National Park Reservation Guide
Wanting to plan a national parks trip? Wondering if you'll need reservations? Confused on when to make your reservation? We have all that and more below.
Wanting to plan a national parks trip? Wondering if you'll need reservations? Confused on when to make your reservation? We have all that and more below.
National Parks
The national park system protects way more land than you might realize. There are technically 423 different parks and lands under the stewardship of the National Park System. But of those 423 parks, only 63 have received the status of "national park."
Below we are going to look at the reservations you'll need for those 63 national parks this year. And we will add some helpful tips on staying ahead of the game with your planning.
Reservations
The need for reservations is real these days. National parks have become increasingly popular. In 2022, nearly 312 million people visited a national park—and that number is expected to continue to increase.
What types of reservations can you expect?
Timed Entry Reservations
These were created to help alleviate some of the long lines and congestion at different points throughout the day. With a "Timed Entry Reservation," you will still need to pay your entrance fee, but you will get a two-hour time slot to enter a park. The hope is you will spend less time waiting in line and more time in the park.
Road Reservations
There are certain scenic roads inside national parks that get a ton of visitors—and for good reason. These roads can become overly congested and create issues for traffic flow. To alleviate some of these stresses, you might need a permit for different times throughout the day.
Hike Reservations
Certain hikes inside national parks receive more visitors than they can handle. Some of these hikes are incredibly narrow, on the edge of deep drops, and others just need time to rest. For this reason, you might see certain hikes that need permits. Be sure to investigate these hikes to see if they are on your list. If so, get your permit early.
Camping Reservations
To help you connect with campgrounds, we will highlight the National Park campgrounds that can host RVs. When doing this, we will largely focus on the lower 48 and all of those that are RV-accessible in Alaska.
Now let's get started.
Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park is located on Desert Island in the state of Maine. It is a beautiful park with rocky shores, tall pines, and beautiful hiking.
Good news—you do not need a reservation to enter the park. However, you will want one to travel on Cadillac Summit Road.
When visiting this National Park, it is common for visitors to drive—or climb—to the top of the mountain for sunrise. It is believed this is the first place in the United States to see the sun on any given day.
On top of the mountain, you will be joined by hundreds of people wrapped in blankets anticipating the sunrise. This experience is a right of passage for your Acadia National Park visit.
What Reservations Do You Need for Acadia National Park in 2023?
To travel on Cadillac Summit Road between May 24 and October 22, you will need to make a reservation.
This road leads to the summit of Cadillac Mountain and should be a part of your Acadia National Park experience.
The reservation costs $4 for a private vehicle plus a $2 reservation fee totaling $6. You'll be given a QR code that you'll want to download and save to your phone—it is common to lose signal on the mountain.
According to Friends of Acadia, 30% of available reservations are released 90 days before they can be used. This leaves 70% being released two days ahead of each date.
Make your Acadia National Park reservation here.
Acadia National Park Campground Reservations
Acadia has four different campgrounds and three have RV sites. All of these campgrounds are reservation-only campgrounds and do not offer any first come, first serve campsites. You can make your reservations up to two months in advance at 10:00 AM EDT.
Follow the links below for each campground.
Blackwoods Campground
Seawall Campground
Schoodic Woods
Arches National Parks
Arches National Park is part of the "Mighty Five" located in southern Utah. Arches is in Moab, Utah. And people flock to this dreamy escape for the red rocks, blue skies, and the 2,000+ natural stone arches.
What Reservations Do You Need for Arches National Park in 2023?
This National Park is requiring reservations from April 1 until October 31, 2023. They are using a Timed Entry System for 2023. These reservations started being released on January 10, 2023.
These reservations are released three months in advance in monthly blocks—according to nps.gov. This means on March 1st at 8:00 AM MST, reservations are available for the month of June.
Make your Arches National Park reservation here.
Arches National Park Campground Reservations
The Devils Garden Campground is Arches' only campground inside the park—though there are plenty of others outside. This campground is first come, first serve November through February. But come March through October it is a very competitive campground.
On March 1st, RVers are able to book for April through September. On September 30th, you can book through the end of October.
Make your Devils Garden Campground Reservations here.
Badlands National Park
Nearly 1,000,000 people visit this gem located in western South Dakota each year. With incredible rock formations, massive amounts of wildlife, and plenty of wide open spaces, it is easy to see why this park is so popular.
What Reservations Do You Need for Badlands National Park in 2023?
Good news—no reservations are needed for this national park in 2023.
Badlands National Park Campground Reservations
The Badlands has two well-established campgrounds inside the park: Cedar Pass Campground and Sage Creek Campground.
Sage Creek Campground is a first come, first serve campground that is open year-round. However, you might experience road closures during winter storms.
Cedar Pass Campground is run by Cedar Pass Lodge. This is a seasonal campground with full hookup sites. You can read more and make your reservations here.
Big Bend National Park
Big Bend National Park is a place with cultural and historical significance. Today this National Park is visited for its natural beauty, warm winter weather, and its remote location in southern Texas along the United States-Mexico border.
What Reservations Do You Need for Big Bend National Park in 2023?
Good news—no reservations are needed for this national park in 2023.
Big Bend National Park Campground Reservations
Big Bend has four established campgrounds inside of its borders: Chisos Basin Campground, Cottonwood Campground, Rio Grande Village Campground, and Rio Grande Village RV Park. None of these campgrounds offer first come, first serve sites.
Chisos Basin Campground is not recommended for larger RVs due to the hairpin turns to get there. If you have a smaller RV, there are reservation requirements. Make your reservations here.
Cottonwood Campground is in the southwest corner of Big Bend and is much smaller than Rio Grande with only 24 sites. Make your reservations here.
Rio Grande Village Campground can fit RVs up to 40 feet in length and even has ADA sites. Make your reservations here.
Rio Grande Village RV Park is inside the National Park but is operated by a private company—RForever Resorts. You can make your reservations here.
Biscayne National Park
Biscayne National Park is a scuba diver's dream. With a mixture of shipwrecks to explore, mangroves littering the shoreline, and plenty of coral reefs to explore, divers make their way to southern Florida to explore these waters.
What Reservations Do You Need for Biscayne National Park in 2023?
Good news—there are no reservations needed for this national park in 2023.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Many consider Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park the smaller version of the Grand Canyon. The Gunnison River has carved out this canyon over millions of years and leaves visitors stunned by its beauty.
What Reservations Do You Need for Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in 2023?
Good news—no reservations are needed for this national park in 2023. However, if you plan on heading down into the canyon from the North or South Rim, you will need to get a permit.
Get your Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park permits here.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park Campground Reservations
There are multiple campgrounds inside this National Park, but one is focused on being RV accessible: the South Rim Campground. The sites operate on a 6-month rolling basis starting May 13th. Make your reservations here.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park is famous for the number of hoodoos—tall rock spires—red rocks, unique natural amphitheaters, and big blue skies.
