Rocky Mountain Region
ARCHES NATIONAL PARK
Welcome to Arches National Park, a breathtaking desert wonderland located in eastern Utah. Home to more than 2,000 documented natural stone arches, towering sandstone fins, balanced rocks, and dramatic red rock landscapes, the park contains one of the most remarkable concentrations of geological features found anywhere in the world. Situated just north of Moab, Arches showcases millions of years of geologic processes that transformed ancient sand dunes into a landscape unlike any other. Whether you are hiking to the iconic Delicate Arch, exploring the maze of formations in Devils Garden, photographing the Milky Way above sandstone arches, or simply enjoying the views from the scenic park road, Arches offers unforgettable experiences for visitors of all interests and ability levels. Although relatively small compared to many western national parks, Arches packs an extraordinary amount of scenery into a compact area. It is often the first stop on a Utah road trip and, for many visitors, the park that sparks a lifelong love of America’s national parks.
Did You Know?
- Arches National Park contains more than 2,000 documented natural stone arches, the highest concentration found anywhere in the world.
- Delicate Arch is one of the most recognizable natural landmarks in the United States and appears on Utah license plates.
- The sandstone formations visible today began as ancient sand dunes more than 300 million years ago.
- Despite its desert environment, the park supports a surprising variety of wildlife, including bighorn sheep, mule deer, and more than 270 bird species.
My Personal Experience
Arches was my very first National Park – ever. I was 25 years old and had just graduated from university. I always wanted to visit the United States but after speaking many times with one of my Mom’s second cousin who had travelled to the States several times, I was determined to visit the Southwest and the National Parks. Determination became reality on July 2, 2001. A young men born and raised in a small German village found himself on a US Airways flight from Frankfurt, Germany to Pittsburgh, PA and later that day on a connecting flight to Denver, CO. Four weeks of road trip laid ahead of me and Arches was the first destination. It took me a day to drive from Denver, CO to Moab, UT. I was struck with awe. The pictures I had seen were amazing, but being there was another level. July 4, 2001, America’s 225th birthday, became the day I fell in love with the National Parks. Equipped with an old pair of sneakers, a buddy’s SLR camera and 20+ rolls of slide film, I started my journey (I did not know back then that my journey would become a quest to see all the parks). The red desert landscape, azure skies, almost unlimited trails to explore were captivating.
Basic Facts
Address:
Arches National Park
Arches Entrance Road
Moab, UT 84523
Operation Hours and Seasons:
The park is generally open 24 hours a day, year-round.
Visitors:
1.8 million per year (2022)
Entrance Fees:
- Private Vehicle – $30.00 admits one private, non-commercial vehicle and all its occupants
- Per Person – $15.00
Website:
nps.gov/arch
Map:
nps.gov/arch/planyourvisit/maps.htm
Additional Information:
For additional local information, visit discovermoab.com
Important Note
Arches National Park piloted a timed entry system:
From April 1 to October 31, you are required to have a timed entry ticket in addition to paying the park entrance fee or having a parks pass. No worries, it’s an easy three step process:
Step 1 – secure your timed entry reservation online at recreation.gov
Step 2 – get your parks pass or pay the entrance fee
Step 3 – enjoy your visit
The system was lifted for the entire 2026 season. Visitor should check the park’s website for the most recent regulations.
Best Time to Visit
Spring and fall are generally considered the best times to visit Arches National Park. Temperatures are comfortable, hiking conditions are ideal, and the park’s red rock formations are particularly beautiful in the softer light of these seasons.
Summer can be extremely hot, with temperatures frequently exceeding 100°F. Visitors should plan outdoor activities for early morning or late afternoon and carry plenty of water.
Winter offers a completely different experience. Crowds are much smaller, and occasional snowfall can create spectacular contrasts between red sandstone and white snow.
Recommended Time
1 Day: Spend the day driving the Arches Scenic Drive and visiting the park’s most famous landmarks, including Park Avenue, Balanced Rock, The Windows, Double Arch, and Delicate Arch. If time permits, stay for sunset at Delicate Arch or another scenic viewpoint.
2-3 Days: The ideal amount of time for most visitors. Explore the major viewpoints, hike several trails, photograph the park during sunrise and sunset, and venture farther into Devils Garden.
Getting There
The closest town is Moab, Utah. From Moab, drive north on US 191 for five miles.
Weather
The weather in Arches National Park varies significantly throughout the year.
- Spring (March to May): 60s °F (15-20°C) to 80s °F (25-30°C). Springtime brings occasional rain showers. It’s a good time for hiking as the temperatures are moderate.
