National Park

Arches National Park

National Park★ 4.8
People sit and relax on the sandstone rim near Delicate Arch in Arches National Park, Utah, with the iconic arch visible in the distance.

Discover a landscape of contrasting colors, land forms, and textures unlike any other. The park has over 2,000 natural stone arches, hundreds of soaring pinnacles, massive rock fins, and giant balanced rocks. This red-rock wonderland will amaze you with its formations, refresh you with its trails, and inspire you with its sunsets.

Highlights

Why Visit
Arches National Park presents a landscape-scale geological canvas shaped by wind and water over eons. Its concentrated sandstone arches reveal a complex sedimentary history and ongoing erosional dynamics that inform our understanding of arid-region geology. Protecting this resource enables ongoing scientific work and controlled public access for study and experience.

Getting there & around

Getting There Airports
Canyonlands Field (CNY) in Moab, 16 mi south; Grand Junction Regional (GJT), 110 mi east; Salt Lake City Intl (SLC), 236 mi northwest
Getting There Driving Distances
Arches Visitor Center is located five miles north of Moab on Utah State Route 191
Getting There Entrances
Park entrance on US-191, Moab area (Arches Visitor Center at park entrance, 5 miles north of Moab)
Getting Around Reservations
No timed-entry reservation is required in 2026 (the program was discontinued for the year, announced Feb 18, 2026). Devils Garden Campground and Fiery Furnace hikes (self-guided or ranger-led) still require reservations on Recreation.gov.
Getting Around Parking
Parking lots at major trailheads fill quickly, often before 8:00 AM during peak season; arrive early or late to avoid crowds; limited parking at many destinations during busy periods

Where to stay

Where To Stay Inpark Lodging
Devils Garden Campground
Where To Stay Campgrounds
Devils Garden Campground
Where To Stay Gateway Towns
Moab, Utah

Safety & wildlife

Safety Bear Country
Wildlife is desert-adapted; bears are not a primary concern; follow standard wildlife guidelines
Safety Weather
Heat risk in summer; flash floods possible during the summer monsoon; plan for extreme heat
Safety Leave No Trace
Pack it out; stay on designated trails; respect cultural and natural resources
Wildlife Overview
Desert-adapted wildlife; no major threats identified in available data
Wildlife Safety
Follow general wildlife guidelines; keep distance; do not feed wildlife

Trip strategy

Entrance Hacks
The entrance line backs up mid-morning in peak season — arrive before 8 a.m. or after 3 p.m. The Windows and Delicate Arch lots fill first; Devils Garden anchors the far end of the park road.
Basecamp Logic
Devils Garden Campground is the in-park campground; reservations March 1–October 31; otherwise first-come in November–February
Tips Advice
  • Timed-entry can apply during peak season; reserve online well in advance.
  • Enter before 7:00 AM or after 4:00 PM if you have no timed-entry.
  • Arrive early to secure parking at Devils Garden, Windows, and Wolfe Ranch.
  • Do not rely on public WiFi at the Visitor Center; use data offline maps.

More details

Park Code
arch
Tagline
National Park
Entrance Fee
$30.00 - Entrance - Private Vehicle
Quick Facts Entrance Fees
$30/vehicle (7 days); $25/motorcycle; $15/person on foot or bike; children 15 and under free; America the Beautiful Pass accepted. 2026 non-resident surcharge: $100/person ages 16+ for non-US residents.
When To Visit Peak Season
Apr–Oct; timed-entry in effect; parking fills early
When To Visit Road Opening
Roads can close briefly after winter storms; no fixed reopening schedule provided
Weather Info
Arches is part of the Colorado Plateau, a "high desert" region that experiences wide temperature fluctuations, sometimes over 40 degrees in a single day. The temperate (and most popular) seasons are spring (April-May) and fall (mid-September-October), when daytime highs average 60 to 80 F and lows average 30 to 50 F. Summer temperatures often exceed 100 F, making strenuous exercise difficult. Winters are cold, with highs averaging 30 to 50 F, and lows averaging 0 to 20 F.
Review Summary
Visitors note high demand during peak season and the need to plan ahead for parking and entry; the park delivers dense geology and striking forms when access rules are followed.

Location

Sunset light casts a warm glow on a large sandstone arch in Arches National Park, with a distant desert landscape visible through the circular opening.Delicate Arch in Arches National Park glows orange at sunset with distant desert ridges and mountains.Star-filled night sky over towering rock formations at The Three Gossips in Arches National Park.Hikers on a red rock trail in Arches National Park, with towering sandstone fins rising along a canyon wall.

Essential Arches National Park guides

Use these first for the decisions that affect the whole trip. Every guide is part of this park's planning library.

Big Bend Campground

No hookups, water spigots, and paved sites near Broken Arch Trail; stellar dark skies.

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WorldMark Moab

$95 off-peak rates. Large suites with full kitchens. Moab access near Arches.

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Tandem BASE Moab

Moab BASE jump — cliff-edge tandem, 200 lb limit, pro video add-ons.

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Más café

Breakfast croissant sandwich and oat milk mocha—grab-and-go perfection on a quiet Arches street.

Rooted Vine

Vegetarian bites steal the show. Pair with the extensive wine list.

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Fiery Furnace

Fiery Furnace: red sandstone fins and slot canyons shaped by erosion and uplift.

Old City Park

Red arches formed by erosion in Entrada sandstone. High arch density, easy roadside viewpoints.

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Bald Eagle

Recovery champion of the skies — spot the white head and tail hunting fish over open water. Keep your distance!

Bighorn Sheep

Cliff-climbing athletes with 30-pound curled horns. Keep your distance and enjoy the show!

Black Bear

North America's most widespread bear — a powerful omnivore. Keep 100 yards back, always.

Bobcat

Nocturnal master hunter with a black-tipped bobbed tail. Elusive, solitary, and rarely seen.

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All Arches National Park guides 36 published

Browse the complete planning library, grouped by the decision you are making.

Park strategy

When to visit

Getting there

Where to stay

Trails & hiking

Activities

Wildlife

Safety

Photography & scenery

Food & dining

Sources

Editorial review: YourNPGuide Editorial Team. Information is compiled from official sources, verified traveler reviews, and editorial research; no firsthand visit is implied unless explicitly documented. Learn how YourNPGuide works.

Last updated February 2026. Report an issue.