USA National Parks: National parks and forests bring back reservation systems to control crowds

https://www.washington​post.com …s-national-parks-forests/

We are planning a trip to Utah this summer, and anticipating day visit to Zion and/or Bryce. In going to any link contained within the article from Washington Post, I cannot yet find any information posted regarding the obtaining of a reservation simply to enter the park for simple day trip which does not entail use of a campsite or overnight hike! Nothing in general information, nor anything posted within website information specific to our parks of interest.

Stay tuned?!

I hope they make some improvements to the system. Last year Rocky mountain national park was all screwed up. Half of the park required a second reservation and it wouldn't allow you to alter an existing reservation so if you were unaware of the second reservation you couldnt add to it. The only access to reservations was online in a park with no cell service.

gonzogolf wrote in post #19340216
I hope they make some improvements to the system. Last year Rocky mountain national park was all screwed up. Half of the park required a second reservation and it wouldn't allow you to alter an existing reservation so if you were unaware of the second reservation you couldnt add to it. The only access to reservations was online in a park with no cell service.

The Post article advises to PRINT hardcopy of reservations in advance of visiting the park, and to not rely on being able to pull it up on your cellphone when you arrive at the gate.

"A few general tips: Some parks ask visitors to display the parking permit on their windshield, so it’s a good idea to print out your confirmation in advance. Cellphone service can also be spotty or nonexistent in a park, so download the receipt on your phone before setting out for the day. For timed-entry tickets, be punctual, because you don’t want to miss your window. And don’t forget your mask: Many federal sites require face coverings for indoor venues and enclosed public transportation and mandate or recommend them for crowded outdoor areas."

Wilt wrote in post #19340207
We are planning a trip to Utah this summer, and anticipating day visit to Zion and/or Bryce. In going to any link contained within the article from Washington Post, I cannot yet find any information posted regarding the obtaining of a reservation simply to enter the park for simple day trip which does not entail use of a campsite or overnight hike! Nothing in general information, nor anything posted within website information specific to our parks of interest.

Stay tuned?!

You should check the park-specific website starting in the Spring. This is already posted for Glacier National Park:

https://www.nps.gov …sit/gtsrtickete​dentry.htm

"Want to go to Yosemite this summer? Set an alarm on March 23 "

https://www.latimes.co​m …peak-hour-summer-entrance

https://www.nps.gov/yo​se/planyourvisit/faq.h​tm

Wilt wrote in post #19340218
The Post article advises to PRINT hardcopy of reservations in advance of visiting the park, and to not rely on being able to pull it up on your cellphone when you arrive at the gate.

"A few general tips: Some parks ask visitors to display the parking permit on their windshield, so it’s a good idea to print out your confirmation in advance. Cellphone service can also be spotty or nonexistent in a park, so download the receipt on your phone before setting out for the day. For timed-entry tickets, be punctual, because you don’t want to miss your window. And don’t forget your mask: Many federal sites require face coverings for indoor venues and enclosed public transportation and mandate or recommend them for crowded outdoor areas."

We did that. But the website wouldn't allow advance reservations for part of the park beyond a certain date. So you couldn't make your reservations (for selected parts of the park) at the time you got your entry reservation. It's a poorly designed system.