Utah s national parks see traffic, congestion and gate closures over Memorial Day weekend K. Sophie Will, St. George Spectrum & Daily News
With several notices beforehand, Utah s national parks geared up for battle against the anticipated crowds for Memorial Day weekend.
Now, as the dust settles, the parks are reviewing what happened over one of the busiest tourist weekends of the year.
Arches National Park had to temporarily delay entry to the park every day from Friday to Monday, including twice on Saturday and Sunday.
For local stories that matter, subscribe today.
Memorial Day sale: $1 for 6 months.
According to officials and Twitter data, the park has only had to close the park twice in one day only a few times before.
SALT LAKE CITY The Memorial Day holiday may be in the rearview mirror, but Utah s national parks and monuments continue to be at the front of the line for tourists wanting to drive through some of the state s most spectacular scenery.
Since May 20, with the exception of one day, Arches National Park has had to close the park each day temporarily until the line of motorists eases up and the park has additional capacity for new visitors.
It was reporting full capacity as late as Wednesday, when it warned potential tourists in a tweet that they needed to find an alternative attraction or return at a later time after visitation eased.
National park officials are asking drivers to slow down after a pregnant animal was killed in a hit-and-run accident Sunday in Bryce Canyon National Park.