2026 Guide Updates, Reservations, & Timed Entry Hub

Updated May 8th, 2026

Planning a national park trip should be easy and fun but there are few things you need to know. Some parks require some kind of reservation, vehicle permit, or timed‑entry ticket and they don’t all announce their rules at the same time.

This page is your one‑stop hub for the latest 2026 reservation and timed‑entry information for the parks covered in our guides. We monitor official park and Recreation.gov announcements and update this page as new details are released.

2026 National Park Entrance Fee & Pass Changes (At a Glance)

On January 1, 2026, the National Park Service made several changes to entrance fees and America the Beautiful passes:

• Motorcycles: America the Beautiful passes will now cover entrance fees for up to two motorcycles traveling together.
• Who can buy which pass: A new America the Beautiful Nonresident Pass will be available for visitors who are not US citizens or permanent residents for $250. All other America the Beautiful passes will only be available to US citizens and permanent residents.
• Fee-free days: Entrance fee-free days in 2026 will apply only to US citizens and residents. Nonresidents will still pay entrance fees and any applicable nonresident fees on those dates.
• Nonresident surcharge at select parks: Some of the most-visited parks will add a $100 per-person surcharge for nonresidents of the US. This will be at: Acadia, Bryce Canyon, Everglades, Glacier, Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, Rocky Mountain, Sequoia & Kings Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Zion. If you are visiting one of these parks, we recommend getting the America the Beautiful Nonresident Annual Pass for $250, which allows the passholder and everyone in the car entrance to all the national parks for the entire year. Watch our video for more information.

For current pass types, prices, and eligibility, see the official America the Beautiful passes page.

2026 Free Entrance Days in the National Parks

In 2026, the National Park Service has designated the following entrance fee‑free days for US citizens and residents (other fees, including reservations or timed‑entry tickets, may still apply):

• February 16 – Presidents Day (Washington’s Birthday)
• May 25 – Memorial Day
• June 14 – Flag Day / President Trump’s birthday
• July 3-5 – Independence Day weekend
• August 25 – 110th Birthday of the National Park Service
• September 17 – Constitution Day
• October 27 – Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday
• November 11 – Veterans Day

If you are not a US citizen or resident, you will pay the regular entrance fee and any applicable nonresident fees on these dates.

The Canadian National Parks (Banff, Waterton, Jasper, Yoho, and Kootenay) are offering free entrance to all visitors from June 19th to September 7th, 2026. This applies to any national park, historic site, or marine site run by Parks Canada. No special pass or ticket is needed; you simply won’t be required to have a pass during these dates. Learn more at Parks Canada.

Parks and Places In Our Guides That Require A Timed Entry (2026)

Park/Area	What needs a reservation	When (2026)	How to reserve (official links)	Notes/Which guides
Columbia River Gorge – Multnomah Falls (Oregon)	Timed‑use permit for vehicle access to Multnomah Falls via Exit 31 parking (Lodge and falls area).	Reservations are required for parking May 22–Sept 7, 9 am–6 pm, with no pass needed outside of these hours	Book Now	Permit required only when visiting via Exit 31. Permit does not guarantee parking. Guides: *Columbia River Gorge *Pacific Northwest Bundle
Maroon Bells (Colorado)	Parking or shuttle reservations are required to visit.	Shuttle reservations for the full season are open Parking reservations For travel May 15th-July 31st, reservations are currently open For travel August 1-October 31, 2026, reservations open June 18, 2026 at 8:00 a.m.	Reservation Info Book Now Park Updates	Guides: * Northern Colorado *Colorado Bundle
Mount Blue Sky (Colorado)	Timed entry tickets are required to drive the road	Mount Blue Sky is anticipated to reopen on Memorial Day of 2026. A timed-entry system will be required but details have not yet been announced.	Reservation Info Book Now	Guides: * Northern Colorado *Colorado Bundle
Pikes Peak (Colorado)	Timed entry tickets are required to drive the road	Reservations are required to drive your personal vehicle on the highway from May 22 – September 30.	Reservation Info Book Now Park Updates	A separate day pass per person is also required. Other options to reach the top include the cog train and shuttle. See guides for more details. Guides: *Pikes Peak *Colorado Bundle
Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado)	Timed entry vehicle permits (park-wide + separate Bear Lake Road)	Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road reservations are required to access the Bear Lake Road corridor 5 a.m.–6 p.m. daily from Friday, May 22 through Sunday, October 18, 2026 (and include access to the rest of the park).   Reservations open May 1 for May 22-June 30th. Additional reservations are available the night before at 7 p.m. MDT.	Reservation Info Book Now	Guides: *Rocky Mountain *Colorado Bundle
Zion National Park -Angels Landing Trail (Utah)	Permit (lottery) to hike Angels Landing beyond Scout Lookout	Day before reservations are available 12:01 a.m.–3:00 p.m. MDT. Permits are issued at 4:00 p.m. Seasonal lottery schedule Fall: For dates Sep 1–Nov 30, reservations are available Jul 1 – Jul 20, permits issued Jul 25. Winter: For dates Dec 1 2026–Feb 28, 2027, reservations are available Oct 1 – Oct 20, permits issued Oct 25.	Reservation Info Book Now	Guides: *Zion *Utah National Parks

