SALT LAKE CITY — Zion National Park has reopened after closing for several hours when heavy rain and a surging river made park routes impassable.

Spokeswoman Aly Baltrus said Zion reopened park gates and roads late Tuesday afternoon.

The park closed at midday after runoff from high canyon walls flooded some stretches of roads while the rising river blocked other areas in narrow canyons.

Baltrus says campgrounds were a safe distance away from the flooded areas and campers had been allowed to stay put.

A flood watch was issued for the park and a large stretch of southern Utah through Tuesday night.

Zion is Utah’s most-visited national park, attracting nearly 3 million visitors a year.