Arches National Park will implement another pilot vehicle reservation system using timed entry in 2025, beginning April 1, according to a statement from the Southeast Utah Group of Parks and National Monuments.
“Program parameters will be mostly the same as the 2024 pilot, except the park will not require reservations from July 7 to Aug. 27, 2025 (after July 4th weekend until just before Labor Day weekend) when visitation traditionally slows down,” wrote Public Information Officer Karen Henker.
“We continue to hear positive comments from people who enjoyed the guaranteed arrival time and reduced congestion they experienced during these pilots,” said Southeast Utah Group Superintendent Lena Pace. “We’ve opted to continue the interim action next year while we further examine long-term solutions so that people can start making their 2025 travel plans knowing what to expect.”
Timed entry tickets will be required for visitors arriving between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily when the program is in effect unless they have camping, tour or special use permits; concessions contracts; commercial use authorizations; or academic or volunteer fee waivers. Visitors arriving before 7 a.m. or after 4 p.m. will not need a timed entry ticket.
Visitors can reserve their tickets on a first-come first-served basis through Recreation.gov, online or over the phone, beginning at 8 a.m. on Jan. 2. Reservations will be released three months in advance in monthly blocks. For example, on Jan. 2, reservations will open for the month of April. On Feb. 1, reservations will open for the month of May and unreserved times in April will remain open. Additional months will continue in the same pattern according to the following schedule:
April reservations (April 1–30) open Jan. 2.
May reservations (May 1–31) open Feb. 1.
June reservations (June 1–30) open March 1.
July reservations (July 1–6) open April 1.
August reservations (Aug. 27–31) open May 27.
September reservations (Sept. 1–30) open June 1.
October reservations (Oct. 1–31) open July 1.
Starting March 31, additional tickets will be released at 7 p.m. each day for park visits the following day. Any unreserved tickets remain available for same-day booking.
Henker wrote that timed entry tickets will allow visitors to enter during a one-hour specified window between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. After entering, visitors may stay in the park for the remainder of the day. Ticket holders may exit and re-enter the park on the same day with a correctly validated ticket. The only cost associated with booking a reservation is a $2 Recreation.gov processing fee.
Henker said tickets must be booked online or by calling Recreation.gov before entering the park and will not be available at the park entrance. Advance tickets book up quickly, especially for morning arrival times, so visitors are encouraged to plan ahead.
Visitation to Arches National Park grew 73% between 2011 and 2021, nearing 2 million people annually. This increase was concentrated during certain hours, causing congestion at key park destinations, reduced visitor enjoyment and increased resource damage.
During times of peak congestion prior to implementing the vehicle reservation pilots, the park had to temporarily close its gates until crowding lessened, resulting in many visitors being unable to enter the park at their preferred time or at all. The vehicle reservation pilots in 2022, 2023, and 2024 were successful in reducing congestion, improving visitor experiences, providing reliable access, and distributing visitation throughout the day. Visitors arriving with the appropriate vehicle reservation and park pass were guaranteed entry to the park during the pilots.
The park is currently accepting feedback about its Visitor Access and Experience/Environmental Assessment, which proposes long-term strategies to address persistent congestion issues including a timed entry or daily entry reservation system. Public comments will be accepted through November 23, 2024. More details are available on the project website.
For more information about the 2025 pilot timed entry program, visit go.nps.gov/ArchesTicket. Details and updates will also be posted on the Arches National Park Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram pages.
When planning to visit Arches’ desert landscape, carefully consider your fitness level, experience with desert hiking and the time of your visit. Adapting your plans in response to current park conditions (such as avoiding long hikes in peak summer heat) is the best way to ensure your visit is a safe one, wrote Henker.
-Doug McMurdo
