Ready to plan your outdoor adventures for 2024? Well, there are some changes that you need to be aware of. Many of the National Parks are changing their rules for this year and making it so that you’ll need a reservation before entering the Park or doing their most popular activities like famous hikes and drives.

1. Glacier National Park

Lake and Mountains in Glacier National Park in USA — Photo Credit: Deposit Photos.

Glacier National Park will now require vehicle reservations for specific areas that you can book 120 days in advance. For the West Entrance (the main entrance) and the North Fork Entrance, you will need to book a reservation for the dates of May 24th to September 8th. Also, for Many Glacier Valley you’ll need a vehicle reservation for the dates of July 1st through September 8th.

2. Arches National Park

Delicate Arch under a cloudy sky — Photo Credit: Deposit Photos.

If you want to see these beautiful rock arches in the desert, then you are going to have to reserve your spot. Three months before your trip you can go to Recreation.gov to book your “Timed-Entry”.

3. Yosemite National Park

You will need a reservation for all dates from April 13th to October 27th as well as every weekend of the year. To book a reservation, you can go to the Recreation.gov site. Reservations for the high season (April 13th to October 27th) opened on January 5th, so there will not be any available. However, you can still make reservations seven days before your arrival date at 8 a.m. Pacific Time, but these are hard to get.

4. Rocky Mountain National Park

Hands down one of the most beautiful National Parks is in the Rocky Mountains. Beginning on May 24th, you will need a reservation to enter this Park. You can book your reservations starting on May 1st at 8 a.m. MT. These reservations will be for May 24th through June 30th.

5. Zion National Park

For the famous Angels Landing hike, you will need to enter the lottery system to claim your spot. You can make a reservation for two months out on the 1st, 20th, and 25th of each month. The only other reservations that you will need to make are for overnight backpacking, cannoneering, off-trail hikes, river sports, and horseback riding.

6. Haleakala National Park

This is one of the most stunning places in Hawaii that you won’t want to miss. If you want to climb Maui’s highest peak for sunrise, then you will need to book a reservation about a month in advance. Also, if you wish to stay in one of the wilderness cabins or wilderness campsites, you will need a reservation 6 months in advance.

7. Great Smoky Mountains National Park

A log cabin surrounded by fall colors in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park

Did you know that this is the most visited National Park in the USA? And not just by a small margin either. Almost 13 million people visit this Park every year. That’s three times more than the Grand Canyon! Some things that require a reservation are backcountry camping, frontcountry camping, Leconte Lodge, horse camps, group campgrounds, and picnic pavilions. You can make your reservation six months in advance on a first-come-first-serve basis.

8. Acadia National Park

An aerial view of Acadia National Park, featuring vibrant, colorful flowers scattered throughout the landscape.

Acadia National Park is known for its breathtaking fall foliage, rugged coastline, and stunning mountain vistas. You are going to need a vehicle reservation from May 22nd through Sun Oct 27th, but only if you are planning on doing the iconic Cadillac Summit Road.

9. Shenandoah National Park

Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. The reservations that you will need for this National Park are for backcountry camping permits, Old Rag Mountain summit, lodging, and camping. Campsite will be available up to 6 months in advance and the rest of the reservations can be made 30 days prior.