National park · United States
Arches National Park
Enter before 7:00 or after 16:00 — the timed-entry line at the gate backs up 30–60 min mid-morning. Walk Delicate Arch (4.8 km) at sunrise, drive the rest, and skip the Fiery Furnace unless you booked a ranger tour weeks ahead.Enter before 7:00 AM or after 4:00 PM — the timed-entry line at the gate backs up 30–60 min mid-morning. Walk Delicate Arch (4.8 km) at sunrise, drive the rest, and skip the Fiery Furnace unless you booked a ranger tour weeks ahead.Enter before 7:00 or after 16:00 — the timed-entry line at the gate backs up 30–60 min mid-morning. Walk Delicate Arch (3 mi) at sunrise, drive the rest, and skip the Fiery Furnace unless you booked a ranger tour weeks ahead.Enter before 7:00 AM or after 4:00 PM — the timed-entry line at the gate backs up 30–60 min mid-morning. Walk Delicate Arch (3 mi) at sunrise, drive the rest, and skip the Fiery Furnace unless you booked a ranger tour weeks ahead.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
310 km²120 sq mi
approximate
Established
1971
Best months
Mar–May, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 310 km²120 sq mi
- About 310 km² (120 sq mi); the park boundary has changed several times since the 1929 monument (check).
- Established
- 1971
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Arches packs more than 2,000 catalogued sandstone arches into a high-desert plateau just north of Moab, from the 3 m opening that counts as an arch to Landscape Arch at 93 m base to base. It is small enough to see the highlights in a day and crowded enough that the hour you arrive decides your morning. Spring and autumn give 15–27 °C days; July and August push past 38 °C and the timed-entry gate fills early.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1971.
Size and age
310 km²120 sq mi · national park since 1971
About 310 km² (120 sq mi); the park boundary has changed several times since the 1929 monument (check).
Why go
- The world's densest concentration of natural arches, including Delicate Arch on the Utah licence plate.
- A scenic drive of about 29 km with short walks at almost every stop — doable in one day.A scenic drive of about 18 mi with short walks at almost every stop — doable in one day.
- Landscape Arch, at 93 m base to base, is one of the longest natural stone spans on earth.
- Dark skies and quiet trails in winter, when parking is easy and the crowds are gone.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulAvoid
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCold, 0–5 °C; quiet; ice on shaded trailsCold, 32–41 °F; quiet; ice on shaded trails
- FebCold and clear; snow possible
- MarMild days, cool nights; crowds build late in the month
- Apr15–22 °C; wildflowers; busiest spring weeks59–72 °F; wildflowers; busiest spring weeks
- MayWarm and dry; timed entry in force
- JunHot, 32–35 °C; start hikes at dawnHot, 90–95 °F; start hikes at dawn
- Jul38–40 °C; monsoon storms and flash floods100–104 °F; monsoon storms and flash floods
- AugHottest month; afternoon storms
- SepCooling; monsoon tails; good light
- OctDry, 15–25 °C; best all-round monthDry, 59–77 °F; best all-round month
- NovCool and quiet; short days
- DecCold, 0–8 °C; some snow; no queuesCold, 32–46 °F; some snow; no queues
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mule deer and desert cottontailAll year · Most often seen at dawn and dusk near the campground and Devils Garden. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Desert bighorn sheepOct–May · Occasional on the cliffs and talus; scan the rock faces from pullouts. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Migrating and nesting birds (about 270 species recorded)Apr–May, Sep–Oct · Canyon wren and spotted towhee near water; common ravens everywhere. | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
| Rattlesnakes and lizardsApr–Sep · Active in warm months; watch where you put hands and feet on slickrock. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| WildflowersApr–May · Cliffrose, prince's plume and cactus blooms after a wet winter. | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Moab
Drive US-191 north about 8 km to the entrance station, then the scenic road climbs the switchbacks.Drive US-191 north about 5 mi to the entrance station, then the scenic road climbs the switchbacks.
15–20 min
From Salt Lake City
I-15 south then US-6 and US-191 through Price and Green River.
4–4.5 h
From Grand Junction, CO
I-70 west to US-191 south.
2–2.5 h
From Denver
I-70 west, then US-191 south from Crescent Junction.
5.5–6 h
From Canyonlands (Island in the Sky)
US-191 north, then UT-313 west; the two parks share a day easily.
