How common are flat tires? We had nearly new tires on my wifes Durango and got a puncture withing 2 miles of the gate. Accordi to shops it is VERY common for flates. We now have 3 days to waste OUTSIDE of the park after paying $40 for pass.

Unfortunately most of the roads are dirt. All dirt roads have bone materials commonly called stones, some are sharp. Sounds like you have tar Booneing Tires not Mud and snow winter heavy tread Tires meant for off road and dirt roads. If that's the case you need to be extra careful watching for road hazards, you can see most of the sharps in the road doing moderate slow travel. I was on Talos Road and saw, avoided a sharp triangle rock, 6 Inches tall. A hazard like that could cripple a Logging Truck or an Elephant if not avoid. It doesn't happen to people who know of the hazards and drive reasonable and prudent. Enjoy the rest of your time in the area, it's beautiful there now colorful buds are starting to appear. Watch out for pink surveyor's tape in the trees. The more the tales of tape the worst the road hazard is. I learnt the hard way, lunched 3 feet into the air all 4 wheels. Doing speed limit too. Just concentrate on the road and try to avoid vacation killers. Mr. P. 😂😎

I spent a week in the park with friends. There were 5 vehicles in our group and no one had a flat. I can see how it could happen though.