A selection of activities, permits and reservations in national parks and other public lands to keep an eye out for this month.
Planning a First Day Hike for January 1, or just need a place to take a break during the holidays? Shenandoah National Park is the perfect choice for family-friendly hiking.
Parks Channel contributor Kevin Morgan has created the Shenandoah 52 Explorer Series. It’s 23 trail loops, 52 trail segments, and at just over 150 miles, the most family-friendly hiking in Shenandoah National Park.
Read more about Kevin Morgan’s Shenandoah 52
Kevin is also working with the Shenandoah National Park Trust to share the history of the park, through the voices of the park, in a documentary film series called Green to Gold.
The Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is a long-standing citizen science project that brings together bird enthusiasts and conservationists to survey bird populations during the winter. It began in 1900, when Frank Chapman and 26 conservationists counted birds instead of hunting them.
Now run by the National Audubon Society, this annual event spans 20+ countries in the Western Hemisphere, with thousands of volunteers conducting a 24-hour winter bird census to support over 120 years of community science.
Many national parks play an integral role, offering ideal habitats for bird surveys. National parks participating in the 2024 count and showcasing diverse ecosystems include Everglades, Grand Canyon, Big Bend, and Mammoth Cave.
Running from December 14 to January 5, the event helps track changes in bird populations, migration patterns, and environmental health. Participants join local “circles” for one-day counts, recording every bird species and number sighted.
Arches, Rocky Mountain and Glacier: Timed Entry Reservations for 2025
National parks continue to see record-breaking numbers of visitors, with 325.5 million visiting in 2023, an increase of 4% from the previous year. Many of the parks will continue to use timed entry reservations during their peak seasons to help manage the crowds and enhance visitor experience.
Arches National Park
– Reservations needed from April 1 – July 7, and from August 28 – to October 31.
– Tickets available three months in advance.
Rocky Mountain National Park
– Two types of reservations: one for the Bear Lake Road Corridor and another for the rest of the park.
– Reservation period: May 24 to October 20 (Bear Lake Road Corridor until October 14).
Glacier National Park
– Reservations required from June 13 to September 28 for the west side of Going-to-the-Sun Road and North Fork from 7 am to 3 pm.
In addition to a reservation, you will also need an Entrance Pass to enter the parks.
If you’re planning to visit the backcountry in Grand Canyon National Park, be aware of some trail and campground closures between now and May 2025 due to the Transcanyon Waterline Project. This major infrastructure initiative is aimed at replacing the aging pipeline that supplies water to the park’s inner canyon. Built in the 1960s, the existing line frequently breaks, disrupting water access to Phantom Ranch, campgrounds, and other facilities. The new waterline will ensure a more reliable supply for park visitors, employees, and wildlife while reducing maintenance costs. The project began in 2023 and is expected to be completed by 2027.
As of October 21, 2024, several inner canyon trails and facilities are closed to support the project. Closure Details:
- Bright Angel Trail: North of Havasupai Gardens and the Silver Bridge crossing the Colorado River (Oct 21, 2024 – May 14, 2025)
- Bright Angel Campground: (Nov 4, 2024 – May 14, 2025)
- Plateau Point Trail: From the Tonto Trail Junction north of Havasupai Gardens to Plateau Point (Oct 12, 2023 – May 14, 2025)
While these areas are closed for safety, the upper portion of the Bright Angel Trail (from the South Rim to Havasupai Gardens) and the Tonto Trail remain open. The South Kaibab Trail is also accessible for all hikers.
MAY 2025 START DATES: Lottery Applications are accepted December 16, 2024 to January 1, 2025. Remaining space opens to the public at 8am on Feb 1, 2025.
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For more ideas and tips on reservations and tickets, check out our Insider’s Guide to Recreation.gov.
Top photo of Tobey Morgan in Shenandoah National Park by Kevin Morgan
