Alaska State Parks reservation change puts deadline on gift certificates

Alaska State Parks is moving to a new online reservation system this fall, and cabin users with Reserve America gift certificates have a deadline to watch.

The Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation said the official changeover is scheduled for Oct. 1, 2026. The new system will handle reservations for public use cabins, shelters and other reservable State Parks facilities.

Existing reservations that extend past Sept. 30 will be honored and moved into the new platform, according to the Department of Natural Resources. Existing customer accounts will also be transferred.

Gift certificate credits are different.

DNR said Reserve America gift certificate credits will not transfer to the new platform. All Reserve America gift certificates will expire Sept. 30, 2026, and must be used before Oct. 1 for a reservation date before Jan. 1, 2027.

During the transition, reservations through Reserve America are available only through Dec. 31, 2026. DNR said no reservations will be available starting Jan. 1, 2027 until the new system is in place.

DNR advised Reserve America gift certificate holders to use their credits before the platform changes on Oct. 1, 2026.