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.

AreaBFE

Devils Garden Campground: 51 sites, group sites, no hookups, seasonal water, 18 mi from entrance.

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WorldMark Moab

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

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Devil’s Garden Trail

7.9-mile loop with a Primitive Trail scramble—test your grit. Start early, pack water.

Sand Dune Arch

0.4 mi out-and-back. Slot canyon shade, sandy arch payoff.

Balanced Rock

0.3–0.4 mile loop; easy access to Balanced Rock and La Sal views.

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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.

Cafe Italiano

Caprese Panini: crisp crust, mozzarella, tomato, basil; espresso hits with bold roast.

Rooted Vine

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

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Delicate Arch

Delicate Arch rises from red sandstone against a broad Utah sky. Erosion by water and wind carved this freestanding span.

Fiery Furnace

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

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Thompson Springs

Ghost town stop on I-70; gas up before Arches. Lodging and groceries in Green River or Moab.

Castle Valley

Quiet hideaway, one hotel, no restaurants. Book ahead and bring supplies.

Moab

Downtown Moab buzzes by day, then quiets after 9pm. Plan parking, meals, and a place to sleep well in advance.

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Arches Visitor Center

Your park entry point: maps, ranger intel, 24-hr water, and exhibits. Stop here first.

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Bald Eagle

White-headed apex predator! Recovered from endangered—respect the 100-yard distance.

Bighorn Sheep

Built for the rocks with 30-pound horns. Spot these cliff-climbers from 25 yards away!

Black Bear

Absolute unit of a bear! Maintain 100 yards—this powerful predator deserves respect and proper distance.

Bobcat

Bobcat: Desert's shy predator, spotted in shadows at dusk.

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All Arches National Park guides 44 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

Information is compiled from official sources, verified traveler reviews, and editorial research. Learn how YourNPGuide works.

Last updated February 2026. Report an issue.