Gateway: Moab, UT (10 min)
Regional Hub: Salt Lake City, UT (3.7h)
Accessibility: High
Difficulty: Easy – Moderate
🗓️ When to Visit: Seasonal Guide
🔼 Peak Season: April – May; Sept – Oct
🔽 Low Season: Dec – Feb
Avg Highs: 92°F Summer / 44°F Winter
✅ Must Do: Hike to Delicate Arch at sunset
✅ Iconic Landmarks: Delicate Arch, Landscape Arch, Balanced Rock, Double Arch, Devils Garden
✅ Notable Wildlife: Desert Bighorn Sheep, Mule Deer, Kit Foxes, Collared Lizards
⏱️ Time Required: 1-2 Days
🧠 Trivia: Home to over 2,000 documented natural stone arches.
Our Expert Insights for Visiting Arches National Park
Arches is a surreal gallery of over 2,000 natural stone spans, carved by water and time. In this high-desert playground, your choice of season is crucial for planning a great trip.
Each winter, America’s greatest treasures are putting on a secret show. Welcome to the National Parks’ quiet season, where solitude and stunning beauty await.
With Expertise on Arches National Park
Not Everything You Need to Know, But a Good Place to Start
The best times to visit are during the shoulder seasons of April through May and September through October. During these months, daytime temperatures are pleasant, usually ranging from 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, making hiking enjoyable. Summer can be dangerously hot with temperatures often exceeding 100 degrees, while winter offers solitude and snow-capped red rocks but requires warm clothing and traction devices for icy trails.
Read our season-by-season guide on choosing the right time to visit Arches National Park.
Yes, you likely do. Arches National Park typically requires a timed-entry vehicle reservation from April 1 through October 31 for visits between 7 am and 4 pm. You must book these tickets online in advance at Recreation.gov, as they are not sold at the park entrance. If you do not have a reservation, you may enter the park before 7 am or after 4 pm.
The closest airport is Canyonlands Regional Airport (CNY), located just 11 miles from the park, which offers flights from Salt Lake City and Denver. Most visitors fly into Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) and drive approximately four hours southeast to Moab. You can also drive from Denver, which takes about six hours through the scenic Rocky Mountains.
Yes, having a personal vehicle is highly recommended. Unlike Zion National Park, Arches does not have a mandatory park shuttle system, and the scenic drive is 18 miles one-way with trailheads spread out along the route. While some private shuttle services exist in Moab, they limit your flexibility to explore at your own pace and stay for sunset.
The town of Moab is the gateway to the park and offers a wide variety of hotels, motels, and vacation rentals just minutes from the entrance. For a camping experience inside the park, Devils Garden Campground is the only option, but it is extremely popular and must be reserved months in advance. There are also numerous commercial campgrounds and BLM camping areas along the Colorado River just outside the park.
For an easy and rewarding walk, The Windows Section offers massive arches with short, flat trails perfect for families. The hike to Double Arch is another easy, half-mile round trip that leads to the tallest arch in the park. For a moderate challenge, the Park Avenue trail descends into a spectacular canyon of towering sandstone monoliths.
Delicate Arch is the park’s icon, but the viewpoint trail (as opposed to the hike to the arch itself) can be underwhelming because the arch appears quite small from a distance. Instead of fighting the crowds at the lower viewpoint, commit to the strenuous hike to the arch itself for the full experience, or visit lesser-known gems like Sand Dune Arch or Tower Arch if you want to avoid the masses entirely.
While many animals are nocturnal to avoid the heat, you may spot mule deer, desert cottontails, and black-tailed jackrabbits during the cooler parts of the day. Desert bighorn sheep are frequently seen along the cliffs near the park entrance and Highway 191. Lizards are abundant in the summer, and you might be lucky enough to see a kit fox or coyote at dusk.
Arches is not very dog-friendly. Pets are strictly prohibited on all hiking trails and anywhere off-road. You can only have your dog with you in the campground, parking lots, and on paved roads, so if you plan to hike, it is best to leave your pet at a kennel in Moab.
The hike to Delicate Arch is a strenuous 3-mile round trip with 480 feet of elevation gain. It involves hiking up a steep, exposed slickrock slope with absolutely no shade, so it can be grueling in the summer heat. You should bring at least 2 liters of water per person and avoid attempting this hike in the middle of the day during summer.
You must pack significant sun protection, including a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen, as shade is nearly non-existent. Bring a refillable water bottle or hydration pack to carry at least one gallon of water per person per day. Sturdy hiking boots with good traction are essential for navigating the sandstone slickrock, and layers are important for fluctuating desert temperatures.
Yes, Arches is a certified International Dark Sky Park and offers some of the best stargazing in the country. Popular spots for night photography and stargazing include the Garden of Eden viewpoint, Panorama Point, and The Windows Section, where you can frame the stars through the stone arches.
Start by contacting any of the matching travel advisors listed above. These advisors have experience and expertise planning vacations to Arches National Park.
Three Simple Steps for Better Vacation Planning
Search by destination, vacation type, travel style, occasion, supplier, and more.
Compare matching travel advisors to find the ideal fit based on your needs.
Reach out to your advisor of choice to start planning your perfect vacation.
By subscribing, you agree to Yodl’s Privacy Policy.
Get our latest Expert Insights and meet our newest travel advisors!
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more in our Cookie Policy.
