With visitor numbers soaring there has been an increasing move towards National Parks requiring reservations in 2022. Some parks, such as Arches and Rocky Mountain, require reservations to enter the park. Others such as Zion and Yosemite, have introduced reservations on its most popular trails.
For those of you planning a 2022 National Park adventure, read on for our guide to the National Park Reservations required in 2022.
National Park Reservations: 2023
Our guide covers the most popular National Park reservation requirements in 2023 and covers entry and hiking reservations. National Park reservations can be made through Recreation.gov and, if you are planning on camping, backcountry or wilderness reservations, these are required in addition.
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1 | Arches National Park, Utah
Reservations required for: Park Access (April 3 to October 3 2022)
If you are planning to visit Arches National Park between April 3 and October 3 2022, Arches is implementing a pilot timed entry system as part of its measures to control overcrowding.
Arches National Park: 2022 Reservation Requirements
Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis and monthly blocks of reservations open at 8am MST 3 months prior to the planned visit month. Visitors with successful reservations will be granted a timed entry slot between 6am and 5pm and can enter the park during the 1-hour window specified – visitors can stay in Arches for the remainder of the day and can exit and re enter on the same day with a validated ticket.
- For April 3 – 30 2022 visits: reservations open at 8am MST on January 3 2022
- For May 1 – 31 2022 visits: reservations open at 8am MST on February 1 2022
- For June 1 – 30 2022 visits: reservations open at 8am MST on March 1 2022
- For July 1 – 31 2022 visits: reservations open at 8am MST on April 1 2022
- ForAugust 1 – 31 2022 visits: reservations open at 8am MST on May 1 2022
- For September 1 – 30 2022 visits: reservations open at 8am MST on June 1 2022
- For October 1 – 3 2022 visits: reservations open at 8am MST on July 1 2022
If you miss out on the early reservation tickets, there are a limited number of tickets released at 6pm MST on the day prior to entry.
Remember, to enter the park during this period you will need your timed-entry ticket, a photo id and a Park Pass/entry fee. It costs $2 to reserve a slot at Arches and this is additional to the Park Pass/entry fee required to enter the park.
Arches National Park itinerary tip: timed entry tickets are not required for those with permits to camping, backcountry hikes and the Fiery Furnace. Tribal members may access the park at any time without a Timed Entry Ticket.
2 | Zion National Park
Reservations Required for: Angels Landing between Scout Lookout and Angels Landing (beginning 1 April 2022), the Narrows (The Top-Down Thru-Hike), and the Subway
Angels Landing
Angels Landing is one of the most iconic hikes in both Zion and, indeed, in any of the US National Parks. It is a challenging, dangerous, and utterly compelling experience that attracts thousands of Zion hikers to its trail.
Due to safety concerns as a result of high crowds on the trail, a permit lottery has been introduced in 2022 for the portion of the trail from Scout Lookout to Angels Landing.
Angels Landing, Zion: 2022 Reservation Requirments
Visitors to Zion who wish to hike to Angels Landing after 1 April 2022 must be in possession of a permit.
Application dates for the permit lottery are dependent on the date of travel. Applicants can choose seven slots and permits will be issued for a time period to start the hike (before 9am, 9am to 12 pm, and after 12pm) on the selected day.
The first release dates for Angels Landing permits are:
- Angels Landing permits for 1 April to 31 May 2022: applications can be made between January 3 and 20 2022 and permits issued on January 25 2022.
- Angels Landing permits for 1 June to 31 August 2022: applications can be made between April 1 and 20 2022 and permits issued on April 25 2022
- Angels Landing permits for 1 September to 30 November 2022: applications can be made between July 1 and 20 2022 and permits issued on July 25 2022.
- Angels Landing permits for 1 December 2022 to 28 February 2023: applications can be made between October 1 and 20 2022 and permits issued on October 25 2022.
- Day before permits: You can also apply for a permit on the day before you want to hike. The day before lottery opens at 12:01am and closes at 3pm MT.
National Park Reservations 2022: The permit requirement only applies to the portion of the trail from Scout Lookout to Angels Landing. It is still possible to hike to Scout Lookout without a permit.
Lottery applications cost a non-refundable $6 per permit and successful applications result in a $3 fee per person. Make sure to bring a printed or downloaded confirmation email with the permit details – these may be checked by rangers at the Grotto shuttle stop, Scout Lookout or anywhere along the trail.
The Narrows
The Narrows is one of the most iconic Zion hikes with hikers through the river for much of the trail. It follows the Virgin River into a narrow slot canyon.
Narrows Top-Down Thru-Hike: 2022 Reservation Requirments
The 16-mile Top-Down Thru-Hike starts at Chamberlain’s Ranch and descends to the Temple of Sinawava. It can be done as a very long single-day hiking trip, or as a single overnight backpacking trip – separate permits are required for each option.