What Reservations Do You Need for Bryce Canyon National Park in 2023?
Good news—there are no reservations needed for this national park in 2023.
Bryce Canyon National Park Campground Reservations
Bryce has two campgrounds for RVers: North Campground and Sunset Campground.
North Campground is a reservation-only campground from May 27 through October 15—first come, first serve the rest of the year. The reservations can be made on a rolling six-month basis. Make your North Campground reservations here.
Sunset Campground is a reservation-only campground from May 19 through September 30 on a six-month rolling basis. The rest of the year it is first come, first serve. Make your Sunset Campground reservations here.
Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands National Park is a favorite for rock climbers, stargazers, and backcountry campers. Like other Utah national parks, its red rocks set against the bright blue sky makes this a beautiful site regardless of the season.
What Reservations Do You Need for Canyonlands National Park in 2023?
Good news—no reservations are needed for this national park in 2023. However, backcountry camping permits can be very competitive. If this is your intention, be sure to plan ahead.
Get your Canyonlands National Park permits here.
Canyonlands National Park Campground Reservations
Canyonlands National Park offers two campgrounds inside the National Park: Island in the Sky Campground and the Needles Campground.
Island in the Sky Campground is a first-come, first-serve campground that is open year-round. This campground is $15 per night, doesn't have hookups, but offers fantastic views.
The Needles Campground has 26 sites—plus three group sites. This campground is best suited for tents and small RVs and offers minimal services. Reservations are recommended for March 15-May 31 and September 1 through November 15—and are first-come, first-serve the rest of the year. Make your Needles Campground Reservations here.
Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef National Park is known for its slot canyons, off-roading areas, and wonderful hiking trails. This is a great alternative to Zion National Park and part of Utah's Mighty Five.
What Reservations Do You Need for Capitol Reef National Park in 2023?
Good news—no reservations are needed for this national park in 2023. However, this is a popular place for day hikes. You'll want to plan on getting to the more popular hikes early.
Get your Canyonlands National Park permits here.
Capitol Reef National Park Campground Reservations
Capitol Reef National Park has a large campground inside the park.
Fruita Campground is a large campground with 71 sites that is well-developed with picnic tables, fire rings, restrooms, dump stations, and potable water. To stay at this campground, you'll need reservations from March 1 through October 31. Make your Fruita Campground Reservations here.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Carlsbad Caverns National Park is one of the more uniquely accessible cave complexes in the world. With great preservation and an abundance of diversity, this is a great place to go underground and begin your caving experience.
What Reservations Do You Need for Carlsbad Caverns National Park in 2023?
To visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park, you can either go on a self-guided tour on a select group of trails or join a ranger for a guided tour. To get the most out of your experience, you ought to opt for a ranger-guided tour of the King's Palace.
The ranger-guided tours fill up quickly and it is highly recommended to get a reservation ahead of time.
Get your Carlsbad Caverns National Park reservation here.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park Campground Reservations
Carlsbad Caverns National Park does not offer any formal campground inside the National Park. There are primitive sites in the backcountry, but nothing for RVs.
Channel Islands National Park
Channel Islands National Park is off the coast of California near Ventura, CA. Five islands are protected for their natural resources, unique wildlife, and cultural heritage. People visit this area to see the unique biodiverse species here, go diving, and go kayaking.
What Reservations Do You Need for Channel Islands National Park in 2023?
Good news—no reservations are needed for this national park in 2023. However, you will want to arrange transportation on one of the Island Packers in advance.
Get your Channel Islands National Park transportation here.
Congaree National Park
Congaree National Park is South Carolina's lone national park. This national park is unique for its large number of old-growth bottomland hardwoods. Here you can meander through the trees on a boardwalk over swamp lands or take a guided paddle tour with a local ranger.
The other reason people love to visit Congaree National Park is for the Firefly viewing. At night the forest lights up with thousands of fireflies. This alone is worth the trip.
What Reservations Do You Need for Congaree National Park in 2023?
Good news—no reservations are needed for this national park in 2023. However, you will want to make a reservation for a ranger-guided tour or the Firefly Experience.
Get your Congaree National Park Reservations below.
Congaree National Park Campground Reservations
Congaree National Park does not offer any formal campground inside the National Park. There are primitive sites in the backcountry, but nothing for RVs.
Crater Lake National Park
Crater Lake National Park has some of the bluest water in the entire world. Sitting at over 7,000 feet in elevation, visitors to this southern Oregon masterpiece will be treated with endless views beyond the lake. If you like hiking, swimming, or boating, you'll need to make your way to Crater Lake National Park.
What Reservations Do You Need for Crater Lake National Park in 2023?
Good news—no reservations are needed for this national park in 2023.
Crater Lake National Park Campground Reservations
Crater Lake National Park has two campgrounds located inside the park.
Mazama Campground is the larger of the two campgrounds. It is only open during the summer—typically opens around June and closes in late September. This campground sits at 6,000 feet in elevation and has 214 sites and is managed externally by Crater Lake Hospitality. Make yourMazama Campground Reservations here.
Lost Creek Campground is a smaller campground and is open year-round. It operates on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park is home to some unique flora and fauna along the Cuyahoga River valley floor. At the lone Ohio national park, you'll find several beautiful waterfalls, portions of the Erie Canal system, and buildings from years gone by.
What Reservations Do You Need for Cuyahoga Valley National Park in 2023?
Good news—there are no reservations needed for this national park in 2023.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park Campground Reservations
Cuyahoga Valley National Park does not offer camping inside the park.
Death Valley National Park
Death Valley National Park sits at -282.2 feet below sea level—making it the lowest-sitting national park in the United States. People visit this national park for its name alone, but also because of the mysteries of this barren landscape.
What Reservations Do You Need for Death Valley National Park in 2023?
Good news—no reservations are needed for this national park in 2023.
Death Valley National Park Campground Reservations
Death Valley National Park has nine campgrounds located inside the park, but only one has a season where reservations are required.
Furnace Creek Campground is the only campground inside Death Valley that accepts reservations—and it is highly recommended. The reservation window is from October 15 until April 15. These reservations can be made up to 90 days in advance. Make your Furnace Creek Campground Reservations here.
Denali National Park and Preserve
Denali National Park is home to the highest peak in North America. Denali sits at 20,310 feet above sea level making it the third most dramatic peak in the world. This national park offers backcountry campers tons of space to get out there. But there are also plenty of day hikes and wildlife to observe.
What Reservations Do You Need for Denali National Park in 2023?
Good news—no reservations are needed for this national park in 2023. However, over the summer months, the main road is closed to private vehicles. You may consider reserving a tour or transit to get further into the park before you start hiking.
