The National Park Service has revealed its visitor access plans for Summer 2026, aiming to broaden public access whilst ensuring safety and responsible management at highly visited parks. The plans are park-specific and will be implemented at Arches, Glacier, Rocky, and Yosemite National Parks.
The new plans are part of the Service’s ongoing commitment to provide greater access to these national treasures, while also ensuring the safety and well-being of visitors and the protection of the parks’ natural resources. The strategy focuses on managing visitor access during peak visitation periods, which typically occur during the summer months.
Each of the four parks will have a tailored plan that takes into account its unique features and challenges. While the specifics of each plan have not been detailed, the overarching goal is to balance the needs of visitors with the preservation of the parks’ ecosystems and wildlife. This comes as part of a broader National Park Service initiative to adapt to increasing visitor numbers and changing visitor use patterns.