You might need a reservation just to take a hike this summer — here's what to know
It's not getting any easier to plan a spontaneous getaway, even if you plan on spending the entirety of your trip outside -- even at a national park.
Last year, popular parklands such as Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado began implementing timed entry systems — and this summer, travelers should still expect to plan in advance for trips to some of the nation's busiest national parks.
Rocky Mountain National Park still requires visitors to reserve a day pass, either with or without access to Bear Lake Road corridor. At Yosemite, travelers must book a permit to visit between May 21 and Sept. 30. At Glacier National Park in Montana, you'll need to buy a $2 ticket to enter Going-to-the-Sun Road (in addition to the park entry fee) and for travelers hoping to drive to the top of Cadillac Mountain in Maine's Acadia National Park — especially for sunrise — you'll now need a reservation.
But it's not just the nation's busiest parks that are looking for ways to limit capacity. Across the country, travelers may find that reservations are now required in advance, even if all you plan to do is take a hike.
"I tried to make reservations ... a few weeks before [when] I booked [my] trip," said TPG writer Chris Dong. "Nothing was available ... the whole calendar was blank."
No, Dong wasn't trying to score a seat at the hottest restaurant in New York City. He was trying to make park reservations to hike the famous Kalalau Trail at Hā’ena State Park on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. But, ultimately, he was forced to choose a different hike.
Right now, travelers who are looking to reserve entry and a coveted parking spot to Hā’ena State Park will find only four days available through the remainder of June. And these slots are likely to book up fast.
A quick glance at AllTrails, a popular app with trail guides and maps, tells a similar story.
For the Hanakapi'ai Falls trail, also along the Na Pali Coast, eager hikers are bartering and begging for permits in the reviews section.
"Looking for a parking pass and permit for my brand new fiancé and myself for tomorrow," wrote one user, who also shared her phone number. "Willing to pay a premium for the experience." Another was attempting to trade one date for another. For weeks, most of the reviews for the hike are requests for permits and parking passes.
It's a trend that's cropping up at state parks, national forests and other wilderness areas all over the country.
Related: Why you'll need to prebook all your fun this summer
Here on the East Coast, I often look to the Adirondacks when I plan trips to hike or backpack. And now, I'll need to make reservations to visit the Adirondack Mountain Reserve (AMR), where a pilot program is being tested from May 1 to Oct. 31.
Basil Seggos, the commissioner of New York's Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), said in a statement that the reservation system was designed to "protect visitors and ... natural resources, while also ensuring equitable access" in light of "the increasing number of visitors to trailheads accessed through AMR, exacerbated in 2020 by New Yorkers looking for a nature break as a respite from COVID-19."
The reserve is home to popular trails to Round Mountain, Pyramid Peak and even some of the best-known high peaks, such as Gothics, Haystack and Mount Marcy. The reservation requirement applies to visitors who want access to any hikes that begin on AMR land, whether or not they plan on parking.
Even where reservations aren't required, travelers still need to prepare for packed parking lots at trailheads. After all, the interest in outdoor-focused travel hasn't waned. According to a recent TPG report, travelers who are planning a vacation this summer are, by and large, sticking with road trips, visits to national and state parks, and beach getaways.
Even where permits aren't new or tied specifically to COVID-19 capacity concerns, travelers should brace for an unprecedented surge in demand.
So, if you're thinking about spending any time in the great outdoors, be sure to plan ahead. Check to see if the park, reserve or trail requires a reservation (again, this has long been true for some particularly popular trails to destinations such as Hanging Lake in Colorado or Havasu Falls in Arizona).
For destinations where only road access or parking permits are restricted or limited, see if you can get dropped off at the trailhead or take a shuttle. This might be especially important if you're planning a trip to a destination where rental cars are in high demand and may, as a result, be unavailable or prohibitively expensive.
And, with so many things during these unusual times, always have a backup plan. Even if you're able to get reservations or parking for your preferred hike, be prepared to change your itinerary if the trail is unreasonably busy.
Feature photo of the Adirondack Mountains in New York by robertcicchetti/Getty Images
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.