Get your Denali National Park transportation here.
Denali National Park Campground Reservations
Denali National Park has six campgrounds located inside the park, but only three accept RVs.
Riley Creek Campground is the most popular Denali campground due to its close proximity to the visitor center. This offers campers an easy route throughout the park and is the hub of the entire park.
Savage River Campground is only open from May 20 through mid-September. This campground has seasonal potable water, flush toilets, and food lockers.
Teklanika River Campground is only open from May 20 through mid-September and requires a minimum three-night stay. This campground is very remote and requires your vehicle to stay on site for three days.
Make your Denali Campground Reservations here.
Dry Tortugas National Park
Dry Tortugas National Park is part of the Florida Keys. This national park is home to Fort Jefferson, coral reefs, sea turtles, and a haven for plenty of unique birds. If you find yourself in the Florida Keys, a visit to Dry Tortugas is a must.
What Reservations Do You Need for Dry Tortugas National Park in 2023?
Good news—no reservations are needed for this national park in 2023. However, you'll need to make arrangements via a ferry or seaplane to get to the park. You may also consider getting a permit to camp inside the park.
Get transportation to Dry Tortugas National Park below.
Everglades National Park
The Everglades National Park is more than fan boats and alligators—but they are a pretty big part of the experience. Here you can go bird watching, cycling, kayaking, and fishing. But beware of the reptiles in this region.
What Reservations Do You Need for Everglades National Park in 2023?
Good news—no reservations are needed for this national park in 2023.
Everglades National Park Campground Reservations
Everglades National Park has two campgrounds located inside the park that are RV accessible.
Long Pine Key Campground is open from November 1 through April 30. It has a bathhouse, potable water, and a dump station.
Flamingo Campground is open year-round. This campground has bathhouses, dump stations, and winter programming, with reservations recommended for the winter months.
Make your Everglade Campground Reservations here.
Gates of the Arctic National Park
Gates of the Arctic National Park is not accessible via vehicle. Like other National Parks, you'll need to schedule a place to fly you into this park. Once you arrive inside this Alaskan national park, you'll be welcomed by harsh Arctic conditions. With its large unspoiled landscape, hikers and backcountry campers will love this national park.
What Reservations Do You Need for Gates of the Arctic National Park in 2023?
Good news—no reservations are needed for this national park in 2023. With that being said, you will need a plan to get here. There are three ways to arrive at Gates of the Arctic National Park. You can get there on foot with a 5+ mile hike from the Dalton Highway or take an air taxi into the park—the preferred option.
Please note, once you arrive you are on your own. This is a harsh landscape and only experienced outdoorsmen should try to visit this park alone.
Gateway Arch National Park
At only 91 acres, Gateway Arch National Park is the smallest National Park in the United States. This urban park commemorates the westward expansion of the United States. It helps visitors relive the pioneer expansion.
What Reservations Do You Need for Gateway Arch National Park in 2023?
Good news—no reservations are needed for this national park in 2023. If you want to take the Tram Ride to the Top of the Gateway Arch, you might want to make reservations in advance.
Get your Gateway Arch National Park Tram tickets here.
Glacier National Park
The Crown of the Continent—Glacier National Park—is located in northwest Montana. This national park is one of the premier parks for those looking to lace up their hiking boots. With over 700 miles, you can visit over and over without stepping on the same dirt. You can also enjoy horseback riding, whitewater rafting—or kayaking—cycling, and more.
What Reservations Do You Need for Arches National Park in 2023?
This National Park is requiring timed reservations in 2023. There are multiple reservations you may need to make when visiting this National Park from May 26 through September 10.
Going-to-the-Sun Road will require a timed entry starting at 6:00 AM until 3:00 PM daily starting on May 26—or July 1 coming from the Many Glaciers Side—until September 10. If you arrive before or after, you can enter the corridor without a timed entry. This reservation grants you a timed entry for three consecutive days. Get your vehicle registration for this here.
Many Glacier's Areas —the northeast section—will require reservations too. This area is considered one of the best portions of the park with crystal clear lakes, elevated meadows, and some of the best hikes in the park. To take a vehicle in this portion of the park from 6:00 AM until 3:00 PM between July 1 and September 10 you'll need a vehicle registration. These registrations are good for one day only. So be sure to plan your trip accordingly. Get your Many Glacier vehicle registration here.
The North Fork area is located in the northwest section of the park and requires its own vehicle registration. This area is some of the most remote sections of the park and makes you feel like you are truly roughing it. The roads here are mostly dirt roads. 4wd, AWD, and vehicles with reasonable ground clearance are recommended. The vehicle registration here is good for one day. Get your North Fork vehicle registration here.
The Two Medicine section is located at the south end of Glacier National Park. This region is less visited, but still has everything that makes Glacier National Park special. Get your Two Medicine vehicle registration here.
A ccording to nps.gov, these reservations are released four months in advance in monthly blocks. This means on March 1st at 8:00 AM MST, reservations are available for the month of July. If you don't get one in advance, a percentage of reservations will be released 24 hours in advance. You can arrive at your desired site and try your luck there.
Glacier National Park Campground Reservations
Glacier National Park has three campgrounds located inside the park that is accessible to RVs that will take reservations in advance. The other 10 are either first-come, first-serve, will offer reservations four days in advance, or are tent-only.
Apgar Campground is the largest campground in Glacier. From this campground, you can enjoy Lake McDonald and are close proximity to tons of trails.
Fish Creek Campground is the second largest campground and offers distant views of Lake McDonald.
Avalanche Campground is in one of the most desired areas of the park, but can only accommodate smaller RVs—26 feet max.
Make your Glacier National Park Campground Reservations here.
Glacier Bay National Park
Glacier Bay National Park is a marine park located in Alaska. This park is geared towards boating and exploring the coves through the waters, exploring wildlife, and getting a unique perspective on life in Alaska.
What Reservations Do You Need for Glacier Bay National Park in 2023?
Good news—no reservations are needed for this national park in 2023. Just be sure to connect with a local to get a tour of Glacier Bay National Park.
Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park—located in northern Arizona—is one of the most searched national parks in the country. People visit the grand canyon for the unique experience, grand views, and sometimes a ride on a burro down into the canyon.
What Reservations Do You Need for Grand Canyon National Park in 2023?
Good news—no reservations are needed for this national park in 2023.
Grand Canyon National Park Campground Reservations
Grand Canyon National Park has four campgrounds located inside the park that are accessible to RVs and three of them take reservations.
Mather Campground is a large campground located in the Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim—the more popular side. Reservations can be made for sites during the peak season—March 1 through November 30. In addition to reservations, they save 10 sites for a first-come, first-serve status throughout peak season.
