This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Those visiting national parks and popular national forest sites are discovering that planning ahead and making reservations to camp or stay near parks is almost a requirement these days.

Add Canyonlands' Needles Campground as among those facilities where a reservation will be required to camp during the busiest times of year.

The National Park Service announced that starting March 15, a reservation will be required to camp in Loop A of the Needles Campground.

Reservations will be required from March 15 through June 30 and from September 1 through October 31. Sites in Loop A will be available on a first-come, first-served basis all other times of the year.

Loop B of the campground will remain open spring through fall on a first-come, first-served basis.

According to the NPS, increased visitation and demand for Needles campsites during the spring and autumn has grown significantly. Visitors often drive the 45 minutes from U.S. Highway 191 to the campground only to find all sites occupied. The agency hopes that the reservation system for Loop A will allow visitors to plan ahead.

Visitors can begin making reservations on Wednesday at http://www.recreation.gov.

Campsites are $20 per night or $10 for senior, access, golden age and golden access pass holders. There is also a $10 non-refundable reservation fee when booking on http://www.recreation.gov.