Pets in Arches

Two visitors walk a leashed brown and white dog along Cach Valley Road in Arches.

Bringing your pet to Arches requires understanding both thermal hazards and strict regulations. Leashed pets (6 feet or shorter) can walk established roads like Cache Valley Road and Willow Springs Road and stay in parking areas and campgrounds—but they're prohibited on all trails and overlooks to protect wildlife. Temperatures regularly exceed 100°F; asphalt can reach 167°F when air temps hit 102°F, burning paws in 60 seconds. All pets must be leashed, under voice control, and their waste collected immediately. Violations result in fines and potential mandatory court appearance. Plan visits before 8am or after 3pm when it's cooler, and never leave pets in vehicles.

Access & viewing

GPS Coordinates: 38.615731, -109.614002
Accessibility: Paved main scenic road. Established roads (Cache Valley Road, Willow Springs Road) are drivable. Pullouts and parking areas accessible by vehicle. No hiking trails permitted for pets.

Conditions & safety

Permits Required: 0

Planning advice

Nearby Attractions: Devils Garden Campground (overnight pet stays allowed), Cache Valley Road (scenic pet walk), Willow Springs Road (scenic pet walk). Pet-friendly alternatives: Dead Horse Point State Park, La Sal National Forest, Bureau of Land Management lands.
Nearby Facilities: Restrooms at Devils Garden Campground and visitor parking areas. No specific pet water stations on designated pet roads.
Tips Advice: Test pavement with your bare hand first—7-10 seconds is the safety window. If it burns you, it burns paws.
Walk only before 8am or after 3pm; midday is dangerous for pets.
Always carry water and rest pets frequently in shade. Watch for panting, vomiting, or disorientation—signs of heat stress.
Cache Valley Road and Willow Springs Road are best for pet walks; both are scenic and established.
Pets must be leashed at all times (6 feet max); longer leashes risk entanglement with vehicles.
Collect pet waste immediately and dispose in the nearest trash receptacle.
Never leave pets unattended in vehicles, even briefly. Never tether pets to objects other than your vehicle.

