Arches National Park by Month: Weather, What’s Open & When to Go (2026)
Arches National Park · every month
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Average temperatures from the NOAA station at park headquarters, daylight from the sun's math, fees and rules from the park's own pages. Choose a month and the page changes to what Arches is actually like then.
average highaverage lowprecipitationsnowhours across the top = daylight
Arches Np Hqs, Ut Us, 4,090 ft (NOAA 1991-2020 normals, station USC00420336). Tap a column or pick a month below.
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Showing all twelve months. Pick one and the page becomes that month.
Last updated September 3, 2026 How we research
Arches is a high-desert park with almost no shade, so the year is really a question of heat. From April through October the park runs at full tilt and the only thing that changes is how early you need to be on the trail: comfortable all day in April and October, dawn-only by July when the average high reaches 99 and the record is 116. December through February flips it: highs in the 40s, nights in the 20s, a few inches of snow that can close slickrock trails, and the emptiest parking lots of the year.
The chart shows the whole year. Below it, every month has the same five answers: what the weather feels like, how much daylight you get, what is open, how busy it is, and what to do. There is no timed-entry reservation in 2026, the park is open 24 hours a day year-round, and entrance is $30 per vehicle at a cashless station; the page repeats those where they matter.
When does it snow?
Not much, and not for long. NOAA's normals for the station at park headquarters show measurable snow from October (a tenth of an inch) through March (half an inch), with December the biggest month at about 3.5 inches and January second at about 2 inches. The first month that averages an inch or more is December. The amount matters less than what it does: even a light dusting or ice makes slickrock trails impassable and can close park roads until it melts, which in this sun usually takes a day or two.
Arches National Park in January
January: the coldest month and the emptiest one
Highs in the low 40s, lows in the low 20s, and the record cold of -1 belongs to this season. Days are short, under ten hours, but the low winter sun on red rock is the best light of the year, and if snow falls it is the rarest photograph in the park.
- 42° / 22°avg high / low
- 9.7 hdaylight, 7:34 am to 5:18 pm
- 0.6 inprecipitation, 2 in snow
What’s open
- The park is open 24 hours a day, and the visitor center is open (it closes only on December 25).
- Entrance is $30 per vehicle; the entrance station is cashless. No timed-entry reservation in 2026.
- Trails and roads can close after snow or ice: even a small amount makes slickrock impassable.
- Moab runs at a slower pace with some restaurants and outfitters on reduced hours, but lodging is at its cheapest of the year.
How busy
The quietest month of the year; no entrance lines, empty trailhead parking.
Best for
- solitude
- winter photography
- cheap lodging
What to do
- Delicate Arch at sunrise or sunset with almost nobody on the trail; carry traction if there has been any snow.
- The Windows and Double Arch, short walks that work in a cold morning.
- Photograph the low-angle light on Park Avenue and Balanced Rock.
Pack
- Traction devices for icy slickrock
- Insulated jacket and warm base layers
- A headlamp: sunset is before 5:30
Arches National Park in February
February: warming fast, still nearly empty
Highs climb toward 50 and there is an extra hour of daylight over January, but nights stay below freezing and about an inch of snow is still normal. Crisp hiking on near-empty trails, with the same ice caveat as January.
- 50° / 29°avg high / low
- 10.7 hdaylight, 7:10 am to 5:54 pm
- 0.6 inprecipitation, 1 in snow
What’s open
- Park open 24 hours; visitor center open daily.
- $30 per vehicle, cashless. No timed entry in 2026.
- Roads and trails can close following rain or snow; check conditions before an early start.
How busy
Still winter-quiet; a few more weekend visitors than January.
Best for
- quiet trails
- photography
What to do
- Devils Garden to Landscape Arch, a long walk that is far more pleasant at 50 than at 95.
- Park Avenue in the morning, when the fins hold the light.
- Base in Moab for the cheapest rates of the year and a slower town.
Pack
- Layers for a 20-degree swing between night and afternoon
- Microspikes in case of ice in the shade
- Sunglasses: the light is strong even in winter
Arches National Park in March
March: spring starts, and so does the season
Highs jump into the 60s, nights hover near freezing, and daylight passes twelve hours by the end of the month. The last traces of snow disappear and the park's peak visitation season, which runs March through October, begins with spring break.
- 62° / 37°avg high / low
- 11.9 hdaylight, 7:31 am to 7:24 pm
- 0.7 inprecipitation
What’s open
- Park open 24 hours; entrance $30 per vehicle, cashless; no timed entry in 2026.
