This Surreal National Park Has 2,000+ Natural Stone ArchesStarry Night Skiesand a Scenic 18-mile Drive

Within minutes of passing the entrance gatesI knew the rumors were true. Arches ishands downone of the country’s most striking national parksand the beauty only intensifies with each mile logged on the otherworldly Arches Scenic Drive.

Arches National Parka 76,000-acre swath of desert stuffed with thousands of natural sandstone sculptureslies minutes from adventure basecamp Moab. It’s a fan favorite in Utah’s “Mighty Five” lineup of national parksdrawing around 1.5 million visitors per year with hikingbikingclimbingcanyoneeringand horseback riding.

Yet even casuallow-adrenaline Arches visits can leave you spellbound. “The magic of Arches is in slowing down and soaking in the desert scenery,” says Harry Bradleygeneral manager for nearby glamping resort ULUM Moab. Case in point? My favorite memory at Arches involved lounging beneath the sandstone and gazing at the stars.

Whether you’re chasing actionaweor a bit of bothhere’s how to plan the perfect trip to Arches National Park.

How to Get There

Moablocated in southeastern Utahis the base camp for Arches National Park getaways. The park sits five miles north of the beloved small townwith a well-marked entrance off of U.S. Highway 191. To reach Moabyou can either fly straight into the town’s Canyonlands Field Airport (CNY)or fly into Salt Lake City and drive 234 miles southeast.

Renting a car provides the most flexibility and accessibility; there are no shuttles through the park. If you’d rather not driveconsider renting a bike or e-bike or booking a tour with a local outfitter.

The park pairs well with a trip to another Mighty Five destinationCanyonlands National Parkwhich is located just 26 miles to the west.

Know Before You Go

During peak seasonfrom early April to July and late August through OctoberArches runs a timed-entry system for those visiting between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. During these timesvisitors enter the park via designated and pre-registered one-hour windows to reduce congestion. This doesn’t restrict how long you can stay in the park; it’s open 24 hours. It only regulates when you can actually pass through the gate. You can book timed-entry tickets up to six months in advance.

Alsoprepare for the dry heat. It’s important to consume water regularly; the National Park Service recommends packing salty snacks to retain watertoo.

And know that summer into fall is wildfire season in southern Utah; while the fires are typically localizedit’s important to take extra fire-prevention measures during this period to help protect the area.

Best Time to Visit

Arches sees peak visitation between March and late October. Summer can climb above 100 degrees Fahrenheit during midday. If you’re visiting in July and Augustaim to adventure around sunrise and sunset—or even at nightwhen rangers lead stargazing and full-moon tours.

Milder temperatures make spring and autumn especially alluring. “Fall is a time when cooler temperatures roll in and the crowds thin outcreating the perfect setting for a quietermore intimate experience,” says Bradley. “It’s truly one of the best times to exploreunwindand enjoy the landscape without the usual bustle.” This period does come with the timed-entry systemso plan ahead or opt to arrive outside of the regulated 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. hours.

Winter gets chilly herewith highs between 30 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The park welcomes fewer visitors and offers reduced services (i.e.no ranger programs)but winter does provide the chance to enjoy Arches without the crowds. The only hurdle: You’ll have to be flexible. Ice can pose risks on the trailsand heavy snowfall may temporarily close park roads.

Best Things to Do

Hike beneath arches.

Hiking gets you close to the sandstoneand Arches offers more than 40 routes to admire the geological wonders. Many easy and moderate hikes lead you beneath the arches and beside the towering fins. Alternativelyexperienced hikers can trek even further on a multi-day backpacking trip (permit required)although you’ll need to be prepared with plenty of food and water given the backcountry’s lack of resources.

Stargaze.

In 2019light pollution authority DarkSky International certified Arches as a Dark Sky Park—an accreditation that guarantees inky skies andweather permittinga blanket of stars. I planned my trip around those summer nightscapesand the skies were even more star-studded than I’d imagined. You can enjoy the cosmos all over the parkbut I recommend heading to a viewpoint like Double Arch to watch starsgalaxiesand planets shimmer above the ancient sandstone.

Take a scenic drive.

