Camping Reservations in USA National Parks

The implementation of timed entry permits and reservation systems for national parks took flight around 2020 to manage visitation and camping scheduling, with Rocky Mountain National Park being the first national park to do so. In 2024, several other national parks in USA have followed suit.

Reservations help secure a guaranteed camping spot in a high-volume, high-demand national park, and they are a smart way to plan ahead and prepare for the trip of a lifetime (of course, not forgetting your Adirondack Chairs)!

Here are some of America’s most popular National Parks that will be using a reservation system in 2024:

1. Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park contains 13 campgrounds, all operating on an online reservation system. Some campgrounds that previously operated on a first-come first-serve basis during the winter months will now be requiring a reservation beginning in February 2024; these campgrounds include Camp 4, Hodgdon Meadow, and Wawona Campgrounds.

You can find more information on the reservation protocol for Yosemite National Park here.

2. Grand Teton National Park

While Grand Teton National Park does not require a reservation to enter the park, all campgrounds within this park no longer operate on a first-come first-serve basis and will require campers to book an online reservation for their campsite ahead of time.

Reservations to camp in Grand Teton National Park can be made here.

3. Glacier National Park

Many of the campgrounds within Glacier National Park are available by reservation only.  There are some campgrounds that are first-come first-serve, but they tend to be smaller and have fewer sites available.

The campgrounds within Glacier National Park that require reservations include Apgar Campground, Avalanche Campground, Many Glacier Campground, Sprague Creek Campground, and Two Medicine Campground.

You can find more information on Glacier National Park’s campgrounds and reservations here.

4. Arches National Park

There is only one campground at Arches National Park – Devils Garden Campground.  Reservations can be made to camp here between March 1^st and October 31^st. While reservations are not formally required, it is highly recommended to book a reservation during these dates as it is likely to be full each night.

Alternatively, the campground operates first-come first-serve from November and February each year. Reservations can be made for The Devils Garden campground here.

5. Zion National Park

Zion National Park has three campgrounds: Watchman Campground, South Campground, and Lava Point Campground. Currently, South Campground is closed for renovations.

Watchman Campground recommends reserving a campsite ahead of time, though they are not required. Reservations can be made up to six months ahead of time. Lava Point Campground is open from May to September each year, and site reservations are required to camp there which can be made within a rolling two-week window.

You can find more information on reservations and campgrounds in the Zion National Park here.

We Hope This Helps!

Hit the campgrounds and don't forget your folding adirondack chairs or portable wooden camp chairs as well as your favorite beverages and campfire songs.