The United States National Park System is one of the most iconic and beloved public institutions in the country. Park Service sites attract millions of visitors every year from all over the world.
With 63 national parks scattered throughout the country, each with its own unique natural and cultural treasures, it’s no wonder why these protected areas are so popular.
However, with the increasing popularity of the national parks, managing the flow of visitors and ensuring the sustainability of the parks has become an increasingly complex task. One of the ways that the National Park Service (NPS) has sought to address this challenge is through the use of permits and reservations.
Permits and reservations are tools used by the NPS to control access to certain areas or activities within the parks. These can range from backcountry camping permits to permits for commercial filming or research.
Reservations are also used to secure spots for popular activities such as camping, hiking, or guided tours, and they are often required during peak season.
It’s important to plan ahead. Many activities and areas within the parks require permits or reservations, and some of these can fill up months in advance, particularly during peak season.
Permits and reservations are often limited in number. This means that even if you plan ahead and do everything right, you may not be able to secure the permit or reservation you want.
It’s also important to understand the different types of permits and reservations.
Backcountry Camping Permits
All national parks require backcountry camping permits for anyone planning to camp in the wilderness areas of national parks. The National Park System requires these permits for a number of reasons.
First and foremost, permits help park rangers manage the number of visitors in the backcountry and ensure that the wilderness experience is preserved. By limiting the number of people in certain areas and regulating camping practices, park officials can help minimize the impact on the environment and maintain the natural balance of the ecosystem.
Permits also help park officials keep track of visitors and ensure their safety. By requiring campers to register their itinerary and providing emergency contact information, park rangers can quickly locate hikers in case of an emergency or natural disaster.
Additionally, the permit system helps to prevent overcrowding in popular backcountry areas which can lead to environmental damage and a reduced quality of the visitor experience.
By encouraging visitors to spread out and explore less-traveled areas, the permit system helps to ensure that the park remains a healthy and sustainable ecosystem for both visitors and wildlife.
Commercial Filming Permits
Commercial filming permits are required for anyone filming or for commercial purposes. The National Park System requires these permits to ensure the protection of park resources, to maintain public safety, and to regulate commercial activities within park boundaries.
The permit system helps to ensure that filming activities are conducted in a manner that is safe, minimally disruptive to the environment, and respectful of other visitors to the park.
One of the primary concerns of the permit system is the protection of park resources. Commercial filming can be disruptive to the natural environment and wildlife, and permits help to ensure that filming activities do not have a negative impact on park resources.
The permit system allows park officials to review and approve filming activities in advance, ensuring that activities are conducted in a manner that is consistent with park regulations and policies.
The permit system helps to regulate commercial activities within park boundaries. This helps to maintain the integrity of the park and ensures that visitors have a safe and enjoyable experience while visiting national parks.
There is currently a highly controversial first amendment court case surrounding this ruling. We will keep you updated on any changes.
According the the National Park Service, rules surrounding reservations and permits are in place to ensure the safety of visitors and the sustainability of the parks.
2023 Reservations and Permits Required for Park Access
List includes parks/areas/trails requiring permits or reservations to access. This list does not include links for tours or facility usage permits such as picnic tables, campgrounds, and other historicly fee-required uses. Click-through links to reservation sites included.
| UNITED STATES NATIONAL PARKS | RESERVATIONS & PERMITS REQUIRED |
| Acadia National Park | Cadillac Summit Road Vehicle Access |
| American Samoa National Park | |
| Arches National Park | Timed Park Entry Fiery Furnace Trail Access |
| Badlands National Park | |
| Big Bend National Park | |
| Biscayne National Park | |
| Black Canyon National Park | |
| Canyonlands National Park | White Rim Road, Elephant Hill, Lavender Canyon, and Peekaboo/Horse Canyon roads |
| Capitol Reef National Park | |
| Carlsbad Caverns National Park | Cavern Self-Guided Access Timed Entry |
| Channel Islands National Park | |
| Congaree National Park | Firefly Viewing Lottery |
| Crater Lake National Park | |
| Cuyahoga National Park | |
| Death Valley National Park | |
| Denali National Park | |
| Dry Tortugas National Park | |
| Everglades National Park | |
| Gates of The Arctic National Park | |
| Gateway Arch National Park | |
| Glacier National Park | Going-to-the-Sun Road, the North Fork, Two Medicine, and Many Glacier |
| Glacier Bay National Park | |
| Grand Canyon National Park | |
| Grand Teton National Park | |
| Great Basin National Park | |
| Great Sand Dunes National Park | |
| Great Smoky Mountains National Park | Parking Tag Required Synchronous Firefly Lottery |
| Guadalupe Mountains National Park | |
| Haleakala National Park | Sunrise Access Permit |
| Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (cashless) | |
| Hot Springs National Park | |
| Indiana Dunes National Park | |
| Isle Royale National Park | |
| Joshua Tree National Park | |
| Katmai National Park | |
| Kenai Fjords National Park | |
| Kings Canyon National Park | |
| Kobuk Valley National Park | |
| Lake Clark National Park | |
| Lassen Volcanic National Park | |
| Mammoth Cave National Park | Acccess to Cave is only by Tour |
| Mesa Verde National Park | |
| Mount Ranier National Park (cashless) | Climbing Permit (over 10,000′) *Plans to move to timed entry summer 2024 |
| New River Gorge National Park | |
| North Cascades National Park | USFS Trails Leading into National Park |
| Olympic National Park | |
| Petrified Forest National Park | Dark Skies Viewing Permit |
| Pinnacles National Park | |
| Redwoods National Park | |
| Rocky Mountain National Park (cashless entry) | Timed Entry |
| Saguaro National Park | |
| Sequoia National Park | |
| Shenandoah Valley National Park (Thornton Gap entrance temporarily cashless due to fire) | Old Rag Hike |
| Theodore Roosevelt National Park | |
| Virgin Islands National Park | Trunk Bay Expanded Amenity Fee |
| Voyageurs National Park | |
| White Sands National Park | |
| Windcave National Park | Access to Cave is only by Tour |
| Wrangell-St. Elias National Park | |
| Yellowstone National Park | |
| Yosemite National Park (cashless entry) | Half Dome Hike |
| Zion National Park | Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel, Angels Landing Hike, Canyoneering |