Desert View Campground is on the South Rim, but 23 miles away from the Grand Canyon Village. This offers a remote feel on the South Rim.
North Rim Campground is one of the few campgrounds on the North Rim and is only open seasonally—mid-May through mid-October.
Make your Grand Canyon National Park Campground Reservations here.
Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park—located in northwest Wyoming—is one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the United States. With meadows on either side of the range, you can get beautiful sunrise and sunset photos, explore towering peaks with a wonderful trail system, and experience active wildlife.
What Reservations Do You Need for Grand Teton National Park in 2023?
Good news—no reservations are needed for this national park in 2023.
Grand Teton National Park Campground Reservations
Grand Teton National Park has seven campgrounds located inside the park and six of those are accessible to RVs. All campgrounds are advance reservation only.
Gros Ventre Campground has 279 sites and can accommodate RVs up to 45 feet in length.
Signal Mountain Campground has 56 sites and can accommodate RVs up to 30 feet in length.
Colter Bay Campground has 324 sites, pay showers, laundry, and can accommodate RVs up to 45 feet in length.
Lizard Creek Campground is a smaller campground with only 60 sites and limits RVs to 30 feet in length.
Headwaters Campground has full hookup, pull-through sites with showers, and can accommodate 45-foot RVs.
Make your Grand Teton National Park Campground Reservations here.
Great Basin National Park
The Great Basin National Park—located in northern Nevada—is a very unique park with towering mountains, ancient trees, and incredible mountain views. Make your way to this national park to do some hiking and learn about its internal drainage system and the Bristlecone pine trees.
What Reservations Do You Need for Great Basin National Park in 2023?
Good news—no reservations are needed for this national park in 2023.
Great Basin National Park Campground Reservations
Great Basin National Park has six campgrounds located inside the park and four of those are reservable ahead of time during peak season.
Lower Lehman Creek Campground has 11 sites and vault toilets available year-round.
Lower Lehman Creek Campground has 23 sites and is located at a much higher elevation—7,500 feet—making the alpine trails more accessible.
Wheeler Peak Campground has 37 sites and is encased in a grove of aspen trees.
Baker Creek Campground has 37 sites and can accommodate RVs up to 50 in length.
Make your Great Basin National Park Campground Reservations here.
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
The Great Sand Dunes National Park—located west of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in Colorado—is unlike any other national park in North America. With towering mountains surrounding the tallest sand dunes in North America, you'll get a one-of-a-kind experience.
What Reservations Do You Need for Great Sand Dunes National Park in 2023?
Good news—no reservations are needed for this national park in 2023.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The Great Smoky Mountain National Park—located in Tennessee and North Carolina—is the most visited national park in the United States with over 14 million visitors a year. Here there is plenty of hiking, an abundance of wildlife, and fishing, plus it's uniquely located in the Appalachian Mountains.
What Reservations Do You Need for Great Smoky Mountain National Park in 2023?
The Great Smoky Mountain National Park is instituting a new National Park Parking Tag for any vehicle parked for more than 15 minutes in 2023. Beginning March 1, you will need to print a tag before your arrival. These parking tags must be displayed and are available to purchase up to six months in advance.
Get your Smoky Mountain National Park Parking Tag here.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Campground Reservations
Great Smoky Mountains National Park has 10 campgrounds located inside the park for front country camping. But only four of those campgrounds can accept RVs.
Smokemont Campground has 142 sites with flush toilets, potable water, and sinks.
Cosby Campground has 139 tent sites and is limited to RV spaces.
Look Rock Campground has 68 sites and 10 electric sites.
Deep Creek Campground has 92 campsites—as well as group sites—with flush toilets and potable water.
Make your Great Smoky Mountains National Park Campground Reservations here.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Located in southern New Mexico, Guadalupe Mountains National Park has become a destination for hikers over the years. With 80+ miles of trails, beginner and experienced hikers come to these mountains for the sunshine, challenging hikes, and spectacular views.
What Reservations Do You Need for Guadalupe Mountains National Park in 2023?
Good news—no reservations are needed for this national park in 2023.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park Campground Reservations
Guadalupe Mountains National Park has 3 campgrounds located inside the park. One of these campgrounds can only be used by groups with horses. Each campground can be reserved up to six months in advance.
Pine Springs Campground is near the Pine Springs Visitor Center near the peak. This campground has potable water, flush toilets, and a utility sink—no showers. This campground can accommodate RVs up to 55 feet in length.
Frijole Horse Campground is a unique campground just one mile north of Pine Springs Campground. This is reserved for groups with horses only
Make your Guadalupe Mountains National Park Campground Reservations here.
Haleakala National Park
Haleakala National Park—located on Maui Island in Hawaii—is a popular destination for people wanting to catch the morning sun or the evening sunset. With peaks that tower above the clouds and the island surrounded by the ocean, you'll get a chance to see the sunrise from the ocean or drop into it.
What Reservations Do You Need for Haleakala National Park in 2023?
To drive to Maui's highest peak—over 10,000 feet—you'll need a reservation. This is the most popular thing to do in this national park and parking is limited. This reservation is good for one vehicle—and is only available once every three days.
To make this reservation, there are two different windows to consider. A percentage of reservations can be made 60 days in advance and the remaining will be made available two days in advance.
Get your Haleakala National Park Summit Sunrise Reservation here.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is located on Hawaii's Big Island. This National Park is part of an active volcanic area and tracking recent activity from local rangers ought to be taken seriously. At this National Park, you'll get a chance to see active lava. At sunrise, you might even get to see lava spilling into the ocean. Who knows, you might even be seeing the next Hawaiian island being created.
What Reservations Do You Need for Guadalupe Mountains National Park in 2023?
Good news—no reservations are needed for this national park in 2023.
Hot Springs National Park
Hot Springs National Park is located in Hot Springs, Arkansas. This National Park is home to 47 thermal springs—so you can probably guess why you ought to visit. And even though it is one of the smallest national parks, there is still beautiful scenery worth taking in when you aren't enjoying the thermal pools.
What Reservations Do You Need for Hot Springs National Park in 2023?
Good news—no reservations are needed for this national park in 2023.
Hot Springs National Park Campground Reservations
Hot Springs National Park has one campground that accommodates both tents and RVs.
Gulpha Gorge Creek Campground has 40 sites and all of them have full hookups—30/50 amp electric, water, sewer connections, picnic tables, and pedestal grills are on each site.
All the sites can be reserved up to 6 months in advance.
Make your Hot Springs National Park Campground Reservations here.
Indiana Dunes National Park
At the southern tip of Lake Michigan in Indiana, the Indiana Dunes National Park is an incredibly popular National Park with over three million visitors annually. Here there are pretty beaches, an incredibly biologically diverse area, and dunes you can sled down.
