You are here

Heading To The Parks This Memorial Day Weekend? Expect Crowds

Share

Zion National Park in Utah is just one unit of the National Park System where you can expect crowds this coming Memorial Day Weekend/NPS

National park staff in some parts of the country are warning visitors to expect heavy crowds this Memorial Day holiday weekend, with some superintendents suggesting you head someplace else on Saturday specifically.

“Visitors should come prepared,” said Zion National Park Superintendent Jeff Bradybaugh. “Not only for crowded conditions, but for the hikes and other activities they are planning. With so many people visiting, we ask that visitors show additional patience with others and respectful trail etiquette. And remember that safety is your responsibility, so please avoid unsafe behaviors and risk-taking. Multiple emergencies are common during busy periods, stretching the availability of search and rescue, emergency medical and fire-fighting capabilities.”

Memorial Day Weekend typically is the busiest of the year at Zion, where last year more than 70,000 people visited the park located in southwestern Utah, according to staff. 

"While the park is extending facility hours and increasing staffing, visitors should expect crowded conditions, especially between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. when wait times to enter the park and board shuttles is common," said Zion spokesman John Marciano. "Parking typically fills by 9 a.m., so visitors should plan on parking in Springdale and take the free shuttle to the River Entrance walk-in gate."

At Yosemite National Park in California, crowds are expected beginning Friday and continuing through Monday.

"Visitors are encouraged to arrive at Yosemite before 9 a.m. or after 4 p.m.," a park release said. "Once in the park, visitors are urged to park their vehicles at the Yosemite Village, Yosemite Falls, or Half Dome Village parking areas and enjoy Yosemite Valley by using the free shuttle bus service, bike paths, and hiking trails. Parking in Yosemite Valley is limited and parking is expected to fill early."

All Yosemite campgrounds on the reservation system are completely sold out for the weekend, and the park’s first-come, first-served campgrounds are anticipated to fill early. If you're hoping to camp and can't find a spot in Yosemite, officials say there are a large number of campground and lodging options in the gateway communities surrounding the park.

Park officials had the following tips to help make your visit to Yosemite more enjoyable during the holiday weekend:

  • Arrive before 9 a.m. Most vehicle congestion occurs during the middle of the day. If you can’t arrive early, try after 4 p.m.
  • Take YARTS - YARTS is the Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (www.yarts.com). YARTS picks up passengers at multiple locations along Highway 140 (from Merced) and along Highway 120 (from Sonora and Mammoth Lakes), and along Highway 41 (beginning in Fresno). YARTS buses provide multiple drop-off locations throughout the park and in Yosemite Valley. Once visitors are in Yosemite Valley, they can enjoy the free shuttle throughout the valley or simply walk, to enjoy many of park’s most famous sites and destinations.
  • Explore lesser known areas of Yosemite - Yosemite National Park is a big park with a lot of offer. Consider visiting other areas outside of Yosemite Valley that are just a beautiful. Visitors can explore such areas as Hetch Hetchy and Wawona.

Other general tips on visiting Yosemite include:

  • Hiking is a great way to explore the wonders of Yosemite National Park. All day hikers and backpackers should be aware that spring weather can be unpredictable and change without warming. Visitors are encouraged to plan and bring the necessary gear to have a safe and enjoyable trip.
  • Backpacking is a great way to experience the Yosemite wilderness. Overnight use permits are available through the Yosemite National Park Wilderness Center. 
  • A high snow pack has led to cold water and swift-moving rivers in all of the rivers, lakes, and streams inside Yosemite and in the surrounding areas. Visitors are reminded to take special precautions around water, especially around stream-crossings. Even the best swimmers can find themselves in a difficult situation under the current water conditions.
  • The Half Dome Cables are still down due to snow and other hazardous conditions on the trail. Visitors will not be able to ascend Half Dome for at least another week or two. As soon as condition permit, the Half Dome Cables will be installed for the Summer season.
  • Tioga Road remains closed due to weather and snow conditions. The El Portal Road, the Wawona Road, and Big Oak Flat Road are open to all vehicular traffic to Yosemite Valley. Glacier Point Road is open for the season. Trails near Glacier Point remain snow-covered. Visitors are encouraged to be prepared for winter hiking conditions. The 4 Mile Trail is closed from Glacier Point to Union Point.

Back in Utah, Park Service officials said both Arches and Canyonlands national parks would be very busy during the long weekend. They advised that visitors can expect heavy traffic, crowded trails, and limited parking.

"Memorial Day weekend often brings record visitation, overflowing parking lots, and long lines and wait times at park entrance stations," the park said in a release. "Changes in traffic flow to enter Arches National Park from U.S. 191 will occur. There will be no left turn lane into Arches National Park for southbound traffic on U.S. 191. Vehicles travelling south will need to pass the Arches entrance road and follow signs showing where to turn around. Only northbound vehicles may enter the park.

"Park officials strongly recommend visitors avoid entering the parks between 9 a.m. and noon, when wait times may exceed one hour. If the parks reach capacity, vehicles may be prohibited from entering until space becomes available."

Comments

The very definition of hell. Surge pricing should be done on these summer weekends.  Alas...

 That's why God made cities: visit them on weekends (+ holidays), Parks during the week


AKA why I don't visit national parks on the fee-free days, either.  I'm lucky, I have a flexible schedule, so I visit where and when I know the crowds will be smaller.  I feel sorry for the people who can't do that.

Also, Zion and Yosemite are both cursed with being way too close to too many large population centers, with small enclosed areas where most people want to visit.  It's really too bad that's the case.


And iff we embrace the concept that parks are for all, we nede to be thankful for these opportunities to present these special places to new users.  Those of us who have loved enough, cared enough, recognized the value of our 80 passes until we could do the senior thing, . . .   should be overjoyed that we are introducing a new generation to these joys.  I'm more sad that they don't "know the ropes" than that they are taking time from those of us who can be more judicious in our plans . . .


Add comment

CAPTCHA

This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.

The Essential RVing Guide

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

The National Parks RVing Guide, aka the Essential RVing Guide To The National Parks, is the definitive guide for RVers seeking information on campgrounds in the National Park System where they can park their rigs. It's available for free for both iPhones and Android models.

This app is packed with RVing specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 parks.

You'll also find stories about RVing in the parks, some tips if you've just recently turned into an RVer, and some planning suggestions. A bonus that wasn't in the previous eBook or PDF versions of this guide are feeds of Traveler content: you'll find our latest stories as well as our most recent podcasts just a click away.

So whether you have an iPhone or an Android, download this app and start exploring the campgrounds in the National Park System where you can park your rig.