Public comment to close on proposed Zion reservations

The time for people to weigh in on a proposed plan to require reservations to enter Zion National Park is coming to a close.

The online public comment period on the first-of-its-kind proposal at the southern Utah park known for sweeping red-rock vistas is slated to close late Friday night.

Park managers say reservations might be necessary because a massive surge in visitation is leaving tourists in hours-long lines to get into the park.

Almost 4.3 million people visited the park last year, shattering the record of about 3.6 million set in 2015.

But critics say a reservation system could unfairly restrict access to a public park, and managers should consider other options before requiring reservations.

After the public comment period closes, managers are planning analyze the feedback and release a summary in September.