A first-time guide to Arches National Park

Mother Nature has been hard at work in Arches National Parkwhich is famous for rock formations that splash soaring arcs of red-orange sandstone against the bright blue sky of Utah. True to its nameArches has the highest concentration of natural stone arches of anywhere on Earth. This ranges from the graceful 306ft-long Landscape Arch to the tucked-away Delicate Archa Utah icon so photo-worthy that it’s emblazoned on the state’s license plates.

One of Utah’s "Mighty 5" national parksArches is a world of geological wondersand its giant rock finsprecariously balanced rocks and iconic formations draw in hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. Here’s what you need to know to plan an awesome trip to Arches National Park.

When should I go to Arches National Park?

Weather-wisethe best time to visit Arches National Park is in AprilMaySeptember or Octoberbut these months are some of the busiest. The number of park visitors soars around public holidays (Memorial Day at the end of MayLabor Day in early September) and in June through August when kids are out of school.

Please note that the National Park system is experiencing staffing cuts that may lead to fewer amenities this summer. For examplethe park's Fiery Furnace is temporarily closed due to the cuts. Make sure to plan aheadpack smart and take other precautions listed here. 

Arches National Park typically attracts the most visitors in Maybut if you can contend with freezing and potentially snowy weatherJanuary sees far fewer arch-gawkers. January 2024 had 12,970,984 visitors compared with 32,913,479 in May of that yearaccording to National Park Service statistics. This means almost 20,000,000 fewer people vying for viewing space. 

Arches has a timed entry systemwhich it has been finessing since first implementing in 2022to manage the number of visitors during peak times. From April 1 to July 6 and August 28 to October 31between 7am and 4pm dailyvisitors must have a timed entry ticket to get inside the park. Read more on Arches’ timed entry below.

While visiting Arches National Park in summer is popularbe aware that daytime temperatures are searingly hotand the red-rock desert landscape provides precious little shade. The high temperature in July can hit 100°F (38°C) – certainly not a time to hike to totally exposed Delicate Archespecially if you have little ones in tow.

How much time should I spend at Arches National Park?

If you don’t have much timeyou can see the highlights of Arches National Park in half a day. If you can manage itthoughyou should stay for at least a few days longer to add in some of Utah’s best hikes and other activities around the gateway town of Moab. Another national parkCanyonlandsawaits just across the highway.

The only paved road in Arches National Park winds 18 miles from the visitor center to a final loop at Devils Garden before doubling back. If you have limited time at Archesset off on this scenic drivestopping at all the roadside viewpoints and trailheads for short hikes that you can fit in. Some of the best pit stops are Balanced Rocka 3,600-ton boulder as big as a naval destroyer that teeters atop a spindly pedestal; The Windowsfeaturing a large concentration of arches; and Lower Delicate Arch Viewpointwhere you can take a 100ftno-elevation-change trail to see the most famous formation in the park from a distance.

If you have more timeconsider tackling the longer trails in Archessuch as Devils Garden and Delicate Arch. Don’t forget that the arches don’t end at the park boundaries – Moab and its stunning red rock surroundings offer you tons to dofrom quieter hikes to whitewater raftingrock climbing and canyoneering.

Is it easy to get to and around Arches National Park?

Yesbut you need a car to get the most out of a visit to Arches National Park. The distances between viewpoints and trailheads are vastand the park does not have a shuttle system or public transport. Parking can be tricky at popular trailheadsand you might have to wait for a spot to open up at busy times.

Some companies in Moab run bus tours through Archesshowing you around the national park in their vehicles.

The small Canyonlands Field Airport18 miles north of Moabhas flights to Denver and Salt Lake Citythough most visitors fly into these larger airports and then drive to Arches National Park. For a super scenic arrivaltake Amtrak’s cross-country California Zephyr trainwhich stops in Green Rivernorth of Moab or Rocky Mountaineer’s Rockies To The Red Rocks service between Denver and Moab.

Have wheels and want to see more of Utah? Check out these top road trips.

Top things to see and do

Many of Arches’ main sights are close to paved roadsso a scenic drive through the heart of the park is a mustand it makes the spectacular scenery accessible to all.

