Ultimate Arches National Park Guide and Itinerary

Introduction to Arches National Park

Arches National Park is unlike anywhere we’ve ever been. Everywhere you look, there are arches, unique rock formations, and beautiful desert views with the La Sal mountain range off in the distance. Arches is home to over 2,000 natural stone arches, more than anywhere else in the world, and many of them can be seen with just a short walk, making it much more accessible than most national parks in Utah.

In this comprehensive Arches National Park guide, we’re sharing everything you need to know to help you plan an unforgettable trip to one of the most unique places in the United States.

Where is Arches National Park?

Arches National Park is located in eastern Utah, just five miles from the town of Moab. If you’re doing a Southwest road trip, it’s an easy stop between Capitol Reef and Canyonlands National Park, or a great add-on to any Utah trip.

Moab is the closest town and the perfect home base for exploring Arches. It’s full of great restaurants, shops, and scenic spots that are worth checking out while you’re in the area. We put together a full blog post on 7 breathtaking places you can’t miss in Moab, make sure to check it out if you’re planning to spend any time outside the park.

Getting to Arches National Park

Arches is one of the easiest national parks to reach in Utah, especially if you’re planning a Southwest road trip. Most travelers drive in from Salt Lake City or Grand Junction, and Arches is often combined with other popular parks like Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Bryce Canyon. We personally started all the way over in Las Vegas, but we would not recommend doing this unless you're doing a full Mighty 5 road trip.

Closest Airport to Arches National Park

The closest major airports to Arches are Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) and Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT). Salt Lake City is about a 3 hour 45 minute drive, while Grand Junction is just under 2 hours from the park entrance. There’s also a tiny regional airport in Moab, Canyonlands Field Airport (CNY), just 20 minutes from Arches, but flight options are very limited and usually a lot more expensive.

If you’re flying in, Salt Lake City is usually the best option for both price and availability. It’s a scenic drive down to Moab, and you can easily pair Arches with a visit to Utah’s other national parks or even Colorado if you’re up for a longer road trip.

Getting Around Arches National Park

Arches is one of the most drivable national parks we’ve ever visited. The main scenic road is about 25 miles long and takes you past many of the park’s most famous arches, with plenty of pull-offs, parking areas, and short trails right off the road. You don’t need a shuttle system like Zion; here, you can explore at your own pace.

There’s only one entrance and one main road in the park, so navigating is very straightforward. Once you're inside, just follow the Arches Scenic Drive, which leads to all the main viewpoints and trailheads like Delicate Arch, The Windows, and Landscape Arch.

Just keep in mind that parking can fill up fast, especially at Delicate Arch and Devils Garden. We recommend entering the park before 8:00 AM if you want to beat the crowds and grab a good spot.

While Arches doesn’t have a full shuttle system, there are a couple of services available for specific hikes, like Delicate Arch and Hidden Valley. These can be a great option during busy times if you want to avoid the parking headaches.

Do You Need Reservations to Visit Arches National Park?

Yes, but only during certain months. From April 1 through July 6 and August 28 through October 31, Arches National Park requires a timed entry reservation to access the park between 7:00 AM and 4:00 PM. These reservations are separate from your park entrance fee and must be booked in advance.

You can reserve your timed entry on Recreation.gov, and they’re released in monthly blocks; for instance, May reservations open on March 1. There’s also a limited number of next-day tickets released each day at 7:00 PM MT, which can be helpful if you missed the main window.

If you're visiting outside of the peak season, like we did, you don’t need a timed entry reservation, you can just drive right in with your park pass or entrance fee.

If you're visiting during the reservation season, keep in mind that reservations are per vehicle, not per person. You don’t need a reservation if you're entering the park before 7:00 AM or after 4:00 PM, which is a great way to avoid the crowds. If you have an America the Beautiful pass, you still need to reserve a time slot, but you won’t have to pay the entry fee, just the $2 reservation fee. Also, if you’ve booked a Fiery Furnace permit, that automatically includes your timed entry for the day.

