Plan the Perfect Trip to Arches National Park: Complete Guide + One Day Itinerary
Plan the perfect trip to Arches National Park with this complete travel guide. Featuring everything you need to know before you go, including things to do, when to go, what to bring + a one day itinerary.
After spending an amazing day in Canyonlands National Park taking in the incredible views of the Colorado & Green River, we ventured over to Arches National Park to explore more of Utah’s unique nature.
We spent a couple fall days exploring Arches National Park and it felt like we were on another planet. If you have just one day or a few days to spare, Arches National Park is totally worth a visit!
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
About Arches
Getting to Arches
When to Visit
What to Bring
Amenities Nearby
Things to Do
One Day Itinerary
ABOUT ARCHES
Arches is a 76,000 acre National Park located in southeast Utah. It was established in 1929 and is one of Utah’s Mighty 5 National Parks. The park is known for having over 2,000 arches, towering spires, and colorful rock formations, creating a unique environment like no other. The park features the iconic Delicate Arch, pictured on the Utah license plate, Landscape Arch which spans 306 feet as well as many incredible hiking trails, camping, and ranger programs.
ENTRANCE FEE
$30 per vehicle which is valid for 7 days. You can also use the America the Beautiful Pass to enter for free.
RESERVATION SYSTEM
April 1st to October 31st timed entry reservations are required to enter Arches National Park from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Reservations can be made online and are $2 per vehicle per day.
PET POLICY
Pets must be leashed at all times and no longer than 6 feet in length. They aren’t allowed on any hiking trails, overlooks, or backcountry. They are allowed in the Devils Garden Campground, along roads and in parking lots.
TIP | For a less crowded day in Moab, check out the incredible Corona Arch Trail located 15 minutes from Arches National Park. See our detailed guide on How to Hike Corona Arch in Moab Utah.
GETTING TO ARCHES
Arches National Park is located off Utah State Highway 191 in southeast Utah right next door to the popular Canyonlands National Park. The park is conveniently located near the outdoor town of Moab making Arches a great stop to add on your trip.
Canyonlands National Park - 30 minutes or 26 miles
Moab - 34 minutes or 30 miles
Grand Junction - 2 hours or 121 miles
Monument Valley - 2.5 hours or 140 miles
Salt Lake City - 4 hours or 242 miles
NEAREST AIRPORTS
Canyonlands Field Airport
Grand Junction Regional Airport
Salt Lake City International Airport
Delicate Arch.
WHEN TO VISIT
Arches National Park is open year round with March to October being the busiest time for the park.
SPRING
Most ranger programs run spring through fall and include Patio Talk, Fiery Furnace Hikes, Junior Ranger Program, & Stargazing. March to May are popular times to visit for Arches ideal hiking and camping weather. Daily temps hangout between 60 and 80 degrees with lows between 30 to 50.
SUMMER
Summers bring extreme heat with temperatures often exceeding 100 degrees. Monsoon season in Arches is mid June to mid October bringing heavy rain, thunderstorms, and flash floods. Less than half an inch of rainfall within an hour can cause a flash flood.
FALL
September to October is another popular time to visit Arches for its ideal hiking and camping weather.
WINTER
Winters at Arches bring fewer crowds and much colder days. Average highs are between 30 and 50 degrees with lows hanging out below freezing. Visitor center is typically open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Always check for current conditions before embarking in Arches National Park.
TIP | For fewer crowds, consider arriving at the park before 8 a.m or after 3 p.m.
WHAT TO BRING
Plenty of Water
Arches National Park is high desert which means hot and dry especially in the summer. Be sure to pack extra water and stay hydrated while exploring. We love using our insulated water bottles to have ice cold water for the whole day.
Hiking Shoes
While there are many easy paths to explore in Arches there are a few trails that are rocky, sandy, and steep. To have the most comfortable experience on the trails we recommend wearing a proper hiking shoe or boot to provide traction and support.
Sun Protectant
There is no shade on any trails in the park so it’s best to bring your favorite sunscreen and wear sun protectant clothing when exploring.
Hiking Sticks
These have been a LIFE SAVER. Hiking sticks are so helpful in giving you extra support as you climb up steep trails as well as coming down steep trails. They provide extra stability and we no longer hike without them.
First Aid Kit
It’s never a bad idea to carry a small first aid kit while exploring in Arches. Cell service doesn’t really exist in the park so it’s good to be prepared in case of an emergency.
Lunch / Snacks
It is highly recommended to pick a lunch and snacks when visiting Arches. There aren’t any food options in the park, so it’s a good idea to pack a good lunch and plenty of snacks.
AMENITIES NEARBY
IN THE PARK
VISITOR CENTER
Open year round and a great place to start your adventure in Arches National Park. Load up on info, pick up a park map, and get exploring. Here you can also find water filling stations, restrooms, gift shop, museum exhibit, and permits for backcountry camping. Hours and services vary by season so it’s best to check for current conditions before planning a trip.
DEVILS GARDEN CAMPGROUND
Open year round and the only developed campground inside Arches National Park. The campground has 51 sites and is located 18 miles from the National Park Visitor Center. Each site is dry camping, comes with a picnic table & grill/firepit, and can accommodate up to 10 people. There is no water or dump station in the park. Max RV length is 40ft.
Sites are $25 a night
March 1 - October 31 sites are on a reservation system only. Reservations can be made online up to 6 months in advance.
November 1 - February 28 sites are on a first come first served basis.
NEARBY TOWNS
MOAB
A popular outdoor city and known as the gateway to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. Biking, hiking, off roading, rafting as well as a host of other outdoor activities are what bring most travelers to Moab.
