News Release

Mossy Cave Safety Improvement Project to Begin October 28th

Peter Densmore / NPS

News Release Date: October 25, 2019

Contact: Peter Densmore, 435-834-4744

BRYCE, UT—Construction of new safety improvement measures will soon be underway at the Mossy Cave parking area along State Route 12 (SR-12) in Bryce Canyon Naitonal Park. This project is a partnership between the National Park Service, Utah Department of Transportation, and Garfield County aimed at improving vehicle flow and mitigating traffic hazards in this popular area. Phase 1 of this project will require daytime closures of the Mossy Cave parking area from Monday, October 28th through Thursday, October 31st.

As visitation to Bryce Canyon and the surrounding region has increased, concern for traffic safety in the Mossy Cave parking area has grown. Vehicles entering and exiting the Mossy Cave area have had to do so along a winding, high-speed section of SR-12. As a first step to reduce risk, a speed limit reduction to 40 m.p.h. was recently implemented in the area. Now a minor expansion of the parking area will be combined with cement islands to better separate the parking area from SR-12 traffic. More space for vehicles, along with designated entry and exit points, is intended to further increase visitor safety in this area.

Garfield County will conduct the first phase of this project from Monday, October 28th through Thursday, October 31st, during which time the parking area will be closed daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Mossy Cave parking area will reopen on Friday, November 1st. 

Additional information can also be obtained by visiting the park’s website at www.nps.gov/brca, or by calling the park’s main information line at [phone].