Arches is a spectacular national park that is home to more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches! If you’re hoping to find the best things to do in Arches, you’ve come to the right spot.
My name is Ash, and I’m a former park ranger and Utah native. You can find me exploring Arches National Park often, and I’m excited to share the best things to do in Arches with you.
This article includes information on family activities, hiking, biking, winter activities, and so much more.
Keep reading (or if you want to fast-forward, click on the links below) to find the perfect activities for your specific interests!
The Top 10 Things To Do in Arches National Park
When you visit Arches for the first time, you want to be sure to see all of the highlights! Use this list of the top things to do in the park to eliminate your fear of missing out on the park’s must-sees!
If you make it through all of the activities on this top ten list, you can have confidence knowing that you didn’t miss out on anything during your trip.
When you are ready for more detailed information on these top things to do, including driving directions and trip planning help, click over to this list of things you can’t miss on your first visit to Arches.
Balanced Rock
Balanced Rock is one of the most widely recognized features in Arches and is easy to see from the road — no hiking required!
The Windows
The Windows section of the park offers something for everyone. Several easy hikes in this area travel to multiple magnificent arches that will take your breath away!
The picture-perfect scenery makes The Windows area a great place for stargazing and photography.
The Devils Garden
The Devils Garden is one of the park’s most popular areas, and rightfully so! Some of the best hiking trails can be found here, including the short trail to Landscape Arch or the longer, more adventurous primitive trail.
Courthouse Wash Rock Art
If you love the thought of connecting with the past, then you will definitely want to stop at the Courthouse Wash Rock Panel and view the pictographs thought to have been left by Archaic Indians and Puebloans or Utes.
These drawings will leave you pondering what kind of story the ancient people wanted to tell about this beautiful area of Utah.
Double Arch
The trail to Double Arch is short and easy, but it takes you to one of the most phenomenal views in the park! Enjoy sitting at the base of this massive double arch and marveling at the incredible erosion that has carved such a beautiful formation.
Fiery Furnace
If you are up for a challenge, you should venture into the Fiery Furnace!
The only way to enter this maze-like hike is with a ranger or with an individual permit. You’ll walk along uneven surfaces and even have to jump across gaps and squeeze into narrow places as you explore this unique area of Arches.
Courthouse Towers Viewpoint
Though this park is known for its natural arches, you will see stunning non-arch landscapes at Courthouse Towers. This viewpoint and its unique scenery make an excellent stop for photography opportunities.
Landscape Arch
Be sure to add Landscape Arch to your list — it is one of the longest arches in the world. It stretches for a total of 306 feet, and the center of this arch is only about 11 feet thick!
The trail to Landscape Arch is hard-packed and relatively flat, so it’s a great option for families.
Park Avenue
The Park Avenue trail travels down into a small canyon with towering cliffs on both sides! If you’re looking for a small challenge that pays off with incredible views, make sure you check this one out!
Delicate Arch
Viewing the iconic Delicate Arch is an absolute can’t-miss when you visit Arches National Park! The hike to this breathtaking arch is about 3 miles if you want to see it up close, or you can drive to a viewpoint where you can see it from a distance.
For more trip-planning information (including driving directions) on each of these stops, check out this list of things you can’t miss on your first visit to Arches.
How long does it take to see the top ten things in Arches?
You’ll want no less than 1.5 days of sightseeing to get through this list, but you’ll have to move fast! If you’re able to give yourself two full days, you’ll be able to get through this top ten list with ease.
If you’d like more help, I have a whole article devoted to helping you figure out how many days to spend in Arches.
Planning a trip to Arches can be overwhelming.
How do you make a solid plan if you’ve never been to the park before? How do you keep everyone in your group excited and engaged?
You can spend hours on the internet searching for things to do, but you still won’t find the insider tips and first-hand knowledge that I’ve gained from working as a park ranger.