What Reservations Do You Need for Indiana Dunes National Park in 2023?
Good news—no reservations are needed for this national park in 2023.
What Reservations Do You Need for Indiana Dunes National Park in 2023?
Good news—no reservations are needed for this national park in 2023.
Indiana Dunes National Park Campground Reservations
Indiana Dunes National Park has one campground with 66 tent sites, 53 RV sites, and 13 walk-in sites.
Dunewood Campground is made up of two separate loops. Both loops have modern restroom facilities—with flush toilets and hot showers. The sites do not have electric hookups.
All the sites can be reserved up to 6 months in advance.
Make your Indiana Dunes National Park Campground Reservations here.
Isle Royale National Park
Isle Royale National Park is located in Lake Superior between Michigan and Wisconsin. This national park is one of the least visited parks in the system and is only accessible by ferry, seaplane, or private watercraft. It is an incredibly rugged experience that attracts backpackers and paddlers to its shores.
What Reservations Do You Need for Isle Royale National Park in 2023?
Good news—no reservations are needed for this national park in 2023. However, you will need an overnight permit and make arrangements to get to the island.
Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park is located in the California desert in southern California. This National Park attracts rock climbers and outdoor enthusiasts and acts as a desert oasis for southern California. This park is also great for camping and off-roading.
What Reservations Do You Need for Joshua Tree National Park in 2023?
Good news—no reservations are needed for this national park in 2023.
Joshua Tree National Park Campground Reservations
Joshua Tree National Park has five campgrounds inside the park that require reservations.
Black Rock Campground has 99 sites, potable water, flush toilets, fire pits, and a dump station.
Cottonwood Campground has 62 sites, potable water, flush toilets, fire pits, and a dump station.
Indian Cove Campground has 101 sites, pit toilets, and fire pits.
Jumbo Rocks Campground has 124 sites, pit toilets, and fire pits.
Ryan Campground has 31 sites, pit toilets, and fire pits.
All the sites can be reserved up to 6 months in advance.
Make your Joshua Tree National Park Campground Reservations here.
Katmai National Park and Preserve
Katmai National Park is only accessible via boat or plane—there is no way to drive to this national park in Alaska. If you make it to this park, you will have the unique chance to raft, hike, see bears catching salmon, and simply explore one of the most remote national parks in the system.
What Reservations Do You Need for Katmai National Park in 2023?
To visit this national park, you will need to make reservations to get to the park and stay inside the park. If you go through the effort of getting there, you will want to get a camping reservation and a river reservation.
To get to the island, you can fly out of the Anchorage International Airport—ANC—with Alaska Airlines to King Salmon—AKN.
Get your Brooks Camp Permit here.
Get your Brooks River Corridor Permit here.
Kenai Fjords National Park
Kenai Fjords National Park is another Alaskan National Park. Located just south of Anchorage, this is the perfect place to get the entire Alaskan experience. Here you can see marine and land life, walk through alpine meadows, hike trails, and watch glaciers break off into the ocean.
What Reservations Do You Need for Kenai Fjords National Park in 2023?
Good news—no reservations are needed for this national park in 2023.
Kings Canyon National Park
Kings Canyon National Park is located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California. This national park is known for its fantastic hiking, beautiful scenery, and is home to one of the largest sequoia tree groves in the world.
What Reservations Do You Need for Kings Canyon National Park in 2023?
Good news—no reservations are needed for this national park in 2023.
Kings Canyon National Park Campground Reservations
Kings Canyon National Park cannot be decoupled from Sequoia National Park. Together these two National Parks have four campgrounds inside that require reservations.
Potwisha Campground has 42 sites, potable water, and is reservable with a four-month window of booking. Make your reservation here.
Buckeye Flat Campground has 27 sites, seasonal potable water, and food storage lockers, but is closed for the 2023 season for repairs. Make your reservation here.
Lodgepole Campground has 214 sites, food storage lockers, a camp store, and is reservable on a 120-day rolling basis. Make your reservation here.
Dorst Creek Campground has 222 reservable sites on a 30-day rolling basis. Make your reservation here.
Kobuk Valley National Park
Kobuk Valley National Park is another National Park located in Alaska. This national park is home to 500,000+ Western Arctic Caribou that migrate through this 1,750,000+ acre park. Visiting this park requires a lot of planning. Because it sits inside the Arctic Circle, it is unbearable for most of the year.
What Reservations Do You Need for Kobuk Valley National Park in 2023?
To get access to this national park, you will need to fly into Kotzebue or Bettles from either Fairbanks or Anchorage airports. But there are no reservations needed to visit this park.
Lake Clark National Park
In western Alaska, you'll find Lake Clark National Park. This is another park that is incredibly remote and filled with wildlife. Here you'll see beautiful lakes, rocky beaches, and bear fishing for their dinner. You can schedule day trips here from Anchorage or the Kenai peninsula.
What Reservations Do You Need for Lake Clark National Park in 2023?
Good news—no reservations are needed for this national park in 2023. You'll need to book with a third party for your day trip experience.
Lassen Volcanic National Park
In north-central California, Lassen Volcanic National Park puts on a show for its visitors. This national park is beautiful all year with different views in different seasons. It has clear lakes, beautiful pine groves, and plenty of geothermal activity. Hiking, swimming, fishing, skiing, and kayaking are some of the most popular activities here.
What Reservations Do You Need for Lassen Volcanic National Park in 2023?
Good news—no reservations are needed for this national park in 2023.
Lassen Volcanic National Park Campground Reservations
Lassen Volcanic National Park has seven campgrounds and three will require reservations.
Manzanita Campground has 179 sites and is the largest in the park.
Summit Lake North Campground has 46 sites and has direct access to the lake for swimming.
Butte Lake Campground is more remote than the previously mentioned campgrounds, but it is worth the drive for remote camping.
All the sites can be reserved up to 6 months in advance.
Make your Lassen Volcanic National Park Campground Reservations here.
Mammoth Cave National Park
Mammoth Cave National Park—located in central Kentucky—is an incredibly important place. There is evidence of thousands of years of mankind being present in the area, a diverse plant life, and has earned itself the title of UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Here people tour the cave, hike the trails nearby, and take in the wildlife.
What Reservations Do You Need for Mammoth Cave National Park in 2023?
Good news—no reservations are needed for this national park in 2023. But it is recommended you get reservations for the guided tour.
Get your Mammoth Cave National Park Tours here.
Mammoth Cave National Park Campground Reservations
Mammoth Cave National Park has three campgrounds and three will require reservations.
Mammoth Cave Campground has 111 sites and is the largest in the park. Make your reservations here.
Maple Springs Campground has horse ties behind the campground making it a unique experience. To get to this campground, you can take either take the 45-minute drive or a free ferry to the campground. Book here.
