Memorial Day Weekend To Be Crowded In The National Parks

Be sure to pack your patience if you're heading to a national park over Memorial Day Weekend, as many parks are expecting crowds.

Arches and Canyonlands National Parks/Utah

Arches and Canyonlands national parks staff advise visitors to expect heavy traffic, crowded trails, and limited parking at both parks. Planning ahead is essential for a safe and enjoyable visit.

All visitors entering Arches between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. will need a timed entry reservation unless they have a camping, hiking, or special use permit, Fiery Furnace tour ticket, or are on a commercial tour. Reservations can be made online at www.Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777 up to six months in advance.

Additional next-day tickets are released at 7 p.m. daily. Those without reservations may enter the park before 7 a.m. or after 4 p.m. but may experience additional crowding (especially in late afternoon). Reservations cannot be made at the Arches’ entrance. Timed entry reservations are not required at Canyonlands.

Visitors arriving at the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands might experience up to two-hour waits to enter the park. Visitors arriving at Arches should expect long lines at park entrance booths that could last up to an hour. Parking lots and trails inside both parks may be crowded.

“Timed entry tickets have really helped alleviate congestion once you’re inside Arches,” said Southeast Utah Group Superintendent Lena Pace. “However, we expect many Memorial Day visitors to arrive early in the morning or late in the afternoon, which could increase parking lot traffic and lengthen wait times at both parks."

Park rangers ask that vehicles waiting in line at the entrance keep pace with traffic and have their timed entry ticket QR code, park pass or payment, and ID ready. Credit cards are preferred. There are no toilet facilities or drinking water along park entrance roads. Please only park vehicles in designated spaces; do not park unsafely or anywhere that damages park plants or soils.

Visitors should plan for their safety by bringing water and snacks and wearing sturdy shoes and sun protection. Plan activities appropriate for the weather, drink plenty of water, and watch for signs of heat stress. Visitors are encouraged to check the parks’ websites and social media accounts for current information and road conditions prior to driving to the parks.

“Memorial Day weekend is typically our busiest weekend of the year,” said Pace. “If visitors come prepared with extra water, extra patience, and some flexibility in their plans, that can really help them have an enjoyable holiday.”

Pearl Harbor National Memorial/Hawaii

The National Park Service at Pearl Harbor National Memorial and Honouliuli National Historic Site, in conjunction with Pearl Harbor Historic Parks, will host a series of events in connection with the annual commemoration of Memorial Day.

To honor those who lost their lives while serving in the U.S. armed forces, park staff and partners will provide an opportunity for visitors to participate in a series of unique events throughout the Memorial Day weekend to more fully connect with the history of Pearl Harbor.

Parking will be free for all events.

Memorial Day Weekend Highlights:

Free Guided Tours of the USS Utah and USS Oklahoma Memorials | May 24–26, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. HST

Join NPS guided tours at the USS Utah and USS Oklahoma memorials. To get there, board the regular shuttle service to the USS Missouri and Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. Once there, join the NPS staff for a 30-minute tour honoring those lost aboard these ships. A separate free shuttle will take visitors between the two memorials every half hour.

“Mountains of Memory, Depths of Gratitude” Presentation and Book Signing | Saturday, May 24, 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. HST

In partnership with Honouliuli National Historic Site and Pacific Historic Parks, the Memorial will host author Gail Okawa, who will present stories of Japanese American veterans of the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and Military Intelligence Service. These servicemen fought bravely in World War II while many of their families were held in internment camps. A book signing will follow the program outside of the bookstore located within the park.

Movie in the Park | Saturday, May 25 at 6:30 pm HST

Join park staff for an outdoor screening of the film “From Here to Eternity” on the lawn overlooking the USS Arizona Memorial. This family-friendly event will offer a unique way to learn about World War II history. Refreshments will be available for purchase at the snack shop.

Live Dive of the USS Arizona | Memorial Day, Monday, May 26 at 10 a.m. HST

Witness a special live dive of the USS Arizona, featuring the Pearl Harbor dive team, U.S. Navy divers, the NPS Submerged Resources Center, and members of the Wounded Warrior Project. This unique program provides an up-close look at the current condition of the sunken battleship.

Floral Tribute and Name Cards | All Weekend

Visitors will have the opportunity to offer a floral tribute and receive a namecard honoring one of the veterans memorialized at Pearl Harbor.

Memorial Day Commemorative Ceremony | Monday, May 26 at 12:30 pm HST

Join park staff for a brief commemorative gathering featuring the ringing of the USS Arizona bell, a moment of silence, and the playing of taps in remembrance of those who gavetheir lives in service to our nation. 

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks/California

Memorial Day weekend is considered the summer “kick-off” for Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks. Park visitation exceeded a record 2 million visitors in 2024, which means the parks are busier than ever before. Trip planning is essential for a safe and enjoyable visit. Here are some things to keep in mind as you plan your holiday weekend trip.    
 
