Arches National Park

Arches National Park is located in southeastern Utah, near the town of Moab. It has become one of the most popular National Parks in the United States with its jaw-dropping views, Iconic hikes, and Delicate Arch which is represented on the Utah license plate!

Arches National Park

The star attraction at Arches is its natural beauty. It is here, in Utah's Colorado Plateau, where the densest concentrations of natural arches are found anywhere in the world. Arches is home to over 2,000 natural sandstone arches.

These magnificent sandstone arches are created by erosion through weak parts of sandstone fins composed of Jurassic-age Dewey Bridge Member of the Carmel Formation and Slick Rock Member of the Entrada Sandstone.

I know this sounds very specific but then again where else in the world do we see so many of these formations?

They are different from the formations at Natural Bridges a little over 100 miles south. A natural bridge is a subtype of natural arch that is primarily water-formed and often spans a waterway such as a stream.

Many of Utah’s natural bridges, such as those found at Natural Bridges National Monument, were formed as the gentle uplift of the Colorado Plateau caused the region’s rivers and streams to become entrenched in deep canyons, while maintaining their original meandering courses.

As these entrenched meanders deepened and widened over time, erosion and undercutting of the canyon walls on the outside of meander bends eventually allowed the river to break through, rerouting the river to flow along the shorter course under the newly formed natural bridge.

About Arches National Park

The Park is open year-round, twenty-four hours per day. The visitor center has variable hours depending on the season and is closed on Christmas Day.

Arches National Park is in the high desert, an area with an elevation more than 4,000 feet above sea level, resulting in wide temperature fluctuations. The most popular seasons are spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) when the temperatures are moderate.

Summer highs can exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit, making physical activities very strenuous, but after the sun goes down, summer lows average in the 60s.

Winter highs average in the 40s and winter lows average in the 20s.

Paved roads through the park provide views of many of the interesting features. There are several short side trails, less than half a mile each, that offer views of the formations from a closer perspective.

You can drive all the park roads and stop at the viewpoints in about half a day.

For the more adventurous, there are many hiking trails in Arches, varying in length and difficulty. Some of the park’s distinctive features can only be reached by hiking.

For visitors who choose to spend more than one day in the park, a very popular activity is the ranger-guided hike through the Fiery Furnace, a jumbled maze of fins and boulders named for the flaming color of the sandstone at sunset.

It’s a place you could get lost in easily without a guide. This hike is offered twice daily and fills up quickly, so reservations are a must. You can reserve online or in person at the visitor center up to seven days in advance.

The hike involves some scrambling using hands and feet, requires shoes or boots with good traction, and is not recommended for children under five years of age.

Arches is a relatively small park, and most of the formations are near roads and trails, so there is little backcountry. If you’re looking for backcountry adventures, Canyonlands National Park offers limitless possibilities.

History of Arches National Park

For centuries, several native American tribes called this area home including the Hopi, Ute, and Paiute. Today you can see where they etched into the rock walls like the Rock Art Panel by Wolfe Ranch along the Delicate Arch Hike.

The area around Arches and Canyonlands was, and still is some of the most remote areas in the contiguous U.S. In 1898 John Wesley Wolfe went in search of drier climates due to a civil war injury he suffered that did not go well with the Ohio weather.

He left his wife and kids at home except for his son who helped him settle a 100+ acre property north of Moab in present-day Arches.

He built a small shack, then later a slightly larger one when his daughter arrived (The Stanley's). This time it had windows and floors and can be seen today near the Delicate Arch Trailhead. His Bar DX Ranch grew to more than 1000 head of cattle.

John Wolfe and the Stanley's left Moab in 1910 and eventually moved back to Ohio where John died in 1913.

Wolfe sold the Bar DX Ranch to a Tommy Larson in 1910. Larson sold it four years later to J. Marvin Turnbow, the first custodian of Arches National Monument. The Turnbow's used the cabin sporadically until selling the ranch to Emmit Elizondo. Elizondo eventually sold the property to the US government for inclusion in Arches National Monument.

Is Arches National Park worth visiting?

