4-Day Arches National Park Itinerary
Four days threading Arches' signature arches, from iconic Delicate Arch to remote Tower Arch.
Arches is a sprawling canyon-and-fins landscape where gravity-defying natural arches pierce brilliant sandstone. The park's 2,000+ arches range from thumb-sized to 300-foot spans, accessible via quick loops and serious scrambles.
- 2,000+ Natural arches
- 76,519 Acres
- 36 mi Scenic drive roundtrip
- Open 24/7 Year-round
Day 1: Park Avenue & The Windows Section
Stay: Base camp for all four nights; 5 miles south of park entrance.
Acclimate to the landscape with two short hikes that reveal Arches' scale and introduce the park's main attractions.
- Hike Park Avenue to Courthouse Towers, then loop The Windows Section to North Window, South Window, and Turret Arch.
- Stop at Balanced Rock on your way out, and drive the scenic drive's southern half before settling into your Moab hotel.
Day 2: Delicate Arch
Stay: Return to Moab after the hike; 5-mile drive takes 15 minutes.
Stand beneath Utah's most photographed arch, visible on the state license plate, in a hike that builds steadily across open slickrock.
- Start before sunrise to beat crowds and heat.
- Hike the 3.3-mile out-and-back Delicate Arch trail, ascending red rock slopes with increasing exposure.
- The final approach rewards you with an unobstructed view of the 64-foot freestanding arch.
- Return to Moab early afternoon.
Day 3: Devils Garden Loop
Stay: Return to Moab; Devils Garden is 23 miles from park entrance, 30-minute drive.
See eight arches in one outing on the park's most spectacular multi-arch experience, from an easy flat section to technical scrambles.
- Drive 18 miles to Devils Garden Trailhead.
- Hike to Landscape Arch (1.9 miles one-way, 252 ft gain), the fifth-longest arch on Earth at 290+ feet.
- Continue to Double O Arch via rocky ledges and scrambles, or return to camp at Landscape Arch and loop back via the Primitive Trail for 6.6 miles roundtrip total.
Day 4: Tower Arch & Departure
Stay: Depart Moab after the hike; return trip to Moab is 40 minutes.
Escape crowds on a steep, quiet hike to a 92-foot arch in the park's remote Klondike Bluffs, rewarded with views back to the main park.
- Drive 40 minutes to Tower Arch Trailhead on the park's northwest edge.
- Hike 2.6 miles roundtrip with a steep 200-foot climb in the first quarter-mile.
- The final ridge walk rewards you with Tower Arch and panoramic views across red fins and the Colorado River valley.
Common Questions
Do I need a timed-entry permit to enter Arches in 2026?
No. Arches lifted its timed-entry reservation requirement for 2026, so you can enter during park hours (open 24/7) without advance booking. However, Devils Garden Campground and Fiery Furnace hikes still require separate permits via Recreation.gov.
What's the best time of year to visit Arches?
April–May (spring) and September–October (fall) offer mild temperatures (60–85°F), lower crowds, and ideal hiking light. Avoid June–August when heat regularly exceeds 95°F; winter roads are occasionally closed. Fall has the clearest air and most saturated red-rock color.
How much water should I bring per day?
Carry at least 1 gallon (4 liters) per person per day. Trails have no water sources, sun exposure is intense, and dehydration-related rescues are common. In summer, 2+ gallons is safer.
Can I camp in the park, or should I stay in Moab?
Devils Garden Campground (51 sites) fills nightly March–October and requires advance Recreation.gov reservations. Many visitors opt for Moab lodging (5 miles south, no booking needed) for convenience and hotel amenities. Moab has 20+ hotels.
Is there food available in or near the park?
No restaurants exist in Arches. Pack lunch and snacks daily. Moab is 5 miles south with dozens of restaurants (Sunset Grill, Trailhead Public House, Antica Forma, Arches Thai, and casual cafes). Gas stations near the park sell limited snacks.
Sources & Further Reading
- Plan Your Visit - Arches National Park — National Park Service
- Hiking - Arches National Park — National Park Service
- Trip Ideas - Arches National Park — National Park Service
- Devils Garden - Arches National Park — National Park Service
- Auto Touring - Arches National Park — National Park Service
- Camping - Arches National Park — National Park Service
- Devils Garden Campground - Recreation.gov — Recreation.gov
- Fiery Furnace Permits - Arches National Park — National Park Service
- Arches National Park Lifts Entry Reservation Requirement for 2026 — National Park Service
- Visitor Centers - Arches National Park — National Park Service
- Tower Arch Trail - Arches National Park — National Park Service
- Best Western Plus Canyonlands Inn, Moab — Best Western
- Red Cliffs Lodge Moab — Red Cliffs Lodge
- Arches National Park - Camping, Permits & More — Recreation.gov
