Heading to Moab for Labor Day? Fire restrictions lifted as new Arches shuttle begins

Lengthy entrance lines are common at Arches National Park during busy seasons. Photo: NPS/Chris Wonderly

MOAB, Utah — Visitors heading to southeastern Utah for Labor Day weekend will have a little more flexibility around campfires, along with a new option for getting into Arches National Park.

Beginning Friday, fire restrictions will be lifted at Arches and Canyonlands National Parks and at Natural Bridges and Hovenweep National Monuments, officials announced.

The change comes as cooler temperatures and higher humidity have alleviated fire danger across southeastern Utah.

Despite the change, officials remind visitors that the region remains in drought conditions and vegetation is still dry.

Campfires and charcoal cooking will be allowed in agency-approved fire pits and grills at developed recreation sites and picnic areas. Along rivers, campfires must be contained within a hard-sided fire pan, and all fire debris and ash must be packed out of the backcountry.

Visitors are also encouraged to fully extinguish campfires, properly dispose of cigarettes, and keep areas around fires clear of flammable vegetation.

Carrying a shovel, water, bucket, or fire extinguisher while camping is also recommended as an added precaution.

Fireworks and other pyrotechnic devices remain prohibited on federal public lands regardless of whether fire restrictions are in place.

A new way to get to Arches

Labor Day visitors to Moab also have a new transportation option this year.

A free pilot shuttle connecting Moab with Arches National Park began its public soft launch Tuesday. The service connects downtown Moab with the Arches Visitor Center and continues to popular destinations, like Delicate Arch and The Windows areas.

The shuttle is designed in part to address congestion and limited parking at some of Arches’ most popular destinations. Arches officials have warned that Labor Day weekend is among the park’s busiest periods, with visitors potentially encountering entrance lines, crowded trails, and full parking lots.

The shuttle is free to ride, although riders still need a valid park pass to enter. No reservation is required to ride. Service is scheduled to continue through Oct. 31, with the pilot expected to resume March 1 through June 30, 2027.

Unlike previous years, the park hasn’t required advance timed-entry reservations in 2026. Instead, visitors are encouraged to plan ahead for potential congestion and limited parking, particularly on weekends and holidays.

For more information about current conditions and visiting Arches National Park, visitors can also check the National Park Service’s Arches National Park website before heading out.