How to plan an epic summer trip to a national park

As summer approaches, the siren call of national park adventures grows stronger, and with it, crowds.

In 2025, 323 million people visited the national parks—a decrease from 2024’s record-breaking 332 million. Yet, peak seasons, like summer, are as popular as ever. That’s not limited to famous spots; lesser known parks, such as Congaree and Dry Tortugas, also experience near record-breaking visitation.

Despite the crowds, vacationers can still have an epic summer in a national park. From snagging the perfect stay to timing bookings just right, these expert tips can help.

(These are the 10 most popular national parks.)

Be strategic about when to visit in the summer

Timing is crucial when planning a national park getaway during the peak season.

One way to beat the crowds is getting there before sunrise, especially if you want to hit popular sites and areas. Typically, most visitors don’t arrive until mid-to-late morning, giving early risers the best chance of experiencing famous spots, like the Arches Windows section and Delicate Arch at Arches National Park. Saving these sites until later in the day, when visitors are heading out of the park or grabbing dinner, can also improve the chance of seeing them with fewer crowds. Additionally, weekdays are almost always less crowded than weekends.

(These 10 stunning national parks are almost never crowded.)

Ditching your car can help save time at the entrance gate and at popular sites too. Many parks are accessible by public transportation and have shuttle buses. Pack a backpack and walk, bike, or take public transportation into the park, then use the shuttle system to get around. Just be sure to check for shuttle bookings ahead of time.

If your plans include a day of hiking, then look for longer trails. Typically, the longer the trail, the fewer the people.

Lastly, take your time and avoid a “checklist” approach. “The best way to experience Yosemite is to slow down,” says Yosemite Mariposa County Tourism spokeswoman Kim Lawson. “Step away from your vehicle, take your time, and immerse yourself in nature while standing in the presence of some of the largest granite monoliths in the world.”

(These are the best day hikes in Yosemite National Park.)

Get entrance passes early

Most parks require an entrance fee or America the Beautiful pass, both of which are available through Recreation.gov. Buying one ahead of time can help streamline entry and reduce longer wait times at the gate.

In recent years, Arches, Glacier, Mount Rainier, Yosemite, and Rocky Mountain National Parks required timed-entry reservations as well, which provided access within a two-hour window. Beginning this year, all but one of these parks will no longer require reservations.

Rocky Mountain National Park will continue to require reservations for visits from May 22 through October 18. Reservations open May 1 at 8 a.m. Mountain time, for dates starting May 22 through June 30, with additional reservations releasing on a rolling basis until September 1.

According to the park’s Public Affairs Officer Kyle Patterson, visitors will have two reservation options: one with access to popular Bear Lake Road and one without. But most of the park will be open without a reservation before 9 a.m. and after 2 p.m. through the summer.

For details on areas within the park that require permits, check the Rocky Mountain National Park timed-entry explainer.

(Here’s what you need to know about the national park reservation system.)

Reserve site-specific passes early

Like Rocky Mountain National Park, a few parks require permits or reservations for certain areas and sites within the park. Here are a few of the most popular.

Acadia National Park

In Maine, Cadillac Mountain Summit Road vehicle reservations are required from May 20 to October 25. About one-third of them can be purchased 90 days in advance, while the rest become available two days before, starting at 10 a.m. The vehicle reservation costs $6 and are sold only online.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

While you don’t need a timed entry reservation to visit this Tennessee-North Carolina park, you will need a parking permit to stop for more than 15 minutes. Passes are $5 (daily), $15 (weekly), and $40 (annually). Permits can be purchased in person or online. Passes are good for one vehicle only.

(See fireflies magically light up this national park.)

Haleakalā National Park

To park at Hawaii’s Haleakalā summit for sunrise, you’ll need a parking pass from 3 to 7 a.m. throughout the year. Purchase via Recreation.gov here.

Shenandoah National Park

Visitors hiking Virginia’s Old Rag Mountain must obtain a $2 day-use ticket in advance from March 1 to November 30. Of the 800 tickets issued daily, 400 will be released 30 days in advance, with the remaining 400 released five days before online via Recreation.gov.

Zion National Park

You’ll need a timed permit to hike Angel’s Landing in Utah. Lotteries open for June-August hikes on April 1, September-November on July 1, and December-February on October 1. A limited number of next-day licenses will be available at 12:01 a.m. the day before. Hiking groups of up to six people can apply for a permit. Winning groups will be charged an additional $3 per person.

(Not a hiker? That’s not a problem at these eight national parks.)

Prepare for staff shortages

According to the National Park Conservation Association, 90 national park units out of 433 reported staffing impacts due to funding cuts in 2025 and nearly 70 parks reduced visitor center hours or visitor services.

“Park impacts won’t be consistent,” says Emily Thompson, head of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks. “Larger parks will be able to take the reduced staffing hit better than smaller ones. With the reservation system mostly gone, many seasonal employees will be used to direct traffic and manage parking, instead of being on the trails or doing other needed work.”

Visitors can prepare by researching trails and scenic areas ahead of time to avoid potentially long lines at visitors centers. Download maps or request paper maps early. Pack toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and extra first aid items like pain relievers and gauze, in case rangers or search-and-rescue teams take longer to respond. Most importantly, be patient and courteous with park personnel.

Have a backup park plan

If you don’t have a reservation, couldn’t get into the park early enough, or can’t bear the long lines, you still have options. Surrounding state parks and national forests often offer similar views with fewer visitors. 

For example, picturesque Dixie National Forest is just a 15-minute drive from Utah’s Bryce Canyon and offers the same stunning landscape views and plenty of elbow room on trails. Yellowstone, Yosemite, and numerous other big parks are surrounded by national forests and state parks too. Great Smoky Mountains is one of the country’s most heavily visited national park, but travelers can still find solitude in nearby Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests.

If you go this route, be advised that national forests have minimal staffing and typically more rugged trails that aren’t as well maintained as those in national parks.

(Go wild—and skip the crowds—at these 7 spectacular parks.)

Be flexible about where to stay

Most NPS campgrounds can be reserved six months in advance on a rolling basis through Recreation.gov. Popular sites, including Yellowstone’s Slough Creek campground or Zion’s Watchman campground, tend to sell out within minutes, but there are options if you miss out. Check for cancellations, especially at bigger campgrounds, or try different types of accommodations.

For example, visitors who aren’t able to reserve a tent camping spot in Yosemite Valley may have better luck with Housekeeping Camp or Curry Village, both of which have tent-like accommodations.

(These historic lodges are the perfect way to see North America’s wild parks.)

Nearby national forests and Bureau of Land Management areas typically offer established campgrounds or free dispersed camping (areas outside a designated campground). Sites are generally first-come, first-served. Arrive at an established campground between 10 a.m. and noon to score a recently vacated site.

Apps like AllStays and sites like freecampsites.net and Campendium can be a big help too. Signal Mountain Campground in Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park sells out almost immediately, but a recent search on AllStays returned an incredible mountaintop dispersed campsite located in Bridger-Teton National Forest, with spectacular views of the Tetons.