Timed entry tickets for Arches National Park go on sale soon

MOAB, Utah — NOTE: Timed entry tickets for Arches National Park can be purchased at recreation.gov beginning Jan. 3 at 8 a.m. Mountain Time.

Arches National Park is one of the most iconic and recognizable parks in the nation - thanks to the famous Delicate Arch, which has come to represent Utah like the Empire State Building represents New York.

It's also so popular that the park often announces it has to delay entries, encouraging tourists to return in several hours or visit a nearby attraction instead.

In fact, the park's Twitter account announced delayed entries almost every day during the last full week in November.

On Dec. 10, 2021, National Park Service officials announced a pilot program intended to spread visitation throughout the day and reduce crowding - a timed entry reservation system.

The system is temporary, according to NPS, and will run from April 3 - Oct. 3, 2022.

How it works

Reservations are issued on a first come, first served basis, and they'll be available three months in advance in monthly blocks:

• Reservations for April 3 - 30 open Jan. 3
• Reservations for May 1 - 31 open Feb. 1
• Reservations for June 1 - 30 open March 1
• Reservations for July 1 - 31 open April 1
• Reservations for Aug. 1 - 31 open May 1
• Reservations for Sept. 1 - 30 open June 1
• Reservations for October 1 - 3 open July 1

Visitors will then be issued a timed entry ticket, which will include a specific hour of the day to arrive. Visitors will have to enter the park during that designated hour.

"After entering, visitors may stay in the park as long as they wish for the remainder of the day," according to a statement from NPS. "Reservation holders may exit and re-enter the park on the same day with a correctly validated ticket."

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There will also be a limited number of additional reservations that will be available to purchase at 6 p.m. the day before.

"All reservations are expected to sell out quickly, and visitors are encouraged to plan ahead," according to the park statement.

Finding a solution

NPS reports that visitation to Arches National Park grew from 996,312 people in 2009 to 1,659,702 people in 2019. The influx of visitors has created congestion and crowding, authorities said, and it can "negatively impact public safety, visitor experiences, and park resources."

The parks service will collect data over the course of the pilot program to determine if the timed entry reservation system is viable moving forward.

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“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," said ANP Superintendent Patricia Trap. "We believe this will create a higher-quality experience while maximizing access for our visitors."

Officials noted timed entry reservation won't be required for those with camping permits, backcountry permits or Fiery Furnace permits.

Currently, entrance to Arches National Park is $30 per private vehicle, $25 per motorcycle, and $15 for an individual not inside a vehicle. NPS didn't specify if the prices will change with the timed entry reservation system.

Reservations will be available at recreation.gov beginning at 8 a.m. on Jan. 3, 2022.