High-Demand Tours/ Shuttle Tickets In Our Guides That Require Early Tickets (2026)

Park/Area	Tour/Shuttle name	When to book	How to reserve	Notes/which guides
Banff National Park – Lake Louise and Moraine Lake (Alberta, Canada)	Shuttle / transit reservations for access to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, plus the Lake Connector shuttle between the two lakes	Reservations for the Parks Canada shuttle to the Lake Louise lakeshore and Moraine Lake opened on April 15th, 2026. Additional seats will be released for last-minute reservations daily at 8 am MDT, two days in advance of scheduled departures, starting May 13th, 2026. The ROAM bus is also available. Reservations for the month of June open at 8 am MDT on April 23rd.	Reservation Info Parks Canada Shuttle Roam Transit	Use Parks Canada shuttles or Roam Transit; Moraine Lake is closed to all personal vehicles including those with handicap placards (this is new this year). An accessible shuttle will be available but you’ll still need a ticket Guides: *Banff *Banff+ Jasper *Canadian Rockies
Glacier National Park – Parking at Logan Pass (Montana)	You can drive your personal vehicle to Logan Pass but parking is limited to 3 hours. If you plan to do longer hikes at Logan Pass, you’ll want to use the hiker’s shuttle.	A portion of tickets are available 60 days in advance beginning May 2, 2026, at 8 a.m. MDT on a rolling basis. Remaining tickets are released at 7 p.m. MDT for next-day entry beginning June 30, 2026.	Summer & fall 2026 (May–November): reservations become available approximately 30–60 days in advance of the tour date. Winter 2026–27 (December–April): Reservations for the entire winter season are released at the beginning of December.	Guides: *Glacier *Canadian Rockies
Hanging Lake (Northern Colorado)	Trail requires a permit	Hanging Lake permits are required year‑round. As of now, dates are bookable through all of 2026	Book Now	Guides: *Northern Colorado *Colorado Bundle
Jewel Cave National (Black Hills)	All cave tours	Summer & fall 2026 (May–November): reservations become available approximately 30–60 days in advance of the tour date. Winter 2026–27 (December–April): reservations for the entire winter season are released at the beginning of December.	Tour Info Book Now	There are several tours available. See our guide to select the best tour for you. Guide: *Black Hills
Mesa Verde National Park (Southwest Colorado)	*Cliff Palace *Balcony House	2026 tours began May 4th and will be released 14 days ahead at 8:00 am MDT; most tours sell out. Book as soon as your window opens.	Tour Info Book Now	Guides: *Southern Colorado *Colorado Bundle
Minute Men Missile National Historic Site (Black Hills)	Delta-01 Launch Control Facility	Tours can be reserved up to 30 days in advance	Tour Info	Only 6 people are allowed per tour and they only offer a few per day. Guide: *Black Hills
Wind Cave National Park (Black Hills)	All cave tours	Advanced tickets are released 120 days in advance and close two days prior to the tour. Same-day tours are sometimes available onsite	Tour Info Book Now	There are several tours available. See our guide to select the best tour for you. Guide: *Black Hills

Important Updates for Parks and Places In Our Guides (For 2026)

