Why You Need To Book Early For US National Parks in 2022

US National Parks have had a record breaking couple years. With many Americans delaying international travel in favour of trips closer to home, coupled with a renewed appreciation for the outdoors and wide open spaces, the national parks had a record 2021. In July alone, Yellowstone welcomed over one million visitors! We certainly saw a huge increase in demand at ToursByLocals, with private tours in Yellowstone and other parks often booking up months in advance.

In 2022, many parks are instituting crowd control measures like timed entries for the first time. This presents a potential challenge to travellers intent on spending their vacation time in the popular parks; imagine showing up and not being able to get through the gates! But with some advance research and planning, your trip should go off without a hitch.

We strongly recommend booking your private tour to these parks early; your guide will then be on top of securing your timed entry slot as soon as bookings open, leaving you nothing to worry about! And entry logistics aside, a local guide knows how to make your visit to these protected places absolutely unforgettable. Their deep knowledge of the park’s cultural and geological history, along with practical knowledge of the best hikes, viewpoints, weather and timing adds tremendous value to every park visit.

Here are a few of our favourite US National Parks, along with the new entry requirements (where in place) for 2022. We’ve also suggested some awesome tours to get you started. So book early! And happy exploring!

Best US National Parks Tours

Soak in the beauty of Rocky Mountain National ParkFor breathtaking views of jagged peaks, glaciers, and high-mountain lakes, take an unforgettable trip to Rocky Mountain National Park. Whether you spend a few days here, or explore as a day trip from Denver, you’ll experience uncrowded vistas and fresh mountain air.

The park is currently awaiting approval for a timed-entry permit system. Permits will likely be required for entry from May 27 through Oct. 10, though visitors without a reservation will likely be able to visit early morning or late afternoon without any issue. Your guide will have all the details.

Double up with a tour to Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks, UtahOur desire to see magnificent landscapes inspires us to fly across oceans, but some of the world’s most unique and jaw-dropping scenery exists in southern Utah. If you haven’t yet experienced the grandeur and colour of Utah’s Mighty Five, this summer might be the perfect time to do it. Zion and Bryce are a short drive from each other, and our guide will make sure you see the best features of each park.

​​While visitors to Zion National Park do not need a timed ticket to enter the park, those interested in hiking the iconic Angels Landing will need a permit as of April 1. To get a permit, you must pay $6 to enter either the seasonal or day-before lottery.

...and Don’t Forget about Arches and Canyonlands!While in Utah, you can’t miss the magnificent parks near the town of Moab. The redstone formations in Arches and Canyonlands are like nothing you’ve seen before, and will provide you with endless inspiration for photos! Make sure to bring plenty of water and a sunhat…the summer sun can be unforgiving in this desert climate.

From April 3 to October 3, 2022 Arches will implement a pilot timed entry system to help manage traffic. The park will release tickets first-come, first-served on the park website three months in advance, in monthly blocks. A limited number of tickets will also be made available at 6pm the day prior, but the park is encouraging visitors to plan ahead, as are we!

Access the most amazing views of the Grand CanyonOne of the most bizarre pieces of news we heard during 2020 was that the Grand Canyon was “closed”. Trying to imagine how such a vast, un-tameable expanse could ever be “closed” was mind-bending. But the park gates are now fully open to visitors again, and this year will be a great time to see the geological wonder. Your guide can ensure you see the park’s best viewpoints at the best times of day.

Explore Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Tetons with an expert guideJackson Hole, Wyoming is the perfect place to visit two great National Parks: The Grand Tetons and Yellowstone. The first National Park established in the US (and widely believed to be the first in the world) Yellowstone’s varied expanse of wilderness boasts amazing wildlife viewing opportunities, especially this year. The nearby Tetons are the most dramatic range in the Rockies, offering a sublime landscape of towering peaks.

So far neither park has introduced a reservation system, however these were some of the most popular tours on our site in the past two years, and sell out very quickly!

Visit the Badlands of South DakotaThe wild west of your dreams. Seriously. Our guide was born and raised in the heart of South Dakota’s Black Hills, and loves to showcase the wild beauty of this area to visitors from across the country. Along with star-gazing in the Badlands, you can visit Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Crazy Horse Mountain and Custer State Park. Adventure awaits!

See Majestic Yosemite National Park and California Gold Country!Mountainous Yosemite remains one of America’s most popular parks for a slew of reasons – but looking up Ansel Adams photography of the area will give you a good idea why! The park’s multitude of waterfalls and viewpoints are mostly accessible via vehicle and flat, easy trails, opening up the area’s natural beauty to everyone.

A day-use reservation system was in place for parts of 2020 and 2021 to control the number of vehicles entering the park during peak times. So far there is no reservation system in place for 2022, but be aware this may change.

Explore the Florida Everglades from MiamiMore than just a national park, the Florida Everglades are also a World Heritage Site, an International Biosphere Reserve, and a Wetland of International Importance. Visiting this watery and expansive park is no small feat! At over 1.5 million acres, and with 3 separate (not connected) entrances, planning your visit is important – your local guide will help you do just that. There are no timed-entry permits in place at this time.

Go on a hike in Shenandoah National Park, VirginiaShenandoah National Park extends along the Blue Ridge Mountains in the state of Virginia. With over 500 miles of hiking trails within its borders, it’s got trails for every level of hiker. A short drive from Washington DC, the park’s cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, fields of wildflowers, and quiet wooded hollows will provide a soothing escape into nature this summer.

While the details are still being put in place, Shenandoah National Park plans to introduce a pilot ticketing system for day hikes in the Old Rag area, with an anticipated start date of March 2022.

Cape Cod National Seashore: a day trip from BostonCape Cod’s “Great Outer Beach” includes 40 miles of pristine sandy beach, along with marshes, ponds, cranberry bogs and landscapes punctuated by charming lighthouses. It’s a classic escape for folks from Boston, and a local guide awaits to enrich the experience with their historical knowledge (and some great local spots for fresh chowder!)

Tours departing from Boston were in high demand in 2021, so be sure to book well before the summer rush!

See sunrise at Haleakalā National ParkHaleakalā National Park is home to one of the world’s largest volcanic craters, and the sunrise from here has been described as one of the most spectacular on earth. If that’s not enough to get you out of bed early, we’re not sure what is! Your guide Wendy spent 9 years working in the park, 2 years of it as a national park service ranger, and absolutely brims with experience.

Visitors entering the park for sunrise between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m. will need to book a vehicle reservation. Tickets can be purchased on the park’s website up to 60 days in advance, though a limited number of tickets are released two days before your trip. Every one of the Hawaiian islands has been a hot spot for tourism recently, and booking your tour well in advance is essential.