- Summer (June to August): 90s to 100s °F (32-38°C). It’s hot and dry, so staying hydrated is crucial. Trails can be challenging due to the intense heat, but early mornings or evenings can be good for exploration.
- Fall (September to November): 60s °F (15-20°C) to 80s °F (25-30°C). Days are generally clear and pleasant. Fall is a popular time to visit due to milder temperatures.
- Winter (December to February): 30s to 50s °F (0-15°C). Nights often drop below freezing. Snow is possible but not frequent. Trails might be icy. Crowds are minimal during this time.
Arches National Park experiences extreme temperature fluctuations between day and night throughout the year. It’s advisable to check the specific weather forecast before planning a trip and to be prepared for sudden changes in weather conditions.
Hiking
Arches National Park has a variety of hiking trails that cater to different skill levels and interests. Here are some recommended hikes:
Easy:
- The Windows – 1 mile round trip: A gentle climb up a gravel loop trail leads to three massive arches.
- Landscape Arch – 1.6 miles round trip: Start in the Devils Garden trailhead parking area. A relatively flat trail leads to a spectacular arch whose span is more than a football field in length.
Moderate:
- Park Avenue – 1 mile one way: The trail descends from the Park Avenue parking area steeply into a spectacular canyon and continues down the wash to Courthouse Towers. For round-trip hiking, please do not walk along the park road for your return trip.
Strenuous:
- Double Arch Trail – 0.5 miles round trip: A short and easy trail that leads to two magnificent arches, Double Arch is a favorite among families and photographers. The arches are particularly photogenic during early morning and late afternoon.
- Delicate Arch Trail – 3 miles round trip: This is one of the most popular trails in the park, leading to the iconic Delicate Arch. The hike offers stunning views of the arch and surrounding landscapes. The best time to photograph Delicate Arch is during sunset when the warm hues of the setting sun light up the rock.
- Devils Garden Trail – 7.2 miles loop: For a more challenging experience, try the Devils Garden Trail that takes you to several arches, including Landscape Arch, the longest natural stone arch in the world.
- Fiery Furnace – length varies: This is a unique hiking experience that requires a permit and ranger-led tour due to its maze-like, narrow passages. The tour provides insight into the park’s delicate ecosystem and ancient geology.
Scenic Drives
- Arches Scenic Drive: The park’s primary road extends approximately 18 miles from the entrance to Devils Garden and provides access to nearly all major attractions. Numerous pullouts and viewpoints allow visitors to appreciate the park’s remarkable geology without extensive hiking.
- Salt Valley Road: A primitive four-wheel-drive route that provides access to more remote areas of the park. Suitable only for properly equipped vehicles and experienced drivers.
- Willow Springs Road: Located outside the park boundary, this scenic route offers excellent views of the surrounding red rock landscape and provides an alternative approach to the Moab area.
Best Viewpoints
- Delicate Arch Viewpoint: Offers distant views of the park’s most famous arch and serves as an alternative for visitors unable to complete the full Delicate Arch hike.
- The Windows Section: One of the most accessible and rewarding areas in the park, featuring North Window, South Window, Turret Arch, and Double Arch.
- Park Avenue: Provides a dramatic introduction to the park’s towering sandstone walls and monoliths.
- La Sal Mountains Viewpoint: One of the best locations to appreciate the contrast between the desert landscape and the snow-capped La Sal Mountains.
- Devils Garden: Home to several spectacular arches and some of the park’s finest scenery.
Wildlife Viewing
Although most visitors come for the geology, Arches supports a diverse desert ecosystem. Wildlife viewing opportunities are abundant throughout the park. Visitors frequently encounter mule deer, elk, and bighorn sheep, while coyotes and foxes are occasionally seen in more remote areas. Early morning and evening generally provide the best wildlife viewing opportunities, particularly during the spring and fall months.
Photography
Arches National Park is one of the premier landscape photography destinations in North America.
- Sunrise Photography: Many of the park’s formations glow with deep red and orange colors shortly after sunrise. The Windows Section, Balanced Rock, and Park Avenue are particularly rewarding morning locations.
- Sunset Photography: Delicate Arch is the most famous sunset destination in the park. The warm evening light often creates dramatic color contrasts across the sandstone formations.
- Night Photography: As an International Dark Sky Park, Arches offers excellent opportunities for astrophotography. The Milky Way can often be photographed above iconic formations such as Delicate Arch and Balanced Rock.