If you’re hoping to see the best sights without getting stuck in traffic, circling parking lots, or being surrounded by people, check out this Arches Itinerary.
You will see all of the can’t-miss spots, plus get lodging and dining guides, driving directions, and insider tips!
Arches has an adventure for every skill level and age! Now that we’ve covered the top 10 things to do in the park, it’s time to dig deeper into your own personal interests.
Things to Do in Arches With Kids
Arches is one of the most kid-friendly national parks in the country! You don’t have to spend a ton of time in the car or go on a long hike to have adventures with your kids here.
You’ll find a bunch of short and easy trails to some spectacular arches here. Check out this list of my favorite easy hikes in Arches!
Don’t forget to grab a Jr. Ranger book from the visitor center or download one here. Your kids can complete the activities in this book and earn their very own ranger badge. These fun books will keep your kids more engaged and excited about everything they see as they explore the park.
Things to Do in Arches if You Love to Hike
If you love to hike, you’ll be delighted with these longer and more challenging trails in Arches.
The Devils Garden is an amazing route in Arches. If you hike the whole loop, you’ll encounter it all— route finding, steep slopes, narrow drop-offs, rock scrambling, and many arches! You will also cross a pool that may contain water. Be sure to read through the full trail guide before you go.
The Fiery Furnace is so confusing and maze-like that you are encouraged to tackle this trail on a ranger-led tour. You can find more information about what to expect here.
Delicate Arch is one of those absolute can’t-miss trails in Arches, especially if you love to hike. The entire trail to the arch is a steady uphill climb with little to no shade, so bring plenty of water and enjoy the view!
Tower Arch is on the shorter side at only 2.6 miles round trip, but the trail is packed with adventure. It climbs a steep, short rock wall and cuts across a valley before winding through sandstone fins and dunes to reach the arch.
Do you love to have a plan?
Get the inside scoop for your upcoming vacation —> this itinerary is the most detailed, epic, and easy-to-follow guide to the park!
Things to Do in Arches if You Don’t Want to Hike
If hiking isn’t something you’re able or wanting to do in Arches, you can still see a lot of the park! Auto touring, photography, stargazing, bicycling, and even jeeping are all great options for making the most of your time in the park.
The main road through Arches is known as the Scenic Drive, and the scenery is beautiful from here! You can drive to the Windows Section and see some of the park’s largest arches or drive to the Delicate Arch Viewpoint and see one of the world’s most famous arches from a mile away.
When visiting Arches National Park, you will find yourself surrounded by inspiring rock formations that make the perfect subjects for photographs. Capturing photos at sunset is one of the most popular times to take pictures, but you might also try night photography. You can find more info here if you’re interested in the best times to take pictures of the most popular formations.
Arches is certified as an official International Dark Sky Park, which makes it an ideal place for stargazing. If the conditions are just right, you might even be able to view the rings of Saturn using only binoculars. If you aren’t sure how to stargaze, you can join a ranger-led stargazing program or find more tips here.
Viewing the park on wheels is a popular activity and might be the way you prefer to explore the park. You can ride your bike or e-bike on all paved and unpaved roads, but they are not allowed on any of the trails. There are also dirt roads that are more suitable for mountain bikes. If you’re looking for a bit more adventure, you can go jeeping!
Winter Activities in Arches
Arches National Park doesn’t usually get large amounts of snow or ice, so you can enjoy the same hikes in the winter that you would in any other season.
However, if you’re lucky enough to visit during a snowfall, you will be in for a beautiful sight. The contrast of the white snow against the red rocks is stunning. The beauty that this contrast creates provides an excellent opportunity for unique and spectacular photos.
If you are more interested in cross-country skiing, sledding, and snowmobiling, you can take a trip to the Manti-La Sal National Forest. You can find more information about winter activities near Arches here.
Things to Do in Arches if You Love Ranger Programs
Participating in ranger programs can greatly enhance your experience in Arches. You’ll learn interesting facts, meet other travelers, and connect with someone who loves the park and knows it well! Arches has phenomenal ranger programs, including guided walks, evening programs, Fiery Furnace hikes, and stargazing.