Yes! Not only is it a yes, but this is also a bucket list park for any fan of the National Parks! Visiting in the summer can be a real hassle with the crowds, but then again there's a great reason for these crowds!

Here you are going to have epic hikes, see numerous sandstone arches and other rock formations that dazzle the imagination. I personally love the vibe of Moab, just 5 miles to the south and Canyonlands is a short drive away too. This is guaranteed to be a trip that you will always remember

Things to know before your visit to Arches National Park

Arches National Park Entrance Fee

Park entrance fees are separate from camping and lodging fees.

Park Entrance Pass - $30.00 Per private vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)

Park Entrance Pass - Motorcycle - $25.00 Per motorcycle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)

Per-Person Entrance Pass - $15.00 Visitors 16 years or older who enter on foot, bicycle, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour.

Annual Park Entrance Pass - $15.00, Admits pass holder and all passengers in a non-commercial vehicle. Valid for one year from the month of purchase.

Non-commercial Groups (ex. scouts, a club, a church)

$30.00 for Non-Commercial Group with vehicle capacity of 15 or less.

$ 15.00 per person, not to exceed $40.00 for Non-Commercial Group with a vehicle capacity of 16-25

$ 15.00 per person, not to exceed $100.00 for Non-Commercial Group with a vehicle capacity of 25+

Commercial Tours

If you are providing these services, you must have a current, signed commercial use authorization to enter the park.

• Road-based commercial tours
• Guided Day Hikes
• Photography Instruction

For more information on commercial use authorizations, permit fees, and commercial entrance fees, visit this site.

If you are driving a bus in Arches, please click here for more information.

Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.

$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.

Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.

National Park Free Entrance Days  -Mark your calendars with the five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually.

Time Zone

MST - Mountain Standard Time

Pets

You can bring your dog with you to Arches but the number of activities they can do with you is limited. Pets need to be on 6 feet (1.8 meters) long or less leashes at all times.

Pets are not allowed on trails, overlooks, or inside the visitor center.

Cell Service

Cellular coverage at Arches is spotty. Service varies between carriers. As a rule of thumb, signals are strongest wherever the La Sal Mountains are visible.

Areas with reliable cell phone coverage for most carriers include:

• Arches Visitor Center
• Balanced Rock
• Panorama Point
• Delicate Arch (at end of the trail only)
• Salt Valley Overlook
• Fiery Furnace Viewpoint

Park Hours

Arches National Park is generally open 24 hours a day, year-round.

Wi-Fi

There is no public Wi-Fi at Arches.

Parking

Parking is limited in pretty much all areas of the park! Parking for oversized vehicles and RVs is extremely difficult.

Devils Garden Parking Lot - 160 spaces/ 10 oversized

The Windows Section Parking Lot - 92 spaces/ 4 oversized

Wolfe Ranch Parking Lot - 157 spaces/ 28 oversized

Food/Restaurants

There are no restaurants within the park.

Gas

There are no gas stations in the park. There are many gas stations in Moab.

National Park Passport Stamps

National Park Passport stamps can be found in the visitor center.

We like to use these circle stickers for park stamps so we don't have to bring our passport book with us on every trip. 

The National Park Passport Book program is a great way to document all of the parks you have visitied.

You can get Passport Stickers and Annual Stamp Sets to help enhance your Passport Book.

Arches NP was featured in the 1989 Passport Stamp Set

Electric Vehicle Charging

There are no EV charging stations within the park.  There are charging stations in Moab, Utah.

Don't forget to pack

Insect repellent is always a great idea outdoors, especially around any body of water. 

We use Permethrin Spray on our clothes before our park trips.  Please read my article on preventing biting insects while enjoying the outdoors. 

Sunscreen - I buy environmentally friendly sunscreen whenever possible because you inevitably pull it out at the beach.

Bring your water bottle and plenty of water with you. Plastic water bottles are not sold in the park.

Sunglasses - I always bring sunglasses with me. I personally love Goodr sunglasses because they are lightweight, durable, and have awesome National Park Designs from several National Parks like Joshua Tree, Yellowstone, Hawaii Volcanoes, Acadia, Denali, and more!

