Arches, Canyonlands national parks visitor centers reopening

MOAB, Utah — Arches and Canyonlands national parks in southeastern Utah are reopening visitor centers that have been closed due to the nearly 3-week-old federal government’s partial shutdown.

Parks officials said in Facebook posts that donations from the Canyonlands Natural History Association allowed visitor centers at Arches National Park and Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park to be open daily 9 a.m.-4 p.m. beginning Friday.

The announcements also said efforts were underway at both parks to clear roads and sidewalks but that the status of roads could depend on weather conditions.

The Utah Department of Transportation said it was working with park officials to reopen roads.

Many regional national parks and recreation areas near Las Vegas are expected to remain open at least through the weekend.