5-Day Arches National Park Itinerary
Conquer Arches' most iconic arches in five days through high-desert slickrock and hidden fins.
Arches straddles Utah's high-desert plateau where sandstone fins rise like giant sculptures from the Colorado River valley. More than 2,000 natural arches—the world's highest density—frame a landscape of raw slickrock, twisted piñon-juniper woodland, and endless red horizons.
- 76,519 Acres
- 2,000+ Documented arches
- 306 ft Landscape Arch span
- 4,085–5,653 ft Elevation range
Day 1: Arrival & Windows
Stay: Check into Moab Valley Inn or Sunflower Hill Inn downtown, 5 min from park entrance and walking-distance to restaurants.
Settle into the park's rhythm with accessible short hikes that showcase three major arches in one location.
- After arriving in Moab and reaching Arches Visitor Center by early afternoon, drive the Scenic Drive to The Windows Section.
- Walk the gravel loop to North Window, South Window, and Turret Arch, then visit nearby Double Arch for your first 0.6-mile loop.
Day 2: Delicate Arch Sunrise & Icons
Stay: Return to your Moab lodging; enjoy a dinner reservation at Sunset Grill or Desert Bistro.
Tackle Arches' most famous landmark on a cool morning before crowds and heat peak, then revisit viewpoints in late light.
- Depart your lodging by 6:30 a.m.
- for the Delicate Arch Trailhead at Wolfe Ranch.
- The trail climbs relentless slickrock with zero shade; expect a steep, exposed slope with views opening only near the arch itself.
- Return by mid-morning, then explore Park Avenue Trail (1.8 miles) in afternoon light as an alternative hike.
Day 3: Devil's Garden Deep Dive
Stay: Return to Moab; consider camping at Devils Garden Campground if you reserved ahead ($25/night).
Commit a full day to the park's longest trail system, accessing six arches and solitude beyond crowded sections.
- Drive 18 miles to Devils Garden Trailhead (45 min from Visitor Center).
- Hike to Landscape Arch (1.9 mi round-trip, easy), then continue past Double O Arch (4.1 mi round-trip, strenuous scrambling).
- Return via the Primitive Trail loop (2.1 mi one-way) for off-trail route-finding and narrow ledges above drop-offs.
- Total time: 4–5 hours for the full experience.
Day 4: Fiery Furnace & River
Stay: Return to your Moab base. Book a sunset rafting trip or dinner on the patio at Moab Diner.
Escape the main trails into a maze of narrow fins where route-finding and scrambling replace typical park hiking.
- Book a ranger-guided Fiery Furnace tour in advance (recreation.gov, 7 days ahead, $16 per person, 2.5 hours).
- The hike requires climbing through narrow cracks, walking along ledges above drop-offs, and jumping small gaps—no path, mostly instinct.
- After exiting the furnace by early afternoon, drive back to Moab for a sunset Colorado River float or rafting trip with Adrift Adventures or Paddle Moab.
Day 5: Departure & Optional Extensions
Stay: Check out and depart from Moab; or reserve a night at Kayenta Campground (Dead Horse Point) for a final desert night.
Squeeze in a final short hike or scenic overlook before leaving, or pivot to a neighboring state park for afternoon exploration.
- If your flight departs afternoon, hike Sand Dune Arch & Broken Arch (0.4–2.3 miles, easy-moderate) in the early morning, or revisit your favorite viewpoint from the Scenic Drive.
- For a full-day extension, drive 32 miles to Dead Horse Point State Park (45 min from park) for its iconic Colorado River overlook 2,000 feet above the canyon, with hiking trails and stargazing opportunities.
- Canyonlands National Park's Island in the Sky is another 15 minutes beyond.
Common Questions
Is a timed-entry reservation required for Arches in 2026?
No. Arches canceled its timed-entry system for 2026; walk-up entry is now permitted at any time during operating hours. However, expect vehicle queues of 30+ minutes and parking lot full warnings between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. March–October. Arrive before 7:30 a.m. or after 4 p.m. to avoid delays.
Can I camp inside Arches National Park?
Yes, but only at Devils Garden Campground (51 sites, $25/night). Reservations are required March 1–October 31 via recreation.gov; sites fill months ahead. November–February is first-come, first-served. There are no dump stations, water hookups, or showers. Nearby BLM land and Moab-area RV parks offer overflow options.
What's the best time of year to visit Arches?
April–May and September–October offer ideal hiking temperatures (60–80°F), lower crowds than summer, and safer conditions than winter. Summer (June–August) brings 100°F+ heat, water scarcity stress, and monsoon flash-flood risk in canyons. Winter (December–February) can mean snow, ice, and cold below freezing.
How much water should I carry on Arches trails?
The NPS recommends at least 1 gallon per person, per day. Longer hikes (Devil's Garden, Fiery Furnace) warrant 2+ quarts. Water refill stations exist only at the Visitor Center and Devils Garden Trailhead. Carry water filters or purification tablets if you plan to refill from springs on longer backcountry routes.
Do I need a high-clearance vehicle for Tower Arch?
Tower Arch requires an 8-mile unpaved road (Klondike Bluffs Road). A standard sedan can navigate it in dry conditions, but high-clearance/4WD is safer after rain. Check road conditions at the Visitor Center. If your rental car is low-clearance, skip Tower Arch and choose another hike instead.
Sources & Further Reading
- Plan Your Visit - Arches National Park — National Park Service
- Delicate Arch Trail - Wolfe Ranch Trailhead — National Park Service
- The Windows Section Trailhead — National Park Service
- Double Arch Viewpoint and Trail — National Park Service
- Park Avenue Viewpoint and Trailhead — National Park Service
- Sand Dune Arch Trail — National Park Service
- Balanced Rock Viewing Area — National Park Service
- Devils Garden Hiking Trails — National Park Service
- Tower Arch Trail — National Park Service
- Fiery Furnace Hikes — National Park Service
- Arches National Park Quick Facts — National Park Service
- Fees & Passes - Arches National Park — National Park Service
- Operating Hours & Seasons - Arches National Park — National Park Service
- Photography - Arches National Park — National Park Service
- Weather - Arches National Park — National Park Service
- Trip Ideas - Arches National Park — National Park Service
- Camping - Arches National Park — National Park Service
- Devils Garden Campground - Recreation.gov — Recreation.gov
- Ranger-Guided Fiery Furnace Loop Tour - Recreation.gov — Recreation.gov
- Moab Valley Inn - Hotel — Moab Valley Inn
- Sunflower Hill Luxury Inn — Sunflower Hill Inn
- Dead Horse Point State Park - Utah State Parks — Utah State Parks
- Arches National Park Lifts Entry Reservation Requirement for 2026 — National Park Service
- Plan Your Visit - Arches National Park (Trip Ideas & Itineraries) — Visit Utah
- Discover Moab - Arches National Park Trip Planner — Discover Moab
- Moab Adventure Center - Arches Lodging & Tours — Moab Adventure Center
- Geology of Arches National Park — U.S. Geological Survey
- Adrift Adventures - Moab River Rafting — Adrift Adventures
