Plan Your Visit to Arches National Park
This Arches National Park travel guide helps you plan a first visit without spending hours figuring out what is actually worth your vacation time. More than 2,000 natural stone arches fill the park, along with sandstone fins, towering rock formations, narrow passages, balanced rocks, and some surprisingly easy trails that lead to incredible views.
You will find what not to miss, where to stay, when to visit, and the practical details you need before you arrive. I’ve also included the experiences that make Arches memorable, from watching the sunset at Delicate Arch and walking beneath Double Arch to squeezing through the Fiery Furnace and driving through the park after dark to see the stars.
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Arches National Park at a Glance
Location: 5 miles north of Moab, Utah
How many days: 1–2 days for a first visit
Best time to visit: Spring and fall
Best place to stay: Moab
Don’t miss: Delicate Arch, Double Arch, The Windows, Landscape Arch, Balanced Rock, and Park Avenue
Best scenic drive: Arches Scenic Drive
Best sunset: Delicate Arch
Best easy stops: Balanced Rock, The Windows, Double Arch, and Sand Dune Arch
Good to know: There is no lodging or food service inside the park
Reservations: No timed-entry reservation is required in 2026, but reservations are required for Devils Garden Campground and Fiery Furnace hikes
Arches National Park Travel Guide
Top 10 Things to Do in Arches National Park
1. Hike to Delicate Arch for sunset
2. Walk beneath Double Arch
3. Explore the North and South Windows and Turret Arch
4. Hike to Landscape Arch in Devils Garden
5. Photograph Balanced Rock
6. Walk the Park Avenue Trail between towering sandstone walls
7. Squeeze through the narrow passage to Sand Dune Arch
8. Explore the Fiery Furnace on a permitted or ranger-led hike
9. Drive Arches Scenic Drive and stop at the overlooks
10. Stay after dark for stargazing in this International Dark Sky Park
Where is Arches National Park
Arches National Park is located in southeastern Utah five miles north of Moab on US 191. The closest major airport is Grand Junction, Colorado. There is no public transportation inside Arches National Park.
Facts About Arches National Park
- This area became a national monument in 1929 and a national park in 1971.
- An opening with 3 feet in any direction is considered an arch. Arches National Park has the highest density of arches in the world, there are over 2,000.
- Forty-three arches are known to have collapsed since 1977.
- Landscape Arch is the longest arch on the continent and the fourth-longest in the world. This arch is unstable and could collapse at any moment, visit soon.
- Delicate Arch is 46 feet high and 32 feet wide. Delicate Arch is the most famous arch in the park and in the world. It is on the Utah license plates and has been on a postage stamp. Also, the Winter Olympics torch was passed through the arch in 2002.
- The opening of the Double Arch is 112 feet, and it spans 144 feet. Double Arch was the setting of a scene in an Indiana Jones movie.
- There are 64 arches in Devil’s Garden.
- Balanced Rock weighs approximately 3,577 tons.
- Arches National Park became a certified International Dark Sky Park in 2019.
- Scenes from Thelma and Louise were filmed at Arches.
Best Time of Year to Visit Arches National Park
Summer is hot and crowded. Expect temperatures over 100 with little to no shade. Winter temperatures may be below freezing and snow is possible. Spring and fall bring moderate temperatures and fewer crowds. Wildflowers bloom April to July.
Accommodation in Arches National Park
There is no lodging inside the park. Devils Garden Campground is the park’s only campground; reservations for the 51 sites are available at Recreation.gov. Backcountry overnight permits are available at the visitor center. There are additional campsites, hotels, and vacation rentals are located in Moab
Plan Your Arches National Park Itinerary
Things to Do at Arches National Park
- Take the 18-mile Arches Scenic Drive to the Devils Garden stopping at the viewpoints on the way.
- Photograph Balanced Rock and Skyline Arch.
- Take the Salt Valley Road to Tower Arch.
- Spend the day canyoneering in the Fiery Furnace labyrinth of narrow sandstone passages, permit required.
