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!

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.


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 & SUMMER

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. 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 & WINTER

September to October is another popular time to visit Arches for its ideal hiking and camping weather. 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 adding LMNT’s Electrolyte Packets to our Simple Modern 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. Columbia Mens & Women’s Hiking Boots are a game changer.

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

Montem Ultra Strong Hiking Poles have been a LIFE SAVER when exploring national parks. They’re 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

General Medi Mini First Aid Kit is a must have when exploring national parks. 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.

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.


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.

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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