- Peak season begins: the NPS recommends entering before 8 am or after 3 pm to avoid lines at the single entrance.
- Reservations are still required for Devils Garden Campground and Fiery Furnace hikes.
How busy
Crowds return with spring break; weekdays early in the month are still calm.
Best for
- early spring hiking
- beating the April crowds
What to do
- Delicate Arch in the afternoon, when the 60-degree high makes the exposed 3-mile round trip comfortable.
- The Windows loop and Double Arch, which fill later in spring.
- Reserve Fiery Furnace early if you want a ranger-led or permit hike this spring.
Pack
- A windbreaker: spring winds kick up sand
- A warm layer for mornings below freezing
- Sun protection from the first day
Arches National Park in April
April: prime hiking weather and one of the busiest months
Highs near 70, lows in the 40s, more than thirteen hours of daylight, and almost no rain. The NPS calls April and May its 60-to-80-degree window, warm enough for full hiking days and cool enough that exposed routes like Delicate Arch stay comfortable. Everyone knows it, and April weekends prove it.
- 70° / 44°avg high / low
- 13.2 hdaylight, 6:43 am to 7:53 pm
- 0.7 inprecipitation
What’s open
- No timed-entry reservation in 2026: enter any time with a standard $30 vehicle pass (cashless).
- Enter before 8 am or after 3 pm; staff may temporarily restrict access to congested areas when lots fill.
- Devils Garden Campground and Fiery Furnace hikes still require reservations.
- Nights can still freeze into April: campers pack for both seasons.
How busy
One of the busiest months of the year; parking at Delicate Arch, Devils Garden, and the Windows can fill by mid-morning.
Best for
- hiking
- wildflowers
- full access
What to do
- Delicate Arch at sunrise, before the lot fills.
- The full Devils Garden loop to Landscape Arch and beyond, the park's longest maintained trail.
- Spring wildflowers across the high desert, best after a wet winter.
Pack
- Sun hat and sunscreen
- A warm layer for freezing mornings
- A windbreaker for sandy gusts
Arches National Park in May
May: warm days, mild nights, and the heat arriving late
Highs around 80, lows in the low 50s, and more than fourteen hours of daylight. The first half of the month is still the 60-to-80 sweet spot; by the last week the afternoons start to feel like summer and early starts begin to matter.
- 80° / 53°avg high / low
- 14.3 hdaylight, 6:06 am to 8:21 pm
- 0.8 inprecipitation
What’s open
- No timed entry in 2026; $30 per vehicle at a cashless entrance station.
- Enter before 8 am or after 3 pm to avoid entrance-station lines.
- Devils Garden Campground and Fiery Furnace reservations required.
How busy
Busy, with Memorial Day weekend the peak; still the spring prime season.
Best for
- long days
- late-spring hiking
- first dark-sky nights
What to do
- Start Delicate Arch early and be off exposed slickrock by early afternoon as the month warms.
- Fiery Furnace with a permit or ranger, where the fins hold shade.
- Late wildflowers, and the first warm nights for stargazing in an International Dark Sky Park.
Pack
- Two liters of water per person, more on long trails
- Sun protection
- A light layer for 50-degree mornings
Arches National Park in June
June: hot, bone-dry, and the longest days of the year
Highs in the low 90s, lows in the low 60s, nearly fifteen hours of daylight, and the driest month by NOAA's numbers. There is no shade in most of the park; the day belongs to dawn and the hours after sunset.
- 92° / 63°avg high / low
- 14.9 hdaylight, 5:52 am to 8:44 pm
- 0.4 inprecipitation
What’s open
- No timed entry in 2026; $30 per vehicle, cashless.
- The park is open 24 hours, which is the point in summer: evening and night visits are the best version of June.
- Devils Garden Campground and Fiery Furnace by reservation.
How busy
Summer-busy; the heat thins the trails by late morning but the scenic drive stays full.
Best for
- stargazing
- sunrise hikes
- longest daylight
What to do
- Hike at dawn and be off exposed trails by late morning; Delicate Arch at sunrise is the June move.
- Drive the scenic road's pullouts in the afternoon with the air conditioning on.
- Stay for dark: the sky over Balanced Rock or the Windows in an International Dark Sky Park.
Pack
- At least a gallon of water per person per day
- Sun hat, sunscreen, and electrolytes
- A headlamp for night walks
Arches National Park in July
July: the hottest month, and the monsoon begins
The average high is 99 with roughly 16 days over 100, and the park's record of 116 was set in this kind of heat. The monsoon arrives late in the month: violent afternoon storm cells that the NPS warns can cause flash floods, which is one more reason the early start is non-negotiable.