Best Time to Visit Arches National Park

The best time to visit Arches is during spring (April–May) or fall (September–October) when the temperatures are mild and the crowds are more manageable. Summer is the most popular season, but it can get extremely hot, with temperatures regularly exceeding 100°F, which can make hiking in the middle of the day pretty miserable, especially if you’re not used to the heat.

If you visit in the off-season (November–March), you'll avoid the timed entry reservations and experience way fewer crowds. That’s when we went, and it was perfect, just keep in mind that mornings and evenings can be freezing, especially in December and January, so pack plenty of layers.

Sunrise and sunset are both amazing times to be in the park; not only is the lighting great for photos, but parking is easier, and trails are quieter.

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What to Pack for Arches National Park

Packing for Arches depends a lot on the season, but there are a few essentials you’ll want no matter when you visit. Since most of the hikes are exposed with very little shade, staying protected from the sun and hydrated is super important, especially in the summer.

Here are a few must-haves to bring with you into the park:

• Plenty of water (there are limited refill stations in the park, so it’s best to come prepared)

• Snacks or lunch (there’s no food sold inside the park, so pack what you’ll need for the day)

• Good hiking shoes (even the shorter trails are rocky and uneven)

• Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat 

• Layers (if you're visiting in the off-season, mornings and evenings can be freezing)

• Offline Google Maps (cell service is spotty or nonexistent once you’re in the park)

• Camera

• Portable charger 

• Small daypack or backpack

• Headlamp or flashlight (if you're planning to hike for sunrise or sunset)

  
  

If you want to see exactly what we pack, check out our Amazon Storefront for our go-to hiking gear and travel essentials.

Where to Stay Near Arches National Park

The best place to stay when visiting Arches is in Moab, one of the best adventure towns in the U.S. It’s the closest option by far and has a wide range of places to stay, from hotels and Airbnbs to campgrounds and RV parks.

We’ve personally stayed at both WorldMark Moab and La Quinta Inn & Suites Moab, and would happily stay at either one again. Both had great locations, were super clean, and had everything we needed for a few days of exploring the parks.

If you’re planning to spend more time in the area, don’t miss our blog on the 7 breathtaking places you can’t miss in Moab, it really has some of the most scenic spots in all of Utah.

Best Camping in Arches National Park

There’s only one campground inside Arches:

• Devils Garden Campground: Located 18 miles from the entrance, this is the only official campground within the park. It’s open year-round but requires reservations from March through October. Campsites include picnic tables, grills, and flush toilets, but there are no hookups for RVs and no showers available. Reserve your Devil’s Garden Campground Campsite here.

If Devils Garden is fully booked, here are a few nearby camping alternatives:

• BLM Campgrounds Near Moab: There are tons of BLM campgrounds along Highway 128 and Kane Creek Road. These are first-come, first-served and often cheaper, but have minimal amenities.

• Dead Horse Point State Park Campgrounds: Just a 45-minute drive from Arches, these campgrounds are in a beautiful setting with electric hookups and nice bathrooms. Reserve your Dead Horse Point State Park Campground here.

• RV Parks in Moab: Places like Sun Outdoors Arches Gateway and OK RV Park offer full hookups, showers, laundry, and more, it’s a great option if you’re traveling in a campervan or RV.

View in Dead Horse Point State Park

How Many Days to Spend in Arches National Park

You can see a lot of Arches in just one day, but if you want to hike a few trails and take your time, one to two days is the perfect amount. The park is super accessible, and many of the top viewpoints are right off the main road, which makes it really easy to cover the highlights without needing a full weekend.

We spent one full day here and were able to hike to Delicate Arch, The Windows, Double Arch, and make a few more stops with no problem. If you want to hike some of the longer or less popular trails (like Tower Arch or the Fiery Furnace), having that second day gives you a bit more flexibility, especially if you’re trying to avoid mid-day crowds or catch sunrise/sunset at different spots.

