New year, new rules—don’t get caught off guard at America's favorite national parks. Here’s your quick guide to understanding reservation and entry requirements for 2025.
May 26th, 2025
Alright, road warriors and RV enthusiasts, 2025 is here, and along with shiny new calendars and questionable New Year's resolutions, it brings some fresh rules to America’s favorite playgrounds—our national parks. If you don’t want your summer road trip turning into a game of "Who Forgot the Reservation?" you'll want to pay close attention. Here's your cheat sheet to navigating this year's new park entry rules—served up with a generous side of wit and wisdom.
Simply put, several popular parks have introduced or updated reservation systems to help manage crowds (looking at you, influencers blocking trails for selfies). Let’s get you ready to tackle these changes head-on without losing your cool—or your campsite.
Ah, Yosemite—where granite cliffs meet Instagram dreams. For 2025, Yosemite has thrown down the gauntlet with a reservation requirement on weekends and holidays during peak season (May to September). Translation? No spontaneous Friday road trips unless you’re really lucky or really famous.
How to Book:
Visit Recreation.gov, create an account, and set an alarm because reservations open exactly four months in advance at 8 a.m. Pacific time.
There’s also a small batch of last-minute tickets released two weeks ahead, but it's like a Hunger Games lottery—may the odds be ever in your favor.
Pro Tip: Missed out? Book a Vanly stay nearby to still get your Yosemite fix minus the reservation stress.
Rocky Mountain National Park decided one reservation wasn’t enough excitement. There are now two different timed entry permits—one for the Bear Lake Corridor (high-demand trailheads) and one for the rest of the park.
How to Book:
Visit Recreation.gov up to two months in advance at 10 a.m. MT. If spontaneity is your jam, limited next-day permits open at 5 p.m. daily.
Pro Tip: Grab the Bear Lake pass if hiking to Instagram-famous spots is your game; otherwise, the general entry pass is your golden ticket to quieter trails.
Glacier's jaw-dropping Going-to-the-Sun Road once again requires a timed reservation from June 13 to September 28, 2025. No reservation means no stunning selfies at Logan Pass.
How to Book:
Reservations open four months in advance on Recreation.gov, starting February 13, at 8 a.m. MST.
Pro Tip: Stay at a Vanly host site near the park’s west or east entrances, providing convenient access if you miss out on initial reservations.
Arches reintroduces its timed-entry system April through early October, except during peak summer (mid-July through late August). If your timing is off, prepare to practice patience—or perfect your parking-lot-nap skills.
How to Book:
Timed-entry tickets are available three months in advance via Recreation.gov, with limited tickets offered daily.
Pro Tip: Avoid peak hours (9 a.m.–2 p.m.)—the rock formations look just as good in golden-hour selfies.
Hawaii’s Haleakalā National Park continues its reservation policy for those epic sunrise moments at the summit—because apparently, sunrise selfies are serious business.
How to Book:
Sunrise reservations open 60 days ahead on Recreation.gov. Be prepared to book exactly at 7 a.m. HST, as slots vanish faster than free donuts in the break room.
Pro Tip: No reservation? Sunset views are equally breathtaking—and require zero alarms set for the middle of the night.
To celebrate Juneteenth, all national parks are fee-free on June 19, 2025. But (there’s always a but), reservation rules still apply, so don't show up reservation-less, thinking you’ve hacked the system.
Pro Tip: Book your reservation early to enjoy the parks for free and save those entrance fees for important things—like extra s'mores supplies.
If navigating reservations feels overwhelming, Vanly is your RV travel BFF. From private driveways with cozy fire pits near Yosemite to peaceful meadows close to Glacier National Park, Vanly hosts offer unique stays minus the reservation headaches.
Why fight over crowded campsites when you could have a personalized, relaxing home base ready for your RV? Exactly.
Create a Recreation.gov Account: Seriously, do it now, not later—reservations vanish quicker than cookies at grandma’s house.
Flexibility Wins: Mid-week and shoulder-season trips drastically improve your odds of snagging reservations.
Check for Updates: Follow parks on social media or bookmark their sites—because rules can (and do) change.
Stay Nearby: Consider booking a Vanly stay just outside popular parks. Close enough for convenience, far enough for tranquility.
Sure, rules can be a hassle, but they exist to ensure our beloved parks stay gorgeous and accessible for everyone. Plus, with this cheat sheet in hand, you're officially armed and ready to tackle 2025’s reservation gauntlet like the road-trip champion you are.
Remember, every great adventure requires a bit of planning—except maybe spontaneous roadside taco stops, which we wholeheartedly endorse.
Happy trails, adventurers! See you out there (reservations secured, of course).