LODGING
Best Western Plus Canyonlands Inn
Springhill Suites by Marriott Moab
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Moab
Hyatt Place Moab
Wingate by Wyndham Moab
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Moab
Aarchway Inn
Moab Springs Ranch
Comfort Suites Moab
+ much, much more
RV PARKS
Sun Outdoors North Moab
Portal RV Resort
Dowd Flats RV Park
Contractors Roost RV Park
Sun Outdoors Arches Gateway
Sun Outdoors Downtown Moab
Spanish Trail RV Park
OK RV Park
Sunsets Rim Moab RV Park
Sun Outdoors Canyonlands KOA
St Danes Cabins & RV Park
+ much more
FOOD
Moab Grill
Moab Diner
Zax Restaurant
Dewey’s Restaurant & Bar
The Broken Oar
Desert Bistro
Milt’s Stop & Eat
Quesadilla Mobilla
The Trailhead Public House & Eatery
Miguel’s Baja Grill
The Spoke on Center
Gilibertos Mexican Taco Shop
City Market
The Village Market
Moonflower Community Cooperative
Dollar Tree
Dollar General
+ much more
TOP THINGS TO DO
VISITOR CENTER
Start your exploration of Arches at the Visitor Center. Grab a park map and check out the park movie to learn about the history and geology of Arches National Park. Stop at the restroom and get the latest scoop from the park ranger. Don’t forget to pick up a souvenir at the park store.
18 MILE SCENIC DRIVE
If you’re not interested in hiking, then look no further than the scenic overlooks along the Main Park Road. These are some of best places to take in the views, have a picnic and marvel at the forces of nature at work. The overlooks you cannot miss are, Park Avenue, Petrified Dunes, La Sal Mountains, and Balanced Rock.
DELICATE ARCH
When you think of Arches National Park, you’re probably picturing Delicate Arch. This incredible sandstone formation is what is left from what used to be a fin. The arch sits at the end of a canyon with the La Sal Mountains in the background.
For more details about Delicate Arch, check out our post, How to Visit Delicate Arch in Arches National Park.
3 mile Delicate Arch Trail.
FIERY FURNACE
Take a ranger guided or self guided hike through narrow passages & towering sandstone walls at the Fiery Furnace. Permits are $10 per person and can be obtained online up to 7 days in advance.
GET ON A TRAIL
A great way to explore the incredible nature of Arches National Park. Whether it’s an easy scenic stroll or a challenging day hike, Arches has something for everyone. The most popular in the park are Delicate Arch, Devils Garden, and The Windows.
For easy trails consider Balanced Rock, The Windows, Double Arch, Delicate Arch Viewpoints, Sand Dune Arch, Broken Arch, Skyline Arch, Landscape Arch via Devils Garden, & Courthouse Wash Panel.
For moderate trails consider Park Avenue.
For more strenuous trails consider Delicate Arch, Tower Arch, Double O Arch, Devils Garden, & Fiery Furnace.
See our guide, 9 Unique Arches You Can’t Miss on Your Trip to Arches National Park for more information on the Arches of Arches National Park.
Turret Arch on the Windows Trail.
4X4
Explore miles of unpaved scenic views on the Willow Spring & West Valley Jeep Roads. A high clearance four wheel drive vehicle is required and features several arches that most visitors don’t get to see.
For more info on off roading in Arches check out the park website.
CANYONEERING
For a unique experience in Arches National Park, obtain a permit and explore the parks popular cayoneering spots, such as, Fiery Furnace, Park Avenue, and Lost Spring Canyon.
For more information on canyoneering in Arches check out the park website.
BACKPACK THE WILDERNESS
For a more in depth exploration of Arches National Park pick up a backpacking permit and tour the parks remote wilderness. This is a great way to avoid the crowds and experience the incredible night sky. Permits are issued in person at the Backcountry Permit Office in Moab.
PARKS AS CLASSROOMS
What better way to learn then by bringing the classroom to the park! The National Park System provides a series of curriculum covering topics such a math, science, social studies, and language arts for elementary and middle school learners. A great option for homeschooling or field trips.
JUNIOR RANGER PROGRAM
If you’re not able to plan a visit to Arches National Park then this is great way for you’re kids to still learn about the park without actually being there. The Virtual Junior Ranger Program consists of a series of videos and activities to complete with a Virtual Badge to be given at the end.
EXPERIENCE THE DARK SKIES
Designated as an International Dark Sky Park in 2019, Arches National Park provides spectacular viewing of the night sky. For a memorial experience join an evening ranger program or stay overnight in the campground and experience what a truly dark sky looks like.
ROCK CLIMBING
During the months of September through March rock climbers can explore Arches sandstone pinnacles and towers. Climbers can obtain a free permit online or at the kiosk at the visitor center.
For more info on rock climbing in Arches visit the park website.
ONE DAY ITINERARY
Stop 1. Check out the Visitor Center
Stop 2. Park Avenue Viewpoint & Trail
Stop 3. La Sal Mountains & Petrified Dunes Overlook.
Stop 4. Balanced Rock Trail.
Stop 5. The Windows & Double Arch Trails.
Stop 6. Delicate Arch Trail or Viewpoint.
Stop 7. Fiery Furnace Viewpoint.
Stop 8. Sand Dune Arch.
Stop 9. Devils Garden to Landscape Arch.
Let us know in the comments if you’ve ever to Arches National Park.
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WE’RE MIKE & DEANDRA.
Two adventure seekers traveling the U.S in our 37 FT. travel trailer with our two companions, Griffin & Lucy. We share our life on the road and travel guides to our favorite destinations.
This post contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.
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