I didn’t expect the 18-mile scenic drive to be a highlight of my Arches visitbut this road packs a major punch. The paved route winds by many park highlightsincluding Balanced RockSand Dune Archand the Great Wall. Detours also lead to Delicate Arch and The Windows Section. You can peruse the road’s major attractions in around two to three hoursbut allocate more time if you want to stretch your legs on the trails.

Bike around the sandstone.

To get your heart pumpingtry sightseeing by cycle. All paved and unpaved roads in Arches are open for bicycles and e-bikes. Bike rentals are available nearby in Moab via outfitters like Bike Fiend. While the park doesn’t offer mountain bikingyou can get your off-road fill with Moab’s myriad canyon and mesa trails.

Try canyoneering.

Canyoneering through the crag gets you well off the beaten path. You can try it on your own with a permitor with a ranger-led Fiery Furnace tour. If you’re craving more canyoneeringbook a trip with an outfitter like Moab Adventure Center. They lead jaunts just outside the park to test your rappelling and rock-climbing skills in a scenic but safe environment.

Plan a picnic.

While it’s tempting to try every Arches adventureBradley suggests taking time to unwind among the red rockstoo. “Pack a lunch and enjoy a picnic in the Devils Garden area,” he says. “It’s one of the most picturesque spots to unwind and soak up the desert beauty.”

Best Hikes

Delicate Arch

“Delicate Arch is the park’s most iconic hike,” says Bradleynoting it’s particularly impressive at sunrise. You’ll saunter three miles round-tripgaining 480 feet of elevationto get close to this 46-foot-tall showstopper. For another glimpsetry the easily reachable Lower and Upper Delicate Arch viewpoints; the latter provides better visibilitybut does require climbing stairs.

Devils Garden

Archesfinsand spires decorate the park’s beloved Devils Gardenwhich is around 45 minutes north of the park visitor center. Explore this rocky wonderland via the relatively flat1.9-mile round-trip trail to Landscape Arch. The four-mile round-trip amble to dramatic Double O Arch offers more of a challengewith steep hikingscramblingand climbing.

The Windows

About two-thirds of the way up the park’s scenic driveyou’ll find the arch-packed Windows Section. Hike the roughly one-mile loop from the parking lot to the North and South Window for views across the Colorado Plateau. Orhead across Windows Road to the half-mile Double Arch Trail to relax beneath the enormous erosion-carved rocks.

Places to Stay

Devils Garden Campground

While accommodation options abound in Moabthere’s nothing like sleeping among the park's surreal sandstone. For thattry the 51-site Devils Garden Campground; it’s the only camping option within park proper. Reservations are required from March 1 through Oct. 31and it usually fills up each night. Outside of those monthsthe campground is first-comefirst-served.

ULUM Moab

On the opposite side of the accommodation spectrumyou have upscale ULUM Moab. This luxury retreatlocated 25 minutes south of Moaboffers 50 upscale safari tents and fine dining (don’t sleep on ULUM’s canyon graze board with prickly pear jam). The property also hosts complimentary onsite experiences like sunrise yogasound bathsand s’mores. Andwith the adjacent Looking Glass ArchULUM guests can enjoy even more sandstone sauntering within steps of camp.

Field Station Moab

Located just minutes from the Arches National Park entranceField Station Moab has become a basecamp for desert adventures. The 139-room hideaway opened in 2023and it offers gear rentals and a stocked equipment shopan espresso bar and kitchenonsite guidesand dog-friendly accommodations. The digs range from king rooms to van-life spots.

Places to Eat

98 Center Moab

Enjoy Vietnamese fusion at 98 Centera locally loved hangout on Moab’s Center Street. The restaurant serves everything from banh mi nachos to beefchickenor vegan cheesesteakswith local kombucha on tap. If time allowsstop in for French toast banh mi during Sunday brunchtoo.

Moab Diner

Get your fill of comfort food at the laid-back Moab Dinerlocated right on Main Street. This timeless haunt delivers classic diner staples like pancake stacks and biscuits and gravy. Try the green chili omelet for a taste of the region’s renowned pepper.

Moab Coffee Roaster

Fuel up with piping coffee and savory breakfast bites at Moab Coffee Roastersanother Main Street favorite. The shop roasts its beans onsite daily and serves up refreshing treats like smoothiesjuicesice creamand gelato. For the ultimate post-hike celebrationstop in for an affogato.