2021 National Park Shuttle Operations Adjusted Due to COVID-19
Many National Parks manage traffic and protect fragile ecosystems by limiting access to vehicle traffic during all or part of the year. In many of those cases shuttle bus routes have been implemented to ease the strain on these resources. And although most national parks have reopened after COVID-19 cases declined, new national park shuttle regulations have been implemented for 2021. In some cases shuttle routes have been eliminated, while in other cases alternative policies have been implemented to regulate ridership. Here’s what you can expect to find in some of the more popular national parks in the summer of 2021.
Zion National Park
Editor’s Note: The Zion Canyon Shuttle no longer requires reservations.
Private vehicles are not allowed on Zion Canyon Road; and in normal times a free on-demand national park shuttle is available from the visitor center. The shuttle runs throughout the day and stops at main viewpoints and trailheads in the canyon, and helps alleviate canyon traffic and preserve the natural environment.
The big change for the 2021 season is that the shuttle service is no longer on-demand or free. All visitors will need a timed shuttle ticked to board the shuttle. Each person in the party needs a ticket, but you are free to stay in Zion Canyon as long as you wish. Tickets are priced at $1 each and are available two weeks in advance at www.recreation.gov or by calling (877) 444-6777. It’s important to note that there will be no walk-up sales for shuttle tickets, except for the occasional leftovers in the late afternoons.
Visitors may still hike into the park from the visitor center on the accessible 1.8-mile paved Pa’rus Trail; however they will not be allowed to board the shuttle at Canyon Junction without a shuttle ticket.
Zion Lodge guests will still receive a red pass to drive to the lodge, and a code to park there; but they will need a shuttle ticket to ride the shuttle elsewhere in Zion Canyon.
If you are physically unable to ride the shuttle, which can accommodate wheelchairs up to up to 30 inches wide and 46 inches long, you can request a yellow pass at the visitor center. This pass will allow you to drive and park in Zion Canyon, and will alleviate the need for a shuttle reservation. It’s a good option for anyone with a large wheelchair or scooter, or who has to tote along a lot of medical equipment.
Grand Canyon National Park
Editor’s Note: All shuttle service in the Grand Canyon has resumed.
Traditionally there are three shuttle bus routes in the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, as well as a route from Tusayan to the park. The shuttle system is in place largely to manage traffic and parking. All shuttle buses are equipped with ramps and they can kneel to accommodate slow walkers; however they cannot accommodate wheelchairs larger than 30 inches wide or 48 inches long. They also can’t accommodate most scooters.
In 2021 the the Village Route, the Tusayan Shuttle and the lion’s share of the Kaibab Rim Route will not be operational. The Hermit Road Route will run, but because of capacity restrictions, visitors should expect longer wait times.
Alternatively, anybody who has mobility issues or is unable to access the shuttle is eligible for a Scenic Drive Accessibility Permit. The permit, which must be prominently displayed, allows users to drive their personal vehicles on Hermit Road and Yaki Point Road. Although the Hermit Road shuttle will run in 2021, permit holders will be able to enjoy a more leisurely visit at the stops along the route, and come and go as they please. They can also drive down Yaki Point Road — which is closed to private vehicles — and enjoy the sunrise at Yaki Point.
This free permit is available at park entrances and visitor centers. It should be noted that this permit only allows users to drive along certain roads. An accessible placard or plates are required to park in the accessible parking spots.
Yosemite National Park
Editor’s Note: Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove shuttle bus operations have resumed.
Yosemite National Park usually operates shuttles in Yosemite Valley and in Mariposa Grove. This national park shuttle system allows easy access to many of the park’s favorite sites, where parking is often limited or non-existent. The Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove shuttles will not operate in the 2021 season.
The good news is, nearly the entire length of the 12 miles of paved bicycle trails in Yosemite Valley are wheelchair-accessible. The one notable exception is a stretch of the trail near Housekeeping Camp, which may be too steep for some folks. This is a great option for people who use a power wheelchair or scooter, as many of the park’s popular sites are located along these bicycle trails. So get a full charge on your battery, pick up a trail map, and wheel around the park on your own.
Alternatively you can rent a handcycle from the bike stands at Yosemite Valley Lodge and Curry Village. Demand for rentals is expected to be high this year, because of the lack of shuttle service, so it’s best to call (209) 372-1208 (Yosemite Valley Lodge) or (209) 372-8323 (Curry Village) for handcycle reservations.
Additionally, visitors with an accessible placard or plates can drive on the Happy Isles Loop and Mirror Lake Road. This route is normally served by the shuttle and offers several scenic stops along the way.
Finally, even though the Mariposa Shuttle won’t be operating in 2021, visitors with an accessible placard or plates can drive to Mariposa Grove and park at the Mariposa Grove Arrival Center (near the Big Trees Loop) or in the Grizzly Giant parking area, once the grove reopens. From there it’s easy to walk or roll through the grove. And with no shuttle service, the grove should be less crowded in 2021.
Glacier National Park
Editor’s Note: Tickets are no longer required to ride the Going-to-the-Sun Road Shuttle, and the bus is no longer operating on the “limited stop” schedule.
Although shuttle use is not mandatory on Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park, it’s highly recommended during the peak summer season, due to limited parking at Logan Pass. In 2021 shuttles are available from both Apgar Visitor Center and St. Mary Visitor Center; however a “Ticket-to-Ride” program has been implemented to manage capacity.
Every person over the age of two will need a timed ticket in order to ride the shuttle, from July 1 through Labor Day weekend. Tickets are available beginning June 1, 2021 at 8 am MST on www.recreation.gov or by calling (877) 444-6777. They are priced at $1 each, with a limit of 10 tickets per party. Tickets can be booked for one-hour increments between 7 am and 2 pm.
Additionally, 25% of available tickets will be released for online purchase two days in advance. A limited number of tickets will also be available for visitors without smart phones, credit cards or e-mail accounts; but for the most part walk-up tickets will not be available.
Visitors must first validate their shuttle tickets at the Apgar Visitor Center or St. Mary Visitor Center, and then board their first shuttle within the one-hour time frame noted on the ticket. Tickets will expire if not validated within the one-hour time frame. After that, arm bands will be issued, and visitors will be free to board the shuttles any time. The last shuttle of the day will depart from Logan Pass at 7 pm.
Visitors with a shuttle ticket do not need a timed entry ticket reservation for Glacier National Park; however every member of a party must have their own shuttle ticket. Additionally, visitors will need a shuttle ticket even if they have a national park pass. A shuttle ticket does not replace the park entry fee.
The Going-to-the-Sun Road shuttles will operate on a limited schedule in 2021, with only the following stops.
- Apgar Visitor Center
- Lake McDonald Lodge
- Avalanche Creek
- Logan Pass
- Sun Point
- Rising Sun
- Rising Sun Boat Dock
- St. Mary Visitor Center
To get to Logan Pass, passengers must transfer to smaller vehicles, at either Avalanche Creek or Sun Point.
Face masks will also be required on all Going-to-the-Sun Road shuttles, and shuttle capacity will be reduced to insure social distancing.
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Editor’s Note: All shuttle service has resumed in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks normally operate five shuttle routes during the summer; however there will be only two routes operating at the beginning of the 2021 summer season.
The Giant Forest and General Sherman Tree routes will begin operation on May 26, 2021 and continue until September 6, 2021. The Visalia, Moro Rock/Crescent Meadow and Wuksachi Lodge routes will not operate at the beginning of the season; however they could be reinstated later in the summer if conditions improve.
There is no charge to ride the shuttles, which will operate under a reduced capacity.
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