Arches drops timed entry system ahead of busy spring season

Visitors no longer need a reservation to enter Arches National Park. The National Park Service announced last week that the timed entry program is discontinued for 2026. In a press release, federal officials said the decision is intended to “expand public access,” and similar reservation systems have ended at Glacier, Yosemite and Mount Rainier national parks as well. The change aligns with the goals of some Moab officials, who argue the reservation system caused visitor numbers to drop and harmed the local economy. Today, we speak with a former Arches park ranger about the benefits of timed entry. - Show Notes - • National Park Service timed entry press release https://www.nps.gov/arch/learn/news/news02182026.htm Photo: A crowd of tourists wait in long lines at the entrance to Arches. Photo courtesy of the NPS.