Arches National Park is full of gorgeous natural sandstone arches, stunning landscapes, and an incredible night sky – it’s the perfect place to take a vacation!
Where should you stay while visiting Arches? If you want to wake up and instantly step onto an amazing trail, then stay at the Devils Garden Campground. But if access to a luxury resort or air conditioning is more your style, then pick a great hotel in the nearby town of Moab.
My name is Ash, and I used to be a park ranger! You’ll find me in Arches National Park at least once a year, and I’m excited to help you decide where to stay from my personal experience while visiting Arches. Let’s talk about your options.
Arches Map, Entrances, and Nearby Towns
First, let’s look at the area around Arches National Park. This park is quite small (and there’s only one official entrance), so it’s easy to decide the best place to enter the park to see all of the sights!
Main Entrance to Arches
The main entrance to Arches is located just off Highway 191, about 5 miles north of downtown Moab, UT. You’ll find the park’s only visitor center right next to this entrance station, and then you’ll start heading up the hill to the main sights in Arches.
Arches only has one main road running through the park, and it only takes about 40 minutes to drive the whole length of the park. All of the can’t-miss spots, including Delicate Arch, are located along this route.
You can stay inside of the park boundaries at the Devils Garden Campground, which is the only campground in the park. This is a great location if you want to be right in the midst of the red rocks and arches. However, the town of Moab is only a few minutes from the park entrance, and you’ll find modern amenities and comfortable room options there.
The Willow Springs Road
The Willow Springs Road is an unpaved road that enters Arches National Park near Balanced Rock. You need a 4×4, high-clearance vehicle to enter the park this way, and you’ll find more details about the route here.
If you’d like more information on the best airports and roads around Arches, including details about the surrounding area, check out the Best and Closest Airports to Arches.
Staying Inside of Arches National Park
Since Arches is a small national park, there is really only one main road that travels to the most popular hikes and viewpoints. I recommend staying inside of the park if you want to have easy access to the most popular hikes and viewpoints — in some cases, you don’t even have to get in your car.
Hotels in Arches
There are no hotels in Arches National Park. If you want to stay in a hotel while visiting this park, you’ll need to book something in the nearby town of Moab. (This is also a great location to visit Canyonlands National Park if you’re on a national park road trip!)
Camping in Arches
If you want to stay inside the park, then you only have one option — the Devils Garden Campground. There are 51 sites to choose from, including two group sites and one accessibility site. Any of these sites will give you spectacular views of this unique desert landscape.
From this campground, you’re a short walk from the Devils Garden Trailhead (the starting point for seeing Landscape Arch and completing the exciting Devils Garden Primitive Trail). Or you can catch the trail out to Tapestry Arch and Broken Arch from right near site 51. You’ll also find a few smaller arches in this area, such as Skyline Arch and Sand Dune Arch.
Between March and October, the park’s peak season, the sites at the Devils Garden Campground are reservation-only. They can be reserved up to 6 months in advance, and they fill up quickly.
To learn more about what to expect in this campground and how to get a site, read all about camping in Arches.
INSIDER TIP — if you’re unable to get a reservation for the Devils Garden Campground, you’ll still find a bunch of other campgrounds in the Moab area. I recommend aiming for the sites along Highway 128 or Highway 279 for alternatives that are still really close to the Arches entrance.
Traffic and crowding in Arches can be terrible.
Did you know that it’s common to be turned away at the entrance of this park due to overcrowding?
Are you hoping to see the best sights without getting stuck in traffic, circling parking lots, or being surrounded by people?
Stay ahead of the crowds with this Arches Itinerary. You will see all of the can’t-miss spots, plus get lodging and dining guides, driving directions, and insider tips!
Staying Outside of Arches National Park
Because Arches only has one entrance into the park, it’s easy to be close to the park without actually being in the park. I recommend staying outside of Arches if you want nicer amenities like free breakfast, an outdoor pool, and many dining and activity options.
Staying in Moab
Just outside of the park entrance, you’ll find the town of Moab, Utah. This is where I highly recommend you stay while visiting Arches. Moab’s convenient location offers a huge variety of hotels, campgrounds, restaurants, grocery stores, and souvenir shops right along the main street. You’ll also find planned events almost every month of the year, such as music festivals, half marathons, and jeeping activities.
If you’re into mountain biking, climbing, rafting the Colorado River, ATVing, or almost any other outdoor activity, you’ll find some of the best places to go in and around Moab.
You have unlimited options when choosing where you would like to stay in Moab during your visit to Arches. There are bed and breakfasts, campgrounds, hotels, motels, resorts, and condos. Choosing the perfect location and best hotels for you comes down to your budget and the amenities you’re hoping for.
Click here to see lodging options in Moab.
Staying in Spanish Valley
Spanish Valley is just a few miles south of Moab, and you’ll find some nice condos/AirBnBs and a quaint motel or two in this area. If you find something that better fits your needs here, this can still be a good location, but you will need to plan on an extra 15-20 minute drive beyond Moab to reach the Arches entrance.
Click here to see lodging options in Spanish Valley.
Staying in Green River
You may be tempted to stay in the small town of Green River for your trip to Arches. Green River is cheaper than Moab, but you’re about 45 minutes away from the national park if you stay here.
If you don’t mind the extra driving and can still get to Arches early enough to get parking, staying in Green River is fine. I personally don’t stay here unless I’m planning on rafting the river, splitting my time between Arches and Goblin Valley State Park, or heading into the Maze District of Canyonlands.
Click here to see lodging options in Green River.
I hope you find the perfect hotel, Moab resort, or other great place to stay while visiting Arches National Park. Safe travels!
More Arches Trip Planning Information
Arches Itinerary — a detailed hour-by-hour sightseeing schedule.
How to Get to Arches — the best airports and roads in the area.
How Many Days Should I Spend in Arches? — itinerary ideas.
The Best Time to Visit — what to expect during each month of the year.
Weather, Hours, and Closures — important weather info and common closures.
All About Camping — learn about the park’s campgrounds and how to get a site.
10 Things You Can’t Miss on Your First Visit to Arches — the top 10 spots.
The Best Easy Hikes — the perfect trails for kids, wheelchairs, and beginners.
Best Things to Do — activities for every adventurer.
The Ultimate Arches Trip Planning Guide — everything you need to know.
This post may contain affiliate links. Dirt In My Shoes gets paid a small commission (at no extra cost to you) when you purchase from these links. Thanks for your support!
Leave a Reply