MOAB, Utah — As the Fourth of July weekend approaches, Arches and Canyonlands national parks are preparing for heavy visitation and extreme summer heat. Park officials are urging travelers to plan ahead, stay hydrated, and be patient with the anticipated crowds.
At Arches National Park, visitors entering the park between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. through Sunday, July 6 will need a timed entry reservation, which can be booked in advance at recreation.gov. A limited number of next-day tickets are released daily at 7 p.m. Reservations cannot be made at the park entrance, so visitors are encouraged to plan ahead.
Those without a reservation may enter Arches before 7 a.m. or after 4 p.m., though late afternoons can still be congested. No timed entry is required for Canyonlands National Park.
Beginning Monday, July 7, Arches will pause its timed entry system for seven weeks, resuming again from August 28 through October 31 to accommodate increased traffic over Labor Day weekend and the fall season. Park officials say that during mid-summer when high temperatures dissuade visitors, Arches can generally handle visitation without the need for reservations.
Regardless of where you’re headed, summer visits to the high desert demand preparation. Temperatures regularly exceed 100°F, and heat-related illness is a serious risk. Visitors are encouraged to drink plenty of water, eat salty snacks, and avoid strenuous activity during the heat of the day, between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Common signs of heat stress include fatigue, dizziness, headache, and irritability.
Monsoon storms can also bring dangerous conditions to backcountry roads, especially in Canyonlands. Always check road conditions and weather alerts before venturing onto unpaved routes.
For updates, travelers can check the official park websites and social media accounts before arriving.
