ARCHES NATIONAL PARK
“Standing there, gaping at this monstrous and inhumane spectacle of rock and cloud and sky and space…
…I feel a ridiculous greed and possessiveness come over me. I want to know it all, possess it all, embrace the entire scene intimately, deeply, totally.”
— EDWARD ABBEY (Desert Solitaire)
Welcome to the Ultimate Arches Trip Planning Guide
Arches National Park contains the world’s most spectacular display of natural rock arches — you can find over 2,000 arches in this small national park! Add in the vibrant red rocks, exciting hiking trails, unforgettable sunsets, and the breathtaking night sky, and you’ve got everything you need for a life-changing experience.
Whether you are a casual traveler or an avid outdoorsman, you can find adventures among the sculpted rocks of Arches National Park. It’s your turn to experience this enchanting place — it’s your turn to discover its magic.
ARCHES AT-A-GLANCE
Location: Utah
What It’s Famous For: Over 2,000 natural rock arches!
Highest Elevation You Can Reach by Road: 5,240 feet above sea level
Established: November 12, 1971 — this is national park #35
Size: 76,519 acres — this is a small national park
Crowd Levels: High, with around 1.8 million visitors each year — this is the 16th busiest national park
COMMON ARCHES TRIP PLANNING QUESTIONS
Where is Arches, and how do I get there?
Arches National Park is located in Southeast Utah. It is about 5 minutes from Moab, UT, 2 hours from Grand Junction, CO, and 4 hours from Salt Lake City, UT.
I suggest flying into Salt Lake City. In this article, I share details about the best airports and roads in the area.
Is Arches open year-round?
Arches is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — but that doesn’t mean that you’ll be able to do everything you’re hoping to do.
Learn more about the weather, hours, and common closures that may affect your trip to the park.
How many days should I spend in Arches?
You’ll want at least one full day in Arches, but if you have two, you’ll get to see a lot more!
See my recommendations for the amount of time to spend in the park, as well as how to split your time between multiple parks.
When is the best time to visit Arches?
If you’re just getting started with your Arches trip planning but are unsure of the best time to go, I’ve got you covered!
Here are my suggestions if you’re hoping to:
- Beat the crowds: November or February
- Travel during the summer: June
- Go backpacking: April or October
- Save money: February
- Have a unique adventure: December
This article provides a month-by-month breakdown of what to expect in Arches — including information on weather, closures, crowds, and which points of interest will be open.
THINGS TO DO IN ARCHES
10 Things You Can’t Miss on Your First Visit
- Balanced Rock
- The Windows
- Devils Garden
- Courthouse Wash Rock Art
- Double Arch
- Fiery Furnace
- Courthouse Towers Viewpoint
- Landscape Arch
- Park Avenue
- Delicate Arch
This popular article outlines each can’t-miss spot in Arches in great detail. You’ll learn about the important things you need to know about each stop, and driving directions are included.
The Best Things to Do In Arches:
IF YOU LOVE RANGER PROGRAMS
- Fiery Furnace
- Evening programs
- Stargazing
IN WINTER
- Hiking
- Winter activities in the LaSals
IF YOU DON’T WANT TO HIKE
- Jeeping
- Biking
- Scenic drives
IN A WHEELCHAIR
- Balanced Rock
- Ranger Programs
- The Windows
This massive list of things to do in Arches will cover any adventure you need for your group.
In addition to the items mentioned above, it also includes high adventure activities, things to do with a dog, biking, things to do with kids, best hikes, and more. There’s something for everyone!
The Best Easy Hikes
Looking for good beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, or wheelchair-friendly trail options? This list details the best hikes in Arches.
Dog-friendly Activities
Learn about all the places you can bring your dog in and around Arches.
The Devils Garden Trail Guide
The Devils Garden is Arches’ most exciting trail. Discover eight arches as you travel along the narrow rock fins of this remote area!
ARCHES ITINERARY
Do you LOVE to have a plan while traveling?
You’ve probably been spending a lot of time and money to make your trip possible. But don’t forget about the most important part — the day-to-day details!
When you get to Arches, will you have all the information you need to confidently navigate around the park and avoid the crowds?
This hour-by-hour itinerary will make sure you see the best of the park — no more research needed!
LODGING IN ARCHES
Where Should I Stay?
This article provides information on the gateway towns and lodging options in the Arches area.
All About Camping
Learn all about the campgrounds in and near Arches and how to snag a site.
GETTING AROUND ARCHES NATIONAL PARK
Cars
You can drive to all viewpoint and trailhead parking areas with your own car.
Be advised that traffic jams are common in Arches, and parking lots are almost always filled to capacity! If you’d like some help planning your day so that you can get parking without having to circle parking lots, take a look at this itinerary.
Oversized Vehicles
Arches is a challenge to navigate in an RV or bus due to its small parking areas.
Park rangers in Arches actually suggest leaving your RV in Moab or at the Arches Visitor Center because there aren’t many options for you to get out and see the park in a large vehicle. If you do not have a separate vehicle to get you around the park, you may want to consider renting a car or jeep for your time at 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!
Thanks for using the Ultimate Arches Trip Planning Guide
You may also be interested in one of these nearby national parks:
Canyonlands National Park
Zion National Park
Capitol Reef National Park
Disclosure: This Arches Trip Planning Guide may contain affiliate links, which means that (at no extra cost to you) I receive a small compensation if you make a purchase. I don’t recommend anything that I don’t personally love and use myself! Thanks for your support. — Ash