For the outdoor enthusiasts of the Greater Salt Lake Valley, the end of winter sports just means the beginning of a whole new way to experience our local peaks. If you’ve only ever visited our local resorts with skis or a snowboard strapped to your feet, you are missing out on one of the best iterations of Utah’s alpine culture.

For the first time in four years, Arches National Park will operate without a timed-entry reservation system in 2026 — and for Wasatch Front families planning their spring and summer trips to Moab, the change is a double-edged sword. The spontaneity is back: no more scrambling for digital permits three months in advance. But so are the crowds. Without a cap on entry, the National Park Service is warning visitors to expect temporary gate closures at peak hours, sometimes before 9:00 AM, when parking lots at Delicate Arch, the Windows Section, Devils Garden, and Double Arch hit capacity.