- 99° / 70°avg high / low
- 14.6 hdaylight, 6:04 am to 8:43 pm
- 0.7 inprecipitation
What’s open
- No timed entry in 2026; $30 per vehicle, cashless.
- Roads can close following heavy rain; stay out of washes and drainages when storms threaten, because flash floods arrive from rain that fell miles away.
- Park open 24 hours; nights cool into the 60s.
How busy
Still summer-busy, but the heat keeps midday trails quieter than spring; an estimate.
Best for
- dark skies
- sunrise only
What to do
- Sunrise at Delicate Arch or the Windows, then done by 10.
- Short shaded walks: Sand Dune Arch sits between fins and is the coolest spot in the park.
- Watch a monsoon cell build from a viewpoint, then watch the sky at night.
Pack
- A gallon-plus of water per person per day and salty snacks
- A rain shell for afternoon cells
- Sun hat and electrolytes
Arches National Park in August
August: still very hot, with the monsoon at full strength
Highs in the mid-90s and lows in the upper 60s, with about an inch of rain arriving mostly in afternoon storms. Flash floods are the real hazard: the NPS describes the cells as violent, and they can send water down a dry wash under a blue sky.
- 96° / 68°avg high / low
- 13.7 hdaylight, 6:31 am to 8:14 pm
- 0.9 inprecipitation
What’s open
- No timed entry in 2026; $30 per vehicle, cashless.
- Roads can close after heavy rain; check conditions before driving and stay out of washes when storms threaten.
- Devils Garden Campground and Fiery Furnace by reservation.
How busy
Busy mornings, thin afternoons as the heat and storms build; an estimate.
Best for
- storm photography
- early-morning hikes
What to do
- Delicate Arch before sunrise; turn around at the first sign of heat illness.
- Fiery Furnace early with a permit, then out before the afternoon build-up.
- Storm light and rainbows over the fins from the scenic road, from inside the car.
Pack
- A gallon of water per person per day
- Rain shell and a dry bag for electronics
- Sun protection for the hours before the clouds
Arches National Park in September
September: the heat breaks and the mornings turn crisp
The average high drops to 87, still in the 90s early in the month, and the lows fall into the upper 50s. The monsoon tapers off through the first weeks, so afternoon skies still deserve a look before you commit to a wash.
- 87° / 58°avg high / low
- 12.5 hdaylight, 6:58 am to 7:28 pm
- 0.9 inprecipitation
What’s open
- No timed entry in 2026; $30 per vehicle, cashless.
- Enter before 8 am or after 3 pm; the main lots fill on weekends.
- Roads can still close after late-monsoon rain.
How busy
Busy again as temperatures ease; fall weekends draw near-summer crowds to Delicate Arch.
Best for
- hiking
- golden hour
- stargazing
What to do
- Delicate Arch at sunset as the light goes gold and the heat lets you linger.
- Devils Garden to Landscape Arch and on to Double O, comfortable again by mid-month.
- Warm nights in a Dark Sky Park before the cold returns.
Pack
- Layers for a 30-degree daily swing
- A rain shell early in the month
- Plenty of water: it is still hot at noon
Arches National Park in October
October: with April, the finest month in the park
Highs in the low 70s, cold clear nights in the 40s, and the same 60-to-80 daytime range as spring. It is the wettest month by the headquarters station's normals, but that is barely more than an inch, and the golden cottonwoods along Courthouse Wash make it the park's fall-color month.
- 72° / 44°avg high / low
- 11.3 hdaylight, 7:26 am to 6:41 pm
- 1.1 inprecipitation
What’s open
- No timed entry in 2026; $30 per vehicle, cashless.
- Enter before 8 am or after 3 pm; Delicate Arch, Devils Garden, and the Windows lots fill by mid-morning.
- Devils Garden Campground and Fiery Furnace by reservation.
How busy
Near-summer crowds on fall weekends; the last busy month of the March-to-October season.
Best for
- hiking
- fall color
- photography
What to do
- Delicate Arch any time of day; the trail is comfortable from sunrise to sunset.
- Cottonwood color along Courthouse Wash, peaking late in the month.
- Fiery Furnace, Devils Garden, the Windows: the full itinerary without the heat.