Houchin Ferry Campground is located 15 miles from the Visitor Center and sits on the bank of the Green River. You can book those stays here.
Mesa Verde National Park
Mesa Verde National Park is located in southwest Colorado and is one of the best cliff-dwelling displays you'll ever see. You can enjoy self-guided tours of these ancient ruins of the Puebloan Tribe. There are also other cultural, historical, and natural elements to enjoy inside the park. This is also a Day Sky Park and is thus great for stargazing.
What Reservations Do You Need for Mesa Verde National Park in 2023?
Good news—no reservations are needed for this national park in 2023. But it is recommended you get reservations for the guided tour.
Get your Mesa Verde National Park Tours here.
Mesa Verde National Park Campground Reservations
Mesa Verde National Park has one campground that suggests you make reservations in advance.
Morefield Campground is only four miles from the park entrance and has 267 campsites for visitors to enjoy. This park is managed by a company outside of the National Park Service.
Make your Mesa Verde National Park Campground Reservations here.
Mount Rainier National Park
Located southeast of Seattle, you can enjoy this beautiful national park with plenty of day hikes. There are 250+ miles of hiking trails that wind around Mount Rainier through beautiful meadows filled with wildflowers, old-growth trees, and waterfalls.
What Reservations Do You Need for Mount Rainier National Park in 2023?
Good news—no reservations are needed for this national park in 2023.
Mount Rainier National Park Campground Reservations
Mount Rainier National Park has two campgrounds inside the park that take reservations.
Cougar Rock Campground is near the most popular region of the park with reservations recommended. Check out the reservation guides and book your stay here.
Ohanapecosh Campground is on the southeast side of the park and has 188 sites that RVs or tents can use. Book your stay here.
National Park of American Samoa
The National Park of American Samoa is located almost 5,000 miles away from the continental United States. In fact, this national park sits below the equator and requires a lot of planning to get to. At this park, you'll be immersed in the life of the Samoans, discover what village life looked like, and experience island life on land and sea.
What Reservations Do You Need for the National Park of American Samoa in 2023?
Good news—no reservations are needed for this national park in 2023. To get here, you'll need to fly into Pago Pago International Airport and then arrange interisland flights.
Learn more about getting to the National Park of American Samoa here.
New River Gorge National Park
New River Gorge National Park is the newest national park of the 63. It is located in West Virginia and is perfect for anyone who loves the outdoors. Here you can hike, bike, climb, white water raft, canoe, white water kayak, fish, camp, and more.
What Reservations Do You Need for New River Gorge National Park in 2023?
Good news—no reservations are needed for this national park in 2023.
New River Gorge National Park Campground Reservations
New River Gorge National Park has plenty of campgrounds inside the park that are RV friendly. However, there aren't any New River Gorge Park Campgrounds that take reservations.
North Cascades National Park
North Cascades National Park is a paradise for anyone who loves hiking—especially if you live for difficult trails. This park is located in the North Cascades mountain range in northern Washington. It is highlighted by its jagged peaks, glaciers, alpine lakes, and beautiful wildflower meadows. This national park is breathtaking and one of the least visited national parks.
What Reservations Do You Need for North Cascades National Park in 2023?
Good news—no reservations are needed ffor this national park in 2023.
North Cascades National Park Campground Reservations
North Cascades National Park has several campgrounds inside the park that take reservations. Four campgrounds have access to RVs.
Colonial Creek North Campground is a remote campground with 41 campsites near Diablo Lake.
Colonial Creek South Campground is another remote campground with 94 campsites in old growth forest near Diablo Lake.
Goodell Creek Campground is a smaller campground along the Skagit River.
Gorge Lake Campground sits on the bank of Gorge Lake with only eight sites.
Make your North Cascades National Park Campground Reservations here.
Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park—located in northwest Washington on the Olympic Peninsula—is the most diverse national park in North America. It has everything from alpine lakes to North America's largest temperate rainforest. From towering peaks to rugged coastlines, you can find it all at Olympic National Park.
But planning your visit here isn't easy. This park is huge and requires multiple days to just scratch the surface.
What Reservations Do You Need for Olympic National Park in 2023?
Good news—no reservations are needed for this national park in 2023.
Olympic National Park Campground Reservations
Olympic National Park has 14 campgrounds inside the park. However, all but three are first come, first served.
Hoh Rain Forest and Kalaloch Campground releases their reservations in blocks. The first block will be released 6 months in advance, followed by two weeks in advance, and finally four days before. Make your Hoh Rainforest reservations here. Make your Kalaloch Campground reservations here.
Mora Campground is similar to the previous set of campgrounds, but they release different loops at different stages. Loop A, B, and E are released 6 months in advance. Loop C is released two weeks in advance. Loop D is released four days in advance. Make your reservation here.
Sol Duc Campground has 82 sites. 62 of the campsites are able to be reserved, and the rest are saved for walk-ins. Make your Sol Duc Campground here.
Petrified Forest National Park
The Petrified Forest National Park sits along Route 66 in northern Arizona. This desert park doesn't have the towering mountains and beautiful alpine lakes that we associate with many national parks, but it offers something different. There are beautiful red rocks, ancient tribal art, and of course the petrified trees that it is named after.
There are also hiking, horseback riding, and guided ranger tours available.
What Reservations Do You Need for Petrified Forest National Park in 2023?
Good news—no reservations are needed for this national park in 2023.
Pinnacles National Park
Pinnacles National Park is located in central California. This national park is sought after for its hiking, climbing, and wildlife studies. Its convenient location between San Francisco and Los Angeles creates a peaceful getaway from those packed cities.
What Reservations Do You Need for Pinnacles National Park in 2023?
Good news—no reservations are needed for this national park in 2023.
Pinnacles National Park Campground Reservations
Pinnacles National Park has one campground inside the park.
Pinnacles Campground has 134 campsites with fire rings, picnic tables, bathhouses, a pool, and even a camp store. Make your Pinnacles Campground reservation here.
Redwood National Park
Redwood National Park is in the northernmost part of California—almost at the Oregon border. This national park is known for its giant Redwood trees that tower over you or allow you to drive your vehicle through. These trees are over 2,000- year-old are simply giants. Only in person can you truly appreciate them.
What Reservations Do You Need for Redwood National Park in 2023?
Good news—no reservations are needed for this national park in 2023.
Redwood National Park Campground Reservations
Redwood National Park and Redwoods State Park are married together. Inside these two parks, there are four campgrounds. These parks are some of the most popular in the United States making it difficult to get a site. Each campground has its own limits and opportunities.
Jedediah Smith Campground has 86 campsites for either tents or RVs. However, there is a length limit of 25 feet for RVs and 21 feet for trailers. Make your reservations here.
