In 2023, the coasts, lakes, battlefields, historic sites, monuments and more the National Park Service had 325.5 million visitsa 4 percent increase over the previous year.
National Park Service Director Charles F. Shams III praised the surge in interest in “learning about our shared American history through the hidden gems of the National Park System.”
Anticipating even greater attendance in 2024, the Park Service and Recreation.govthe reservation platform for federal land reservations, have implemented new measures to streamline the park experience, manage overcrowding and protect the environment.
Most parks require reservations
To better avoid traffic-congested trails, crowded parking lots, and overflowing trash cans, additional parks are being added rocky mountain, Arches and Glacier National Parks this year in requiring day-use permits, timed registrations and more reservations for travelers who wish to visit, particularly during peak hours, holidays and peak park seasons. Yosemite National Park reinstates a timed entry system that was introduced in 2020 but stopped in 2022.
Many parkgoers expressed mixed feelings about the reservation policies, with some bemoaning the lack of first-come, first-served campsites while others find comfort in knowing they have a confirmed reservation. With nearly 75 percent of visitors each year descending on the national parks from May to October (and often on weekends), park officials stand by the system.
“In some parks, the level of demand exceeds the capacity the infrastructure was designed for or exceeds the National Park Service’s ability to sustainably support visitation,” said Kathy Cooper, public affairs specialist for the service. “This trend results in the need to explore new strategies to protect natural and cultural resources and provide opportunities for safe and meaningful visitor experiences.”
It can be confusing.
New is the application of timed entry reservations for vehicles Mount Rainier National Park, Washington, for the popular Paradise and Sunrise runways during certain periods of the summer season. Reservations cost $2, are valid for one day, and must be purchased with a park ticket, but are not valid for visitors with wilderness permits or camping or lodging reservations. Similar vehicle reservations are now required for certain periods to view the sunrise at Haleakalā National Park in Maui, Hawaiiand driving Cadillac Summit Road in Maine’s Acadia National Park.
Visitors who wish to hike Old Rag Mountain in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia must obtain a day-use ticket between March 1 and November 30, and in Zion National Park, Utah, hikers who wish to visit Angels Landing, the dramatic 1,488-foot-tall rock formation, must also purchase a permit. Fees range from $1 to $6, excluding park entrance fees.
As each destination is managed differently, check the park website for the type of reservation required. Although most reservations can be made through Recreation.gov, some sites such as Muir Woods National Monument, use a different system.
New features on Recreation.gov
In 2023, Recreation.gov reported that more than 4 million camping reservations and 2 million timed entry reservations were made online and 1.5 million permits were issued. About 2.9 million new users registered on the site. With its expanding user base, the booking platform has added 58 bookable national park locations — including 17 campgrounds — such as Walk-in Central Avenue locations at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and Bluff hike to campsite in South Carolina Congaree National Park.
Recreation.gov also improved an alert feature, piloted in July 2023, that can notify users via email or mobile push notifications when a sold-out campsite becomes available. After Recreation.gov notifies you of availability, you must reserve the campsite yourself online — and quickly, as you’ll see how many other people (probably hundreds) have received the same notification.
While the customer support center and mobile app are still only available in English, Recreation.gov recently introduced a Spanish translation option. The Park Service works with Latino Preservation Weekwhich hosts nationwide hikes and events for environmental education and stewardship within the park, and will celebrate its 10th anniversary in September.
One limit on the America the Beautiful annual pass
In 2024 America the Beautiful pass no longer allows two owners. The annual interagency pass, which costs $80 and covers entrance fees to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas (including about 100 they don’t charge for entry year-round), is now marked with a signature line on the back of the card. The cardholder must show identification and be present with accompanying travelers who wish to access the park with the pass. (Annual passes issued in 2023 will still be valid until their expiration date.) The pass covers all occupants of a vehicle — up to four adults and children under 16 are allowed free — or up to four cyclists riding together. Active military or veterans and people with permanent disabilities are eligible for a free lifetime pass; 4th graders can get a free annual pass. and senior citizens can purchase a $20 annual pass or pay $80 for a lifetime pass.
In the parks, more accessible features, EV chargers and new accommodations
To better protect against global warming, the Park Service has more than $65 million from the Inflation Reduction Act and Great American Outdoors Act in climate mitigation and ecosystem restoration.
Using $15.9 million budgeted for zero-emission vehicle development, charging capacity and infrastructure, the Park Service is prioritizing reducing carbon emissions, Mr. Sams said, by installing new electric vehicle charging stations and operating electric buses .
One interactive online tracking tool created in 2023 shows EV charging stations in 27 national parks and the type of chargers available. In addition to the tool, each national park page displays alerts for road closures, parking capacity, construction and other events.
Mr. Sams also said the Park Service is investing $1.3 billion from the Great American Outdoors Act to be improved accessibility features, ranging from a new ADA-compliant visitor center to Morristown National Historical Park in new jersey on new beach wheelchairs at Sleeping Bear Dunes, Channel Islands and Virgin Islands National Parks. Each destination’s website has an accessibility tab to help visitors plan their trip, and Recreation.gov now has a search filter on its home page to make it easier to find accessible accommodations.
New accommodation options now available across the country include Flamingo Lodgewhich opened inside Everglades National Park last fall with 24 rooms built from repurposed shipping containers. In March, along the southeastern border of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Cataloochee Ranch reopened with 11 renovated cabins and a new restaurant. This spring, the Clubhouse Hotel & Suites will welcome its first guests in Rapid City, SD, the nearest large city Badlands National Parkand opening in May in Idaho is the Yellowstone Peaks Hotel, 30 minutes’ drive from Yellowstone National Park. This fall, California-bound travelers planning a visit to General Sherman, the largest known tree on Earth, could book at AutoCamp Sequoia, right outside Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon.
Also in California: Those who do not score a highly sought after (and disputed) point in the recently opened High Sierra Camps in Yosemite could book Wildhaven Yosemite in Mariposa, which offers more affordable prices, hiking trails and views of the Sierra Nevada. Bookings for the first season are available from May 1st.