40–50 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Courthouse Towers and Park Avenue | The first canyon after the entrance: tall fins and towers, with the Park Avenue walk down the wash. | Open; roadside pullouts. |
| The Windows and Double Arch | The densest cluster of short, easy arch walks, plus Balanced Rock on the way in. | Open; large car park that fills by mid-morning. |
| Delicate Arch and Wolfe Ranch | The park's icon, the restored 1898 homestead and Ute petroglyphs at the trailhead. | Open; the lower viewpoint is a 100 m walk from the road. |
| Fiery Furnace | A maze of sandstone fins with no marked route. | Ranger tour or permit only. |
| Devil's Garden and Klondike Bluffs | The far north end: Landscape Arch, Double O Arch and the quiet Tower Arch area. | Open; the last 3 km to Klondike Bluffs is a rough dirt road.Open; the last 1.9 mi to Klondike Bluffs is a rough dirt road. |
Sketch map
- 1Arches entrance station · Gate≈38.617, -109.616Map ↗
- 2Visitor centre · Headquarters≈38.616, -109.620Map ↗
- 3Balanced Rock · Viewpoint≈38.701, -109.566Map ↗
- 4The Windows · Trail≈38.685, -109.533Map ↗
- 5Delicate Arch · Viewpoint≈38.744, -109.499Map ↗
- 6Wolfe Ranch · Trail≈38.737, -109.522Map ↗
- 7Fiery Furnace · Trail≈38.751, -109.567Map ↗
- 8Devils Garden Campground · Sleep≈38.777, -109.589Map ↗
- 9Landscape Arch · Trail≈38.791, -109.608Map ↗
- 10Tower Arch · Trail≈38.792, -109.675Map ↗
- 11Moab · Town≈38.573, -109.550Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private vehicle entry (7 days) | US$30 | vehicle | 2026 estimate; covers everyone in the car for a week. |
| Motorcycle entry (7 days) | US$25 | motorcycle | 2026 estimate. |
| Per person, on foot or bike (7 days) | US$15 | person | 2026 estimate. |
| America the Beautiful annual pass | US$80 | vehicle | 2026 estimate; pays off if you also visit Canyonlands, Bryce Canyon or Capitol Reef. |
| Fiery Furnace ranger tour | US$10–16 | person | 2026 estimate, on top of entry; sells out — book as early as the system allows. |
| Devils Garden Campground | US$25 | site | 2026 estimate; reserve months ahead for March–October. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Timed-entry reservation permit or guide
Fiery Furnace permit or guide
Backcountry camping permit or guide
Commercial filming or drone use permit or guide
Park rules
- Cryptobiotic soil
- Stay on rock, sand or marked trail; footprints break a living crust that takes decades to regrow.
- Pets
- Not allowed on any trail or in the backcountry; they may only be in the car or at the campground.
- Drones
- Launching or flying any drone is banned in the park.
- Climbing
- Not allowed on named arches or on most features marked on USGS maps; ask at the visitor centre before you rack up.
- Collecting
- No rocks, plants, artefacts or antlers may be removed; federal law.
- Camping
- Only at Devils Garden Campground or with a backcountry permit; no roadside sleeping.
Where to stay
In the park
Devils Garden Campground
The only campground in the park, 51 sites at the end of the road; reserve months ahead for March–October, first-come in winter.
Near the park
Moab
Motels, hotels, hostels and RV parks 8 km from the entrance; the practical base for both Arches and Canyonlands.Motels, hotels, hostels and RV parks 5 mi from the entrance; the practical base for both Arches and Canyonlands.
Near the park
BLM land along US-191
Dispersed camping on Bureau of Land Management ground north and south of Moab; no facilities, pack out everything.
Safety
Heat and dehydration high
Flash floods medium
Lightning on open rock medium
Route-finding on the Primitive Loop and Double O medium
Winter ice low
Accessibility
- The visitor centre, Courthouse Wash rock art boardwalk and the Delicate Arch lower viewpoint are barrier-free.
- Balanced Rock, the Windows and Sand Dune Arch have short, firm paths suitable for many wheelchairs with assistance.
- The Delicate Arch trail, Park Avenue and all Devils Garden trails beyond Landscape Arch are not accessible.
Visiting lightly
- Do not walk off-trail on cryptobiotic soil, even for a photo.
- Use the shuttle or car-pool where offered, and refill bottles at the visitor centre instead of buying plastic.
- Book the Fiery Furnace through the park rather than joining an unlicensed guide.
- Take all rubbish back to Moab; bins in the park are limited.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Arches National Park?
US$30 per private vehicle for seven days, US$25 per motorcycle or US$15 per person arriving on foot or bike (2026 estimate). The US$80 America the Beautiful annual pass covers Arches and every other federal fee area for a year, so it pays for itself if you also visit Canyonlands, Bryce Canyon or Capitol Reef.
What are the best hikes in Arches National Park?
Delicate Arch (4.8 km, 146 m of gain) is the one to do if you only do one. For an easier day, the Windows loop (1.6 km) and Landscape Arch (2.6 km) are flat and short. Double O Arch (6.8 km) and the Fiery Furnace ranger tour are the two that need more time, scrambling or a booking.
When is the best time to visit Arches National Park?
Late March to May and mid-September to October: days around 15–27 °C, dry trails and manageable heat. July and August regularly pass 38 °C and bring afternoon flash-flood storms. Winter is cold but quiet, with easy parking and no timed-entry queue.
Do I need a reservation to enter Arches?
In the peak season (roughly April–October, daytime hours) you need a timed-entry reservation booked online in advance, on top of the entrance fee. Outside that window you can just drive in. Check the NPS site for the exact dates each year.
Can I see Delicate Arch without hiking?
Yes. The lower viewpoint is a 100 m walk from the Wolfe Ranch car park and looks up at the arch from below. The classic view from the bowl requires the 4.8 km trail.
Is one day in Arches enough?
One full day covers the scenic drive, the Windows, Balanced Rock, the Delicate Arch viewpoint and Landscape Arch. Add a second day if you want the Delicate Arch hike at sunrise, Double O Arch or the Fiery Furnace.
Where should I stay near Arches National Park?
Moab, 8 km south of the entrance, has the widest choice of hotels and motels. Devils Garden Campground is the only camping inside the park and books out months ahead for March–October. Dispersed camping on BLM land along US-191 is the free option.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Sources
- officialNational Park Service — Arches National Park
- officialNational Park Service — Arches fees and passes
- officialNational Park Service — Arches hiking trails
- officialNational Park Service — Devils Garden Campground
- secondaryWikipedia — Arches National Park
- secondaryWikivoyage: Arches National Park, revision 5241750 (CC BY-SA 4.0)