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Planning a trip to Arches National ParkWith insider tips from real park rangers Arches National Park is one of the most stunning spots in the national park system. Home to more than 2,000 natural arches, one is so famous that it graces nearly every travel brochure and license plate for the state of Utah. You’ll see other rock formations, too—fins, monoliths, pinnacles, and giant balancing rocks—in addition to the one of the darkest night skies in the United States. Many of the park’s most popular sites are visible from its Scenic Drive, but for those unafraid of a little physical exertion, Arches will reward you with amazing and unforgettable payoffs on each of its trails. Getting to Arches National ParkArches is located in southeastern Utah, just outside the town of Moab, one of the most highly-touted outdoor recreation areas in the country, if not the world. Most visitors fly into Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) and then drive four hours to the park. Colorado’s Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT) is serviced by several airlines and is about a two-hour drive from Arches. While Moab does have its own airport (CNY), flights are extremely limited, sometimes just one a day to and from Denver. The state of Utah is blessed with four additional national parks: Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion. Often, travelers will combine a trip to Arches with one or all of these spectacular sites. It’s also possible to dip into Arizona for a visit to the north rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Timing your visit to Arches National ParkThe temperature at Arches varies widely throughout the year with an average low in the winter of 22°F and an average high in the summer of a scorching 100°F. Arches National Park in winter | Photo: ShutterstockRanger Tip Wait times to enter the park can sometimes be more than 30 minutes. Try to arrive prior to 9 a.m. or after 3 p.m. to avoid traffic backups and parking issues. Shoulder seasons Ranger Tip If you’re a photographer, you’ll want to time your visit with sunrise and sunset for the most dramatic photos. Visit nps.gov for a list of which locations photograph best at particular times. Summer Winter Things to do in Arches National ParkYou’ll find plenty of wonders to explore and photograph at Arches. Visitor center Ranger Tip If you have kids (ages 6 through 12), make sure to pick up a booklet at the visitor center for the Junior Ranger program. The park also lends out Explorer Packs with binoculars, hand lens, naturalist guides, notebooks, and activity ideas as an alternative way to earn the Junior Ranger badge. Drive the park Under normal conditions, Salt Valley Road is passable in two-wheel-drive vehicles and affords views of Klondike Bluffs and Tower Arch before heading out toward Interstate 70, but during periods of rain, this road may become undriveable. All other roads in the park require high clearance and four-wheel drive. Note that all-terrain vehicles are prohibited in Arches. Biking Ranger Tip Moab is a world-famous mecca for mountain biking. Its highly-technical, 9.6-mile Slickrock Bike Trail is a bucket list ride for mountain biking enthusiasts. That being said, you can find trails for all skill levels in and around Moab. Stargazing at Balanced Rock | Photo: ShutterstockStargazing
Canyoneering, horseback riding, and rock climbing are also allowed in Arches. Hiking in Arches National ParkThe most popular way to experience Arches and its many natural wonders is on foot. Fortunately, you’ll find hikes for every skill level. Ranger Tip As is the case with most national parks, pets are not allowed on the trails or at the viewpoints. However, you should be very careful about leaving your furry friends in your vehicle, even with the window partially opened. The desert heat can be deadly. Instead, consider boarding your pets in Moab for the day. If you’re looking to hike with your dog in the early morning or early evening, try the 3-mile (round trip) Corona Arch Trail outside the park on Bureau of Land Management land. This scenery is comparable to Arches. Easy hikes Across the parking lot from the Windows Trail is the ½-mile (round trip) Double Arch Trail, which is not to be missed. The best view is under the arch looking up as it’s hard to see the full scope of the arch from the parking lot. The 1.6-mile (round trip) Devils Garden Trail leads to the longest arch in the park—Landscape Arch—at over 300 feet. That’s the length of a football field! You can continue on this trail, but it becomes much more strenuous after Landscape Arch. Instead, to see more arches, take the spur trails to Pine Tree Arch and Tunnel Arch. Ranger Tip Wear good hiking shoes, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunscreen. Bring at least two liters of water per person. You’ll need every drop! Moderate hikes Strenuous hikes Ranger Tip There’s a 600-foot rock ledge at the end of this hike where you’ll want to keep a close eye on kids. The 4.5-mile (round trip) Double O Arch Trail is a “great bang for your buck” hike with six arches to see which aren’t visible from the road or any viewpoint. This hike starts at Devils Garden Trailhead along the same path to Landscape Arch. Because of all the rare plants and fragile soils in this confined area, you’ll need to explore the Fiery Furnace hike either with a ranger