- Landscape Photography: The combination of arches, fins, balanced rocks, and distant mountain ranges creates endless compositional opportunities throughout the park.
- Seasonal Opportunities: Winter storms occasionally dust the red rocks with snow, creating some of the most unique photographic conditions in the Southwest.
Consider the following features as fine starting points
| Early Morning | Late Afternoon |
| Moab Fault | Park Avenue |
| The Three Gossips | Courthouse Towers |
| Sheep Rock | Petrified Dunes |
| The Great Wall | Balanced Rock |
| Turret Arch | The Garden of Eden |
| The Spectacles | North and South Windows |
| Double Arch | Delicate Arch |
| Cache Valley | Fiery Furnace |
| Wolfe Ranch | Skyline Arch |
| Landscape Arch | Fins in Devils Garden |
| Double O Arch | Tower Arch |
Horseback Riding
Experience the beauty of Arches National Park from a different perspective by exploring its trails on horseback. Horses are generally permitted in the park, though there are some restrictions on their use. Note that horseback riding and pack animal use is restricted to day-use only. Use is also permitted on all designated four-wheel roads. Travel in roadless areas is confined to the wash bottoms. Please check the park’s website for details: www.nps.gov/arch/planyourvisit/horsebackriding.htm.
There are also guided horseback tours available outside the park, which offer a unique and leisurely way to discover the rugged landscape and stunning arches.
General Aviation
Closest airport with reliable rental car options is ground transportation and most convenient for visiting Arches is
Canyonlands Field Airport (KCNY) in Moab, UT:
- Approximately 18 miles from the park entrance
- Longest runway: 7,360 feet
- 100LL available
- Excellent choice for pilots visiting Arches and Canyonlands
A useful alternative with additional services is
Grand Junction Regional Airport (KGJT) in Grand Junction, CO:
- Approximately 110 miles from the park
- Longest runway: 10,501 feet
- 100LL available
Pilots flying into the Moab area should carefully consider density altitude during the summer months, particularly during afternoon operations. Mountainous terrain surrounds much of the region, and gusty winds or localized turbulence are not uncommon. Afternoon thunderstorms can also develop quickly during the monsoon season, making preflight planning especially important.
Nearby Attractions
- Canyonlands National Park: Located immediately adjacent to Arches, Canyonlands protects vast canyon systems carved by the Colorado and Green Rivers. Many visitors explore both parks during the same trip.
- Dead Horse Point State Park: Offers one of the most spectacular overlooks in the American Southwest and is famous for its panoramic views of the Colorado River.
- Moab: The adventure capital of southeastern Utah, offering lodging, restaurants, outfitters, rafting trips, and mountain biking opportunities.
- Colorado River: Popular for rafting, kayaking, scenic drives, and photography.
- Manti-La Sal National Forest: Provides a dramatic contrast to the desert environment with alpine scenery, forests, and cooler temperatures.
Important Tips
- Reserve Timed Entry Early (not applicable for the 2026 season): Timed-entry reservations are required during much of the peak season. Secure your reservation before arriving in Moab.
- Carry More Water Than You Think You Need: The desert climate can quickly lead to dehydration, particularly during summer.
- Start Early: Popular trailheads and parking areas fill quickly. Early mornings also provide cooler temperatures and better photography conditions.
- Protect Cryptobiotic Soil: The dark, crusty soil found throughout the park is a living ecosystem that may take decades to recover from a single footprint. Stay on designated trails and rock surfaces.
- Watch the Weather: Flash floods, lightning, and sudden storms can occur throughout the year.
- Fuel Up in Moab: There are no fuel stations inside the park.
- Stay After Sunset: Many visitors leave before dark and miss some of the best photography and stargazing opportunities in the Southwest.
Arches National Park is one of the most recognizable landscapes in the American West. Its concentration of arches, fins, balanced rocks, and towering sandstone formations creates a landscape that feels almost otherworldly. Whether you spend a few hours exploring the viewpoints along the scenic drive or several days hiking the park’s extensive trail system, Arches leaves a lasting impression. For me, Arches will always be special because it was my first national park. It introduced me to the beauty of the American Southwest and ultimately started a journey that became a quest to visit all of America’s national parks. More than two decades later, I still remember standing beneath those red rock formations on America’s 225th birthday and realizing that the reality was even more impressive than the photographs. I hope your visit inspires the same sense of wonder and adventure. Enjoy your time in Arches National Park and take plenty of pictures. You are visiting one of the most extraordinary landscapes on Earth.
