often in place during the peak season. If you have flexibility in your schedule, you may find that shoulder seasons or weekday trips are ideal for avoiding the crowds.

For more information, check out this Ticketed and Timed Entry FAQ.

Explore Related Trips

• Tips for Making Campsite Reservations at Popular Locations

Bring Home a Story

• Glacier National Park Vehicle Reservations Glacier National Park, MT
• Rocky Mountain National Park Timed Entry Rocky Mountain National Park, CO
• Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge Ticketed Entry Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, HI
• Arches National Park Timed Entry Arches National Park, UT
• Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive Timed Entry Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, NV
• Cadillac Summit Road Vehicle Reservations Acadia National Park, ME