Iconic U.S. National Park Adventures Wrapping Up for the Season and Closing This October
As temperatures drop and crowds thin, October marks the final call for some of the United States’ most spectacular national park experiences.
However, several iconic trails, scenic drives, and reservation systems wrap up for the year this month.
From Yosemite’s granite cliffs to the red rocks of Utah, this may be the last chance to hike, raft, or road-trip before winter takes over.
Half Dome, Yosemite National Park, California
For many hikers, conquering Half Dome is the pinnacle of a Yosemite visit. However, the steel cables that help climbers scale the final 400 feet of the rock face come down for the season on October 15.
The pre-season lottery opens in March, giving hikers a chance to secure coveted permits months in advance. The official hiking season with daily lottery typically begins in mid-May, once the cables are reinstalled and snow has melted from the upper trail.
Enchantments Permit Season, Washington
The Enchantments are a dreamlike destination of turquoise lakes, granite peaks, and larch trees that turn gold each fall.
Overnight access in Washington State’s popular Alpine Lakes Wilderness is tightly controlled through a permit system that closes on October 31.
A few last-minute permits are still available in the Snow, Colchuck, Stuart, and Eightmile/Caroline zones. Typically, there is one or two per day until the end of the month.
The Core Enchantments zone still shows multiple-day availability, with more than a dozen permits open before the October cutoff date.
After October 31, the area operates as a self-regulated backcountry zone. Visitors no longer need overnight permits, but are asked to sign in at the trailhead boxes.
Arches National Park, Utah
Arches’ fiery sandstone formations and natural bridges draw millions each year, but fall offers calmer mornings and cooler hikes.
The park’s timed-entry system, designed to ease congestion, ends on October 31.
October is also the last month when canyoneers need both a climbing permit and a timed-entry ticket. After that, open access returns.
The Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity has already announced that visitor centers will remain open in Utah’s Mighty 5® National Parks, including Arches, despite the government shutdown.
Winters in Arches are cold and quiet, with highs averaging 30º to 50ºF and lows dropping to 0º to 20ºF. The visitor center will be open, but without any ranger-led activities. Travelers looking for a peaceful escape to nature may find it under the clear desert skies.
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Colorado’s most visited park closes its timed-entry reservation system on October 13, just after the peak of aspen season. After that, it is open access.
October visitors can still catch the last flashes of yellow in Moraine Park, hear the echoing bugle of elk during their annual rut, and stay in nearby eco-lodges.
By November, snow starts to dust Trail Ridge Road, and the park slowly shifts from golden autumn to alpine winter. The lower east slopes often stay mostly clear of deep snow, but temperatures can still plunge to –35°F.
The National Park Service recommends visiting between January and March for the best skiing and snowshoeing conditions in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
The Sunrise Corridor offers one of the most breathtaking drives in the Pacific Northwest, leading to meadows carpeted in fall colors and panoramic views of glaciers.
The reservation system for vehicle access continues only on weekends and holidays through October 26, before closing for the season.
Early October weekends are ideal for photographers chasing alpenglow shots before snowfall makes the road impassable.
Glacier National Park, Montana
The Going-to-the-Sun Road, a 50-mile engineering marvel that crosses the Continental Divide, remains fully open until the third Monday in October (October 20 this year).
Once snow arrives, it will force road closure and likely end one of America’s most scenic drives.
Those who make it before then can witness Glacier’s spectacular fall season, when golden aspens frame the park’s towering peaks and turquoise lakes.
October also offers a rare bonus: the chance to see the Northern Lights. As nights grow longer and skies darken over Montana, geomagnetic activity often peaks this month. Glacier National Park is an ideal location since it is an IDA International Dark Sky Park.
Tuolumne River Rafting, California
Whitewater season closes on the Tuolumne River near Yosemite on October 15, as water levels drop and temperatures fall.
Rafters tackling the final runs of the year can enjoy calmer crowds and crisp autumn air through California’s rugged canyon country.
It’s also one of the last chances to spot black bears foraging before hibernation begins.
Permits for the new season will usually be available on the last Sunday of February.
Syndicated from The Roam Report.
Emese Maczko is a travel blogger behind Eco Lodges Anywhere. Having explored several destinations around Europe, the US, Indonesia, and Australia, and resided in Germany, the United Kingdom, and Luxembourg, Emese possesses a keen understanding of diverse cultures and an appreciation for the beauty of each destination she visits. She advocates for sustainable travel and ecotourism.