Arches National Park

Arches National Park   |  Angie Payne
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It’s no surprise that Arches National Park — located just outside of Moab — is one of the top national parks in America: It’s a 73,234-acre wonderland of eroded sandstone fins, towers, ribs, gargoyles, hoodoos, balanced rocks, and, of course, arches.

Delicate Arch, with its 65-foot arc, undoubtedly steals the show. But did you know that over 2,000 arches have been cataloged in Arches National Park? The park protects an amazing landscape that includes the largest proliferation of arches in the world, including popular ones such as Double O Arch, Broken Arch, Landscape Arch, Windows Loop and Tower Arch. 

There’s even more adventure just outside Arches National Park. Camp, raft, climb, mountain bike and hike at nearby Canyonlands National Park, another crown jewel of The Mighty 5. And don’t forget to explore Moab’s bustling Main Street. Here, you’ll find eclectic restaurants, expert outfitters, and various lodging options from roadside motels to luxury resorts.

When to Visit Arches Winter in Arches

Over 2,000 arches have been cataloged in Arches National Park.

Over 2,000 arches have been cataloged in Arches National Park.

Photo: Angie Payne

Arches National Park Reservations

Arches National Park has implemented a timed-entry pilot program to disperse visitation during the busy spring, summer and fall seasons. 

When do I need an Arches reservation?

From April 1 through October 31, daytime visitors to Arches National Park are required to have a timed entry reservation to enter the park. 

When do reservations open?

Reservations are released three months in advance. A limited number of next-day tickets are also released nightly. For more information on how to reserve an entry ticket, visit go.nps.gov/archesticket. 

What if I don’t get a reservation?

Visitors without a timed entry ticket may enter the park before 7 a.m. or after 4 p.m. Walking, biking or hiking into the park? You don’t need a reservation, but you still need to pay the park entrance fee at the entrance station.

Things To Do in Arches

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Places to Stay In and Near Arches

Hotels and Lodging

There are no hotels inside Arches National Park. However, Moab sits just five miles away and offers name-brand suites, roadside motels, boutiques and 4-star luxury resorts.

Hotels and Lodges Near Arches

Camping

Devils Garden Campground is the only designated campground within Arches National Park. Sites are reserved months ahead of time, especially during the peak summer and fall seasons. Other camping options include RV parks, tent sites, cabins and resorts in Moab.

Explore Camping at Arches

Start Planning

01

4 Days

The Complete Arches Trip

Discover a new side of Arches National Park with this four day itinerary. Start exploring the hidden gems in the Arches region today.

Hiking, Scenic Drives/Road Trips

Highlights

  • Arches National Park
  • Colorado River Rafting Trips
  • Delicate Arch
  • Dead Horse Point State Park
  • Manti-La Sal National Forest

See Itinerary

02

10 Days

The Mighty 5: Ultimate Journey

Grab a national parks annual pass for best access to The Mighty 5®.

Hiking, Scenic Drives/Road Trips

Highlights

  • Arches National Park
  • Bryce Canyon National Park
  • Canyonlands National Park
  • Capitol Reef National Park
  • Zion National Park

See Itinerary

Weather and Elevation

You’ll typically encounter 65° to 85° F temperatures in the spring and fall, often deep into November. Arches National Park's elevation ranges from 4,000 feet to 5,600 feet, so nights can be as much as 30 degrees cooler. 

Southeastern Utah gets hot in the summer, and daytime temperatures can exceed 100° F. You can beat the heat by planning ahead and carrying sunscreen and extra water. During the summer, consider exploring in the early morning hours, or after the sun has gone down.

Cooler seasons are highly recommended in order to avoid crowds. In winter, enjoy iconic landmarks in solitude. You may need poles and shoe spikes to navigate icy or snowy trails. 

Getting to Arches

Salt Lake City to Moab

A road trip from Salt Lake City to Moab takes just under 4 hours. Most of it is highway, starting with interstates through Salt Lake City and Provo, then on to 2-lane byways through smaller towns including Springville, Spanish Fork and Green River.

Las Vegas to Moab

A road trip from Las Vegas, Nevada, to Moab, Utah, takes about 6.5 hours. The route passes through the bustling Utah towns of St. George and Cedar City.

Zion National Park to Arches National Park

Many travelers want to combine a visit to Arches with a visit to Zion National Park. This makes sense considering they are Utah’s two most popular national parks. Starting in Springdale — the main entrance to Zion National Park — expect about a five-hour road trip to Moab.

Want to visit all five of Utah's national parks? Try The Mighty 5: Ultimate Journey.

Discover the Arches Region

Nearby Towns

Travel Tips

  • Arches National Park is open 24 hours a day, year-round. The visitor center is typically open 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the summer and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the winter.

  • From April 1 through October 31, daytime visitors to Arches National Park are required to have a timed entry ticket to enter the park. Reservations are released three months in advance. For more information on how to reserve an entry ticket, visit go.nps.gov/archesticket. Visitors without a timed entry ticket may enter the park before 7 a.m. or after 4 p.m.

  • The park is very busy from March through October, especially on holidays, weekends and mid-morning. To avoid traffic, park service recommends entering the park before 8 a.m. or after 3 p.m. Arches is far less crowded at sunrise and sunset, and it's maybe the most striking time to visit. For the best experience, review Arches National Park's traffic information while planning.

  • Follow @archesnps on Twitter and Facebook and visit nps.gov/arch for park alerts about current conditions and to view the entrance station webcam.

  • Well-prepared hikers can escape the crowd on the 8-mile Devils Garden trail. With stamina, agility and a permit or guide, visit the stunning labyrinth called the Fiery Furnace.

  • The short Dead Horse Point Mesa Scenic Byway (S.R. 313) connects Moab and Arches to the road’s namesake state park and the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands.

  • Read these resources to learn how to travel thoughtfully and experience Arches National Park most fully.

  • View a downloadable map of Arches National Park

See more Arches travel tips

What's Nearby?

Well-prepared travel is responsible travel.

Do your part by planning ahead
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