Arches National Park: 1st Time Visitor Guide
Arches National Park is one of the most iconic and photogenic destinations in the American Southwest. Located just outside Moab, Utah, the park is home to over 2,000 natural stone arches, massive red rock formations, and scenic desert trails that make it a must-see for hikers, photographers, and road trippers alike. Whether you’re planning a short stop or a multi-day adventure, this guide will help you explore the park’s highlights, discover its hidden gems, and prepare for your first unforgettable visit.
Overview
- Location: Eastern Utah, near the town of Moab
- Established: 1929 (as a national monument), became a national park in 1971
- Famous For: Natural arches, balanced rocks, red rock landscapes, and dramatic desert vistas
- Park Size: Over 76,000 acres
Arches is a compact but stunning national park with easy-to-access attractions and some of the most iconic rock formations in the country, including Delicate Arch and Landscape Arch.
Photos
How to Get There
- By Car: Most visitors drive to Arches via U.S. Highway 191. The park entrance is 5 miles north of Moab, Utah.
- By Air: The nearest major airport is Grand Junction Regional Airport (about 1.5 hours away). Salt Lake City International Airport is roughly 4 hours away.
- By Shuttle/Bus: No public transportation directly into the park; car rentals from Moab are recommended.
Best Times to Visit
- Spring (March–May): Ideal weather, blooming desert wildflowers, popular with hikers and photographers
- Fall (September–October): Cooler temps, fewer crowds, excellent for hiking
- Winter: Peaceful and uncrowded, but can be cold and icy
- Summer (June–August): Extremely hot (often 100°F+), but manageable with early starts and plenty of water
10 Best Things to Do
On top of these 10 things to do in Arches National Park, I also highly recommend this Tripadvisor post on the park as it also showcases additional recommendations from visitors that are just as good:
- Hike to Delicate Arch – The park’s most famous landmark; a 3-mile round-trip hike with a rewarding view
- Drive the Scenic Arches Park Road – See the best formations without long hikes
- Visit Landscape Arch – One of the world’s longest natural arches
- Explore Devil’s Garden Trail – Offers multiple arches and a rugged experience
- Balanced Rock – A short loop trail and dramatic photo op
- Double Arch & The Windows – Easy trails to massive arches in one area
- Sand Dune Arch – A fun short walk through a slot canyon
- Fiery Furnace Ranger-Led Hike – A labyrinth of narrow passages (permit or tour required)
- Stargazing – Arches is a designated International Dark Sky Park
- Photography at Sunrise or Sunset – Capture the dramatic lighting on red rocks
5 Hidden Gems
- Tower Arch – A less-crowded arch that requires a short 3-mile hike through remote terrain
- Eye of the Whale Arch – Requires high-clearance vehicle access via Willow Springs Road
- Broken Arch Trail – Less visited and offers solitude with great views
- Pine Tree Arch – A peaceful trail near Landscape Arch that’s often overlooked
- Courthouse Wash Pictographs – Ancient Native American rock art near the park entrance
1–5 Day Sample Itinerary
Day 1:
- Arrive in Moab
- Visit Park Avenue and Balanced Rock
- Sunset at The Windows or Delicate Arch Viewpoint
Day 2:
- Early morning hike to Delicate Arch
- Explore Wolfe Ranch and Ute petroglyphs
- Afternoon at Sand Dune Arch and Skyline Arch
Day 3:
- Half-day hike in Devil’s Garden (to Landscape, Navajo, Partition Arches)
- Optional: Fiery Furnace permit hike
Day 4:
- Drive to Tower Arch via Salt Valley Road
- Visit Courthouse Wash Pictographs
- Stargazing night in the park
Day 5:
- Leisure morning with a short hike to Pine Tree Arch
- Scenic drive and exit via Arches Park Road
Packing List
You can get the majority of items on this list from my Amazon gear store:
- Refillable water bottles or hydration bladder
- Lightweight hiking shoes or trail runners
- Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a wide-brim hat
- Snacks and electrolyte supplements
- Layered clothing (mornings and evenings can be cool)
- Headlamp or flashlight for early/late hikes
- Park map or downloaded offline trail maps
- America The Beautiful Pass (if visiting multiple parks)
- Camera and extra batteries
- Permit printout (for Fiery Furnace or backcountry)
Where to Stay
- In Moab: Check hotel/lodging options
- Nearby Camping: Check camping options
Things to Know Before You Go
- Timed Entry: From April to October, Arches requires a timed entry reservation from 7 AM to 4 PM
- Cell Service: Very limited inside the park, download maps and directions beforehand
- No Gas or Food in Park: Fill up and pack meals/snacks before entering
- Pets: Allowed in parking areas but not on trails
- Crowds: Arrive early (before 7 AM) or late afternoon to avoid traffic and parking issues
- Park pass: If visiting multiple parks, get yourself an America the Beautiful Pass to save money
Related
Final Thoughts
Arches National Park is one of those rare destinations where every turn offers a postcard-worthy scene. From the glow of Delicate Arch at sunset to the hidden wonders in Devil’s Garden, it’s a paradise for both casual tourists and serious adventurers and let’s not forget it is only 1 of 5 Utah National Parks you can explore. With proper planning, the right gear, and a sense of curiosity, your first visit to Arches will leave you inspired by the power of time, wind, and stone.