Mill Creek Campground has 145 campsites for either tents or RVs. This campground is open May 18 through September 30. This campground has RV limits too—28-foot for RVs and 24-foot for trailers. Make your reservations here.
Elk Prairie Campground has 75 sites for either tents or RVs. This campground is open all year. The RV limits are 27-foot for RVs and 24-foot for trailers. Make your reservations here.
Gold Bluffs Beach Campground is a smaller campground with only 26 sites. They limit it to 24-foot RVs and don't allow trailers. Make your reservations here.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park is located in the heart of the Rockies in central Colorado. This national park sits between 1.5 miles to almost 3 miles above sea level. It is the king of alpine lakes. It also offers hiking, backcountry skiing, backcountry camping, plenty of wildlife, and more.
What Reservations Do You Need for Rocky Mountain National Park in 2023?
Rocky Mountain National Park is requiring a Timed Entry Permit to enter beginning May 25, 2023. This permit will be active from 5:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily. The reservation will allow for entry in a two-hour window—in hopes of reducing congestion into the park.
Get your Rocky Mountain National Park Timed Entry Permit here.
Rocky Mountain National Park Campground Reservations
Rocky Mountain National Park has four campgrounds inside the park that take reservations.
Aspenglen Campground is a beautiful campground that is conveniently located near the Fall River Entrance. Make your reservation here.
Glacier Basin Campground is close to Estes Park. This campground is a great spot for families who like to mix adventure and luxuries. Make your reservation here.
Timber Creek Campground is the only National Park campground on the west side of the park. If you are planning on heading here, be aware there is a total vehicle limit of 30 feet for your rig. Make your reservation here.
Moraine Park Campground is open during the winter months on a first-come, first-served basis. However, the summer months are reservable. Make your reservation here.
Most Rocky Mountain National Park campsites are available to be reserved six months in advance—on a rolling window. The remaining sites are saved for reservations two weeks in advance.
Saguaro National Park
Located in southern Arizona, Saguaro National Park is a park that seems to highlight desert life. At this park just outside of Tucson, Arizona, you can enjoy short hikes, giant cacti, and other native plants.
Just don't leave until you've seen the sun set over the desert. The big red ball in the sky puts on a full show every night at Saguaro National Park.
What Reservations Do You Need for Saguaro National Park in 2023?
Good news—no reservations are needed for this national park in 2023.
Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park is located in the Sierra Nevada in California. This national park is filled with giant trees that you can drive through. The most popular thing to do is visit General Sherman—dubbed the largest tree in the world. This park is conveniently located in Kings Canyon too.
What Reservations Do You Need for Sequoia National Park in 2023?
Good news—no reservations are needed for this national park in 2023.
Sequoia National Park Campground Reservations
Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park are side-by-side. That makes these two National Parks linked together in campgrounds too. Together these two National Parks have four campgrounds inside that require reservations.
Potwisha Campground has 42 sites, potable water, and is reservable with a four-month window of booking. Make your reservation here.
Buckeye Flat Campground has 27 sites, seasonal potable water, food storage lockers, but is closed for the 2023 season for repairs. Make your reservation here.
Lodgepole Campground has 214 sites, food storage lockers, a camp store, and is reservable on a 120-day rolling basis. Make your reservation here.
Dorst Creek Campground has 222 reservable sites on a 30-day rolling basis. Make your reservation here.
Shenandoah National Park
Located in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains is Shenandoah National Park. Its close proximity to major cities like Baltimore, New York, Washington D.C., and others makes this a popular place to visit year-round.
This park has wonderful hiking—Old Rag Mountain is the most popular—lots of waterfalls, and beautiful drives. Come during the fall when the leaves are on full display.
What Reservations Do You Need for Shenandoah National Park in 2023?
Good news—no reservations are needed for this national park in 2023. However, you will need a ticket to hike Old Rag Mountain.
Get your Old Rag Mountain Day-Use Ticket here.
Shenandoah National Park Campground Reservations
Shenandoah National Park has four campgrounds that are open seasonally. It is highly recommended to make reservations for holidays and weekends at this popular park. Here are the four campgrounds to look into.
Matthew Arm Campground has 165 sites and is great for tent and RV campers.
Big Meadows Campground has 221 sites and is centrally located in the park.
Lewis Mountain Campground has 30 sites and is the smallest campground in the park.
Loft Mountain Campground has 207 sites and is the largest campground in the park. It sits at the southern end of the park on top of Big Flat Mountain.
Make your Shenandoah National Park Campground Reservations here.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Theodore Roosevelt National Park is located in the prairie lands of western North Dakota. This national park is a perfect blend of grasslands and badlands. You'll experience wild horses, elk, and bison roaming the grasslands. And you can explore the badlands with wonderful hikes and scenic overlooks from your car.
What Reservations Do You Need for Theodore Roosevelt National Park in 2023?
Good news—no reservations are needed for this national park in 2023.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park Campground Reservations
Theodore Roosevelt National Park has two campgrounds inside the park. Neither has hook-ups and each has one group site.
Juniper Campground has 50 sites and usually fills to capacity during peak season, during weekends, and on holidays. This campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
Cottonwood Campground has 76 sites. Half of these sites are able to be reserved for mid-May through mid-September. The other half of the campsites operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
Make your Theodore Roosevelt National Park Campground Reservations here.
Virgin Islands National Park
The Virgin Islands National Park is a part of the US Virgin Islands. It makes up nearly 60% of St. John's and is one of the few national parks not located in a US State. This national park will give its visitors the feel for what islands used to be—filled with jungles and an abundance of wildlife—before it was overly developed.
Here you can hike, explore, relax, and kayak.
What Reservations Do You Need for Virgin Islands National Park in 2023?
Good news—no reservations are needed for this national park in 2023. However, you'll need to fly to St. John or St. Thomas and then ferry across to St. John's island.
Voyageurs National Park
Located in the far north of Minnesota is Voyageurs National Park. This park is another park that is only accessed via boat. People often plan canoe trips through the connected lakes and islands. You can canoe or kayak, explore the land by foot, and return to your boat to set off for a new island. Fishing, hiking, boating, and simply exploring are some of the most popular activities in Voyageurs National Park.
What Reservations Do You Need for Voyageurs National Park in 2023?
Good news—no reservations are needed for this national park in 2023. If you plan to backpack inside the park, you will need to get a Voyageurs National Park Camping Permit.
Get your Voyageurs National Park Camping Permit here.
Voyageurs National Park Campground Reservations
Voyageurs National Park has several places to camp throughout the park. However, you'll need a watercraft to access each site. You'll need to do more research to plan your trip to this National Park.
Get your Voyageurs National Park Campground Permits here.