Click here to get your National Parks Edition of Goodr Sunglasses!

Binoculars/Spotting Scope - These will help spot birds and wildlife and make them easier to identify. We tend to see waterfowl in the distance, and they are always just a bit too far to identify them without binoculars.

Details about National Park

Size 

Arches NP covers 76,678 acres and is currently ranked at 44 out of 63 National Parks by Size

Date Established

Arches became a National Park on November 12, 1971

April 12, 1929 - President Herbert Hoover signs Presidential Proclamation No. 1875 establishing Arches National Monument.

November 25, 1938 - President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs Presidential Proclamation No. 2312 enlarging Arches National Monument.

July 22, 1960 - President Dwight D. Eisenhower signs Presidential Proclamation No. 3360 adjusting the boundaries of Arches National Monument.

November 12, 1971 - President Richard M. Nixon signs Public Law 92-155 changing Arches from a National Monument to a National Park.

October 30, 1998 - President William J. Clinton signs Public Law 105-329 enlarging Arches National Park.

Visitation

In 2021, Arches NP had 1,806,865 park visitors.

In 2020, Arches NP had 1,238,083 park visitors.

In 2019, Arches NP had 1,659,702 park visitors

With over a million visitors Arches NP is one of the most visited National Parks in the United States.

Arches National Park Mailing Address

Arches National Park
PO Box 907
Moab, UT 84532

Arches National Park Map

Where is Arches National Park?

Arches NP is located five miles north of Moab, Utah.

Estimated distance from major cities nearby

235 miles to Salt Lake City, Utah

257 miles to Colorado Springs, Colorado

258 miles to Denver, Colorado

298 miles to Albuquerque, New Mexico

347 miles to Las Vegas, Nevada

382 miles to Scottsdale, Arizona

Estimated Distance from nearby National Parks

Canyonlands National Park: 29 Miles, 45 minutes

Capitol Reef National Park: 148 miles, 2 hours and 30 minutes

Zion National Park: 341 Miles, 5 Hours and 35 minutes

Bryce Canyon National Park: 272 miles, 4 hours, 32 minutes

Mesa Verde National Park: 144 Miles, 2 hours, 52 minutes

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park: 225 miles, 3 hours, 35 minutes

Great Sand Dunes National Park: 338 Miles, 6 hours, 17 minutes

Grand Canyon National Park: 331 miles, 5 hours, 49 minutes

Where is the National Park Visitor Center?

The Arches National Park Visitor Center is located right after the main entrance to the park. There is a large parking lot near the visitor center.

The visitor center is open daily from 9 am to 4 pm.

Getting to Arches National Park

Closest Airports

Moab Airport - 14 Miles

Grand Junction - 110 miles

Salt Lake City - 235 Miles

The closest small airport is in Moab, Utah

For a larger airport, the closest airport is in Salt Lake City, Utah

Driving Directions

Arches National Park is located in southeast Utah, five miles north of Moab on US 191.

From Moab, Utah, drive five miles north on Main Street/US 191. Turn right at the stoplight. From Interstate 70, take exit 182 (Crescent Junction), then drive south 28 miles on US 191. Turn left at the stoplight.

Best time to visit Arches National Park

This is a park that can get crowded quickly and you will want to be prepared for it. Getting to the park at sunrise is one of the best ways to get in and see things before the huge crowds arrive.

Even if the park is crowded it is still amazing and so worth it.

Arches National Park Weather and Seasons

Arches National Park's elevation is between 4,085 to 5,653 feet. This puts it in the heart of the Colorado Plateau, also known as a cold or high desert.

This area is known to have winter air temperatures below freezing. The temperature drops rapidly when the sun goes down and is not uncommon to have the temperature drop over 40 degrees Fahrenheit before the sun begins to rise again.

The summers are just as drastic as July is the park's hottest month averaging 100 degrees Fahrenheit!

Spring

Spring and fall are the best times to visit the park. This is when the weather is at its best with very pleasant temperatures and beautiful skies. You can also avoid some of the crowds on the weekdays before the busy summer season.

