‘Pack patience’: Utah national parks prepare for Memorial Day surge
May 19, 2025, 7:00 PM | Updated: May 20, 2025, 9:45 am
FILE: Seen from atop Murphy Hogback in Canyonlands National Park, sunrise illuminates the tops of mesas and rock formations Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. Utah national parks are bracing for the Memorial Day weekend rush. (Gary M. McKellar for Deseret News)
(Gary M. McKellar for Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — Southern Utah national parks are preparing for a surge of guests during Memorial Day weekend.
Arches and Canyonlands say “pack patience”
In a post on Facebook, Arches National Park told Memorial Day visitors to “pack some extra patience with [their] sun hat and reusable water bottles.” Arches and Canyonlands, the two parks near Moab, are planning on large crowds over the holiday.
Guests could experience waits of up to two hours in some areas. In the case of Canyonlands’ Island in the Sky district, Arches personnel call it a traffic-prone spot. The time a visitor spends in an entry line there could be as long as an hour.
Timed entry will be in effect for Arches between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., meaning visitors need to make a reservation the day before their planned adventure — slots open at 7 p.m. each evening. Those who don’t secure a reservation can enter outside of those hours, but the National Park Service said they may encounter additional crowds.
“Timed entry tickets have really helped alleviate congestion once you’re inside Arches,” Lena Pace, NPS southeast Utah group superintendent, said.
According to the Canyonlands website, that park does not employ a timed entry system. However, they still expect crowds.
Pace said Memorial Day weekend is often the busiest time of year for the parks.
Visitors can speed up the process by having their timed entry QR code, park pass or payment, and identification ready when they approach entrance gates. The NPS said they prefer credit card payments.
Additionally, note that there are no bathrooms or drinking fountains near vehicle entry paths.
Zion National Park also expecting Memorial Day rush
Similarly, Zion, Utah’s most visited national park, is getting ready for the rush.
People board Zion National Park shuttles. (National Park Service)
Despite federal cuts, Zion National Park Public Affairs Specialist Matthew Fink said the park will not be short staffed.
According to Fink, Zion gets more visitors over the holiday weekend than some other national parks get in a year. Therefore, the park needs all the help it can get.
“In order to expand hours for the visitor center, in order to put on the programs that our rangers put on, we do have a level of staffing to accomplish that (so as to) proceed as normal this year,” Fink said.
Last Memorial Day weekend, just shy of 100,000 people entered Zion.
Police in neighboring Springdale provide extra assistance during busy times.
Like Arches, Zion is telling visitors to expect long lines and full parking lots. Planning ahead and visiting in the morning and evening can help avoid some of the crowds.
More reading on Zion National Park: Zion National Park braces for summer crowds ahead of Memorial Day weekend
Stay safe and have fun in Utah national parks
While in the parks, remain hydrated and nourished to prevent heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
The National Weather Service urges visitors to watch out for the following symptoms:
- heat cramps,
- fatigue,
- dizziness,
- headache,
- fainting,
- confusion, or
- seizures.
If someone in your group experiences these symptoms move them out of the heat into a shaded or air-conditioned area. Lay them down and slightly raise their legs and feet, and give them chilled water or a sports beverage. Call 911 for those experiencing fainting, confusion, or seizures.
The Mayo Clinic said heat illness patients should not consume alcohol or caffeine.
Although everyone is at risk, young children, elderly individuals, and those with chronic conditions have an increased risk of heat-related illness, per the CDC. Planning weather-appropriate activities and wearing the proper clothing can help mitigate the risk.
Check the forecast and road conditions before heading out for your day’s adventures. Each national park’s website and social media profiles are used to provide current information.
“If visitors come prepared with extra water, extra patience, and some flexibility in their plans, that can really help them have an enjoyable holiday,” Pace said.
More Utah recreation reading: Plan ahead: Utah State Parks filling up fast
