UEA Weekend Expected to be Busy at Arches and Canyonlands National Parks

Date: October 17, 2016
Contact: Kate Cannon, 435-719-2101

Arches and Canyonlands national parks are expecting record visitation during the fall recess of Utah public schools, October 20 – 23, associated with the annual Utah Educators Association (UEA) Convention and Education Exposition. Officials are advising visitors to expect heavy traffic, crowded trails, and limited parking.

UEA weekend 2015 saw visitation jump 15 percent over the preceding four-day weekend, resulting in overflowing parking lots and long waits at entrance stations. Traffic at Arches during such busy time frames can back up onto U.S. 191, creating a serious safety hazard. In addition, vehicles in the entrance line at the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park frequently experience long wait times as visitors bypass the lines at Arches and head to Canyonlands instead.

During the UEA weekend, park officials recommend visitors enter the parks before 9 a.m. or after noon to avoid entry line wait times that may exceed one hour.

To help minimize wait time at the parks' entrance stations, park officials ask that vehicles keep pace with traffic in the line. Current pass holders and returning visitors should have passes and identification ready. Credit cards are preferred for buying new passes.

If the parks reach capacity or entry lines into Arches begin to impact traffic on U.S. 191, vehicles may be restricted from entering until space becomes available.

For tips on driving your car in Arches National Park and links to park entrance road and U.S. 191 web cams, please go to https://www.nps.gov/arch/planyourvisit/traffic.htm.