As you make travel plans for the summer, you may be inspired to visit a national park for an active, family-friendly vacation. However, it's not as easy as driving up to the park grounds and going for a hike. After many months of travel restrictions, this summer is expected to be the busiest vacation season on record. Many national parks now require reservations to minimize congestion, help keep the grounds clean, and continue observing public health and safety measures. Here's what you should know about visiting some of the most popular destinations. For more information about a specific park visit www.nps.gov.

These National Parks Need a Reservation

1. Shenandoah 

Making it to the summit of the Old Rag Mountain in Virginia's Shenandoah National Park requires a reservation. There will only be 800 available each day, but it's only $1 per reservation on top of the park's regular entrance fee. This ticketing system will be in place until November, and you can learn more about all the details of the system and the hike on the park's website. 

2. Yosemite

With its majestic mountains and waterfalls, this California national park is a sight to behold. Its reservation system is dependent on peak visiting hours. If you plan to travel there between 6 AM and 4 PM for most of spring and summer, you'll need to pay $2 per vehicle. The recreation.gov website has three-day booking options for visitors. However, if you plan to be in the park earlier or later in the day, you will not need to make a reservation. 

3. Zion

If you'd like to travel across the sprawling expanse of Angel's Landing at Utah's Zion National Park, you'll need to be a little lenient in your itinerary. The online lottery system only awards a small number of tickets the day before. These lottery entries will cost $6 each. There are two options, one that runs until the end of May, and another for June through August. Regular weekly passes to other parts of the park are also available, whether you're hiking, biking, motorcycling, or visiting by car.

Whichever park you want to visit, DiMaria Travel Agency can help make it a reality. Based in Rochester, NY, this family-owned travel agency helps families and individuals go on the trip of their dreams. They offer a variety of vacation packages that let you make the most of your travels. Learn more about upcoming travel opportunities on their website or by calling (585) 271-0100.