Summer

Visiting Arches in the summer requires some preparation. I say this because you can almost count on seeing 100 degree days and the trails here have little to no shade.

Combine that with being on Slickrock that heats up during the day or hiking through soft sand that fatigues you can be a recipe for disaster for those who are ill prepared.

Always carry plenty of water, wear sunscreen and avoid hiking in the middle of the day when temperatures are at their hottest. Incidentally, this is the busiest time to visit the park.

Autumn/Fall

Spring and fall are the best times to visit the park. This is when the weather is at its best with very pleasant temperatures and beautiful skies. You can also avoid some of the crowds on the weekdays before the busy summer season.

Winter

I personally enjoy the winter in Arches. This is your chance to beat the crowds and it can be rather cool outside. I also love the contrast of snow on the red rock (if you get lucky and see snow).

Best things to do in Arches National Park

There are so many epic things to see and do while visiting Arches. From hiking to photography you will love everything this epic park has to offer. With that being said we do suggest making a goal list before your visit.

This park is so busy at times that you will want to have a plan of your top must see attractions so you can make sure and see them.

Hiking at Arches National Park

Hiking is by far the most popular activity in Arches National Park! It's easy to see why when a couple of the most popular trails in the National Park system is located here: Devils Garden Trail and Delicate Arch Trail.

There are several other trails to explore and each has its own unique value to them. Please remember that this area is extremely fragile so please stay on trails and paved roads. In undeveloped areas, the park is covered with a biological soil crust, a living ground cover that provides a base for plant growth.

Cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, form linking fibers that hold fragile soils together and make them resistant to erosion. The crust absorbs water that plants need to survive. Walking or driving on this crust crushes or compresses it, separating the linking fibers and making it susceptible to erosion by wind and water.

Photography

Photography has become a very popular activity at Arches. I remember one trip where I hiked up to Delicate Arch and there was a rather large group of park visitors all at one end of the Arch, all with their cameras set up waiting for nightfall. It was a full moon that night and everyone was there hoping to capture Delicate Arch with the full moon!

It's not just Delicate Arch that people want to photograph either, you can literally take excellent photos throughout the park. Below is a chart of the best times to photograph certain attractions in Arches.

I do want to emphasize the importance of taking care of your equipment in and around Arches as the sand can be a killer to your equipment. Trust me, I learned this first hand at a nearby park when the light came through a slot canyon.

Everyone there lost their minds, practically trampling one another for a photograph. After the light had passed, I realized that my camera bag was open when the light showed up in the canyon.

I was getting a lens out when the push of the crown began towards the light and large amounts of sand was kicked inside my camera bag destroying a very expensive lens.

Wildlife watching and Bird Watching

While you’re there, look out for Utah juniper. This fascinating tree has gnarled branches and forms amazing shapes, but its real trick is that it can actually shut off water to some of its branches in a drought in order to preserve the life of the rest of the tree.

If you’re really lucky, you’ll catch a glimpse of a desert bighorn sheep. Once on the brink of extinction, they are making a slow comeback due to the park service’s reintroduction program.

They are very shy of human contact and blend well with their environment, so it will take a sharp eye to spot one. The best place to keep watch is in the first three miles of the park road. A pair of binoculars can help.

Junior Ranger Program 

The Junior Ranger Program can be picked up at the visitor center. This is a great way for visitors of all ages to learn more about the park.

There is a junior ranger program that can be picked up at the visitor center.

Families can also check out explorer backpacks with great activities for exploring the park.

Arches National Park Tours

Moab: 3-Hour Jet Boat Tour to Dead Horse Point State Park - Are you ready to take a jet boat down the Colorado River and experience the canyons of Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point from the bottom looking up? We had a great time on this tour and loved a relaxing day on the water with the wind in our hair! It was also impressive seeing these massive canyons from the bottom looking up! I would do this tour again the next time I am in Moab.

Click here to learn more/book your Moab 3-Hour Jet Boat Tour to Dead Horse Point State Park.

