Survival of Utah’s Public Lands Face Reckoning this year

Many challenges are in store for Utah’s public lands in 2025. With a crazy election cycle over, record-breaking tourism in previous years, an ongoing financial overhaul with DOGE, and numerous legal battles, 2025 could be a pivotal year for public lands. 

The Number of Visitors to National Parks Continues to Grow

With a 5% increase in visitations to Utah’s national parks in 2024 from the previous year according to KSL.com analysis of National Park Service data, there doesn't seem an end to the growth.

Park managers continue to wrestle with balancing conservation efforts, visitor experience, as well as staffing challenges. All the strain is evident with crowed trails, that overwhelms the infrastructure and puts the environment at risk - prompting park officials to take action. 

How to Limit the Number of Visitors

A couple of Utah’s most popular national parks, Arches and Zion, have introduced permit systems for certain trails to manage the number of visitor foot traffic and to protect the environment. 

Arches National Park started a “timed entry” reservation system in 2022 and Zion National Park now requires permits for the season or a next-day lottery. This is designed to improve safety on the narrow, high-traffic trail. 

Read More: 11 Not Approved Activities For The Zion Shuttle

With Utah’s beautiful outdoor public lands that continue to attract record visitors, the demand for limits or place restrictions in only the beginning.