• Arches National Park (Utah) – Everything in Arches is currently open. They will not have a timed-entry reservation system in 2026. If you’re planning a visit and want a step-by-step plan that hits the best sites at the best times and saves you 10+ hours of planning time, see our Arches, Canyonlands, and Moab itinerary guide. If you’re visiting multiple Utah parks on the same trip, this guide is also included in our Utah National Parks bundle. Also, visit the park’s website.
• Banff National Park (Alberta, Canada) – The following sites are currently closed in Banff: Bow Glacier Falls and the Banff Park Museum. You can’t drive your own car to Moraine Lake at any time (shuttle/commercial access only), and in winter (roughly November-May) the west side of the Minnewanka Loop is closed to vehicles for wildlife, so you can reach Lake Minnewanka from the east but can’t drive the full loop. If you’re planning a visit and want a step-by-step plan that hits the best sites at the best times and saves you 10+ hours of planning time, see our Banff itinerary guide. If you’re visiting multiple parks in Canada( +Glacier National Park) on the same trip, this guide is also included in our Canadian Rockies Bundle. Also, visit the park’s website.
• Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (Colorado) – All roads are currently open. If you’re planning a visit and want a step-by-step plan that hits the best sites at the best times and saves you 10+ hours of planning time, see our Southwest Colorado itinerary guide. If you’re visiting multiple Colorado parks and mountain towns on the same trip, this guide is also included in our Colorado road trip bundle. Also, visit the park’s website.
• Bryce Canyon National Park (Utah) – The Wall Street section of the Queens Garden/Navajo Loop is still closed due to snow but will open later- the mudslide was repaired. The Bryce Connector Trail (between Bryce Point and Peekaboo Loop) is closed. The roads to Paria View and Fairyland Point are closed to vehicles. If you’re planning a visit and want a step-by-step plan that hits the best sites at the best times and saves you 10+ hours of planning time, see our Bryce Canyon itinerary guide. If you’re visiting multiple Utah parks on the same trip, this guide is also included in our Utah National Parks bundle. Also, visit the park’s website.
• Canyonlands National Park (Utah) – All Roads are currently open. If you’re planning a visit and want a step-by-step plan that hits the best sites at the best times and saves you 10+ hours of planning time, see our Arches, Canyonlands, and Moab itinerary guide. If you’re visiting multiple Utah parks on the same trip, this guide is also included in our Utah National Parks bundle. Also, visit the park’s website.
• Capitol Reef National Park (Utah) – The Gifford House is now open and fruit trees are done blooming. If you’re planning a visit and want a step-by-step plan that hits the best sites at the best times and saves you 10+ hours of planning time, see our Capitol Reef itinerary guide. If you’re visiting multiple Utah parks on the same trip, this guide is also included in our Utah National Parks Bundle. Also, visit the park’s website.
• Columbia River Gorge (Oregon) – The Historic Columbia River Highway east of Multnomah Falls remains closed between Multnomah Creek and Oneonta Trailhead for viaduct repairs through spring 2026; access to Multnomah Falls is still via I‑84 Exit 31 and the open west segment of the historic highway. Eagle Creek Trail #440 and Wahclella Trail #436 are currently closed. If you’re planning a visit and want a step-by-step plan that hits the best sites at the best times and saves you 10+ hours of planning time, see our Columbia River Gorge itinerary guide. If you’re visiting multiple parks on the Pacific Coast on the same trip, this guide is also included in our PNW bundle. Also, visit the park’s website.
• Glacier National Park (Montana) – The Going-to-the-Sun road is currently closed. Visitors wishing to ride the hikers’ shuttle must book a ticket in advance. See High Demand Tours table above. The Two Medicine area will be closed in Spring and Fall for a rehabilitation project. If you’re planning a visit and want a step-by-step plan that hits the best sites at the best times and saves you 10+ hours of planning time, see our Glacier itinerary guide. If you’re visiting multiple parks like Banff and Jasper on the same trip, this guide is also included in our Canadian Rockies bundle. Also, visit the park’s website.
• Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona) – The Blue (Village), Orange (Kaibab), and Red (Hermits Rest) shuttles are running, but the Purple (Tusyan) is closed until summer. Overnight camping at Phantom Ranch is suspended until June 30th. The North Rim is scheduled to open May 15th, weather permitting. Limited day-use will be available. The lodge, restaurants, campground and gas station were burned in 2024. If you’re planning a visit and want a step-by-step plan that hits the best sites at the best times and saves you 10+ hours of planning time, see our Grand Canyon Bundle. If you’re visiting multiple parks in the area like Utah’s national parks and Monument Valley on the same trip, this guide is also included in our Grand Circle bundle. Also, visit the park’s website.
