Est. 1971 | Utah | 76,678 acres

With over 2,000 arches and still counting, Arches National Park holds the greatest concentration of naturally occurring arches in the world. From the famous Delicate Arch to the more obscure Double O Arch, visitors enjoy navigating a mind-bending maze of twists and turns through sandstone spires and fins on a hunt to locate these iconic landmarks. Powerful erosive forces of ice, water and wind not only disintegrate these fragile arches, but also gives rise to new arches in a constantly changing landscape.

Arches National Park is conveniently located just outside of Moab, Utah. About 4 miles north of town off Highway 191, the park’s only entrance switchbacks up to a mesa top that opens up to the rest of the park. The park’s only visitor center and only guaranteed supply of drinking water is located just inside the entrance at the foot of the switchbacks.

Beyond the visitor center, the northbound, 18-mile, out-and-back paved road, dubbed Main Park Road, winds through red rock country with many roadside views and pull offs. At roughly 9 miles, the first of two offshoots takes visitors to the Windows Section of the park, notable for its Window Arches, Double Arch and Turret Arch. 2.5 miles further along Main Park Road, the second offshoot leads to Wolfe Ranch and Delicate Arch. And the remaining 6 miles of Main Park Road dead ends at Devils Garden, a jackpot of arches including the world’s longest arch, Landscape Arch. Several unpaved and four-wheel drive roads also spur off of Main Park Road, leading to remote wilderness and some scattered arch formations. These routes are reserved only for high-clearance 4WD vehicles or UTVs as the sand washes can strand low-clearance 2WD cars.

Must-see highlights in Arches

1. Delicate Arch—It may seem cliche, but it is most certainly worth the visit. Unlike some national park attractions, Delicate Arch is always more impressive in person than a photograph. A 1.5 mile trail guides hikers up over 500 feet to the incredible 45-foot tall freestanding Delicate Arch. Unlike anything in the world, Delicate Arch is flanked by red rock bluffs and a backdrop of the La Sal Mountains. Visit early for sunrise alpenglow and fewer crowds, since sunset is a popular time to view the arch. Bring a headlamp for dawn and dusk as the trail traverses a steep drop-off in several areas.
2. Double Arch—In the Windows Section of the park Double Arch is an impressive sight. A mere half-mile from the parking lot, visitors can walk right up and under the two spanning arms of Double Arch, a rare feature of the park.
3. Double O Arch—A somewhat longer hike, Devils Garden Trail leads 2 miles back to Double O Arch, a perfectly round arch like a hobbit door sitting directly above another equally round hole in the rock. Further back along the trail system, this arch is not as busy and just as striking as the main arch attractions of other park sections. Tucked away in a maze of rock fins, this hike is perfect for late-morning hiking as the rock walls offer ample shade along the trail. Consider hiking the full 4-mile loop to view other arches in addition to Double O Arch.
4. Landscape Arch—Also in Devils Garden, Landscape Arch is accessed via a mile stroll from the parking lot along Devils Garden Trail. Though not difficult to reach, the arch is worth visiting for significance. At 306 long, Landscape Arch is the longest spanning natural stone arch in the world. A portion of the arch fell most recently in 1991 leaving the rock only 6 feet thick at its thinnest point. Natural processes may soon erode this arch completely.
5. Petroglyph Panel—A wayside cultural attraction, Petroglyph Panel at Wolfe Ranch is worth the stop en route to Delicate Arch. Depictions of a horseback riders amidst bighorn sheep give reason to believe these petroglyphs were created in the 1600s by Ute Native Americans after the introduction of horses to the region by European settlers.

Best time to visit Arches

Spring and fall are easily the best times to visit Arches. Desert temperatures are tolerable, though expect to run into crowds as these mark the park’s busiest times.

• Spring (April to May): With snow subsiding in March, temperatures are comfortable, typically ranging from 50°F to 80°F (10°C to 27°C), and the desert flora is blooming, adding extra beauty to the landscape. Park timed entry reservations are required April through early-July.
• Summer (June to August): With temperatures often exceeding 100°F (38°C) during the day, crowds die down considerably. June sees the least amount of precipitation making for clear sunrises and sunsets, but also creating a dry dusty hiking environment. Bring plenty of water if venturing farther than 1 mile from parking lots.
• Fall (September to October): As temperatures cool back down, ranging from 60°F to 75°F (16°C to 24°C), crowds pick back up. Similar to spring, these temperatures create ideal hiking conditions. Historically, August, September and October see the most rainfall, though in the desert that is only an average of 1 inch per month.
• Winter (November to March): Winter transforms the park. A blanket of snow cloaks the arches in white casting a different experience altogether. With fewer visitors, this season boasts quiet trails and lower lodging prices, but temperatures can drop below freezing, and some trails might be icy or inaccessible due to snow.

How long should I visit Arches?

To get the most out of Arches in the least amount of time, consider spending 2–3 days here—one day to explore the Windows Section and Delicate Arch, one day to explore Devils Garden and an optional final day to venture off the beaten path in search of remote sections, like Fiery Furnace or Klondike Bluffs. Arches is most gorgeous at sunrise and sunset when golden hour light ignites the rock like hot iron. For this reason, you can easily spend multiple days catching the fading light at various landmarks and still leave wanting more time in the park.

Getting to Arches

Near the Utah-Colorado border, Arches lies just over 25 miles south of Interstate 70 on Highway 191, 5 miles north of Moab, Utah. For those flying from afar, Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT) in Grand Junction, Colorado is the closest airport 110 miles east, however cheaper, direct flights are most likely available at Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), 230 miles away.

Where to stay in Arches

Lodging—There is no hotel-style lodging within the park boundaries, however plenty of hotels, resorts and vacation rentals lie in the nearby town of Moab, Utah.

Campgrounds—Arches National Park only hosts 1 campground within its boundaries, at the end of Main Park Road. This campground has seasonal drinking water March–October.

• Devils Garden Campground—51 sites (RV and tent), open year-round

When should I book?

With only 51 sites available, the campground is typically completely full during peak visitation months in spring and fall. Consider booking as early as 6 months in advance to guarantee a spot. However, the occasional site can open up a month out from booking if your plans are flexible. From November through February, all campsites are first come, first served as demand is not as high in the winter.

To mitigate traffic in spring and fall, timed entry reservations are required April–June and September–October between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. If you do not reserve a timed entry pass, make sure to enter the park before 7 a.m. and do not leave until 4 p.m. Otherwise you will not be able to reenter.

How much should I budget?

A 3-day trip to Arches booked 6 months in advance can cost roughly $800–$1,000 depending on your required needs. Here is a range of what to expect:

Roundtrip Airfare to Salt Lake City	$200–$300
Car Rental	$90–$120/day (not including taxes/fees)
Campsite	$25/night (not including taxes/fees)
Hotels	$120–$250/night
Meals	$10–$20/meal
Entrance Fee	$35/vehicle for 7 days

Packing list for Arches

Each park requires different gear for its unique characteristics. For Arches National Park, we wouldn’t want to be caught without hiking shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, layered clothing, and a water bottle.

Want to learn more? Check out our detailed trip report for a peek into our trip to Arches.

For more detailed information on Arches National Park, visit the official park website.