Reservations open on the 5th day of every month at 10am MT for the next month.
National Park Reservations 2022: most visitors to Zion do the the Bottom-Up Narrows Day hike which is accessible to everyone. It begins at the end of the Riverside Walk trail and the trail continues as far as Big Springs. No permit is required.
The Subway
The Subway is a beautiful slot canyon with cascading waterfalls, dinosaur tracks and the iconic tunnel-like tubular subway formation.
The Subway, Zion: 2022 Reservation Requirments
There are two ways to explore The Subway, either from the Bottom Up or the Top Down, and both require a permit. The Bottom-Up route is a strenuous, non technical 9-mile round trip while the Top-Down route is a 9.5-mile adventure that requires rappelling skills and cold swims.
Both options require a Wilderness Permit. Permit applications must be submitted two months prior to your planned trip and applicants can select three prioritized dates.
3 | Acadia National Park, Maine
Reservations required for: Cadillac Summit Road (May 25 to October 22 2022)
The Cadillac Summit Road is a 3.5 mile loop that leads to the summit of Cadillac Mountain, the highest peak in Acadia National Park and the highest point on the eastern seaboard of the United States. The views and the sunrises are incredible.
Acadia National Park: 2022 Reservation Requirements
Vehicle reservations are required for Cadillac Summit Road from May 25 through Oct 22 and visitors can apply for sunrise or daytime access. Reservations are available in two releases: 30% of reservations are available 90 days in advance and the remaining 70% are released at 10am ET two days in advance.
To enter the Cadillac Summit Road during the reservation period you will need your timed-entry ticket and a Park Pass/entry fee. Vehicle reservations cost $6 ($4 vehicle fee and $2 reservation fee) and this is additional to the Park Pass/entry fee required to enter the park. Reservations do not permit re-entry.
- For visits in June and July: sunrise slots are 3:30am to 5:30am, daytime slots are 6am to 8:30pm
- For visits in August: sunrise slots 4am to 6am, daytime slots are 6:30am to 8pm
- For visits in September: sunrise slots are 4:30am to 6:30am, daytime slots are 7am to 7:30pm
- For visits in October: sunrise slots are 5am to 7am, daytime slots are 8am to 6:30pm
National Park Reservations 2022 tip: sunrise reservations have a 2 hour entry window and daytime reservations have a 30 minute entry window. For sunrise slots, 1 vehicle reservation is permitted every 7 days and for daytime slots one vehicle reservation is permitted every day.
Reservations are only required for car access: it is possible to hike or bike to the summit without a reservation.
National Park Reservations 2022 tip: make sure to print or save a copy of the reservation as internet access can be patchy.
3 | Glacier National Park, Montana
Reservations Required for: separate reservations required for Going-to-the-Sun Road and the North Fork Area (May 27 and September 11 2022)
Going-to-the-Sun-Road is a scenic 50 mile route in the Rocky Mountains. It crosses the Continental Divide which separates the Atlantic and the Pacific watersheds of North America. The North Fork area is 40 miles from the west entrance and offers access to a more remote part of the park which includes the stunning Bowman and Kintla Lakes.
National Park Reservations 2022: this is the second year of reservations for Going-to-the-Sun-Road – in 2021 tickets were valid for 7 days but this has been reduced to 3 days for the 2022 season. The reservation requirement for the North Fork Area is new for 2022.
Glacier National Park: 2022 Reservation Requirements
Visitors to Glacier National Park will require separate reservations for both the Going to the Sun Road and the North Fork area of the park.
Release dates for reservations have not yet been confirmed for 2022 although the park excepts tickets to be available in early March. In 2021, reservations for the Going-to-the-Sun-Road were available 60 days in advance on a rolling daily window and again 2 days in advance at 8am MT on a rolling daily window.
It costs $2 to reserve a slot at each of Going-to-the-Sun-Road and the North Fork area and this is additional to the Park Pass/entry fee required to enter the park.
Going-to-the-Sun-Road: tickets will be required at the West Entrance, St Mary Entrance and the Camas Entrance. The ticket requirement at the St Mary entrance is only enforced when the Going-to-the-Sun-Road opens fully – this is typically in late June after snow removal and road preparations are complete.
North Fork: tickets will be required at Polebridge Ranger Station.
National Park Reservations 2022: visitors with lodging, camping or transportation reservations are exempt from the ticket requirement.
4 | Haleakalā National Park, Hawaii
Reservations Required for: sunrise entry to Haleakalā National Park (entry to the park between 3am and 7am)
Watching the sunrise from the summit of Haleakalā is one of the most sought-after tickets on the islands. Haleakalā, or ‘House of the Sun’, is a volcano that towers 10,023 feet above sea level and it is a truly magnificent experience watching the sunrise from above the clouds.
