NPS asks Grand County Trailmix for local input on possible bike access into Arches National Park

Betsy Fern of the National Park Service’s Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program visited the Grand County Trailmix Committee on July 14 to present concepts for improved bicycle access into Arches National Park and to gather local guidance on goals, safety and possible infrastructure.

“I'm with the National Park Service…we work with communities on their own ideas for outdoor recreation and conservation projects,” Fern said as she laid out options ranging from an ‘‘adventure’’ gravel route on Willow Springs Road to a separated paved or gravel path paralleling the park road. She told the committee the park is weighing tradeoffs between preserving a backcountry experience and providing broader visitor access.

Committee members raised safety and practical concerns. One attendee urged attention to e‑bike accessibility and the initial hill climb to park viewpoints, saying the ascent is “a huge challenge” for many riders; others suggested the greatest near‑term benefit might come from widening paved‑road shoulders rather than constructing an entirely new paved path.

Fern said the park has considered three separated‑path approaches — a single‑track parallel to the road, a gravel trail or a full paved path — and emphasized that each choice changes the visitor experience and the scale of interventions. She also noted that the park’s existing right‑of‑way (about 150 feet from center line on each side in parts) creates some room for phased improvements if permitted.

Attendees discussed support services and logistics. Outfitters and bike‑rental operators said many visitors rent vehicles and would need drop‑off or shuttle options rather than relying on driving with bikes; one local outfitter described interest in running a permitted concession if permits and infrastructure permitted. Committee members pressed on parking capacity, shuttle bike‑rack availability and how bikes would interact with kiosk queues and vehicle idling.

Fern said the NPS plans to assemble a suite of recommendations — options for road shoulders, trail alignments, parking and supportive infrastructure — and then hand those concepts to park planning staff for permission‑driven next steps. She encouraged the local group to continue providing ideas and noted potential funding avenues including the Great American Outdoors Act and National Park Foundation support.

The committee did not take a formal vote on any specific Arches proposal. Fern asked members to continue sending comments by email and said the NPS would follow up with a draft action plan and options for phased implementation. The discussion closed with the group identifying safety, connectivity and clear signage as priorities for any future steps.