Editor's note: This updates with word from National Park Service that closure of Windows Section has been moved to July 30.
Road work in Arches National Park in Utah will necessitate closure of the popular Windows Section of the park for up to five weeks, according to the National Park Service.
The Windows Section will close to all public use at 7 p.m. on July 30 at the intersection of the main park road and the Windows Section road. Visitors will not be able to get to Double or Turret arches nor to the North or South windows.
This work is just part of an extensive road reconstruction project in the park. Road work is scheduled to last through November. Limited daytime road closures may still occur even with nighttime work. Construction crews will use pilot cars and flaggers to control traffic during the day. When partial daytime road closures are in effect, crews will limit traffic delays to 30 minutes or less per work zone.
Given the many variables that can impact road projects of this type and scope, work dates are subject to change. Road work is resurfacing, restoring, and rehabilitating approximately 23 miles of roads and pullouts in Arches along the entrance road (from U.S. 191 to the visitor center), main park road, the campground road, and other spur roads and loops.
While construction crews will make every effort to minimize disruption to visitor daytime travel and activities during this project, visitors should expect frequent delays and closures. The park will post road construction updates on its official website at as they become available. However, construction work schedules are subject to change.
Construction work in the Windows Section is scheduled to begin on the Balanced Rock parking lot some time in August, but the exact date has not yet been determined. Partial and/or full closure of the area may be necessary to ensure visitor and worker safety. Devils Garden Campground remains closed through November 30.
The park’s visitor center hours are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; park rangers are presenting nightly evening programs there at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
A reminder: Sunday through Thursday visitors must arrive at the park before 6:30 p.m. Visitors arriving after 6:30 p.m. on those days will not be able to travel past the visitor center. All vehicles must be out of the closure area no later than 7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday nights. The park reopens at 7 a.m. Monday through Friday, and is open weekends from 7 a.m. Friday until 7 p.m. Sunday during this road construction project.
The park will be open with no road construction work on the following holiday weekends as well:
- Pioneer Day: 7 a.m. Friday, July 21, to 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 25,
- Labor Day: 7 a.m. Friday, September 1, to 7 p.m. Tuesday, September 5
- Utah Education Association: 7 a.m. Wednesday, October 18, to 7 p.m. Sunday, October 22
Other areas of Arches National Park will be closed for up to four weeks once work begins in each of those areas. The park will reopen roads and trails once area construction work is completed.
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