Arches National Park

Arches National Park

Arches National Park protects one of the most spectacular desert landscapes in the United States. Located in eastern Utah near Moab, the park contains the largest concentration of natural sandstone arches in the world, with over 2,000 documented arches. Visitors come to experience towering red rock formations, scenic drives, dramatic sunsets, and some of the most iconic desert hiking trails in the Southwest.

Park Data & Statistics

  • State: Utah
  • Established: November 12, 1971
  • Park Size: ~76,679 acres
  • Annual Visitors: ~1.6 million
  • Elevation Range: 4,085 – 5,653 ft
  • Number of Natural Arches: 2,000+
  • Nearest City: Moab, Utah

Best Time to Visit

Spring (March–May)
Ideal temperatures and blooming desert wildflowers.

Fall (September–November)
Cooler weather and excellent hiking conditions.

Summer
Extremely hot with temperatures often exceeding 100°F.

Winter
Quiet season with occasional snow creating beautiful contrasts against the red rock.

Best Photography Locations

  • Delicate Arch at sunset
  • Landscape Arch in Devils Garden
  • Double Arch at sunrise
  • Balanced Rock at sunset
  • North Window Arch framing Turret Arch

Camping & Lodging Options

Devils Garden Campground
The only campground inside the park with incredible views of surrounding rock formations.

Nearby lodging options are plentiful in Moab, including hotels, campgrounds, and vacation rentals.

Indigenous / Cultural Significance

For thousands of years the region surrounding Arches was inhabited by Indigenous peoples including the Ute Tribe, Paiute Tribe, and Navajo Nation who used the area for hunting, travel routes, and seasonal living.

Entrance Fees & Pass Information

  • Private vehicle: Yes
  • Motorcycle: Yes
  • Individual: Yes

The America the Beautiful Annual Pass covers entry to all U.S. national parks for one year.

Hidden Gems Most Visitors Miss

  • Sand Dune Arch
  • Tower Arch
  • Park Avenue Trail
  • Broken Arch
  • Skyline Arch

Additional Resources (1)

• Official Arches National Park Website (National Park Service) – Official park information, hours, alerts, and trip planning.

• Arches National Park Maps – Download official park maps including trails and scenic drive routes.

• Arches Hiking Guide – Official hiking trail descriptions and safety information.

• Arches Current Conditions & Alerts – Weather updates, closures, and park alerts.

• Arches Timed Entry Reservation Information – Information about reservation requirements during peak seasons.

Popular Hiking Trails

  • Delicate Arch Trail
    3 miles round trip – The most famous hike in the park leading to Utah’s iconic Delicate Arch.
  • Devils Garden Trail
    Up to 7.9 miles round trip – Access to several arches including Landscape Arch.
  • Windows Loop Trail
    1 mile – Easy walk to several impressive arches.
  • Double Arch Trail
    0.6 miles – Short hike to one of the park’s most massive arches.
  • Sand Dune Arch Trail
    0.4 miles – A fun trail through narrow sandstone fins.

Top Scenic Viewpoints

  • Delicate Arch Viewpoint
  • Balanced Rock
  • Windows Section
  • Devils Garden
  • Fiery Furnace Overlook

Beginner-Friendly Activities

  • Windows Loop Trail
  • Double Arch hike
  • Park Avenue viewpoint walk
  • Balanced Rock short trail
  • Scenic drive through the park

Nearby Getaway Towns

Moab, Utah – Primary gateway town offering lodging, dining, and outdoor outfitters.

Waterfalls, Lakes, or Natural Highlights

  • Delicate Arch
  • Landscape Arch
  • Double Arch
  • Balanced Rock
  • Fiery Furnace sandstone labyrinth

Scenic Drives

Arches Scenic Drive

A roughly 36-mile round-trip drive through the park passing many famous landmarks including:

  • Balanced Rock
  • Park Avenue
  • Windows Section
  • Devils Garden

Maps & Navigation Resources

Visitors can use:

  • Official NPS park maps
  • onX Backcountry App
  • AllTrails hiking maps
  • Printed visitor center maps
  • GPS navigation hiking apps

One Day Itinerary

Morning

  • Sunrise at Double Arch
  • Windows Section hike

Midday

  • Visit Balanced Rock
  • Lunch picnic at Devils Garden

Afternoon

  • Hike to Landscape Arch
  • Scenic drive stops

Evening

  • Sunset hike to Delicate Arch

Popular Flora

Despite the desert environment, many plants thrive here.

  • Utah juniper
  • Pinyon pine
  • Desert Indian paintbrush
  • Mormon tea
  • Prickly pear cactus
  • Blackbrush

Popular Fauna

Mammals:

  • Mule deer
  • Desert cottontail
  • Kit fox
  • Coyotes

Birds:

  • Common raven
  • Peregrine falcon
  • Golden eagle

Reptiles:

  • Collared lizard
  • Western rattlesnake

Advanced/Backcountry Activites

  • Devils Garden Primitive Loop
  • Fiery Furnace guided hike
  • Long desert hiking routes
  • Photography backcountry exploration

Park History

The unique rock formations of Arches were shaped over millions of years by erosion, weathering, and underground salt deposits pushing layers of rock upward. The area was designated a National Monument in 1929 before becoming a national park in 1971 to protect its extraordinary geological features.

Visitor Tips and Safety

  • Carry at least 2–3 liters of water per person.
  • Avoid hiking during midday heat in summer.
  • Stay on marked trails and rock surfaces.
  • Watch for flash flood warnings during storms.
  • Timed entry reservations may be required during peak season.

Top 5 Bucket List Experiences

  • Hike to Delicate Arch at sunset
  • Explore Devils Garden and Landscape Arch
  • Photograph Double Arch at sunrise
  • Drive the scenic park road
  • Explore the Windows Section arches

Fun Facts

  • Arches contains over 2,000 documented natural stone arches.
  • Landscape Arch is one of the longest natural arches in the world.
  • Delicate Arch is featured on Utah license plates.
  • The park sits on top of a massive underground salt layer responsible for many formations.
  • Some arches collapse naturally as erosion continues reshaping the landscape.

Additional Resources (2)

• Discover Moab Visitor Guide – Local travel information including lodging, tours, and activities.

• Utah Tourism – Arches National Park Guide – Travel tips and highlights for visiting the park.

• AllTrails – Arches National Park Trails – Hiking trail maps, reviews, and GPS navigation.

• National Park Foundation – Arches Overview – Conservation information and park highlights.

• Arches National Park Wikipedia Overview – Detailed background on the park’s geology, history, and features.

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