• Grant Teton National Park (Wyoming) – Moose Wilson Road will be partially closed until June 20th Jenny Lake Boat Company is closed for winter but will open for the season on May 15th, 2026. If you’re planning a visit and want a step-by-step plan that hits the best sites at the best times and saves you 10+ hours of planning time, see our Grand Teton itinerary guide. If you’re also visiting Yellowstone on the same trip, this guide is also included in our Yellowstone + Grand TetonBundle. Also, visit the park’s website.
• Great Sand Dunes National Park (Colorado) – The park is open. If you’re planning a visit and want a step-by-step plan that hits the best sites at the best times and saves you 10+ hours of planning time, see our Pikes Peak itinerary guide. If you’re visiting other national parks in Colorado, plus some cool mountain towns on the same trip, this guide is also included in our Colorado Bundle. Also, visit the park’s website.
• Maroon Bells. (Colorado) Maroon Creek Road (the road used to access Maroon Bells) is closed for the season. If you’re planning a visit and want a step-by-step plan that hits the best sites at the best times and saves you 10+ hours of planning time, see our Northern Colorado itinerary guide. If you’re visiting other national parks in Colorado plus some cool mountain towns on the same trip, this guide is also included in our Colorado Bundle.
• Jasper National Park (Alberta, Canada) – Roads are open but make sure to have adequate tires (chains). The park has announced that it will re-open the Valley of the 5 Lakes Trail, Wabasso Lakes Trail, and Curatro Trail. Maligne Canyon and Cavell Road will remain closed for the entire 2026 season. If you’re planning a visit and want a step-by-step plan that hits the best sites at the best times and saves you 10+ hours of planning time, see our Jasper itinerary guide. If you’re visiting multiple parks in Canada( +Glacier National Park) on the same trip, this guide is also included in our Canadian Rockies Bundle. Also, visit the park’s website.
• Mesa Verde National Park (Colorado) – Ranger-guided cave tours require separate tickets; see the High-Demand Tours section above for details. The Mesa Verde Museum is temporarily closed for renovations. Wetherill Mesa is closed for winter. If you’re planning a visit and want a step-by-step plan that hits the best sites at the best times and saves you 10+ hours of planning time, see our Southern Colorado itinerary guide. If you’re visiting other national parks in Colorado,plus some cool mountain towns on the same trip, this guide is also included in our ColoradoBundle. Also, visit the park’s website.
• Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park (Utah/Arizona) – Everything is open. If you’re planning a visit and want a step-by-step plan that hits the best sites at the best times and saves you 10+ hours of planning time, see our Monument Valley itinerary guide. If you’re visiting Utah’s parks and the Grand Canyonon the same trip, this guide is also included in our Grand Circle Bundle. Also,visit the park’s website.
• Mount Rainier National Park (Washington) – Mount Rainier will not do a timed-entry system in 2026. Sunrise Road, Stevens Canyon Road, SR 123/Cayuse Pass, SR 410/Chinook Pass, Carbon/Mowich, and White River Road all remain closed for the season; no new wildfire or lodge-impact alerts have been added. If you’re planning a visit and want a step-by-step plan that hits the best sites at the best times and saves you 10+ hours of planning time, see our Mount Rainier itineraryguide. If you’re visiting multiple parks on the Pacific Coast on the same trip, this guide is also included in our PNW bundle. Also, visit the park’s website.
• Mount Rushmore & Black Hills area (South Dakota) If you’re planning a visit and want a step-by-step plan that hits the best sites at the best times and saves you 10+ hours of planning time, see our Mount Rushmore and Black Hills itinerary guide. All the sites listed below are included.
  • Mount Rushmore National Memorial – Everything is open. Visit the park’s website.
  • Wind Cave National Park – Everything is open. Ranger-guided cave tours for Wind Caves require separate tickets; see the High-Demand Tours section above for details. Visit the park’s website.
  • Jewel Cave National Monument – Everything is open. Ranger-guided cave tours require separate tickets; see the High-Demand Tours section above for details. No tours on Sundays during the winter. Visit the park’s website.
  • Badlands National Park – Everything is open. Visit the park’s website.
  • Minuteman Missile National Historic Site – Everything is open. Visit the park’s website.
  • Devils Tower National Monument – Everything is open. Visit the park’s website.
• Olympic National Park (Washington) – Mora Road, which leads to Rialto Beach, will be under construction this year. Expect delays and full closures at times. If you’re planning a visit and want a step-by-step plan that hits the best sites at the best times and saves you 10+ hours of planning time, see our Olympic itinerary guide. If you’re visiting multiple parks on the Pacific Coast on the same trip, this guide is also included in our PNW bundle. Also, visit the park’s website.
