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Zion is latest national park to close amid coronavirus spread

In this Nov. 2016, photo provided by Zion National Park, people line up at Zion National Park, in Utah. The sweeping red-rock vistas at Zion National Park are increasingly filled with a bumper crop of visitors, and now park managers are weighing an unusual step to stem the tide: : Requiring tourists to make RSVPs to get in. (Zion National Park via AP)
In this Nov. 2016, photo provided by Zion National Park, people line up at Zion National Park, in Utah. The sweeping red-rock vistas at Zion National Park are increasingly filled with a bumper crop of visitors, and now park managers are weighing an unusual step to stem the tide: : Requiring tourists to make RSVPs to get in. (Zion National Park via AP)

By LINDSAY WHITEHURST and BRADY McCOMBS / The Associated Press 2 min read

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Zion National ParkLocal leaders had called for the closure, and Gov. Gary Herbert said he consulted with the Interior Department to make the decision.

“Those in the park have the rest of day to gather their belongings and leave,” Herbert said. “The next two weeks are very critical, so we’re taking a more aggressive stance.”

The park had already closed its shuttle, campgrounds and part of a popular hiking trail to discourage crowds, but the mayor of the gateway community of Springdale and others called for complete closure.

Utah and Arizona were also working with the federal government to shut down the boat ramps at Lake Powell, Herbert said.

The Zion closure came two days after Grand Canyon National Park was closed amid local pressure. The two parks joined a growing list of the country’s most popular national parks that have closed, including Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Great Smoky Mountains, Glacier, Arches and Canyonlands. Some of those calls were made at the request of governors and health officials in those states.