The Complete Arches Trip
So much more than Moab, this wide swath of land on the eastern edge of Utah
Situated on the far eastern side of the state, the Arches region is the perfect destination for anyone looking to experience the best outdoor recreation in the country. From epic, multi-day river rafting trips, to afternoons shredding singletrack against iconic western backdrops, to slickrock hikes across yawning valleys, this is the place to work up a sweat.
That’s not to say there aren’t plenty of opportunities to take your foot off the gas and take in your surroundings at a more leisurely pace. Arches National Park alone covers 120 square miles within an expansive outdoor land of adventure, which means doing your research and finding trails, views and campgrounds deeper in the park offer up plenty of places to explore (Read: How to Visit Arches). While first-time visitors will undoubtedly want to check out Delicate Arch, repeat visitors can spend their trip seeking out the 2,000 other arches within the park to find a unique vantage point to call their own. For those that want to dig deeper into the park’s little-known features, a guided hike with a ranger, or working with a local tour operator in nearby Moab can help you take home a better understanding of the human and natural history baked into the park’s red rock formations.
There’s even more to explore outside of the park, from the equally popular Dead Horse Point State Park, to the out-of-the-way destinations like the Manti-La Sal National Forest and the Potash Road. This is a sprawling region with tons of room to spread out and draw your own map in search of adventure.
- Start: Green River, Utah, roughly three hours southeast of Salt Lake City
- Finish: From Moab head back to Salt Lake City, or extend your trip by visiting the Canyonlands region
- Hours of Driving: 15+ hours, including travel between the region and Salt Lake City
Crossing The Green And Colorado Rivers
98 Miles
A fitting start to a trailblazing adventure in the Arches region of eastern Utah is at the John Wesley Powell River Museum. Honoring the boatman who launched numerous expeditions exploring and charting the snaking rivers that cleave their way through the bedrock, this museum will have you itching to get your feet wet later in your journey.
For the rest of the day, you’ll stay high and dry, first at Dead Horse Point State Park. Overlooking the Colorado River, Dead Horse Point is one of the most photographed views in the world, for good reason. It’s the type of view that many first-time visitors to the Grand Canyon expect to see; a clear shot of the river winding its way 2,000 feet directly below your feet. Those looking to really stretch their legs after a long car drive to the region will be thrilled to take on the Intrepid Trail System, a series of mountain bike singletrack and slickrock trails that offer excitement for every ability.
Where to Stay
Stay overnight in Moab, or return to Dead Horse Point for a fun night in a reservable yurt under the stars (Read: The Best Time to Visit Moab).
Iconic Arches Experience From A Different Perspective
10 Miles
Arches National Park is a red rock paradise — and also a very popular destination. The best way to have a positive experience is to have a strategic, flexible approach to your day (and if you're visiting between April and October, you'll need to make a park reservation). Early morning and late afternoon typically offer fewer crowds, shorter lines, easier parking, cooler temperatures and “golden light” for photographers. Winter in Arches also offers stunning scenery during the quiet season. Similarly, there are a handful of trails that continue beyond their most famous feature, and carving out a little time to see what’s just a little further down the trail can yield big rewards.
Another way to ensure you have ample room to explore is to seek out hikes that require a guide. Aside from the opportunity to learn valuable insight from an expert ranger as you scramble over the red rock, ranger-led hikes naturally limit the number of visitors on a given trail, no matter when you venture out.
Where to Stay
Stay overnight in Moab, or return to Dead Horse Point for a fun night in a reservable yurt under the stars.
Tips for Prepared Travelers
Hiking Southern Utah with Younger Children: Tips for Family-Friendly Adventure
Pick A Horizon And Follow It To Adventure
271 Miles
Give your boots a breather today and lace up your driving shoes. Day 2 offers you a choice of two scenic drives exploring the greater Arches region, the first is a drive north along the best-named highway in the state; the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway (see the article and itinerary). This 512-mile loop can be an entire family vacation on its own, but it’s also a great detour during your Arches journey. Traveling north towards the town of Helper, you’ll stop over at the Jurassic National Monument to look at the largest collection of Jurassic-era fossils in the world.
South of Arches, you can instead opt for the shorter La Sal Loop that climbs up and over the entirety of the Moab Valley and Canyonlands National Park. Driving the entire loop straight through from Moab takes about 3 hours, but there are plenty of places to stop along the way, including checking out 200 million-year old dinosaur tracks at the Bull Canyon Overlook in the Manti-La Sal National Forest.
Where to Stay
Return to your lodging in Moab after a long day on the road.
Where to Stay
On the riverbank, trail, or roadside, depending on your chosen adventure.
Corona Arch And The Next Stop On Your Utah Journey
39 Miles
The final day in the Arches region begins with another early-morning hike to another stunning arch. Corona Arch lives just outside the national park boundary, proving that when it comes to natural beauty, a national park really is just a line drawn on a map. Get your last look at the famed arches of the region before making your next move. During your journey, you’ll no doubt meet people who have completed some enviable experiences, so today is your day to decide to extend your stay and take a deep dive on an outdoor adventure that really speaks to you. Multi-day rafting trips down the Colorado River; ATV and OHV tours through Castle Valley; extended mountain biking excursions; now that you’ve gotten to know the area, you can make a decision on how you want to cap off the journey of a lifetime.