Haleakalā National Park: 2022 Reservation Requirements
Vehicle reservations are required for entry to the park between 3am and 7am. Reservations are available in two releases: initial reservations open 60 days in advance at 7am HST and a second portion of reservations are released 2 days in advance.
The reservation holder must present with valid ID, reservation confirmation email, and your park pass or a way to purchase one.
To enter Haleakalā during the reservation period the vehicle holder will need to be present with a valid ID, reservation confirmation email and a Park Pass/entry fee. Vehicle reservations cost $1 and this is additional to the Park Pass/entry fee required to enter the park.
Approximate sunrise times are:
- between 6am and 7am from September and April
- between 5:40am and 6am from May and August
- Remember to allow sufficient time to reach the summit: it takes 30 minutes from the park entrance and up to 3.5 hours from across the island.
National Park Reservations 2022 tip: for sunrise slots, 1 vehicle reservation is permitted every 3 days.
5 | Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Reservations Required for: park access (May 27 to October 10 2022)
Rocky Mountain National Park is 265,000 acres of mountainous beauty with 147 lakes and 77 mountains soaring over 12,000 feet. The magnificent wildlife includes elk, moose and big horn sheep.
National Parks Reservations 2022: With the elevation on the park’s roads reaching 12,000 feet, Rocky Mountain National Park is a high elevation park and visitors need to be mindful of the potential to suffer from altitude sickness if arriving from lower altitude. It is important to allow time to adjust to the higher altitude when planning a visit.
Rocky Mountain National Park: 2022 Reservation Requirements
There are two different reservations available for Rocky Mountain National Park: one permit includes the Bear Lake Road Corridor and the rest of the park, the second permit excludes Bear Lake Road Corridor and is valid for the rest of the park. Permits allow visitors to enter the park during their reserved two hour window.
- Bear Lake Road Corridor and the rest of the park: reservation required for entry between 5am to 6pm. The park is open 24 hours.
- Rest of the park (Excluding the Bear Lake Corridor): reservation required for entry between 9am to 3pm. The park is open 24 hours.
- You can exit and re-enter the park during the remainder of the day after your timed entry slot permits.
- Visitors with campground reservations, wilderness camping permits and horseriding reservations do not require a timed entry reservation.
National Park reservations 2022: the Bear Lake Road Corridor includes some of the Rocky Mountain National Park highlights including Bear Lake, Dream Lake, Emerald Lake, Alberta Falls, Sprague Lake and Moraine Park.
Reservations are available in two releases: 70% to 75% of reservations are released in advance on the dates listed below and the remaining 25 to 30% of reservations are held until 5pm MDT on the day prior to entry. The first release date for reservations in 2022 are:
- For visits May 27 – June 30 2022: reservations open at 10am MDT on May 2 2022
- For visits July 1 – 31 2022: reservations open at 10am MDT on June 1 2022
- For visits August 1 – 31 2022: reservations open at 10am MDT on July 1 2022
- For visits September 1 – 30 2022: reservations open at 10am MDT on August 1 2022
- For visits October 1 – 10 2022: reservations open at 10am MDT on September 1 2022
Remember, to enter the park during this period you will need your timed-entry ticket and a Park Pass/entry fee. It costs $2 to reserve a timed entry slot to Rocky Mountain National Park and this is in addition to the Park Pass/entry fee required to enter the park.
National Park Reservations 2022: Rocky Mountain Nationa Park release around 7,200 timed entry slots for vehicles which permits around 20,000 visitors to the park per day.
6 | Yosemite National Park, California
Reservations Required for: Half Dome (hiking season typically runs end of May to early October, conditions dependent)
National Park Reservations 2022: reservations were required for entry during 2021 but this is no longer the case in 2022 – reservations are not required to drive into the park.
Located on the western Sierra Nevada Mountains the deep valleys, cascading waterfalls and giant sequoias are a magnet for visitors to Yosemite National Park. Most of the action takes place in Yosemite Valley which stretches almost 8 miles and was carved by glaciers millions of years ago.
Yosemite National Park: 2022 Reservation Requirements
The permit only Half Dome rises 4,800 feet above the Yosemite Valley floor and sits across the valley from the equally impressive El Captain.
Two metal cables allow hikers to ascend the last 400 feet to the summit without needing any specialist equipment. Hikers must have a permit to climb the sub dome steps and the Half Dome cables.
300 daily hiking permits are available for Half Dome during the period when the cables are in place and are split between day hikers and backpackers. Permits are checked by rangers at the base of sub dome.
The Half Dome cables are put up each spring and taken down each fall, typically from the Friday before Memorial Day through the Tuesday after Columbus Day. These dates are condition-dependent.
