The National Park Service (NPS) has officially re-opened hundreds of parks and recreational areas following the end of the weeks-long government shutdown.
Park officials told Travel + Leisure they were working to restore normal services and welcome back visitors.
“NPS employees and partners are working quickly to restore normal services and ensure visitors can continue to enjoy these treasured places,” an NPS spokesperson said in a statement shared with T+L, adding “Throughout the lapse in appropriations, the Administration kept America’s national parks safe, clean, and open wherever possible… the National Park Service maintained essential services, minimized disruptions, and prevented resource damage.”
Going forward, travelers will be able to make advanced bookings for park services and permits. On Nov. 15, for example, Minnesota’s Voyageurs National Park opened reservations for both houseboats permits and overnight tent camping for the 2026 summer season.
Reservations are also back open for natural wonders and attractions, such as guided tours of National Park Kentucky’s Mammoth Cave or a ranger-led tour of Joshua Tree National Park’s Keys Ranch.
Outdoor enthusiasts can search for other advance booking and permit possibilities at the park service’s reservation website, recreation.gov.
While most parks will be re-opening, some may remain shut due to prescheduled closures. The Grand Canyon’s North Rim, for example, is closed for the season and is expected to open around May 2026. In addition, several roads and trails within Yellowstone National Park are closed due to ongoing construction or snowy conditions.
The NPS encourages all visitors to “know before you go” and monitor closures or changes in conditions.
Overall, the late fall and winter seasons can be a popular time to visit national parks across the country thanks to uniquely beautiful wintry landscapes, cooler temperatures in typically-intensely hot destinations, and active winter sports like snowshoeing. California’s Death Valley National Park, Florida’s Everglades National Park, Texas’ Big Bend National Park, and Maine’s Acadia National Park were all popular choices for a cool weather getaway.
Some popular national parks require reservations in advance and fees to enter, however there are several fee-free days thought the year. Typically, that includes Martin Luther King Jr. Day in January, the first day of National Park Week in April, and several other national holidays. The NPS also offers an annual “America the Beautiful” pass, which covers entrance fees and day use fees at parks across the country. That pass starts at $80 for adults.
