Table of Contents
The first time you climb the narrow trail and round the corner to Delicate Arch, you’ll understand why people travel from all over the world to experience Arches National Park. Staggeringly taller than you may picture, Delicate Arch stands proud against the red rock scenery with a sloping cliff adding to the jaw-dropping beauty. You’ll find yourself asking how something so unique could ever exist.
As impactful an experience visiting Delicate Arch can be, visiting this arch only scratches the surface of all the beauty you can find in this park. There are so many impressive features to uncover, and you get to discover them one by one.
This comprehensive Arches National Park guide will take you through the must do’s and see’s of the park so you can create your ideal Moab to Arches itinerary. Here is everything you need to know before you visit Arches National Park!
What is Arches National Park?
Arches National Park is world-famous for views and scenery completely unique to this corner of the globe. With over 2,000 recorded arches in and around this national park, visitors have several chances to witness the confounding, gravity-defying rock features that make this area so special. From peekaboo holes to majestic bridges to the famous Delicate Arch you can find on the Utah license plate, this park has several one-of-a-kind views.
History of Arches National Park
The beauty of Arches National Park dates back about 65 million years, with the erosion process that formed these unique sandstone arches. The area was once a seabed, where water, ice and wind all created the unique formations we see today.
Thousands of years ago, the first humans to call this area home were the Paleo-Indians, whose petroglyphs and artifacts we still find and study today. During the 18th and 19th centuries, Spanish missionaries, then explorers, trappers, settlers, and eventually ranchers and miners, also sought out the unique beauty of the area. With all of the interest in the area, it became federally recognized and protected as a national monument in 1929, later to be upgraded to a national park in 1971.
Best Candidates for Visiting Arches National Park
Arches National Park is a widely welcoming national park with many iconic sights visible by car. That makes this park an exciting and accessible excursion for people of all abilities. Several thousand families, couples, and friends travel worldwide to see the unique features of the park.
The Arches experience is especially great for groups who:
- want to camp in the middle of the national park beauty
- want to explore national park views from a paved road, by car, or by bike
- want to try several short hikes with easy-to-reach views
- want to be close to a town for amenities
Why Visit Arches National Park?
Over 2000 Arches
Arches National Park has over 2,000 recorded arches to discover, and each one is unique. Delicate Arch is undoubtedly the most famous arch in the world, nestled right in the heart of the park. But there is also Landscape Arch, one of the longest natural stone arches in the world, spanning 306 feet, or Double Arch, which is two giant arches connected at one end.
While Delicate Arch is absolutely a must-see view, it’s not the only view in the park. You could spend a whole week here and still not see everything!
Lots of Options for Relatively Easy Hikes
One of the great things about Arches National Park is its hikes and views that are doable for many levels of hiking ability. You can create a full day of fun driving from one small hike to the next, seeing fantastic views of the remarkable rock formations.
For example, the hike to Balanced Rock, a confounding formation of a rock balancing on a narrow formation, is only a .3-mile loop. The Windows and Turret Arch, a 2-for-1 view, is an easy 1-mile loop. Double Arch is a 0.5-mile loop for some of the best formation views in the park.
That’s not even to mention all the formations and views you see before getting out of the car!
Beautiful Rock Formations
Arches aren’t the only formations to look out for in Arches National Park. With towering spires, sheer rock faces, petrified dunes, exquisite hoodoos, and many other confounding shapes, your eyes will have many diverse scenes. These shapes, colors, features, sizes and textures come together to create a landscape unlike any other.
Many Outdoor Activities
Arches National Park is for the adventurer! You can experience this area by car, foot, road bike, mountain bike, or climbing rope. And when you’re done with the day’s adventure, you can sit in a cozy campsite with all the rock features keeping you company while you stargaze.
In Close Proximity to Other Fun Areas
Only about 5 miles from Moab, Arches National Park is conveniently located near other hot spots in Southern Utah. You can plan your trip to Arches NP and easily include Canyonlands National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park, or even Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Capitol Reef.
Things To Know Before You Visit Arches National Park
Where is Arches?
Arches is about 5 miles from downtown Moab, making Moab to Arches National Park an easy and convenient trip. Moab and Arches are located in Southern Utah, about 4.5 hours from Salt Lake City, UT, and 2 hours to Grand Junction, CO.
Arches Requires a Reservation
Arches requires a reservation during specific high-traffic months and times. We recommend always checking for a timed entrance option before heading to the park for a seamless entrance.
How Much Time Does it Take to Visit Arches?
The best of Arches National Park can be enjoyed in a single day, but we highly recommend taking your time to enjoy the area. There is a lot to see, and some of the hidden gem areas are just as special as the iconic views. We recommend at least two full days to see Arches National Park in all its glory.
How Much Does it Cost to Visit Arches?
As of 2024, the entrance fee for Arches National Park is $35 per vehicle or $20 per person for a 7-day pass. Annual passes are available for $70, and the America the Beautiful Pass, which covers all federal lands, is $80.