The process for applying for Half Dome permits is as follows:
- Preseason Lottery: March 1 to 31 2022
- Lottery Results: April 11 2022
- Preseason acceptance deadline: April 25 2022
- Half dome cables in place: condition dependent, the 2022 proposed dates are May 27 to October 11 2022
- Two day advance lottery: if you miss out on the preseason lottery, a smaller poportion of day hike permits are available during the period which the cables are in place. Permits are allocted through a daily lottery which operates two days in advance from midnight to 4pm PT.
Each lottery application requires a non-refundable application fee of $10 per application – an application can include up to 6 permits. If successful, permits are charged at a further $10 per hiker. Backpackers must follow the application process for an overnight wilderness permit.
National Parks reservtions 2022: the NPS states that Half Dome should not be attempted if the cables are down for the winter.
Other Popular Trails/Tours Requiring National Park Reservations 2022
As well as the regular permits required for backcountry trails and camping (check the NPS.gov website) there are some other popular hikes and activities which require advance reservations:
- Denali National Park and Reserve, Alaska- Denali Road Lottery (suspended during 2022 due to a landslide): a summer draw takes place for a 5 day Denali Road Lottery (day 5 is only open to active duty military service members and their families). Winners have the opportunity to purchase a one-day permit which allows them to drive as much of the Denali Park Road as the weather permits during the September event – in mild years it is possible to drive to the very end of the park road.
- Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida – ferry or seaplane: an island oasis located 70 miles off the coast of Key West. It is home to Fort Jefferson and stunning blue waters and coral reefs. Dry Tortugas is only accessible by boat or seaplane so plan in advance.
- Grand Canyon, Arizona – Phantom Ranch: Grand Canyon Rim to Rim hikers or those hiking from the rim to the Canyon floor can spend the night in Phantom Ranch, the only accommodation located below the rim of the Grand Canyon. Phantom Ranch is highly sought after and most of the inventory for accommodation and mule rides are allocated via lottery 13 months in advance. Entry to the lottery is between 1st and 25th of the 15th month preceding your stay.
- Great Basin National Park, Nevada – Lehman Caves: located in eastern Nevada, Great Basin National Park is centered around the dry and mountainous Great Basin region between California and Utah. If you want to tour the Lehman Caves, the park’s limestone caverns with millions of years of history, then reservations open a month in advance.
- Isle Royale National Park, Michigan – ferry or seaplane: an isolated island in Lake Superior, Isle Royale is only accessible by boat or seaplane so plan in advance.
- Joshua Tree National Park, California – Keys Ranch: once the home of Bill and Frances Keys and their five children for almost 60 years. The ranch is accessible through a prearranged guided walking tour which takes place between October and May. Tours must be booked in advance and reservations open 60 days in advance.
- Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky: home to the world’s longest known cave system. The caves are accessible via a selection of cave tours and advance reservations are recommend.
- Mesa Verde National Park, Colarado: home of the ancestral Pueblo people for over 700 years there are 600 protected cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde. Aside from Step House on Wetherill Mesa, the cliff dwellings are only accessible via a guided ranger led tour. The 800 year old Balcony House, the 150 room Cliff Palace and the more remote Long House can be explored this way – tickets are available 14 days in advance at 8am MST, on a rolling daily window.
- Redwood National Park, California – Tall Trees Grove: home to the tallest trees on the planet, Redwood National Park is part of the 133,000 acre Redwood National and State Parks. The Tall Trees Grove is home to the Libbey Tree, which was once the world’s tallest known living thing, and is accessible only by advance permit – permits are limited to 50 parties each day and are issued from 4 weeks up to 48 hours in advance.
- Shenandoah National Park, Virginia – Old Rag Day Pass and Rapidan Camp: Old Rag Mountain, one of the Blue Ridge Moutains, towers over 3,000 feet and the Old Rag hike is the most popular trail in Shenandoah National Park. Starting March 1, hikers are required to obtain a permit for Old Rag Moutain including hikers on the Saddle, Ridge, and Ridge Access trails. If you wish to take part in a ranger guided tour of President Hoover’s vacation home, Rapidan Camp, reservations are released 6 months in advance.
- Yellowstone National Park – snowmobile: the oldest National Park in the United States, Yellowstone National Park is a geothermal and wildlife filled wonderland. From mid-December to mid-March the roads, and access to sights like the Old Faithful Geyser are open to limited snowmobile and snowcoach travel. Commercial tours are available but if you want to be in one of the four non-guided groups that are allowed access daily then make sure to apply for the the snowmobile lottery which opens in the summer months.
Other incredible hikes requiring reservations in 2022
It’s not just the National Parks hikes that require reservations – there are some highly sought-after permits outside of the parks.
The Wave, a rolling sandstone rock formation that found global fame after appearing as a Microsoft screensaver, and the spectacular Havasu Falls, accessible by a 10-mile hike through the Havasupai Indian Reservation, both attract huge numbers of applications. Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the lower 48 states, and the magnificent alpine paradise along the Enchantments are other much sought after reservations