on a pre-booked tour or obtain an individual permit (only 75 per day). The trail travels through a labyrinth of canyons and fins and requires hikers to be reasonably fit, as you’ll need to scramble over some rocks and squeeze between others. The 2-mile hike takes three hours to complete. Children (age 5 and under) are not permitted on the tours. Watch this video to see if this hike is for you. The ranger-led tour is offered March through October. You’ll want to reserve tickets months in advance. Double O Arch | Photo: ShutterstockAccessible trails Staying in and around ArchesDevils Garden is the lone campground in the park. While spectacular to say the least, it can be very difficult to get a site here. You can reserve campsites up to six months in advance for March 1 through October 31. The rest of the year, it’s first come, first served. RVs (maximum length: 40 feet) and trailers are permitted but not in the group area. There are no hookups, no dump station, and no cell coverage. Outside of the park, you can find various camping sites on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) property. The Moab Field Office maintains 38 campgrounds with more than 600 sites. If you’re looking for more amenities including a pool, consider Moab Valley RV Resort and Campground. You’ll also find plenty of hotel accommodations in Moab including newly-opened Springhill Suites Moab which is less than two miles from the park entrance road. Eating in and around Arches National ParkThere are no restaurants in Arches National Park, though the visitor center bookstore has a small selection of snacks. In Moab, this ranger recommends the blue cheese burger at Peace Tree Juice Cafe, the pad thai at Arches Thai, and nearly everything—Greek salads, falafels, and gyros—at Sultan Mediterranean Grill. If you’re looking for an evening outing, Canyonlands by Day and Night offers a cowboy-style, Dutch oven dinner followed by a guided, two-hour cruise down the Colorado River on the Moab Queen II. On the return trip, you listen to music and stories about the area’s cowboy and Native American history while floating by the illuminated canyon walls. How many days should you plan to spend in Arches National Park?Arches National Park is set up for visitors to visit in a single day with a focus on driving the 25-mile Scenic Drive, pausing to gaze at red rock landscapes at conveniently-located viewpoints, and hiking a few trails for a closer look at the magnificent arches, soaring pinnacles, massive fins, and towering monoliths. Of course, if you have a few more days to spend in the park, you can hike all the trails including the ranger-led (or permit only) Fiery Furnace trek. If you have one day to experience Arches National Park, here’s a solid plan:
Ranger Tip Download your Junior Ranger booklet and print out a park map in advance rather than picking it up at the visitor center. Or stop into the center the day before your visit.
Make your road trip planning simplePlanning a trip to a national park can be overwhelming. Roadtrippers is here to make it simple. Use our maps to make it easier to plan your trip and find the most interesting stops. Planning your road trip with us is like having a local expert as your guide. Take your road trip planning to the next level with Roadtrippers Plus. Explore even more with Roadtrippers PlusPlan longer tripsAdd up to 150 stops to your epic road trips. No adsPlan your trip without interruption. CollaborationBuild incredible journeys with a little help from your friends. Live trafficCheck traffic conditions while on the road. First things firstBefore you can sign up for Roadtrippers Plus, we need you to create a Roadtrippers account or sign into your existing account. Create a Roadpass to get started Already have a Roadtrippers account? We need you email addressBefore we can sign you up for Roadtrippers Plus, we need your email address. Click the button below to go to your profile. Let’s get you a Roadtrippers Plus accountDue Now Thank you for signing up for Roadtrippers PlusGet started planning your next trip now! Good news—you already have Roadtrippers Plus!Thanks for being one of our most dedicated users. We’ll always remain free to use. Image header credit: Shutterstock Can you just drive through Arches National Park?You can drive yourself into Arches National Park, but be aware of the timed entry reservations system that can require months of pre-planning. There are a few things to consider, which can help you make the decision to visit Arches on your own or join a guided tour.
How many days do you need to see Arches National Park?How long to spend in Arches National Park. One full day in Arches will allow visitors time to experience a nice variety of the Arches trails while two days will allow time to explore all the big trails.
Is Arches worth driving through?Paved Roads
The scenic drive in Arches passes many outstanding natural features. Parking is limited at all destinations, and popular trailheads like Delicate Arch and Devils Garden may fill for hours at a time, especially on weekends and holidays.
How do you get around Arches National Park?The best way to get around Arches National Park is by car. There is no public transportation inside Arches National Park, though commercial tours are offered by companies in Moab, Utah, which sits about 5 miles southeast of the park entrance.
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