Arches National Park drops timed-entry reservations for 2026

Photo: Arches National Park by Ben Stiefel via Unsplash

MOAB, Utah — Visitors heading south to Arches National Park will not need advanced timed-entry reservations this year, park officials announced, allowing vehicles to enter at any time during operating hours.

The move marks a shift from recent peak-season management strategies that have been in place since 2022 and required visitors to book a reservation and arrive within a designated two-hour window between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. The timed entry system was meant to balance out arrival times rather than limit the amount of visitors, Arches Superintendent Lena Pace told Moab Sun News last year, when the park was seeking to establish a permanent, recurring timed entry reservation system.

With entry becoming more flexible, park leaders are urging visitors to plan ahead as spring and summer crowds build.

“Arches offers extraordinary experiences at every hour of the day,” Pace said in a statement. “We encourage visitors to arrive early, explore lesser-traveled areas if certain locations are busy, and be flexible when enjoying the park. Arches is an International Dark Sky Park, and visiting after hours is highly encouraged.”

The National Park Service said it remains committed to balancing visitor access with the protection of Arches’ natural and cultural resources as peak travel season approaches.

What Visitors Should Know

Although timed-entry reservations are no longer required, a valid entrance pass is still necessary and can be purchased online or at the park’s entrance station.

Reservations will still be required for:

• Devils Garden Campground
• Self-guided Fiery Furnace hikes
• Ranger-led Fiery Furnace tours

As visitation increases during weekends and holidays, entrance lines and limited parking at popular trailheads and viewpoints are expected. Park staff may temporarily restrict access to certain areas when parking lots reach capacity to maintain traffic flow and visitor safety.

Officials ask visitors not to wait in roadways for parking spaces and to consider alternative scenic viewpoints and trails throughout the park if preferred destinations have full lots.

Real-time entrance conditions are available via the park’s webcam, and guests are encouraged to check conditions before departing.

Travelers headed to southeast Utah can also explore nearby public lands that often see fewer visitors, including Canyonlands National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park, and Utahraptor State Park.