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National Parks In Utah Will Likely Be Very Busy This Weekend

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Published Date

October 17, 2017

Heading to Zion National Park this weekend? Expect crowds, and plan to ride the free shuttles/Kurt Repanshek file

Every October, K-12 school teachers in Utah are given time off to attend to the Utah Education Association Conference. And that means all K-12 students are given a three-day weekend. That weekend is this coming weekend, which means that national parks in the Beehive State are expected to be crowded.

At Zion National Park, where crowds have been rising on an annual basis, UEA weekend is one of the park's busiest weekends.

If you're planning to visit Zion this weekend, park staff say you need to be prepared for delays, limited parking and crowded conditions. The park is anticipating conditions similar to holiday weekends, when parking lots inside Zion can fill by 9:30 a.m., and wait times for entrance and shuttle bus boarding can be long.

Road construction entering the town of Springdale, on SR-9, has begun, and wait times in work zones can delay traffic for periods up to 25 minutes. It is recommended that visitors coming to the park over UEA weekend arrive early in the day, park only in designated lots or paved pullouts, and avoid parking on road shoulders. Once parking is full, visitors can park in Springdale, and ride the free shuttle buses to the park.

Shuttle service in Springdale has been modified, due to the SR-9 road project. Stops 7, 8, and 9 in Springdale will be closed. For the most updated information, visit the park website.

Zion's visitor center, wilderness desk, and the Zion Forever Project Bookstore, will open at 8 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. daily. The Zion Human History Museum will open at 10 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. daily. The first shuttle bus going up canyon from the Visitor Center, will depart at 7 a.m. The last bus coming out of the canyon will depart the Temple of Sinawava, at 7:15 p.m.

“Utah Education Association weekend reminds us how our public lands can serve as outdoor classrooms for countless generations to come,” said Superintendent Jeff Bradybaugh. “Please plan ahead, take responsibility for your safety, be patient and treat others with courtesy, and respect while visiting the Park.”

 

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Comments

Submitted by Kaeleen DeVoss on October 17, 2017 - 8:50am.

St George is already full w/ Senior Games so please do not show up, with your kids, at 10 pm, Friday night, needing a hotel room. Please plan ahead ... we welcome all travelers.


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