When is the Best Time to Visit Arches?
Arches NP is in a desert, so extreme temperature fluctuations throughout the year are something to be aware of! In winter, it can be cold enough to get snow. In summer, the temps can be well over 100 degrees. Late spring and early fall are wonderful times to catch the most mild weather of the year. Early morning and weekday trips will also help you avoid a majority of the crowds that this area attracts.
How Accessible is Arches?
Many views of Arches National Park are accessible by car. Arches Scenic Drive has several pullouts and viewpoints that feature some of the park’s iconic rock features. The visitor center has accessible amenities and many interesting plaques that offer context and stories about the area. Some shorter hikes have flat, paved pathways leading to the views.
How to Prepare for Visiting Arches
Your strategy for preparing for Arches depends on what types of activities you want to try! A day in the arches can be as simple as a scenic drive or as in-depth as a climbing and camping adventure. Decide what you want your trip to look like to guide your preparation.
No matter what kind of trip you’re taking, we recommend bringing suitable layers for the weather, sun protection, and lots of water.
What to Bring When Visiting Arches
The most important thing you can bring to Arches is water! We recommend bringing more than you think you need because the hot, dry atmosphere will require more hydration than normal. We also recommend sun protection, good hiking shoes, food, and a full tank of gas.
Moab to Arches National Park: How to Get Here
Moab to Arches is an easy 5-mile drive, so you’re always near amenities. Moab and Arches are generally considered road trip destinations, with many people traveling from Salt Lake City (a 4 to 5-hour drive) or Denver (a 5 to 6-hour drive).
There are also regular flights that can get you from Salt Lake City to Moab in a fraction of the time.
Other Options for Seeing Arches
While most people only see Arches from the ground, you can cover much more area with an Arches National Park airplane tour. In just an hour, you’ll get an astounding aerial overview of the park that will cover every major view. This is a fantastic way to create your to-do list of the areas you want to spend more time enjoying on land.
Where To Stay Near Arches National Park
Camping in Arches National Park
There are fantastic campsites in Arches National Park (if you can catch one!). Devils Garden Campground is the only in-park option with 50 sites and 2 group sites. Since the park has limited space, it’s common for weekends and busy seasons to be booked several months in advance. If you don’t secure one of those, there are still several places to camp near Moab that are well worth the reservation!
Moab to Arches: Hotels and Resorts
If you want accommodations with more amenities, look no further than Moab! Only a few miles from Arches, Moab is the easy choice for comfortable hotels, resorts, or inns near Arches. You can find options with family-friendly fun, big pools for hot days, and rooms centrally-located near the best restaurants.
Attractions in Arches National Park
With over 2,000 arches in the park alone, there are too many Arches National Park attractions to name! But here are a few of our favorite things to see in Arches National Park.
- Delicate Arch: About a 3-mile, moderate loop, the hike to Delicate Arch is a must-do for everyone visiting the park. There is no arch quite like this one that towers over a smooth, curved cliff edge.
- Landscape Arch: About a 1.6-mile round-trip walk, Landscape Arch is one of the world’s longest natural stone arches. At 306 feet long, it can look more like a natural rock bridge.
- The Windows Section: Only a mile loop from the parking lot, Windows has unique, eyeglass-shaped holes that look perfect for a giant to peer through.
- Balanced Rock: Balanced Rock is a short stroll from the main road and is a unique, top-heavy rock feature that looks like it could tumble over at any moment. But, year after year, it stands tall against all odds.
- Devils Garden: A campground with a view, Devils Garden is full of interesting rock features that come together to make for a truly unique landscape.
- Courthouse Towers: The Courthouse Towers are visible from the scenic drive, and is a collection of multiple interesting rock features, like Tower of Babel and the Three Gossips. You can find many pictures and objects that Mother Nature carved into the feature, like three people with their heads closely together.
Types of Arches Tours
The best way to see Arches is from the sky! Here are some fantastic Moab aerial tours that cover Arches National Park and more.
Arches Airplane Tour
Duration: 30 minutes
Price: $189 per person and $141 for children 2-12
The 30-minute Arches Airplane Tour will give you a rarely-seen perspective of the park. In a single tour, you can take in hundreds of unique features. You will see Delicate Arch, Fiery Furnace, the Devil’s Garden, and other amazing scenery.
Backcountry Arches Helicopter Tour
Duration: 30 minutes
Price: $269 per person
Helicopters aren’t permitted to fly into the park, but the Backcountry Arches Helicopter Tour will take you to some hidden-gem backcountry arches that most people don’t even know exist. This heli-tour will take you to amazing landscape views of the Colorado River and the Moab canyon country. You’ll see Determination Towers, Monitor and Merrimac Butte, Gemini Bridges, Corona Arch, Jeep Arch, and more.