More details

Park Area: Arches National Park—park-wide pet policy
Family Friendly Notes: Pets can accompany the family on established roads and at campgrounds, but extreme heat is the main concern. Keep young children and pets hydrated, rest frequently in shade, and never leave either unattended in vehicles. Older kids can help monitor pets for heat stress signs (panting, disorientation, vomiting).
Recent Updates: Timed-entry reservations were eliminated for 2026 (NPS announcement Feb 18, 2026). Enter any time during operating hours with an entrance pass. Devils Garden Campground and Fiery Furnace hikes still require Recreation.gov reservations.
Attraction Type: Pet Policy Regulation Zone
Accessibility Level: Drive-up and pullout access only; no hiking allowed.
How To Get There: Enter via the main Arches entrance ($30 per vehicle). Pet-friendly areas are on established roads: Cache Valley Road and Willow Springs Road are the primary options. Pullouts and parking areas throughout the park allow leashed pets. Campgrounds (Devils Garden Campground) permit overnight pet stays.
Parking Availability: Parking at pullouts and designated areas along Cache Valley Road and Willow Springs Road. Main lot fills during peak season (March-October); arrive before 8am or after 3pm.
Entry Fees: $30 per private vehicle, $25 per motorcycle, $15 per person (bikers/pedestrians). Youth 15 and under free. Fees valid for 7 days.
Main Features: Designated pet-friendly established roads (Cache Valley Road, Willow Springs Road), regulations and restrictions, extreme heat safety guidance, wildlife protection zones.
What Youll See: Red rock formations, arches, canyon vistas, and desert landscape from established roads. Cache Valley Road and Willow Springs Road offer scenic views of colorful cliffs and geology without requiring trail access.
Safety Considerations: Extreme heat is the critical hazard. Arches regularly exceeds 100°F; asphalt reaches 167°F at 102°F air temps—enough to burn paws in 60 seconds. Pets left in vehicles above 65°F can die within minutes, even with windows cracked. Dehydration, heat exhaustion, and exposure to rattlesnakes and scorpions are constant risks. Dogs face predation from coyotes and mountain lions if allowed off-road. Pets are banned from trails and overlooks because they disturb wildlife behavior, damage fragile desert soils, and alert predators.
Photo Opportunities: Landscape photography from Cache Valley Road and Willow Springs Road pullouts; less dramatic than trail views but safe for pet owners. Best light: early morning and late afternoon.
Restrooms Available: 1
Restroom Type: Flush toilets at visitor areas and campgrounds; vault toilets in some parking areas.
Picnic Areas: 1
Interpretive Signs: 1
Guided Tours Available: 0
Nearby Services: Moab (nearest town, ~5 miles from park entrance) has veterinarians, emergency animal clinics, pet boarding kennels, and pet supply stores.
Common Wildlife: Coyotes, mountain lions, rattlesnakes, scorpions, desert lizards, ravens, and hawks. Pets can become prey for predators; keep leashed and under control at all times.
Best Wildlife Times: Dawn and dusk when wildlife is active—but pets are banned from trails anyway where you'd encounter wildlife.
Best Visit Times: Before 8am or after 3pm to avoid peak crowds and extreme midday heat. Avoid walking pets during 10am-4pm when asphalt and air temps peak.
Best Season: Fall (September-October) and spring (March-April) when temperatures are mild (60-80°F). Avoid summer (June-August) when temps regularly exceed 100°F.
Weather Patterns: Extreme heat (regularly exceeds 100°F June-September). Afternoon thunderstorms possible July-September (monsoon season). Spring and fall are mild and ideal for pets.
Peak Fill Times: Midday peak (8am-3pm) during March-October. Less crowded early morning and evening.
Busiest Season: March-October. Plan pet visits for early morning (before 8am) to avoid crowds and extreme heat.
Fishing Nearby: 0
Swimming Allowed: 0
Boating Allowed: 0

Location

Frequently asked questions

Can I bring my dog on trails?

No. Dogs disturb wildlife behavior in an already harsh desert, damage fragile soils and cultural sites, and face real hazards: rattlesnakes, scorpions, cliffs, and predators like coyotes and mountain lions. Even well-behaved dogs alter wildlife movement and survival odds. Dogs are banned on all trails and overlooks.

Will my pet's paws burn on the pavement?

Yes, if you walk at the wrong time. At 102°F air temp, asphalt reaches 167°F—hot enough to burn skin in 60 seconds. Test pavement with your bare hand first. If it's too hot for 7-10 seconds, it's too hot for paws. Walk only before 8am or after 3pm.

Can I leave my pet in the car while I hike?

No. At air temps above 65°F, cars heat up rapidly and pets can die in minutes, even with windows cracked. When air is 102°F, interior temps can exceed 160°F. If you want to hike trails, arrange pet care elsewhere or visit pet-friendly alternatives outside the park.

Is my emotional support animal or service dog allowed on trails?

True service animals trained to perform specific tasks for people with disabilities are allowed in the park, including trails. Therapy, companion, or comfort animals are not service animals under the ADA and have no trail access. Service dog owners must follow all leash and waste regulations unless the leash interferes with the dog's trained task.

Where exactly can I walk my leashed pet?

Only on established roads (Cache Valley Road, Willow Springs Road) and in parking areas and campgrounds. Your pet must be leashed at all times (6 feet max), under voice control, and their waste collected immediately. Stay off overlooks, trails, and visitor center buildings.

What happens if I violate pet regulations?

Citations and fines. Violations result in being cited, fined, and potentially issued a mandatory appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Court.

Are there pet-friendly hiking options near Arches?

Yes. Dead Horse Point State Park, Bureau of Land Management lands, La Sal National Forest, and other Moab-area trails allow leashed pets. Moab also has veterinarians, kennels, and pet boarding services if you need to board your pet during your visit.