Starting Aug. 5, 2013, visitors should expect heavy traffic congestion and delays in the Devils Garden area of Arches National Park. The Devils Garden section is at the most northern end of the19-mile drive in the national park.
Park officials are advising guests to avoid the construction area by enjoying the first 16.5 miles of desert landscape along the scenic drive, then turn around at the Sand Dune Arch parking lot to return to the visitor center. If visitors are intent on seeing the landmarks within Devils Garden, they are advised to visit on Friday, Saturday or Sunday when no construction will be done. Or, to modify plans visiting the area by postponing a trip until October when construction is completed.
To avoid the construction area, visitors can take the following steps:
There are only two locations where park visitors can fill water bottles. One of those locations is the Devils Garden trailhead. However, no water be available at Devils Garden during construction. Visitors are strongly encouraged to fill water bottles at the visitors center prior to driving the park road.
Construction is planned to continue through early October, and will be completed in phases to allow the area to remain open to the public. Work includes replacing existing toilets with new larger models, installing benches for increased seating, replacing the water fountain, adding accessible parking spaces, providing tour bus parking and extending the sidewalk.
All park roads and trails will remain open throughout the construction period. Devils Garden trailhead accesses Landscape Arch, Double O Arch, Dark Angel, the Primitive Loop and other major arches in the park.
