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Want to visit Arches National Park? Better get a reservation

Arches National Park, Delicate Arch
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MOAB, Utah — Utah's popular Arches National Park is about to take a page out of the Disneyland playbook when it comes to guest admissions.

The National Park Service announced Friday it will begin a timed entry system that will require guests to make reservations to visit the iconic park in southern Utah.

Beginning April 3 and running through Oct. 3, visitors must book afirst-come, first served reservation online. Once a reservation is booked, guests will receive a timed entry ticket that will allow them to enter Arches during a one-hour window.

Once guests enter the park, they can stay as long as they wish throughout the day.

Park officials will release reservations three months in advance of monthly blocks:

  • April reservations (April 3–30) open January 3.
  • May reservations (May 1–31) open February 1.
  • June reservations (June 1–30) open March 1.
  • July reservations (July 1–31) open April 1.
  • August reservations (August 1–31) open May 1.
  • September reservations (September 1–30) open June 1.
  • October reservations (October 1–3) open July 1.

From 2009 to 2019, visitors to Arches National Park increased 66% to over 1,659,700 people, creating overcrowding and congestion throughout the area.

“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.

The park will make a limited amount of reservations available for those without at 6 p.m. the day before entry.

Reservations will not be required for those with camping and backcountry permits.