• Oregon Coast (Oregon) Oregon State Parks is raising parking costs and expanding where fees apply in spring 2026: daily permits are now $10 (OR residents) / $12 (non‑residents) and 12‑month permits are $60 (resident) / $75 (non‑resident). The Oregon Coast Passport sold in 2026 will no longer count as a state park parking permit (only 2025 passports remain valid until they expire). At Ecola State Park, the Clatsop Loop Trail, west section (including access toward the Lighthouse viewpoint) is now CLOSED until further notice due to an active landslide. Hug Point State Recreation Site is closed due to erosion at the beach access. The Air Museum is closed due to damage from a windstorm. The next Circles in the Sand event is at Face Rock in Bandon on May 18, Monday @ 9 am, May 19, Tuesday @9 am and May 20, Wednesday @10 am. Arrive 2 hours before opening to help. If you’re planning a visit and want a step-by-step plan that hits the best sites at the best times and saves you 10+ hours of planning time, see our Oregon Coast guide. If you’re visiting other national parks in Colorado, plus some cool mountain towns on the same trip, this guide is also included in our PNW Bundle. Also, visit the state parks website.
• Pikes Peak (Colorado) Open. See timed-entry tickets for more information. If you’re planning a visit and want a step-by-step plan that hits the best sites at the best times and saves you 10+ hours of planning time, see our Pikes Peak itinerary guide. If you’re visiting other national parks in Colorado, plus some cool mountain towns on the same trip, this guide is also included in our Colorado Bundle. Also, visit the website.
• Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado) – Trailridge Old Fall River, and Wild Basin Road are currently closed for winter. Upper Beaver Meadows Road and the paved access toward Endovalley may not be fully closed, though temporary closures can occur after storms, so travelers should check the current RMNP road status before going. This park requires a timed-entry ticket. See the timed-entry table for more information. If you’re planning a visit and want a step-by-step plan that hits the best sites at the best times and saves you 10+ hours of planning time, see our Rocky Mountain itinerary guide.If you’re visiting other national parks in Colorado, plus some cool mountain towns on the same trip, this guide is also included in our Colorado Bundle. Also, visit the park’s website.
• Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming) – Many of the roads within the park are now open with a few exceptions: Dunraven Pass and the Beartooth Highway (which is scheduled to open May 22nd). The bear-incident closure near Old Faithful remains in effect. Midway Geyser Basin and the Grand Prismatic Overlook are open, but trails beyond the overlook toward Fairy Falls/Mystic Falls and several nearby backcountry trails and campsites remain closed until further notice.See the park website for more details. If you’re planning a visit and want a step-by-step plan that hits the best sites at the best times and saves you 10+ hours of planning time, see our Yellowstone itinerary guide. If you’re also visiting Grand Teton on the same trip, this guide is also included in our Yellowstone + Grand Teton Bundle. Also, visit the park’s website.
• Yosemite (California) – No timed-entry reservations will be required for 2026. Glacier Point Road is scheduled to open on May 9th. Tiogo Road is expected to remain closed until sometime in June. If you’re planning a visit and want a step-by-step plan that hits the best sites at the best times and saves you 10+ hours of planning time, see our Yosemite itinerary guide. Then, visit the park’s website.
• Zion National Park (Utah) – The shuttles inside the park are running and no private vehicles are allowed in Zion Canyon (unless you are staying at the Zion Lodge). Beginning June 7th, RV and vehicle restrictions will be in place for the Zion Mt Caramel Tunnel. See the Timed Entry Table above if you are interested in hiking Angels Landing. If you’re planning a visit and want a step-by-step plan that hits the best sites at the best times and saves you 10+ hours of planning time, see our Zion itinerary guide. If you’re visiting multiple Utah parks on the same trip, this guide is also included in our Utah National Parks bundle. Then, visit the park’s website.

*Standard entrance fees, campsite/tour bookings may still apply. Always confirm on the official NPS site.

What this page is: A collection of updates for the parks we cover in our guides, updated as new 2026 information is released.

What this page isn’t: A replacement for official park information. Think of this as your shortcut and reminder system so you know what to book and when – then click through to book directly with the park or Recreation.gov.

We do our best to keep this page current, but official park websites, Recreation.gov, and Parks Canada are always the final authority. If anything on this page conflicts with an official source, follow the official source.