National Parks Are Overcrowded and Closing Their Gates
“Anywhere you go, there’s going to be a line,†said Libby Preslock, who on a recent Thursday arrived at Arches National Park at 9 a.m.With its natural stone arches, sandstone fins and towering red rock formations, Arches attracted about 194,000 people in April, up 15% from April 2019.Those who can’t get in often head to Canyonlands, a traditionally less popular park more than four times the size of Arches.
Canyonlands has seen its own visits jump 30% in April 2021 from April 2019, to nearly 117,000.