This news story about the pilot day-use reservation system in Grand Canyon National Park’s Tuweep area is based on a June 21, 2022, National Park Service press release. You can read the original release here.
Following the example set by numerous other national parks across the United States, from Acadia and Shenandoah to Glacier, Rocky Mountain and Arches, Grand Canyon National Park has now also implemented its own day-use reservation system.
This new advance day-use ticket reservation system applies to the Tuweep Visitor Use Area and will go into effect on July 21, 2022.
The system is the park’s response to “significant and steadily increasing visitation at Tuweep since 1995,” the Park Service said in a press release.
It will also help Grand Canyon National Park manage limited staffing in that particular area of the park, along with improving vehicle safety and the protection of natural and cultural resources.
Grand Canyon National Park Day-Use Reservation System In Effect for Tuweep Visitor Use Area
The Park Service specified there are two different types of reservations available.
One type of ticket is for private vehicles, while the other is for authorized Tuweep tour Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) permit holders.
This new day-use reservation system is for the Tuweep area of Grand Canyon National Park. This includes all park areas within Toroweap Valley and on the Kanab Plateau, but excludes the developed areas and overlooks on the North and South rim.
Reservations to enter Grand Canyon National Park’s Tuweep area will go on sale on Recreation.gov at 10 am ET on Tuesday, July 5.
The day-use vehicle tickets will cost $2. Visitors must also possess a valid park entrance pass.
Two CUA and six private vehicle ticket reservations will be available to reserve up to 120 days prior to a visit.
Reservations for the remaining 12 private vehicle day-use tickets to enter the Tuweep area will be available to purchase two days prior and up to the day of a scheduled visit.
Similar to other national park reservation systems, visitors who have a permit for overnight backcountry camping in the Tuweep area do not need a day-use reservation ticket for the date(s) on their permit.
Additionally, the National Park Service says this new reservation system “does not change existing policy for tribal communities’ ability to use their traditional homelands within park boundaries.”
New Grand Canyon Reservation System Meant to Improve Visitor Experience, Protect Park Resources
This pilot program will include monitoring and review of visitation patterns to make further adjustments, with the potential to raise the proposed day-use vehicle limit, implement a timed entry system, or other actions.
This system will be adaptable to changes in visitation trends and commercial transportation patterns and used to enhance the overall visitor experience and improve public information resources.
Grand Canyon National Park’s 1995 General Management Plan (GMP) was developed based on National Park Service management policies and extensive public participation and input to preserve the character of Tuweep as an uncrowded, rustic, and remote experience that is dominated by nature and solitude.
The GMP set a carrying capacity of 30 vehicles or 85 visitors in the Tuweep area. The NPS selected roadside signs and other information sources to achieve this limit. If proven unsuccessful, the GMP outlines that a reservation system may be required.
The intent of the pilot day-use reservation system is to facilitate the management of the carrying capacity set for the Tuweep area.
Housing the reservation system on Recreation.gov will enable visitors to easily secure reservations online and plan a safe visit to this remote location by reading the Tuweep preparation material.
Grand Canyon National Park conducted civic engagement between March 24 and April 6, 2022, to seek comments on implementing a three-year pilot advance day-use reservation system to manage day-use visitation to the Tuweep Visitor Use Area. Summarized responses from the civic engagement comments are available Tuweep Comment Response.