NPS Drops Reservation Requirements at Arches, Glacier & Yosemite for Summer 2026
Planning summer trips to some of America’s most iconic national parks just got a lot easier. The National Park Service has announced its visitor access plans for Summer 2026, and three major parks, including Arches, Glacier, and Yosemite will not require advance reservations or timed entry permits this year.
The announcement affects four of the country’s most-visited parks, Arches, Glacier, Rocky Mountain, and Yosemite, each of which will take a tailored approach to managing what are expected to be massive summer crowds.
Arches Goes Fully Open
Arches National Park in Utah scrapped its timed entry reservation system entirely for 2026. Instead, visitors are encouraged to arrive early, stay flexible, and explore lesser-traveled areas if the most popular spots get congested. Night time visits are also encouraged, especially with the park serving as a Dark Sky Park.
Glacier Drops Park-Wide Vehicle Reservations
Glacier National Park in Montana will no longer require a park-wide vehicle reservation system, though visitors should know that some targeted management will remain in place. Going-to-the-Sun Road, one of the most stunning drives in North America, will still see active congestion management, Logan Pass will have parking limits, and temporary vehicle diversions are possible if safety thresholds are hit.
Rocky Mountain Keeps Its Timed Entry System
Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado is the exception. The park will continue its timed entry reservation system from late May through mid-October, aligning vehicle entries with available parking and road capacity. The system has been in place for multiple seasons and isn’t going anywhere for now.
Yosemite Drops Advance Reservations, Including During Firefall
Perhaps the most surprising announcement is in relation to Yosemite National Park, which not require advance reservations in 2026, not even during the peak summer months or the wildly popular February–March firefall period. Instead Yosemite will rely on real-time traffic management, temporary diversions when parking fills up, and additional seasonal staff to handle the inevitable crowds.
“Our national parks belong to the American people, and our priority is keeping them open and accessible,. We’re expanding access where conditions allow and using targeted tools only where necessary to protect visitor safety, maintain emergency access and preserve these extraordinary places for future generations.” – Kevin Lilly, Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
Arriving early, going on weekdays, and exploring beyond the major viewpoints remain the best strategies regardless of what reservation system is or isn’t in place. More details for each park can be found on the NPS website for Arches, Glacier, Rocky Mountain, and Yosemite.
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