Challenge yourself to hike Delicate Arch

Delicate Arch is the most popular hike in the parkand it’s worth the sweat equity required to reach the stunning conclusion: the "cowboy chaps" hidden around a bendnot visible for most of the journey. (Keep in mind that online maps and GPS do not work well if you’re sandwiched within high slot canyon walls.)

Enjoy a mellow loop along the Windows section

The Windows area has more (and more accessible) arches if you’re not up for a steep hike. The easy 1-mile loop trail gently climbs to three massive photogenic archesand it’s hard to grasp the immensity of these gigantic marvels until you’re beside them. Don’t miss the "bonus arch" accessible from the same parking lot: Double Arch is the tallest in the park at 112ft (34m).

Learn from a pro

Permits allow you to join a ranger-led tour or set out on your own self-guided adventure. If you're a first-timerhiking with a ranger is highly recommended. You'll not only get a smoother journeyyou might learn a thing or two. 

My favorite thing to do at Arches National Park

For the sheer number and variety of archestrekking through Devils Garden is my favorite thing to do in Arches National Park. Within just a few minutes of departing from the parking lotyou meet Tunnel Arch and Pine Tree Arch. Landscape Archthe longest in North Americais a short distance beyond that.

After Landscape Archthe Devils Garden Trail becomes much more difficultrequiring scrambling and route-finding. If you’re up for an adventureit’s worth continuing on for even more arches and a 150ft rock column called Dark Angel. The crowds drop off significantlyand when you sit down for a snackyou might even get an arch all to yourself.

If you have the navigational know-howtake the Primitive Trail back to the trailhead. This route is marked by cairnsbut it's helpful to have a map pre-downloaded. The Primitive Trail wiggles through rock finsscrambles up and down steep slopes and drop-offsand crosses a pool that could be filled with water at certain times of the year. Hopping around and scooting down the rocks makes Devils Garden feel like a jungle gymand it always gives me that sense of pure childlike joy.

How much money do I need for Arches National Park?

The standard entrance pass for Arches National Park costs $30 per vehicleand it’s valid for seven days. If you’re visiting more national parks on a road trip through Utah and beyondit’s worth buying the America the Beautiful pass for $80. The America the Beautiful pass is valid for a year at all national parks and federal recreation land across the country for one vehicle or four per-person entry fees – arguably one of the best travel deals available.

There’s only one place to stay inside Arches National Park: Devils Garden Campground ($25 per site per night).

Do you need timed entry tickets to visit Arches National Park?

If you're planning to visit Arches National Park from April 1 to July 6 and August 28 to October 31between 7am and 4pm dailyyou must reserve an hour-long entry window on recreation.gov. During this timeArches sees a huge influx of visitorsand to reduce crowdingvisitors are required to get a timed entry ticketwhich costs $2 and does not include the park entry fee.

You do not need a permit to visit outside of these times. For exampleif you want to go to Arches National Park in May but don’t have a timed entry ticketyou can enter the park before 7am or after 4pm (but make sure you get there early enough – a line of cars still forms in the morning). The National Park Service website has a helpful Timed Entry FAQ for Arches National Park.

What is the closest city to Arches National Park?

MoabUtahis the closest city to Arches National Parkand its northern tip is just 3 miles from the Arches Visitor Center. Moab’s Main Street (Hwy 191) is lined with hotelsrestaurantsgas stations and shopsand has everything you need to stock up for your trip. Arches National Park does not have anywhere to dine inside the park boundaries.

Save this guide to the best things to do near Moab.

Where’s the best place to stay near Arches National Park?

Arches National Park has one campground within the park boundaries: Devils Garden Campground. Sites sell out months in advanceso get booking if you’re set on staying there. Campsites run by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) are scattered along the Colorado River and elsewhere among the red rocks. First-comefirst-served Goose Island Campground is closest to the Arches National Park entrance.

Moab has tons of hotelsand Field Station is one of my favorite spots in town. The exterior gives Motel 6 vibesbut insidea hip millennial minimalist design takes over. The hotel hosts cool events and has a merch-filled lobby with a coffee shop. Further south and off Moab’s main stripRed Moon Lodge is a peaceful sustainability-minded stay with organic breakfasts and welcoming hosts. Closer to nature but farther from the parkULUM Moab opened in 2023 and set up secluded luxury glamping tents with views of Looking Glass Arch. It offers free yoga sessionsevening campfire s’mores and sound-bath meditations.