News Release

Arches announces a pilot vehicle reservation system using timed entry in 2024

NPS/Veronica Verdin

News Release Date: November 9, 2023

Contact: Karen Garthwait, 435-260-0713

MOAB, Utah — Arches National Park will implement another pilot vehicle reservation system using timed entry in 2024, beginning April 1.

"We received many positive comments from people who enjoyed the guaranteed arrival time and reduced congestion they experienced during the 2023 vehicle reservation pilot,” said Arches National Park Acting Superintendent Brendan Bray. “A repeat pilot program in 2024 will help us learn more about how such systems can provide visitors with the opportunity for enjoyable experiences while protecting the extraordinary landscapes they come to see.”

Program parameters will be the same as the 2023 pilot. Visitors can book reservations on a first-come first-served basis through Recreation.gov beginning at 8 a.m. MST on January 2, 2024. Reservations will be released three months in advance in monthly blocks. For example, on January 2, reservations will open for the month of April. On February 1, reservations will open for the month of May and unreserved times in April will remain open. Additional months will continue the same pattern according to the following schedule:   

• April reservations (April 1–30) open January 2 at 8 a.m. MST. 
• May reservations (May 1–31) open February 1 at 8 a.m. MST. 
• June reservations (June 1–30) open March 1 at 8 a.m. MST. 
• July reservations (July 1–31) open April 1 at 8 a.m. MDT. 
• August reservations (August 1–31) open May 1 at 8 a.m. MDT. 
• September reservations (September 1–30) open June 1 at 8 a.m. MDT. 
• October reservations (October 1–31) open July 1 at 8 a.m. MDT. 

After booking a reservation, visitors will receive a timed entry ticket. Timed entry tickets will allow visitors to enter during a one-hour specified window of availability 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.

For those without early reservations, a limited number of additional tickets will be released at 7 p.m. MDT each day for park visits the following day. Tickets must be booked online or by calling Recreation.gov before entering the park and will not be available at the park entrance. Tickets book up quickly, especially for morning arrival times, so visitors are encouraged to plan ahead. Timed entry tickets will not be required for those with camping permits, backcountry permits, Fiery Furnace permits or tour tickets, special use permits, concessions contracts, or commercial use authorizations.

Visitation to Arches National Park grew 73 percent 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 and 2023 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 public feedback about past visitor experiences under the 2022 and 2023 pilot programs and long-term strategies for visitor access. More details are available on the project website and comments can be submitted through December 1, 2023. Input received from this process will be used to inform strategies for the future.

For more information about the 2024 pilot timed entry program, please visit go.nps.gov/ArchesTicket. Details and updates will also be posted on the Arches National Park Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages.