National Park Crowd Calendar

Updated for 2026 4 parks dropped timed entry (Arches, Glacier, Rainier, Yosemite)

Several parks dropped park-wide timed entry this year

The National Park Service announced that Arches, Glacier, Mount Rainier, and Yosemite will not require advance vehicle reservations in 2026. Crowd scores on this calendar still reflect 2021–2025 visitation averages — they do not change when reservation rules do.

No reservation does not mean less crowded. These parks remain among the busiest in the system. Removing timed entry only means you can drive up without booking a slot — it does not reduce visitors. NPS may still close entrances temporarily, limit parking, or divert traffic when lots fill (especially on summer weekends).

Plan like peak season still applies: arrive before 7 a.m. or after 4 p.m., visit midweek, and have a backup plan if your first trailhead or parking area is full.

Dropped park-wide timed entry in 2026

No timed entry (had one summers 2022–2025). Fiery Furnace & campground permits still apply.
No park-wide vehicle reservation. Going-to-the-Sun congestion management & Logan Pass parking limits still apply.
No timed entry (used one 2024–2025). Parking management & full-lot closures still possible.
No advance vehicle reservations, including peak summer & Feb–Mar firefall. Real-time traffic holds when parking fills.

Still require timed entry or permits (examples)

Timed entry late May–mid-Oct (Bear Lake corridor has separate rules).
Summit sunrise vehicle reservation year-round (3–7 a.m.).
Cadillac Summit Road vehicle reservation May 20–Oct 25.
Angels Landing hiking permit year-round; canyon shuttle Mar–Nov.
Old Rag day-use ticket Mar–Nov (Old Rag trails only).

Sources: NPS Summer 2026 access announcement (Feb 18, 2026) · Mount Rainier news release (Feb 25, 2026). Always confirm on each park’s official site before you travel — rules can change mid-season.

When to go

Recommended —

Avoid —

Peak month —

Quietest —

Month-by-month crowd score (1 = empty, 10 = peak). Tap a month for visit counts — selected month is highlighted in gold.

Crowd level:

Very quiet

Moderate

Busy

Peak

Permit month

Selected

Avg monthly visitors (NPS 2021–2025 average; 2020 excluded)

This Park Full guide, trail info, campgrounds, live alerts & astrophotography conditions on TrailVerse

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When to go.
Without the crowd.

Several parks dropped park-wide timed entry this year

Pick a park to begin

When to go

When to go.Without the crowd.

Several parks dropped park-wide timed entry this year

Pick a park to begin

When to go

When to go.
Without the crowd.