Purchase Park Passes in Advance 

Take advantage of pass-only lanes at entrance stations by  purchasing  your entrance pass online before visiting  at  www.recreation.gov/pass. Cash will no longer be accepted at entrance stations beginning May 21, but visitors who would like to use cash can purchase a pass from a nearby vendor. For a list of vendors and more information visit www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/fees.htm
 
Traffic and Shuttles  

Expect long lines and extended waits at the parks’ entrance stations every day over the weekend. To avoid long wait times, consider arriving at the parks before 9 a.m., or after 3 p.m., and have your park pass or method of payment ready when you reach the gate. Arrive with snacks, water, and a full tank of gas. The free Sequoia Shuttle will begin operating in the Giant Forest area of Sequoia National Park for the summer season on May 23. These shuttles are an excellent way to experience popular sites without needing to drive around looking for parking. All parking areas throughout the parks are expected to fill early this holiday weekend. 
 
Campgrounds and Services

All campgrounds require advanced reservations. Do not plan to camp in the parks if you do not have a reservation upon arrival. RVs and trailers longer than 22 feet should enter through the Big Stump Entrance Station in Kings Canyon National Park, as they are not recommended on the Generals Highway between Hospital Rock and Giant Forest in Sequoia National Park due to the winding, narrow roads.   
 
To make reservations, explore campsite availability, or modify an existing reservation, search for “Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks” on  www.recreation.gov, or call using the numbers listed under their “Contact Us” section. For more information about campgrounds in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, visit  https://go.nps.gov/SEKIcampgrounds.  
 
Food is available for purchase at the Lodgepole Market, Wuksachi Lodge, Grant Grove Market, and Cedar Grove Market. For more information about food, retail, and lodging, visit www.visitsequoia.com/.   
 
Crystal Cave Opened May 23

Crystal Cave has reopened for the 2025 season! Cave tours are offered by our official park partner Sequoia Parks Conservancy, and tickets must be purchased online in advance at https://sequoiaparksconservancy.org/crystal-cave. Tickets are not available at the cave. 
 
River and Lake Safety   

Great caution should be exercised near rivers and lakes in the parks, especially this time of year. Snow melt causes rivers to be swift, cold, and dangerous. Attempting to swim or even recreating at the edge of rivers and lakes can result in life-or-death situations. Rocks along the edge can be extremely slippery, and banks above flows can collapse. Most people who have ended up in water-related emergencies were not attempting to swim. Please maintain space from the edge and be especially mindful of children in your group.    
 
Fire  

The parks need your help to prevent unwanted wildfires. All campground fires are required to be in contained, pre-existing rings. Gather only dead and down wood, and do not cut limbs from trees. Campfires must be thoroughly extinguished by dousing with water and stirring before you leave them or go to sleep. If it is too hot to touch, it is too hot to leave. For more information on fire in the parks, visit  go.nps.gov/sekifire   
 
Wilderness Safety 

Late season snow and warming temperatures are creating hazardous conditions for those intending to explore the vast Sierra Nevada wilderness. Overnight wilderness permits are now required for all routes and are limited to quota restrictions by area. Hikers should come prepared for rushing high creek crossings that may be impassable in some areas. Route finding may also be a challenge for trails that are still covered in snow at higher elevations.  
 
Overnight wilderness permits can now be secured on www.recreation.gov for trailheads that are open. Walk-in permits may be available the day before or day of trips.  
 
Bears  

It is very important that visitors store food properly and not approach bears of any size. Bears can grab unattended food or easily break into cars that have food in them. They become bold and sometimes aggressive in attempts to get more. All food and anything with a scent must be stored and out of sight, and trash must be disposed of in bear-resistant cans and dumpsters throughout the parks. 
 
NPS App and Trip Planning Tools  

The free official National Park Service app provides tools to explore more than 400 national parks nationwide, including Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Find interactive maps, tours of park places, on-the-ground accessibility information, and much more to plan your adventures before and during your trip. Specific park information, including trail maps, can be downloaded in advance so that it will be available when you are offline. Learn more at  go.nps.gov/skcapp.   

Petersburg National Battlefield/Virginia

Petersburg National Battlefield is hosting several special programs over Memorial Day weekend to honor the sacrifices of the soldiers who fought and died at this historic location. Events will take place at Poplar Grove National Cemetery, 8005 Vaughan Rd, Petersburg, VA 23805, and beside the Eastern Front Visitor Center, 5001 Siege Road, Petersburg, VA 23803.

Friday, May 23rd: Join park staff from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. to help place flags at each grave in Poplar Grove National Cemetery, a meaningful way to pay tribute to those who served. Send an email to [email protected] to sign up.

Saturday, May 24th: At 2:30 p.m., a park ranger will lead a walking tour of Poplar Grove National Cemetery, providing insights into the history of this significant site.

Sunday, May 25th: Experience a cannon firing demonstration with the Artillery Crew from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., taking place behind the Eastern Front Visitor Center.

Monday, May 26th: At 10 a.m., the Knights of Columbus will host a Catholic Mass open to the public at Poplar Grove National Cemetery. A representative from the Civil Air Patrol, U. S. Air Force Auxiliary, will also provide a ecumenical prayer to honor those who have served. Walking tours of the cemetery will be offered at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Tours will be led by NPS Park Rangers and highlight poignant stories of the soldiers buried at the site.

Tuesday, May 27th: Join park staff from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. to assist in collecting the flags placed at each grave in Poplar Grove National Cemetery. Send an email to [email protected] to sign up