Forum Discussion

Twomed's avatar
Twomed
Explorer
May 26, 2021

National Parks entry tickets

If you are heading out this summer check ahead for BIG changes in NPS.

Zion has required shuttle tix for a while now. Other parks are jumping on that theme. We came West early this year and were surprised.

Glacier...Driving in the park from either end requires an entry ticket unless you have reservations in the park.

Mesa Verde...ticketed Ranger programs to tour most all of the Pueblos.

I'm sure there are probably others as well. Tix are available on recreation.gov AND will require some planning for dates/times. They are only good for the purchaser...with ID.

Every place is crowded early...just crazy, no one working, all out in their new rv's.

Good Luck
  • Crowe's avatar
    Crowe
    Explorer
    May 26, 2021
    Many people never used their vacation time last year and have hit "use it or lose it" situations. In past years they may have only gone to one or two parks but this year they might be able to see 3 or 4.
  • agesilaus's avatar
    agesilaus
    Explorer III
    May 26, 2021
    Twomed wrote:
    If you are heading out this summer check ahead for BIG changes in NPS

    Glacier...Driving in the park from either end requires an entry ticket unless you have reservations in the park.
    Thats been a major discussion point these last few months


    Mesa Verde...ticketed Ranger programs to tour most all of the Pueblos.
    Nothing new there, they've required tickets for several years

    I'm sure there are probably others as well.
    I have not heard of them if there are



    Good Luck
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    May 26, 2021
    Am I correct that Yosemite is now charging $2 to enter even with a federal senior pass?
  • FWC's avatar
    FWC
    Explorer
    May 26, 2021
    Lwiddis wrote:
    Am I correct that Yosemite is now charging $2 to enter even with a federal senior pass?


    That is the case if you are entering for day use and don't have any other reservation/permit such as a wilderness permit, camping reservation etc. The same $2 fee applies to folks who have annual National Park Passes. The money doesn't even go to the park, but the contractor that runs the reservation system.
  • Crowe's avatar
    Crowe
    Explorer
    May 26, 2021
    The Cadillac Summit Rd in Acadia now requires reservations.
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    May 26, 2021
    That wasn’t the promise the feds made when I bought my senior pass.
  • FWC's avatar
    FWC
    Explorer
    May 26, 2021
    It is a tricky issue. In general the parks are being inundated with people, leading to major overcrowding, a diminished experience for all, and damage to the natural and cultural resources within the parks. That on top of the need to reduce crowding in the face of COVID have lead to timed/reserved entry at the most popular parks. If the current level of use continues, I can't see the reservation system going away. The Park Service is in an impossible situation with competing missions - to provide access to these wonders while at the same time 'preserving unimpaired the natural and cultural resources of the parks'. Reservations seem like a reasonable compromise between these competing mandates, but I do wonder if it should be on a lottery basis (like river rafting permits) as opposed to who can click the links fastest at 12:00:01 am.
  • FWC's avatar
    FWC
    Explorer
    May 26, 2021
    Rocky Mountain National Park and Haleakala National Park also require reservations.
  • Geo_Boy's avatar
    Geo_Boy
    Explorer II
    May 27, 2021
    FWC wrote:
    Lwiddis wrote:
    Am I correct that Yosemite is now charging $2 to enter even with a federal senior pass?


    That is the case if you are entering for day use and don't have any other reservation/permit such as a wilderness permit, camping reservation etc. The same $2 fee applies to folks who have annual National Park Passes. The money doesn't even go to the park, but the contractor that runs the reservation system.

    What a joke this country/government has gone to the dogs.
  • FWC's avatar
    FWC
    Explorer
    May 27, 2021
    Geo*Boy wrote:
    FWC wrote:
    Lwiddis wrote:
    Am I correct that Yosemite is now charging $2 to enter even with a federal senior pass?


    That is the case if you are entering for day use and don't have any other reservation/permit such as a wilderness permit, camping reservation etc. The same $2 fee applies to folks who have annual National Park Passes. The money doesn't even go to the park, but the contractor that runs the reservation system.

    What a joke this country/government has gone to the dogs.


    This is not new - the fee goes to Booz Allen Hamilton that runs recreation.gov. When you make a camping or backcountry permit reservation you pay a fee to Booz Allen as well, you just tend not to notice as it is attached to the park service fee, and it is typically $6 not $2.

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