Arches 4X4 adventure from Moab - Do you want to see a more remote side of Arches? This is an excellent opportunity to see Arches and not fight to find a parking spot or hike in a crowd. Your tour guide will pick you up in Moab (if you are staying there), take you to the park, navigate the more remote areas of Arches, and see seldom seen arches by the masses of tourists like Tower Arch, Marching Men, and Eye of the Whale. For a bonus, you take the remote back exit out of Arches and stop to see fossilized dinosaur tracks!

Click here to book your tour for the Arches 4X4 Adventure from Moab!

Private Guided Hike in Arches National Park - Your guide will pick you up in Moab and take you to the park to see some of the park's most impressive and awe-inspiring geologic formations in the park. You will learn how these ancient sand dunes first turned to stone and continually eroded into fins, arches, domes, and canyons.

Click here to book your Private Guided Hike in Arches National Park.

Canyonlands and Arches National Parks Airplane Tour -Are you ready for an amazing experience? Don't believe me, look at the reviews! On this tour, you meet at the Canyonlands Field Airport and then fly over two incredible national parks with live commentary while having a bird's eye view of some of the park's most iconic sights, including Upheaval Dome, Green River Gooseneck, Island in the Sky, White Rim, The Maze, the confluence of the Colorado and Green Rivers, Landscape Arch, Fisher Towers, Devil's Garden, Klondike Bluffs and more!

Click here to book your airplane tour over Canyonlands and Arches National Park!

There is also a great introduction to mountain biking in Moab tour that gives you the chance to experience mountain biking in Moab.

How to beat the crowds in Arches National Park

Arches have grown in popularity to the point of having to develop a timed entry into the park for a portion of the year. I remember first hiking in Arches well over 20 years ago and having trails to myself, especially during the off-season. I would no longer expect to see this except possibly on a cold December or January weekday.

There are several steps you can do to help beat the crowds at Arches.

Avoid Weekends, holidays, and the busy summer months.

Arrive in the early morning or late afternoon. Incidentally, this is a great time for photography!

Avoid bringing a large oversized vehicle into the park. Parking for oversized vehicles is extremely limited and greatly reduces your chance of finding a parking spot.

Winter months have the least amount of visitors but even the holidays and weekends can be busy, especially if it is a nice day.

Arches National Park Lodging

There are no National Park Lodges within the park.

The majority of lodging options can be found in and around Moab, Utah.

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Moab - We have stayed here many times and it has been great. There is easy access to the main road into Moab and to Arches. The pool area is amazing and the hotel has great amenities.

Under Canvas Moab - Stay in luxury safari tents under the stars. This is an amazing place to spend time soaking in the red rocks and epic views.

Moab Resort, WorldMark Associate - look forward to a firepit, a playground, and a 24-hour gym. Stay connected with in-room Wi-Fi (surcharge).

Hyatt Place Moab -  free breakfast buffet, a terrace, and a coffee shop/café at Hyatt Place Moab. Free in-room Wi-Fi is available to all guests, along with a garden and a playground.

Comfort Suites Moab - free breakfast buffet, a grocery/convenience store, and laundry facilities. For some rest and relaxation, visit the hot tub. In addition to a gym and a business center, guests can connect to free in-room Wi-Fi.

Click on the map below to see additional lodging options near Arches NP.

For hotels check-in Moab, Utah for the closest hotels

Arches National Park Camping

There is only one campground the Devils Garden Campground within the park.

Sites - 51

Reservations - Yes, up to 6 months in advance for stays March 1-October 31.

Between November 1 and February 28, sites are first-come, first-served.

Facilities include drinking water, picnic tables, grills, and both pit-style and flush toilets.

For a fun adventure check out Escape Campervans. These campervans have built in beds, kitchen area with refrigerators, and more. You can have them fully set up with kitchen supplies, bedding, and other fun extras. They are painted with epic designs you can't miss!

Escape Campervans has offices in Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Denver, New York, and Orlando

Travel Tips

There are a few important things to remember. Because this is a desert environment, humidity tends to be low. Sweat dries quickly, so you may not realize you’re sweating as much as you are. Carry and drink plenty of water. Drinking water is available only at the visitor center and the campground.