The night sky in Arches might take you by surprise! Arches is an International Dark Sky Park, and the ranger programs take advantage of this by offering several stargazing events to help you make the most of the spectacular views.
Other evening programs are held nightly at the Devils Garden Campground. These programs can range in topics, and you’re guaranteed to learn something interesting. Stop in at the visitor center to see the schedule and topics available while you’re there.
You’ll need to purchase tickets in advance, but another popular ranger-led program is the Fiery Furnace. This is a physically demanding trail where you will weave in and out of maze-like structures.
If the Fiery Furnace sounds too intense, you can join a ranger on a guided walk. These guided walks are usually easy, and you’ll walk away with more interesting information about the park.
Wheelchair-Friendly Things to Do in Arches
If you’ll be exploring Arches in a wheelchair, you’ll be able to enjoy beautiful views and some lovely trails!
Many viewpoints, trailheads, and picnic areas in Arches have handicapped parking stalls and ramps. The official park website has detailed information about each area of the park and its accessibility.
Several of the best wheelchair-friendly trails in Arches are the Balanced Rock, Windows, and Park Avenue trails. You can find out more about each of these trails and a few others in this article (near the end).
Things to Do in Arches With Your Dog
Due to the fragile desert landscape and the amazing cryptobiotic crust (living soil) in Arches National Park, you won’t find many places to take your dog. For more information on things to do with your dog in Arches, check out this detailed article: Is Arches Dog-Friendly?
High Adventure Activities in Arches
If you’re looking for something to get your adrenaline going, consider rock climbing, jeeping, skydiving, river rafting, or ATVing.
The landscape in Arches is sandy, but the rock offers excellent climbing opportunities. If you’re hoping to climb in Arches, you can find more information here. You’ll also find numerous climbing options in Moab!
Jeeping is a hugely popular activity in the Moab area — you’ll find many jeeping routes ranging from beginner to gnarly! If you want to go jeeping in Arches or Canyonlands, consider driving out to Tower Arch or exploring the White Rim Road.
The nearby town of Moab is an adventurer’s paradise! You will never run out of fun, high-adventure options in this area. You can go skydiving, ATV the Hell’s Revenge Trail, or raft the Colorado River, among many other things. To learn more about all the amazing activities in Moab, click here.
Things to Do in Arches if You Love to Bike
If you love to bike, you’ll find so many amazing options in and near Arches National Park! Inside the park, you are welcome to bike on any paved or unpaved road. If mountain biking is more your style, you can bike on Salt Valley and Willow Springs roads.
You’ll find tons of mountain bike trails outside the park in Moab. This includes the world-famous, highly technical Slickrock Bike Trail. Just north of Moab, you’ll find the Bar M Trail System. This trailhead has options for beginners and experts, so it’s a great option for families.
You can find more trail options and details here.
Things to Do Near Arches
You can find so many amazing places near Arches National Park! Check out Corona Arch, Canyonlands National Park, and Dead Horse Point State Park while you’re in the area.
Corona Arch is a massive arch that rivals anything you’ll see in the national park! This moderately challenging hike is about 15 miles from Arches, and you won’t see as many crowds because it’s not in the national park.
Canyonlands National Park is just 30 minutes away from Arches. This astonishing park conserves 337,598 acres of rugged landscape crafted by water and gravity. Canyonlands has so many amazing outdoor opportunities, including hiking, biking, rafting, and jeeping.
Another stunning place to visit close to Arches is Dead Horse Point State Park. You’ll find canyons, high desert woodlands, and miles of trails to explore in this beautiful state park.
I hope you have an amazing time working through these things to do in Arches. Happy trails!
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.
Where Should I Stay? — the best options in and around the park.
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.
The Ultimate Arches Trip Planning Guide — everything you need to know.
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