If you're short on time, you can definitely do a half-day drive-through and still see some amazing views. But if you love photography, hiking, or just want a more relaxed pace, we’d recommend spending at least one full day inside the park.

Best Things to Do in Arches National Park

Once you enter Arches, it doesn’t take long before you start getting amazing views. Some of the most famous arches are just a few steps from the parking lot, while others require a short hike or a little extra effort. 

Here are some of the best things to do in Arches that we personally recommend:

Delicate Arch

If you only do one hike in Arches, make it this one. It’s the most famous arch in the park (and on Utah’s license plate), and seeing it in person is even more impressive than the photos. The hike is about 3 miles round trip and moderately challenging, especially if you’re doing it in the heat. If you’re able to, go for sunset, it’s one of our all-time favorite sunset hikes.

The Windows & Turret Arch

This is one of the most scenic and accessible areas in the park. It’s a short loop trail that takes you to the North and South Windows, with a trail leading to Turret Arch, so you get to see three arches on one short trail.

Double Arch

Double Arch is located just across the parking lot from The Windows. This arch is massive and has a unique shape with two arches that share the same base. The trail is only 0.6 miles round trip, and you can walk right underneath of the arch!

Balanced Rock

This is a quick stop right off the main road. It looks exactly like it sounds, a giant boulder somehow balancing on a narrow rock. The loop trail is easy and gives you a few different angles to see it from.

If you want to see what a full day in Arches National Park looks like, make sure to check out our YouTube video on how to see Arches National Park in 1 day. We filmed our favorite stops, hikes, and views to help you plan your own trip!

1-Day Arches National Park Itinerary

Arches is one of the few national parks you can explore in just one day without feeling rushed, especially if you start early. This itinerary hits all the main highlights and ends with the most popular spot in the park: Delicate Arch at sunset.

Start your morning at the Windows section, the loop trail here takes you to North and South Window Arches, with a quick detour to Turret Arch. The lighting is beautiful in the morning, and it’s a great area to explore before the crowds start coming in. While you're in the area, walk across the parking lot to Double Arch; it's a quick and easy stop and feels completely different from the other formations within the park.

From there, make your way to Balanced Rock; it’s a short walk, but the view is worth the stop. Afterward, drive to the end of the scenic road and head out on the short trail to Landscape Arch. This part of the park is a bit quieter in the middle of the day and gives you a chance to slow down. If you packed lunch, this is a great time to eat and relax before finishing out the day.

In the afternoon, you’ll have some time to either explore a few bonus spots, like Sand Dune Arch or Skyline Arch, or head back into Moab for a break. If you're doing the Delicate Arch hike for sunset, just make sure you're back at the trailhead about two hours before. The trail is just under 3 miles round trip and leads to the most iconic view in the park. Sunset here is something special, and it’s the perfect way to end your day at Arches.

Final Thoughts on Visiting Arches National Park

Arches National Park is one of our favorite national parks in the U.S. Whether you’re doing a full Utah road trip or just passing through Moab, spending a day here is 100% worth it. The hikes are short, the views are amazing, and the landscapes are so unique.

If you're still planning your route, make sure to check out our downloadable Southern Utah Road Trip Guide; it’s 39 pages packed with stops to add along the way, clickable maps, and 3 different route options. We also put together an Ultimate Zion National Park Guide and Itinerary if you’re adding that park to your trip (which we highly recommend).

And if you’re basing yourself in Moab for a few days, don’t miss our blog on the 7 breathtaking places you can’t miss in Moab, it's full of hidden gems and scenic stops that pair perfectly with your visit to Arches.

Southern Utah Roadtrip Guide

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Are dogs allowed in Arches National Park?

Pets are allowed in the park, but they’re not allowed on any trails. They’re only permitted in parking lots, campgrounds, and along paved roads.

Is there cell service in Arches National Park?

Can you fly a drone in Arches National Park?

Can you see the Milky Way in Arches National Park?

Are there restrooms in Arches National Park?