Visitors to Arches National Park may soon have to reserve their trip in advance

November 4, 2017 Utah Channel 3

MOAB (AP) — The National Park Service recently proposed a new plan that would put in place a reservation system for visitors traveling to Arches National Park during its high-visitation season. This announcement comes not long after the park service released another proposed plan that is causing some controversy to possibly raise entrance fees to certain parks by more than double.

Park officials emphasized the point of the recent proposal for Arches is not to limit the number of visitors but to spread visitation out during the course of the day and throughout the year.

The plan would limit park entries during certain three-hour windows between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. during the park’s high season – March through October.

Superintendent of Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park Kate Cannon says the plan was developed as a part of the park service’s traffic congestion management plan, which was established to address traffic and parking congestion to the park.

The reservation system would be implemented March 2019 if passed.

If passed, Arches may not be alone. Zion National Park officials have been investigating ways to address the crushing increase in visitation it has experienced the last 10 years, including a possible online reservation system as part of the solution.

Additionally, on Oct. 24, the park service announced a proposal to increase entrance fees at Zion, as well as 16 other of its most popular parks – mostly in the U.S. West – to from its current $30 to $70.

Written by The Associated Press

Email: news@stgnews.com

Twitter: @STGnews