We moved to Moab in 2006. At that time annual visitation to Arches National Park hovered somewhere around 500,000. That number has increased dramatically over the last fifteen years - reaching over 1.6 million in 2019 - and it has created nothing short of chaos inside the park. National parks around the country, but especially throughout the West, have seen similar increases in visitation and the issues that accompany it. Some of the main issues include:
Long wait times at the park entrance
Traffic congestion
Lack of parking at trailheads
Resource damage
Overcrowding at popular locations, i.e. Delicate Arch
Poor visitor experience and visitor conflicts
BASIC INFORMATION ON THE ARCHES NATIONAL PARK TIMED ENTRY PERMIT SYSTEM
Over the last few years several ideas to address these issues have been discussed within the Moab community and the National Park Service, one of which is the use of a timed entry program. This year, Arches National Park is implementing a temporary timed entry program to determine if it is a viable way to address the aforementioned issues (and others not listed). The program will run from April 3 - October 31, 2022. If you enter the park between the hours of 0600 - 1700 (6:00 AM - 5:00 PM) you will not be allowed to do so unless you have a valid permit are qualify for one of the following exceptions:
You are a tribal member (the NPS website does not provide further guidance on who qualifies as a tribal member)
You are a Special Use Permit (SUP) or Commercial Use Authorization (CUA ) holder
You have a campground reservation
You have a Fiery Furnace permit
You have a backcountry permit
You are entering the park via bicycle or on foot
Timed entry permit holders will have a one hour window in which to enter the park, i.e. from 0600 - 0659. If you arrive after your designated time you will not be allowed entry. Reservations can be made online or via telephone (877-444-6777). If you plan to visit the park on two separate days you will need two permits.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS?
The good news is that most of us enter the park well before sunrise, which means that the 0600 cutoff shouldn’t impact us. However, if you plan to exit the park after sunrise and return later in the day, you will have to wait until after 1700 to return unless you have a timed entry permit. Alternatively, and this is what I recommend, spend your day entirely inside the park. Use the middle of the day to scout locations for sunrise and sunset, go for a hike (or 2 or 3 or 4!), increase your familiarity with the area and, if the weather/lighting conditions are conducive - shoot all day long! Overcast skies provide perfect light for macro photography, storms create some of the most dynamic light and conditions imaginable and even bright, sunny days create opportunities within sandstone canyons and fins for photographs utilizing beautiful reflected light.
If you plan to stay inside the park all day, you need to be self-sufficient. There are no concession services within Arches, so you’ll need to bring enough water and food to last the entire day. Be prepared for any and all weather, including bitter cold in the shoulder seasons, scorching heat in the summer and everything in between. Summer monsoons develop rapidly and bring with them heavy rain, nonstop lightning, flash floods and strong winds. Have a way to charge camera batteries and download memory cards, because you’ll blow through both quickly in this magnificent park. Of course, you should always bring eFotoGuide: The Ultimate Guide to Photographing Arches National Park if you want to make the most of your time inside the park.
WHAT ELSE DO YOU NEED TO KNOW?
The permits cost $2.00 and you’ll still need to pay the park entrance fee, or use a valid annual pass. You may reserve a timed entry pass three months in advance, and a limited number of permits will be available one day prior to entry. I suspect these will sell out quickly.
You can still visit Canyonlands National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park at any time as the timed entry program only applies to Arches National Park. For what it’s worth, my favorite place in all of Moab is Dead Horse Point. Any visit to Moab that doesn’t include at least a half day there is a tremendous missed opportunity.
This program does not guarantee you a parking space at the trailheads, nor does it guarantee that you will have Delicate Arch all to yourself at sunset. Please remember to be respectful of others during your Moab visit. Though it can be frustrating to time your sunset photos when there are no tourists posing under the arch, they have just as much right to be there as you do. Most likely, this is the one and only time they’ll ever have an opportunity to enjoy the park. Don’t ruin it for them.
If you have a timed entry permit you CAN leave the park and return on the same day, so long as your permit is validated at the correct entry time.
Remember that this is a pilot program. There will be hiccups and the NPS reserves the right to make adjustments to the program, as necessary. If things don’t go your way don’t take it out on the park rangers or gift shop staff, your waiter, bartender, hotel desk clerk, other tourists or locals, or the cop who stops you for speeding because you’re running late for your timed entry. It isn’t their fault.
For more information about the timed entry program please visit the Arches National Park time entry FAQ page.
Be sure to check out my gallery of Arches National Park photographs, all of which are available as fine art prints delivered to your door in a variety of beautiful mediums. Email me if you’re interested in purchasing a print.