virginiafish

Wondering about the feasibility of visiting Arches NP around May 20th. We have visited before, but it seems that it is very crowded and popular now.

Melnq8

It was uncomfortably busy when we visited in early May 2019.

Not sure how helpful this will be, but you can check the webcams here, which might give you an idea of visitor numbers:

https://www.nps.gov/arch/learn/photo...ia/webcams.htm

StantonHyde

Just get there really early or go at 4 pm. Then you won't have the same issues

mlgb

I dunno, it's about 3:30 pm there now and I just looked at the webcam. UGGGH I don't think everyone in line will even get in by 4pm. Although, it IS a Saturday. At least 5/20 is a weekday. But I think it's still going to be unpleasantly crowded.

Melnq8

Buy your pass before you go then you can go very early. You can't buy a pass onsite until 8 am.

virginiafish

Thanks, so much. I think we have decided not to go there this trip due to numbers of visitors. We will enjoy Colorado for now.

mlgb

Probably wise, the following is currently posted on their website (11 am local time)

Temporary Entrance Delays

The park is currently full, and we are temporarily delaying entries into the park. Vehicles attempting to enter the park will have to come back at another time. Consider returning later in the afternoon or visiting other nearby attractions.

I wonder if they are setting up a roadblock closer to town, as the webcam is showing only a few vans.

StantonHyde

oh, I would NEVER go on a weekend in spring. Middle of the week only. We don't even try to go in on Presidents Day Weekend. We did have a good trip in the Park when we went the weekend after Presidents Day weekend.

mlgb

I wouldn't treat this is a "normal year" with so much pent-up demand and people working remotely. Plus apparently school is already out in some places, if it ever was back in person.

virginiafish

Thanks for all of your help! Yes, not a normal year...

mlgb

8:30am on a Tuesday and the line stretches as far as the eye can see. The "Park Full" sign is standing at the ready...

From today's LA Times Ready to travel again? You're not alone
"Nearly 90% of Southern Californians will travel by car during the Memorial Day weekend — seven percentage points higher than before the pandemic, according to the Auto Club of Southern California travel forecast, released Tuesday. And three of the five most popular destinations are expected to be national parks.

Crowded urban destinations like San Francisco and Anaheim have dropped out of the top five list for the first time in recent memory primarily because travelers believe that outdoor vacations let them worry less about mask mandates and COVID protocols, Auto Club representatives said. Before the pandemic, the top five Memorial Day weekend destinations were Las Vegas, San Diego, Grand Canyon National Park, San Francisco and Anaheim. This year Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks have pushed Sin City down from the top spot to second place, with Yosemite and Grand Canyon National Parks bumping Anaheim and San Francisco off the top five list entirely."

Full article: Usually you can access one story without a subscription:

https://www.latimes.com/business/sto...rks-road-trips