Canyonlands & Arches National Park Tour
Duration: 80 minutes
Price: $369 per person and $269 for children 2-12
See both neighboring national parks on an hour-long airplane tour! The Canyonlands and Arches National Park Airplane Tour will get you aerial access to restricted area views in Canyonlands like the Needles District, Shafer Trail, and Upheaval Dome, as well as several vibrant red hoodoos, balancing rocks, and arches of Arches National Park.
What To Do and See When Visiting Arches
Popular Arches Hikes
An Arches National Park travel guide isn’t complete without some great hikes! You can go on multiple hikes in a single day in Arches and still not get enough red rock fun. Here are some of our favorite hikes in Arches National Park and beyond.
Arches National Park Scenic Drive
The 25-mile Arches Scenic Drive will meander through the best of Arches National Park, with several viewpoints and pull-offs, so you can stop for a leg stretch or a short walk as often as you want.
Arches Camping
If you can grab one of the coveted sites in Arches only campground, you will get to enjoy the stars with Devils Garden in the foreground. If you don’t happen to snag a spot, don’t fret! Many campsites around Moab also offer stunning views.
Aerial Tour of Arches
Easily, the most memorable way to experience Arches National Park is from the sky. Don’t miss an opportunity to see this area in its most magical light with an Arches airplane tour.
Visitor Center
Don’t ignore the Arches visitor center, a great place to kick off your trip! You can learn about safety procedures, hot spots, area history, and more. It’s also a great place to go if you have any questions about the area – you can always find a helpful park ranger to talk to!
Stargazing
Arches National Park at night is truly a priceless sight. The lack of light pollution leads to some of the most amazing stargazing, whose light reflects off the red rock features for even more drama. You can search for constellations, planets or galaxies as you lie under the night sky.
Cycling/Road Biking
The Arches Scenic Drive bike route is one of the most iconic road biking routes in the West! Winding through the park’s best views, this 25-mile ride has just enough challenge to make you feel accomplished at the end.
Rock Climbing
Rock climbing and bouldering are popular activities in the area around Arches National Park. However, be sure you understand the regulations regarding rock climbing in or near the park, as not all areas are open to the sport.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Visiting Arches
Not Reserving a Campsite
If you want a campsite in Arches National Park, you should reserve it multiple months in advance. It’s common for the campsite to be 100% full. Luckily, there are camping spots near Arches that are less competitive but just as lovely. Similarly, you can book your timed entry into the park for day trips ahead of time as well!
Bringing Your Dog
We love dogs! They just can’t be inside the park. While your furry friend can’t hike in Arches, there are several dog-friendly areas near Arches they can explore instead.
Not Being Safe About Heat and Sun Exposure
Don’t mess with sun and heat safety in Arches! Temperatures can fluctuate dramatically, so always wear appropriate layers and follow best sun protection practices to avoid heat exhaustion or a nasty sunburn. To make sure you’re prepared for your adventure, check out our other tips for staying safe in the desert.
Overlooking Park Regulations
Arches National Park has more rules and regulations than your typical outdoor area, so don’t get caught breaking the rules. This includes having proper permits, leaving dogs out of the park, and following leave-no-trace policies.
Being Flippant About Gas
After a long day in the sun, the last thing you want is to be stuck in the park with no gas! While you’re not likely to be stranded alone, it’s far easier to just fill up in Moab before your trip.
Follow Trails
Don’t get lost in the desert by straying off the trail! That’s the easiest way to get lost in the desert, which is about as fun as it sounds. Staying on the trail means you always see the way back to your car.
Not Bringing Enough Food/Supplies
Because of the extreme temperatures and excessive energy expenditure, you’ll need to eat and drink more than usual. Bring excess food and water – there isn’t a food court in the park!
What to do After You Visit Arches National Park
So you saw the awe-inspiring vistas of Arches National Park – now what? Luckily, there is a long list of areas to explore next. Here are just a few!
About an hour’s drive from Arches, you’ll find Canyonlands National Park. This park gathers fewer crowds and packs a punch of endless horizons, Colorado River views, and unbelievable vistas. This area is quieter, with more space to explore alone, making it perfect for finding some tranquility in the red rocks.
If you’re ready for civilization and amenities, Moab is a great stop to add to your trip. With a cute main street, delicious restaurants, interesting shops, luxurious desert spas and more, you can spend a rest day treating yourself to some shopping, food and fun. This Moab three-day itinerary covers several of the hot spots to visit around town!
The La Sal Mountains are just a short drive away if you’re ready to swap red rock for pine trees. These mountains can give you more shade, greenery, or mountain trails on hotter days. Explore the Manti-La Sal National Forest for backpacking, lakes, forest trails and more.
Ready to have a one-of-a-kind experience visiting Arches National Park? Check out our Arches airplane tours for a full and seamless overview of everything you can do in this park. See you in the sky soon!
Arches National Park Tour
Enjoy breathtaking views of iconic landmarks, like Delicate Arch, Elephant Butte, Fiery Furnace, Devils Garden Area, Navajo Arch, and more!
Learn More