Always wear appropriate footwear. Flip-flops or high-heeled shoes will make walking on uneven ground difficult. The terrain is rocky and can be slick. Good shoes with deep tread can help you avoid twisted ankles and falls.

Be prepared for crowds and lines to get into the park!

Give yourself a lot of time to explore the park

Have a must-do list prepared so you can see everything you want to see

Pack snacks and water. There are no restaurants within the park

Be prepared for no cell service in the park.

Pack extra socks especially after hiking to Sand Dune Arch you may get a ton of sand in your shoes/socks

Dress in layers, the weather can heat up quickly during the day

Plan ahead so you can fit in as many of these things to do in Arches National Park as possible.

Know your physical limits!

Be patient!!!!

Check the weather often! If you see lightning head back to your car ASAP!

Don't miss out on these epic Arches National Park Hikes! They are some of the best in all of our national parks.

Readers Tips for Visiting Arches NP!

Go at sunrise. Stay for the sunset. ~ Deb

Pack your water... and then double it! ~ Diana

Go in October - fabulous weather and no crowds. ~ Elizabeth

Go in the off-season and get there early. ~ Kathi

We were there in Mid July this past year and it was pretty hot each day. We stayed at Moab Rim RV park in Moab got up early each day (before sunrise) to start our hikes. We finished our hikes by 1-2 pm. Worked out great as we had no problems with traffic or finding parking. Take lots of water and drink it. ~ Robin

Snag tickets for the ranger-guided hike through the Fiery Furnace. Devil’s Garden Loop is a great hike as well. ~Dan

Hike to the delicate arch! Be ready for the hike, it’s so worth it!! ~Louanne

Get there early wear the proper footwear, make sure to have lots of water n best part have fun ~ Debby

Wear comfy ankle supporting hiking boots and take water. Do Not Litter! ~Ellen

Don't go in the summer. Very crowded and couldn't find a camping spot in the park ~Travis

Best use of a few hours - go to the Windows area....lots of arches in a small area, plenty of places to explore, good views at sunrise and sunset. ~Angie

HYDRATE! ~Caleb

Depends on time of yr. if summer take tons of water if hiking. More than you think you need. ~Jon

Have plenty of water! ~Donna

Arrive as early as possible. ~ John

Wear sunscreen and drink water ~Steve

Arches National Park Facts

Highest Elevation: Elephant Butte 5,653 feet

Lowest Elevation: Visitor Center 4,085 feet

Average annual precipitation: 8-10 inches

The number of documented arches: Over 2,000 (Some may have fallen and new arches may be forming.)

Longest arch: Landscape Arch has a light opening 306 feet (93.3 meters) across.

Tallest arch: Double Arch South has a vertical light opening of 112 feet (34.1 meters).

483 species of plants
Rare species: Canyonlands Biscuitroot

186 species of birds
Threatened species: Bald Eagle, Mexican Spotted Owl

52 species of mammals

6 species of fish
Endangered species: Bonytail Chub, Colorado Pikeminnow, Humpback Chub, Razorback Sucker

6 species of amphibians

21 species of reptiles

Additional National Park sites near Arches National Park

Canyonlands National Park (Utah) - Complete guide to discovering Canyonlands National Park

Capitol Reef National Park (Utah) - Complete Guide to Exploring Capitol Reef National Park

Mesa Verde National Park (Colorado) - Complete Guide to Exploring Mesa Verde National Park

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (Colorado) - Complete guide to discovering Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Colorado National Monument - Guide to exploring Colorado National Monument

Dinosaur National Monument - Guide to exploring Dinosaur National Monument

Natural Bridges National Monument - Guide to exploring Natural Bridges National Monument

Currecanti National Recreation Area - Guide to exploring Currecanti National Recreation Area

Hovenweep National Monument - Complete guide to exploring Hovenweep National Monument

Additional State Parks and attractions near Arches

Goblin Valley State Park

Green River State Park

Dead Horse Point State Park

Check out all of the National Parks in Utah along with neighboring Colorado National Parks, Idaho National Parks, Wyoming National Parks, Nevada National Parks, Arizona National Parks, and New Mexico National Parks.

National Park Service Website