Pack
- Layers for 40-degree nights and 70-degree afternoons
- A rain shell just in case
- Sun protection: the sun is lower but still strong
Arches National Park in November
November: cooling fast, emptying out
Highs in the mid-50s, mornings below freezing, and daylight down to about ten hours. The park settles into its winter quiet, and for photographers the low sun angle and bare cottonwoods make it an underrated month.
- 56° / 33°avg high / low
- 10.1 hdaylight, 6:59 am to 5:06 pm
- 0.6 inprecipitation
What’s open
- Park open 24 hours; visitor center open daily.
- $30 per vehicle, cashless; no timed entry in 2026.
- Under an inch of snow on average, but any snow or ice can close roads and trails briefly.
- Moab begins its slower winter season; some businesses reduce hours.
How busy
Thin after the October weekends; Thanksgiving week is the one bump.
Best for
- quiet hiking
- photography
What to do
- Full-day hikes with no heat and no crowds: Devils Garden, Delicate Arch, Tower Arch.
- Low-angle light on Park Avenue and the Courthouse Towers in late afternoon.
- Dead Horse Point State Park nearby for a second day of viewpoints.
Pack
- A warm hat and gloves for freezing mornings
- Layers for a 25-degree daily swing
- A headlamp: sunset is around 5
Arches National Park in December
December: the snowiest month, which still is not much
Highs in the low 40s, lows in the low 20s, and about 3.5 inches of snow, the most of any month. Days are the shortest of the year, under ten hours, and the park is nearly empty except for the days around Christmas.
- 42° / 24°avg high / low
- 9.5 hdaylight, 7:28 am to 4:57 pm
- 0.6 inprecipitation, 4 in snow
What’s open
- Park open 24 hours; the visitor center closes only on December 25.
- $30 per vehicle, cashless; no timed entry in 2026.
- Snow or ice, even a little, can make slickrock trails and park roads impassable until it melts.
- Moab lodging is at its lowest rates of the year.
How busy
Empty outside the holiday week.
Best for
- solitude
- snow on red rock
- cheapest lodging
What to do
- Snow on red rock at the Windows or Delicate Arch, if a storm delivers: the rarest sight in the park.
- Short walks that stay safe in ice: Balanced Rock, Sand Dune Arch, the visitor center nature trail.
- Warm up in Moab; winter is the town's slow season.
Pack
- Traction devices
- Insulated jacket and warm base layers
- Thermos and hand warmers
Which month is yours?
Questions people ask about Arches’s seasons
What is the best month to visit Arches National Park?
April, May, September, and October, when daytime highs run 60 to 80 and nights are cool. April and October are the two finest months: full hiking days, full access, and comfortable temperatures on exposed trails like Delicate Arch. The trade-off is company; both are among the busiest months of the year.
How hot does Arches get in summer?
Genuinely hot. July's average high is 99 with roughly 16 days over 100, and the park's record is 116. Most of the park has no shade. Hike at dawn, be off exposed trails by late morning, and carry at least a gallon of water per person per day. The park is open 24 hours and summer nights cool into the 60s, so evening and night visits are the best version of summer here.
What is the weather like at Arches in November?
Cooling fast and emptying out. NOAA's normals for park headquarters put the average high in the mid-50s and the low just above freezing, with about ten hours of daylight and under an inch of snow. Mornings start below freezing, days are comfortable for long hikes, and the crowds of the March-to-October season are gone.
Does Arches need a timed-entry reservation in 2026?
No. The park dropped the timed-entry requirement for 2026 (announced February 18, 2026), so you can enter any time with a standard pass: $30 per vehicle at a cashless entrance station. Parking at Delicate Arch, Devils Garden, and the Windows can still fill by mid-morning in peak season, and staff may temporarily restrict access to congested areas. Reservations are still required for Devils Garden Campground and Fiery Furnace hikes.
When is monsoon season at Arches?
Roughly July through September. Late-summer storm cells build in the afternoon and the NPS describes them as violent and prone to causing flash floods. Stay out of washes and drainages when storms threaten, since floods arrive from rain that fell miles away, and expect roads to close after heavy rain. September is the tail end.
Does it snow at Arches National Park?
A little. NOAA's normals show measurable snow from October through March, with December the biggest month at about 3.5 inches and January at about 2. The park's record cold is -1. The amount is small, but even light snow or ice makes slickrock trails impassable and can close park roads until it melts.
Every month on this page is built from NOAA normals for the station at Arches headquarters, the sun's position, and the park's published dates and rules, not from a visit, and the page says so where it matters. Temperatures: Arches Np Hqs, Ut Us, 4,090 ft (NOAA 1991-2020 normals, station USC00420336).
