Visitor Access and Experience Plan

 
two hikers climb trail past low shrubs toward large stone arch under blue sky with clouds
Hikers climb the trail toward North Window.
 
 

Overview

The purpose of the Visitor Access and Experience Plan is to provide predictable, safe, and efficient access for visitors while ensuring that park resources and values are protected and that visitors can enjoy a variety of high-quality experiences.

The plan is needed to address persistant issues associated with traffic congestion along roadways and parking lots and crowded conditions at key visitor destinations. Action is needed to:

  • Address peak-season traffic congestion along the main park road and in parking lots and minimize associated safety hazards;
  • Enhance the quality and predictability of visitor access to the park;
  • Ensure high quality visitor experiences at attraction sites and along trails;
  • Protect sensitive resources along trails and roadways; and
  • Address facility overuse.
 

Background

Visitation to the park increased by 74% between 2011 and 2021, with record high visitation of 1.8 million visits in 2021. This growth in visitation has resulted in parking congestion, long wait times at the entrance station, and crowding at key sites in the park accessed from the scenic drive corridor. Visitors’ frustration over these circumstances has diminished the quality of their experience in the park.

Past efforts to address congestion and its related issues have included messaging strategies, operational changes, facilities improvements (expanded parking lots), increased staffing. The park undertook an Alternative Transportation System and Congestion Management Study in 2011 and initiated a Traffic Congestion Management Plan in 2015. Despite these efforts, congestion remained an issue.

In 2018, park staff began closing the main entrance for as long as 3 to 5 hours during times of high visitation until congestion lessened. These temporary entrance station closures were unpredictable and negatively affected visitor access to the park. The NPS has spent the ensuing five years closely monitoring visitor patterns; collecting surveys and socioeconomic data; seeking input from Tribal Nations, stakeholders, and the public; and exploring potential future solutions to these issues.

The park piloted a timed entry reservation system in 2022, 2023, and 2024 as a way to reduce congestion by leveling out visitation across the busy season. During the pilots, the park adjusted the times, length, and start and end dates of reservation periods; purchase lead times; and volume of tickets based on lessons learned and feedback received. Arches will implement another pilot timed entry reservation system in 2025 with further adjustments.

The park is now prepared to implement a long-term strategy to address these congestion-related issues, improve the visitor experience, and protect park resources.

The current public engagement period is an chance for people to review the Visitor Access and Experience Plan and submit their comments.

 

FAQs

 

 

 

Supporting Documents

Learn more about this plan by viewing the latest project newsletter.

For additional background information, see the StoryMap prepared for the 2021 public engagement efforts and discussed during the virtual public meetings (see YouTube links below).

Other supporting documents include:

 

Public Outreach & Meetings

Engaging with the public is an important part of this planning process and is essential when exploring management alternatives.

Public Engagement During Planning

  • On October 15, 2019 we hosted a public meeting in Moab, UT, to discuss visitor experiences at Arches National Park. NPS presented information from ongoing studies on visitors’ experience, transportation opportunities, and traffic patterns and dynamics. Learn more about this meeting.
  • In September 2021 we invited the public to provide comments and thoughts on the draft preliminary strategies. Feedback was instrumental in helping NPS staff develop this plan. View recordings of the September 8, 2021 and September 10, 2021 virtual meetings to hear what was discussed.

Public Meetings

Interested members of the public are invited to learn more about the Visitor Access and Experience Plan at one of the following meetings:

  • Virtual Public Meeting

November 13, 2024 at 12:00-2:00 p.m. MT
We encourage you to register for the meeting online in advance.

  • In-Person Open House

November 14, 2024 at 5:30-7:30 p.m. MT at the Grand Center in Moab, UT (182 N 500 W, Moab, UT 84532). No prior sign up is necessary.

 

Last updated: November 15, 2024

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

PO Box 907
Moab, UT 84532

Phone:

435 719-2299

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