Gorgeous hike! Your trip there really inspires me to visit Arches National Park someday! I would probably take 2 to 3 days though because I like to take my time but it is cool that you can see so much in just one day! It is such a beautiful site and your pictures really show it. The Turret arch looks like Africa. Many thanks for sharing your adventure.
Anne-Caroline
You are very welcome Anne!
I would really like seeing the Garden of Eden because I am a Christian and it appeals to me. The Devils Garden, sounds also interesting. There are certainly a lot of nice scenery to explore. I would like to know if the hiking is easy because I have trouble walking so it may not be for me. I like the Arches National Park scenic drive because there is no walking involved.
Elke
Hi Ingrid, the beauty of this park is that it is suited for people of all levels so in your case, there are many things to see and do that don’t involve serious hiking. You can just sightsee, including the places you listed, so here are my specific recommendations:
Just the drive alone on the main road is amazing.
Sight seeing Double Arch and the Window Arches is amazing (you can view them from a distance).
You can hike a little bit in Devils Garden (the early parts of it are very flat and easy to walk on).
Garden of Eden is also very small and accessible to all levels.
Oh, Arches National Park is definitely worth visiting at least once! I used to live in St. George Utah which I am sure you know is fairly close to several wonderful National Parks. Amazingly beautiful. I miss the desert scenery and the sunsets/sunrises over this beautiful landscape. Hiking this area is really just awe inspiring!
Totally agree with you Lea!
We plan to visit Arches the week of March 21st 2022 and will then travel down to grand canyon (stopping at Canyonlands and other scenic spots along the way). Is North rim of Grand Canyon CLOSED the end of March so we are only able to visit South Rim during this week? We want to continue on to Zion and Bryce after visiting Grand Canyon. Any road trip travel advise would be great. We are a family of 5 hikers who like to fill our days with activities. We have 1 week to take in as many adventures as possible. thank you!
Hi Lisa, the North Rim of the Grand Canyon is currently closed until mid May, but the South Rim is open. What I would recommend doing for your road trip is this:
Day 1: Arches.
Day 2: Canyonlands.
Day 3: Capital Reef.
Day 4: Bryce.
Day 5: Zion.
Day 6: South rim.
Day 7: Sedona (AZ).
This is a bit of trip all around, but if you’re headed into the Grand Canyon from Arches in 7 days, you may be able to do all of this.
We are going October 10th to Arches. So I have read several places that you have to arrive before 8am to get into the park. Is that true? And does the scenic drive require you to get in line early to pay to start the scenic drive?
So it’s all seasonal and if you arrive at peak time at Arches (usually summer-fall), you may have a long line of people. So arriving early would help you avoid the crowds. In my case (both times), I arrived there in early February and mid September and both times, it was fine for me. You can do the scenic drive in your car anytime you want in Arches, I just think that tip you read was in regards to avoid long crowds and traffic since there are only 1 lane roads in this park.