These US national parks require reservations in 2023
With so many options to choose from, you're bound to find something that will pique your interest. Beware that some parks are much more popular than others, and you'll need reservations if you want to visit.
These were the most visited national parks and memorials of 2022
Of the more than 400 locations across the country, these were the most visited national park sites in 2022 as reported by the National Park Service.
Now that the weather across the country is becoming more cooperative after an epic winter of relentless snowstorms, flooding and severe weather, many Americans are ready to hit the road and travel to one of the beautiful national parks.
The National Park Service manages 424 individual units in all 50 states and territories and includes 63 national parks.
HOW THE NATIONAL PARKS PRESERVE THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF THE US
With so many options, you're bound to find something that will pique your interest.
Beware that some national parks are much more popular than others, and you'll need to make a reservation if you want to visit.
Local Adventurer compiled a list of national parks that require reservations in 2023. Check out the list below and see if your favorite is among those that will need a reservation this year.
Even if you don’t see yours on the list, you can always check out the National Park Service website for the most up-to-date information on reservation requirements.
Acadia National Park – Maine
FILE - Cadillac Mountain located on Mount Desert Island, in Acadia National Park, Maine.
(Karla Ann Cote/NurPhoto / Getty Images)
Acadia National Park in Maine protects the natural beauty of the highest rocky headlands along the Atlantic coastline of the U.S., according to the NPS. The park includes an abundance of habitats and a rich cultural heritage.
According to the NPS, Acadia National Park receives 4 million visitors annually and is one of the top 10 most-visited national parks in the U.S.
Arches National Park – Utah
FILE - Skyline Arch at Arches National Park on January 13, 2021 in Moab, Utah.
(Josh Brasted / Getty Images)
Arches National Park in Utah has more than 2,000 natural stone arches, hundreds of pinnacles, massive rick fins and giant balanced rocks, according to the NPS.
And that's just from the roads.
According to the NPS, visitors can see even more if they decide to take a hike through the park.
Glacier National Park – Montana
Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park showcases melting glaciers, alpine meadows, carved valleys, and spectacular lakes.
Glacier National Park in Montana features melting glaciers, alpine meadows, carved valleys and spectacular lakes, according to the NPS.
More than 700 miles of trails are perfect for anyone seeking to explore the wilderness.
SEE THE REMAINS OF A HISTORIC HOSPITAL, CEMETERY THAT WERE FOUND UNDERWATER OFF THE FLORIDA COAST
Haleakalā National Park – Hawaii
FILE - Haleakala National Park.
(Sergi Reboredo/VW Pics/Universal Images Group / Getty Images)
Haleakalā National Park in Hawaii has plenty of opportunities for adventure, fun, sightseeing and solitude, according to the NPS. There are lush rainforests, a rocky coastline and majestic overlooks that can't be missed.
The NPS added that the national park is also home to many endangered species, some of which don't exist anywhere else.
Muir Woods National Monument – California
FILE - Charlie Strickfaden walks through Muir Woods National Monument in Mill Valley, Calif. Monday, Jan. 10, 2022.
(Jessica Christian/San Francisco Chronicle / Getty Images)
At Muir Woods National Monument in California, you can walk among stunning old redwoods.
Muir has been federally protected since 1908.
THESE ARE THE DAYS NATIONAL PARKS WILL HAVE FREE ADMISSION IN 2023
Rocky Mountain National Park – Colorado
Colorado hiker captures video of large rockslide at Rocky Mountain National Park
Four hikers narrowly escape a large rockslide at Rocky Mountain National Park. William Mondragon, one of the hikers who recorded the boulder crashing down, says ‘we could have been killed.’
Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado has 415 square miles of adventure that host a range of mountain environments, according to the NPS. Check out the meadows in the Montane ecosystem or the alpine lakes and towering mountain peaks.
If you're a fan of hiking, you don't want to miss this park. There are 300 miles of hiking trails that showcase incredible wildlife.
Shenandoah National Park – Virginia
FILE - A view out over the piedmont from Skyline Drive on a Fall day in the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia November 5, 2016.
(KAREN BLEIER/AFP / Getty Images)
Shenandoah National Park in Virginia is only about 75 miles outside of Washington, D.C., and is bustling with waterfalls, spectacular vistas and fields of wildflowers among the park's 200,000 acres of federally protected land.
THE TOP 10 MOST VISITED US NATIONAL PARKS AND MEMORIALS
Yosemite National Park – California
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is America's second oldest national park.
Yosemite National Park in California was first protected in 1864 and is best known for its stunning waterfalls, but according to the NPS, within the park's nearly 1,200 square miles of beauty, visitors can find valleys, meadows, massive ancient sequoias and a vast wilderness area.
Over the winter, Yosemite National Park was closed to tourists after relentless winter storms dumped more than 15 feet of snow within the park's boundaries. A section of the park was also briefly closed in late April because of concerns over flooding due to snowmelt.
THE MOST POPULAR NATIONAL PARK SITES VISITED DURING THE SPRING
Zion National Park – Utah
Zion National Park
Zion National Park boasts high plateaus, mazes of sandstone canyons, and the winding Virgin River.
Zion National Park in Utah was the state's first national park.
Visitors can check out the beautiful, massive sandstone cliffs or explore the wilderness within a narrow slot canyon. According to the NPS, visitors can also see the park's vast array of plants and animals while they take in the rich history and create memories that will last a lifetime.