Arches National Park Timed Entry

Many people have asked me about the Arches National Park Timed Entry system which is required for visiting Arches National Park during peak times. This system was introduced to manage the increasing number of visitors to the park while visiting utah, and while it is a great way to manage the numbers for everyone it can be a little confusing and unclear.

In this guide, I will break down everything you’ll need to know about the timed entry system, from why its needed, the timed entry hours for 2025, how to apply for the reservation ticket, how much it costs and who needs one.

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History of the Arches Timed Entry Pass

The Arches timed entry program was first introduced April 3, 2022 because of overcrowding in the park and huge queues that would block the main road around the park and make life very difficult for locals during the summer months.

In the busiest months it would become impossible to find a space in the car parks within the park, people would abandon their cars wherever they could and the queues down the main roads to get into the park were just ridiculous.

It was decided in 2022 to introduce the timed entry pilot, which ran from April 3, 2022 to October 3, 2022 and in 2023 and 2024 this was then revised to be April 1, 2023 to October 31, to cause less confusion for visitors to the park. In 2022 the entry entry hours were between 6am to 5pm, but in 2023 this changed to 7am to 4pm, which it continued to be in 2024.

Arches Timed Entry Hours in 2025

From 2025, the dates for the timed entry ticket will change as the busiest months in the park are May, June and September. For that reason you will not need a timed entry ticket if you visit between July 7 and August 27.

If you are planning to visit Arches National Park in 2025 between April 1 – July 6 and August 28 – October 31, then you will need to make sure that you have a reservation.

Arches National Park is open 24 hours a day, but if you are planning on entering between 7am and 4pm, then you will need to have a reservation ticket. If you don’t have one then it is still possible to enter the park, you will just need to be in the park before 7am or after 4pm.

How does the timed entry work at Arches National Park

You will need to go online and apply for a reservation for entry between a particular time. You must enter the park between that hour of allocation. Eg 12-1pm, you have between 12pm and 1pm to get in line and be on the park entrance road ready to enter the park between 12pm-1pm.

Each reservation ticket will allow in 1 vehicle and its occupants or 2 motorbikes. If you are late getting in the queue to enter, then you will be turned away at the entrance but you will be able to return and enter after 4pm, when the ticketing system stops.

How to apply for the Arches National Park Timed Entry Pass

To get the timed entry, there are two options, an initial batch of tickets are released 3 months prior for a month block. Eg January 2, tickets will be released for April 1 – April 30.

If you aren’t able to reserve the times you want then tickets will also be released the day before at 7pm MDT, though these sell out very quickly, normally between 5-10 minutes of being released.

If you are still unable to get tickets for the time you want, but still want to enter the park, then it is possible to enter without a reservation before 7am and after 4pm. During the busier months it is best to enter before 6am to guarantee access to the park as the queues can be long.

Tickets for April 1 to April 31 will be released on January 2 at 8am MST.

Who needs a Timed Entry Reservation?

Anyone arriving in a car or on a motorbike will need a timed entry reservation. If you are planning on visiting by bike or walking into the park, then you will not need a ticket.

If you have booked an activity or are camping in the park or have special use permits then you will not need a timed entry ticket to enter the park.

How much does the Timed Entry Pass Cost?

To make your timed entry reservation you will need to pay a fee of $2. You also need to pay the park fee when you enter the park. The $2 reservation fee is non refundable but it is possible to modify or cancel your tickets until the start time of your ticket.

Will I be able to enter the park at exactly by timed entry time?

Despite having the timed entry system the park still experiences huge queues and you can expect to still wait between 30 mins and 60 minutes to enter the park from when you start to queue!! Make sure you are in the queue on the park entrance road by the time your timed entry ends and you will still be able to enter the park.

If you have any questions about the timed entry system, please let me know in the comments below.

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