This news story about the new timed entry reservation system in Arches National Park in 2022 is based on a December 10, 2021, National Park Service press release. You can read the original release here.
After a decade of visitation increases, which was especially apparent in the past two COVID summers, Arches National Park will turn to a timed entry reservation system to manage visitation in 2022.
In doing so, the park follows in the footsteps of other national parks that previously implemented some kind of reservation system.
Famous examples are Yosemite, Rocky Mountain and Glacier National Park, all of which managed to successfully reduce visitation during peak times and periods with their respective reservation systems.
In the summer of 2021, various media outlets reported on the extreme crowdedness of Arches National Park, which had to close its gate more than 100 (!) times this year. For reference, this used to be only about a dozen times a year in the past. Arches, in other words, has become unmanageably busy.
This pilot reservation system, which was announced by the National Park Service on December 10, aims to relief the park and its resources from the heaviest traffic during its peak months.
Another one of the popular Utah national parks, Zion National Park also recently announced the implementation of a visitor permit. That one will reduce traffic on the exceptionally popular Angels Landing trail.
Arches National Park Will Implement Timed Entry Reservation System in 2022
“By implementing a temporary, timed entry reservation system, our goal is to better spread visitation throughout the day to reduce traffic congestion and visitor crowding. We believe this will create a higher-quality experience while maximizing access for our visitors,” said Arches National Park Superintendent Patricia Trap.
She added that “additionally, we will use data gathered from this pilot to adapt and improve this system throughout the season, as well as to inform our future responses going forward.”
The pilot will run from April 3 to October 3, 2022. Visitors can book reservations first-come, first-served on Recreation.gov beginning at 8 a.m. MST on January 3, 2022.
The park will release reservations three months in advance in monthly blocks. On January 3, reservations will open for April 3 through April 30. On February 1, reservations will open for the month of May and any remaining reservations that have not been booked for April.
Additional months will continue the same pattern according to following schedule:
- January 3: April reservations (April 3–30) open
- February 1: May reservations (May 1–31) open
- March 1: June reservations (June 1–30) open
- April 1: July reservations (July 1–31) open
- May 1: August reservations (August 1–31) open
- June 1: September reservations (September 1–30) open
- July 1: October reservations (October 1–3) open
After booking a reservation, visitors will receive a Timed Entry Ticket. Timed entry tickets will be required to enter the park from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and will allow visitors to enter the park during a one-hour specified window of availability.
After entering, visitors may stay in the park as long as they wish for the remainder of the day. Additionally, reservation holders may exit and re-enter the park on the same day with a correctly validated ticket.
For those without early reservations, a limited number of additional Arches National Park reservations will be available for purchase at 6 p.m. MDT the day before entry through Recreation.gov.
It’s important to note that reservations must be purchased online or by calling Recreation.gov before entering the park and will not be available at the park entrance.
Timed entry reservations will not be required for those with camping permits, backcountry permits, Fiery Furnace permits, special use permits, concessions contracts or commercial use authorizations.
All reservations are expected to sell out quickly, and visitors are encouraged to plan ahead.
Visitation to Arches National Park Has Grown Dramatically
During 2009 to 2019, visitation to Arches grew over 66%, from 996,312 to 1,659,702. This high level of visitor use creates congestion and crowding that can negatively impact public safety, visitor experiences, and park resources.
The National Park Service met with the public in two virtual meetings in September to discuss potential solutions to these challenges and solicited comments about congestion management during a 30-day comment period.
Additionally, park leadership has been working to collaborate closely with the local community and other stakeholders in the implementation of this pilot.
After analyzing visitation patterns and considering comments from the public and stakeholders, the National Park Service determined that a temporary timed entry pilot could ease vehicle congestion and visitor crowding by proactively pacing visitation into the park.
The park expects timed entry reservations to provide visitors with a more reliable and enjoyable experience while protecting the park’s extraordinary landscape.
Additionally, data collected over the duration of the pilot will help determine timed entry’s viability as a component of a longer-term visitor access strategy.
For more information, you can visit go.nps.gov/ArchesTicket.