The National Park Service has announced that most visitors to several of America’s most popular national parks will no longer need advance reservations to enter in 2026. The agency said the updated access plans aim to expand public access while maintaining safety during peak travel months. The changes affect National Park Service sites, including Arches National Park, Glacier National Park, and Yosemite National Park, which will no longer require a reservation.

“Our national parks belong to the American people, and our priority is keeping them open and accessible,” said Kevin Lilly, Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks. “We’re expanding access where conditions allow and using targeted tools only where necessary to protect visitor safety, maintain emergency access and preserve these extraordinary places for future generations.”

The decision marks a shift for parks that adopted timed-entry systems during recent years to manage surging crowds.

What Changes in 2026

Under the new plan, Arches, Glacier, and Yosemite will not require broad timed-entry reservations next summer.

Arches will eliminate its timed entry system entirely. Officials encourage visitors to arrive early, explore lesser-known areas and consider visiting after dark. The park is an International Dark Sky Park and promotes nighttime visits. I guess this is great news for astrophotographers!

Glacier will drop its park-wide vehicle reservation requirement. However, it will continue targeted congestion management along high-demand corridors such as Going-to-the-Sun Road. Officials will manage parking at Logan Pass and may temporarily divert vehicles if safety thresholds are reached.

Yosemite will also remove its advance reservation requirement, including during peak summer and the popular February to March firefall period. The park plans to rely on real-time traffic management and additional seasonal staff.

Parks not using timed entry said they will monitor congestion and may introduce short-term traffic controls if conditions require it.

Access Versus Impact

The move will likely please those who prefer spontaneous travel plans. It may also benefit photographers who rely on flexible timing to capture changing weather and light. I fall into both of these groups, and if I were in the US, I’d certainly be thrilled about this news. Well, on the one hand.

On the other hand, these changes could intensify overcrowding in fragile environments. Not only will it be harder to get the shot for photographers, but more importantly, the overall impact of overtourism could be harmful for the natural world.

In recent years, overtourism has become a serious issue, and the solutions are numerous and pretty creative. In Japan, officials in Fujikawaguchiko installed a large black screen to block a popular photo view of Mount Fuji after residents complained about traffic and litter. Needless to say, tourists later poked lens-sized holes through the screen to continue taking photos.

In Venice, a group of selfie-taking tourists ignored safety instructions and capsized a gondola near St. Mark’s Square. No one was injured, but the episode highlighted tensions between tourism and safety.

The issue is not limited to international hotspots. Even lesser-known parks have struggled to cope with demand. I guess we can thank social media for that, as they largely contribute to even the most random places getting popular seemingly overnight.

[Related Reading: Wanna Shoot Japan’s Cherry Blossoms in 2026? Well, Chureito Pagoda Festival Just Got Canceled Due to Overtourism]

The Photographer’s Dilemma

For photographers, the end of reservations could cut both ways. On the one hand, fewer restrictions mean easier access. Timed-entry systems often required planning weeks in advance. Missing a reservation could mean missing rare events like the “firefall” in Yosemite.

On the other hand, packed trails and crowded overlooks can make serious photography difficult. Commercial shooters face added complications. Without model releases, images filled with strangers often cannot be licensed.

Some photographers say the process matters as much as the final image. They describe the satisfaction of scouting, waiting for first light, and capturing a scene in quiet solitude. That experience becomes harder when dozens or even hundreds of visitors gather at the same railing.

As I mentioned, there is also an environmental cost. Trampled vegetation, illegal parking and off-trail shortcuts can damage sensitive landscapes. Increased traffic strains the infrastructure that was never designed for millions of annual visitors. What’s more, people will also risk their lives to get an Instagram-worthy selfie, sometimes resulting in injuries and even deaths.

The Park Service said it will expand seasonal staffing and use temporary traffic management when parking areas reach capacity. Whether that will be enough remains to be seen.

[via PetaPixel]

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