- Do some rock climbing in the Garden of Eden.
- Check out the 1900s Wolfe Ranch.
- Attend a ranger lead stargazing program.
- Check the Arches National Park Service for current events.
Arches National Park Hikes
- Check out Sand Dune Arch and Broken Arch, .3 mile RT.
- See North and South Windows and the Turret Arch on the 1.0-mile RT Windows Trail.
- Take the 1.1-mile RT Cove of Caves trail past the Parade of Elephants to the Double Arch.
- Hike 1.6 miles RT to Landscape Arch, then turn the other way and check out Tunnel Arch and Pine Tree Arch.
- Take the 2 miles RT Park Avenue Trail through sandstone monoliths to Courthouse Towers.
- Explore the 2.6-mile loop that links together Sand Arch, Broken Arch, and Tapestry Arch.
- Hike 2.6 miles RT to Tower Arch.
- Watch the sunset at Delicate Arch, 3.2 miles RT.
- Hike 4.9 miles RT to Dark Angel or 5.2 miles RT to Tower Arch.
- 7.9-mile loop of the Devil’s Garden.
- Take a ranger-led hike through the Fiery Furnace maze.
One Day in Arches National Park
Sunrise: The Windows and Turret Arch
Drive straight to the Windows for sunrise. Find a spot near Turret Arch, then visit the North and South Windows. Be sure to photograph Turret Arch through the North Window.
Early Morning: Double Arch
Cross the parking lot and walk to Double Arch, passing the Parade of Elephants along the way.
Morning: Balanced Rock and Devils Garden
Stop to photograph Balanced Rock and Skyline Arch on the drive to Devils Garden. Hike 1.6 miles round trip to Landscape Arch, then add Tunnel Arch and Pine Tree Arch.
Late Morning: Sand Dune Arch
Walk through the narrow sandstone passage to Sand Dune Arch while there is still shade. Continue to Broken Arch if you have the time and energy.
Midday: Scenic Drive and Picnic
Spend the hottest part of the day driving the scenic road, stopping at viewpoints, and eating a picnic lunch. There are no restaurants inside Arches National Park.
Late Afternoon: Park Avenue
Walk the Park Avenue Trail between the towering sandstone formations as the temperature begins to cool.
Sunset: Delicate Arch
Finish your day with the 3.2-mile round-trip hike to Delicate Arch for sunset. It will likely be crowded, so allow plenty of time for the hike and parking. If you don’t want to make the full hike, stop at the Upper Delicate Arch Viewpoint instead.
Tips for Visiting Arches National Park
- Arrive early. Parking at trailheads often fills before 7:30 am resulting in restricted access for 3-5 hours.
- You are not permitted to park off-road. If the lot is full, move on to the next location.
- Use the restroom before you arrive and expect traffic congestion between March and October.
- Drink at least 1 gallon of water per day in the desert climate.
- There are no food services, pack a picnic lunch and snacks.
- Cell service is inconsistent, download offline maps.
- There is no public WiFi at Arches.
- Wear layers, temperatures change quickly in the desert.
- There are no services in Arches, fill the tank before arriving.
- Pets are not allowed at overlooks, on or off hiking trails, or in the visitor center.
- Avoid hiking during the middle of the day during the summer months.
- Look for cairns (small rock piles) marking trails of slick rock. Do not move them or make your own.
- Stay on trails, and do not destroy the area’s cryptobiotic crust.
- Sandstone crumbles and is dangerous. It is easier to climb up than down, be careful.
- You may not climb on arches.
- Be alert for rattlesnakes.
- Most climbing routes are closed from March through August to allow raptors to breed.
- Bicycles and e-bikes are allowed on paved and unpaved roads that are open to the public and ride single file.
- Backcountry roads are not passable after rain.
- ATVs and off-roading are prohibited at Arches.
- Check the Park Calendar for Ranger-Led Programs.
- Practice Leave No Trace Principles.
- Purchase an America the Beautiful Pass and keep exploring National Parks.
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