NPS Axes Timed Entries
The U.S. National Park Service is scrapping park‑wide timed‑entry reservation systems for 2026 — a big win for spontaneous spring park visits. The policy shift lands just as cherry‑blossom events and spring bloom programming ramp up around D.C., Alexandria and Philly this week. (traveloffpath.com) (alxnow.com)
The National Park Service released park‑specific visitor‑access plans on Feb. 18, 2026, saying the changes are tailored to each park’s infrastructure and coordination with state and local partners. (nps.gov) Arches, Glacier and Yosemite were named in the announcement as not using park‑wide timed‑entry or vehicle reservation systems for 2026, while Rocky Mountain National Park will retain its timed‑entry requirement during peak season. (nps.gov) Yosemite’s park statement said the decision follows a comprehensive evaluation of 2025 traffic patterns and parking availability and that the park will rely on real‑time traffic monitoring, active parking management in Yosemite Valley and additional seasonal staffing instead of a season‑wide reservation requirement. (nps.gov/yose) (nps.gov) Glacier’s plan removes a park‑wide vehicle reservation but maintains targeted congestion tools — active management of Going‑to‑the‑Sun Road, parking limits at Logan Pass and temporary vehicle diversions when safety thresholds are reached. (nps.gov) The National Parks Conservation Association called the Interior Department’s move a cancellation of “successful and commonsense solutions,” warning the change risks traffic jams, closed parking lots and a degraded visitor experience. (npca.org) U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D‑Calif.) criticized the Yosemite change as “shortsighted,” and Yosemite—California’s most‑visited park—averages roughly 3.3 million visitors per year, a figure cited by local coverage of the rollback. (padilla.senate.gov) (kvpr.org)