White Sands National Park
Not too far from Carlsbad Caverns National Park is White Sands National Park in southern New Mexico. White Sands National Park is exactly what you are thinking—beautiful white sands spread over thousands of acres. This pure white sand is filled with rare gypsum. At this national park, you can enjoy hiking, cycling, driving through the dunes, fantastic photography—it looks like white sand waves—and plenty of ranger programs.
What Reservations Do You Need for White Sands National Park in 2023?
Good news—no reservations are needed for this national park in 2023.
Wind Cave National Park
Southwest South Dakota is home to Wind Cave National Park. This national park is often overlooked because of nearby Mount Rushmore, but its unique characteristics are absolutely worth a visit.
Wind Cave National Park offers tours of these unique boxwork caves that form a honeycomb appearance throughout the cave. In addition to cave tours, there are prairie lands filled with native wildlife, large forests, and hiking in the area.
What Reservations Do You Need for Wind Cave National Park in 2023?
Good news—no reservations are needed for this national park in 2023. But you might want to make reservations ahead of time for your ranger-led cave tour.
Get your Wind Cave National Park tours here.
Wind Cave National Park Campground Reservations
Wind Cave National Park has one campground inside the park. It is open year-round and operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
Elk Mountain Campground usually does not fill up.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is located in Alaska. This park is unique as it touches the ocean and pushes to the sky with peaks over 18,000 feet in elevation. This park is known for its rugged landscape and its sheer size. The National Parks System describes it as "the same size as Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Switzerland combined."
Exploring Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is done by boat, plane, helicopter, or foot. In this national park, you can experience icefields, glaciers, and plenty of frigid white waters.
What Reservations Do You Need for Wrangell-St. Elias National Park in 2023?
Good news—there are no reservations needed for this national park in 2023.
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park is in the northeast corner of Wyoming with parts of it making its way into neighboring states Montana and Idaho. This National Park is widely held as the first one. This national park is incredibly unique as it is presumed to be sitting on top of a dormant super volcano. Its unique situation leads to lots of geysers, boiling pots, and other thermal activities.
Here you will see buffalo, grizzly bears, wolves, and other wildlife meandering the lands. You can spend your time driving from site to site, fishing the waters, exploring the backcountry, or trying to catch glimpses of the wildlife.
What Reservations Do You Need for Yellowstone National Park in 2023?
Good news—no reservations are needed for this national park in 2023. But you might consider booking your lodging options well in advance because this is one of America's favorite national parks.
Yellowstone National Park Campground Reservations
Yellowstone National Park has 12 campgrounds inside its borders with 2,150+ campsites to be enjoyed and accessed by car.
Seven of the campgrounds are operated by the National Park System.
Indian Creek Campground has 70 sites and is near Mammoth Hot Springs. This campground is open from June 9 through September 10. The max length for RVs is 35 feet.
Lewis Lake Campground has 84 sites and is open from June 15 through October 14. This campground has a max length of 25 feet.
Mammoth Campground has 82 sites—has yet to announce opening dates—and has a max length of 30 feet.
Norris and Pebble Creek Campgrounds will be closed during the 2023 season.
Slough Creek Campground has 16 sites and will be open from June 15 through October 9. The max RV length is 30 feet.
Tower Fall Campground has 31 sites and has yet to announce its opening dates. It does have a length limit of 30 feet.
Make reservations at this list of campgrounds here.
Five of the campgrounds are operated by a third party—Yellowstone National Park Lodges.
Bridge Bay Campground has 432 sites and is open from May 19 through September 4. The max RV length is 60 feet.
Canyon Campground has 273 sites and is open from May 26 through September 17. The max RV length is 40 feet.
Fishing Bridge RV Park has 310 RV sites and is open from May 12 through October 8. With no max length.
Grant Village Campground has 430 sites and is open from June 2 through September 10. The max length is 50 feet.
Madison Campground has 276 sites and is open from May 5 through October 15. The max length is 60 feet.
Make reservations at this list of campgrounds here.
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is California's most popular national park and is on most people's bucket lists. This park is famous for its 800+ miles of hiking trails, world-class rocking climbing routes, white waters, and overall scenery.
What Reservations Do You Need for Yosemite National Park in 2023?
Good news—no reservations are needed for this national park in 2023. If you plan on doing the Half Dome hike, you will need a permit.
Get your Half Dome Permits here.
Also, you might consider booking your lodging options well in advance because this is a very popular area—especially in the summer months.
Yosemite National Park Campground Reservations
Yosemite National Park has 13 campgrounds that are open seasonally.
Five campgrounds release their reservations five months in advance. Those campgrounds are Upper Pines , Lower Pines , North Pines , Wawona , and Hodgdon Meadow campgrounds. All of these campgrounds are available for reservations 5 months in advance on the 15th of that month.
Two campgrounds are available for reservations two months in advance. Those campgrounds are Crane Flat Campground and Bridalveil Creek Campground.** Tamarack Flat Campground and White Wolf Campground** release half of their campsites too.
Those reservations can be made two months in advance on the 15th of that month.
Camp 4, Yosemite Creek, Porcupine Flat , and the other half of Tamarack Flat and White Wolf are released two weeks in advance. It is a rolling 14-day window.
To make all of your Yosemite National Park Campground Reservations here.
Zion National Park
Zion National Park is located in southwest Utah and is Utah's first National Park. This area has become increasingly popular for its camping, backpacking, climbing, and general exploring.
When you are inside the park, you will notice the dramatic 2,000-foot walls that drive straight up to make this canyon. There are several hikes inside the park that have become so popular you now need permits to use them.
If you find yourself in southwest Utah—or even nearby Las Vegas—you need to make a trip to Zion National Park.
What Reservations Do You Need for Zion National Park in 2023?
Good news—no reservations are needed for this national park in 2023. However, you will need permits for several of the top hikes inside the park.
Get your Angels Landing Permit here.
Read more about the Subway Hike's Lottery here.
Zion National Park Campground Reservations
Zion National Park has three campgrounds.
Watchman Campground is open year-round and takes reservations up to six months in advance. This campground is located next to the Zion Canyon Visitor Center and the only campground that feels like it is inside the park. It has 176 sites that go quickly.
South Campground is currently closed for major renovations.
Lava Point Campground is closed during winter months and is an hour drive to the park.
Make your Zion National Park Campground Reservations here.
And Those Are National Park Reservation Requirements for 2023
The number of national park visitors will continue to grow, and the reservations will continue to expand. If you find yourself having difficulty staying on top of all the dates and times you need to know to snag your desired camping reservations, then stay tuned for the launch of CampScanner, the latest campground scanning platform brought to you by the team at Harvest Hosts. Just search where and when you'd like to camp, and CampScanner will create a "scan" that combs through the booking sites and texts you when a campsite opens up that suits your needs.
