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Arches National Park has been on my bucket list for years, so I’m glad we could finally visit! Woodrow and I decided to do a big road trip, starting at Mesa Verde National Park and heading northwest to Moab, Utah.
We originally planned to visit Arches before Canyonlands, but we didn’t have a reservation (more on that later). Luckily, we scored a last-minute timed entry reservation at 9am on the last day of the trip, and it really worked out in the end.
Spoiler: Arches did NOT disappoint! The incredible natural formations found throughout the park absolutely blew me away. There’s a ton of hiking opportunities whether you’re looking for easy or super difficult trails and everything in between. If you love nature and national parks, Arches belongs at the top of your list!
Continue reading to discover all our favorite trails and the tips we learned along the way that made our trip even better!
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When to Visit
The best times to visit Arches National Park are spring and fall. The summer temps can soar way into the 90s and 100s, while winters can be frigid. The fall and spring months offer mild weather, with cool mornings and warm afternoons.
Our trip was during Memorial Day Weekend, and the temperature was already quite warm. The days were in the mid-80s, but since it was overcast, it didn’t bother us too much. However, staying hydrated was key! Even while drinking a ton of water throughout the day, I still overheated after visiting Devils Garden and needed to take a break.
Some people say it’s super cool to see the arches covered in snow during winter, but get ready for low temps and slippery surfaces.
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Top Things to Do & See in Arches National Park
While we only had one day to visit Arches National Park, I feel like we managed to fit a lot in! Unlike Canyonlands, Arches requires a timed entry reservation between April 1 and July 6 and again from August 28 to October 31. We totally missed that (our fault – rookie mistake!), but we got lucky and snagged a last-minute cancellation for 9am, which was exactly when we hoped to go in anyway.
If you aren’t able to get a reservation, you can enter the park before 7am or after 4pm. I recommend the former to maximize your time in the park with fewer crowds and mild temperatures.
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Park Avenue & Courthouse Towers
Park Avenue and the Courthouse Towers are some of the first sites you see as you enter Arches National Park and drive the Main Park Road. The towering walls of red rock look like skyscrapers lining a city road. You can easily admire it from the road, or hop out and walk the paved, flat path to Park Avenue.
This view really sets your expectations for what’s to come. I was genuinely awestruck by how stunning these red rocks are. This is also a fantastic point to take in the views of the La Sal Mountain range, which you can see off in the distance towards the east. Other notable formations to admire in this section of the park include Sheep Rock, Three Gossips, and The Organ. There are a couple of designated areas to stop along the road if you just want to snap a few quick pics before getting back on the road.
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Delicate Arch
I highly recommend making Delicate Arch your first stop once you get into the park. This is one of the most iconic views in all of the national parks in Utah. If you plan to hike to the arch, you can skip the viewpoints – they weren’t worth it, in my opinion.
The hike to Delicate Arch is only three miles round trip, but can be quite strenuous, especially when it’s warm out. Wear shoes with a good grip (I recommend hiking boots or trail runners), a hat, and sunglasses. By the time we got to the trailhead (just before 11am) it was already pretty crowded, so try to get there as early as possible. We had friends who did it as soon as they got in the park at 7am, and there were just a few people.
The three-mile hike takes you over many different types of surfaces, from rocks to hard stone to even sand at one point. Be sure to watch your step and keep an eye out as there will probably be lots of people coming and going.
Once we got to the end of the hike, there was actually a long line to take a picture under the famous Delicate Arch. Thankfully, everyone was super nice, and the line moved along quickly. After we got our pictures, we found a spot to sit and just admire the incredible landscape.
At the trailhead, visitors can see ancient petroglyphs and Wolfe Ranch, an old homestead. We decided to take a look at these after the hike, so we could make sure we stayed on schedule to visit the rest of the park. Delicate Arch was my favorite thing to see in the park and one of the most famous sites in the world, so be sure not to miss it!
The views from both the upper and lower viewpoints aren’t the best, in my opinion. So if you plan to hike to the arch, I recommend skipping the viewpoints altogether. However, if you’re unable to make the trek, this is a great way to see Delicate Arch with an unobstructed view. It’s just pretty far, so bring binoculars or a zoom lens.
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Landscape Arch (Devils Garden)
After Delicate Arch, Devils Garden was my favorite place in Arches. This sandy region is full of hiking experiences for all fitness levels; it truly has something for everyone! We decided to hike to Landscape Arch, which was a happy medium – not too short and not too long. We did this immediately after hiking to Delicate Arch, and the temperature was warming up, so we didn’t want to push ourselves too hard.
As its name may suggest, Landscape Arch is the longest arch in the park, and, in fact, the longest in all of North America! The hike to Landscape Arch is rated as ‘easy’ by the National Park Service and has minimal elevation gain. The distance to the viewpoint from the parking lot is 1.8 miles round trip. You cannot hike directly to (or under) the arch.
To explore all of Devils Garden, you’ll need at least five or six hours. There are a bunch of hiking trails and beautiful sights to see. If you plan to spend a lot of time here, bring a good amount of water and be prepared for steep, narrow trails.
Double Arch
The tallest arch in Arches National Park is the Double Arch, located at The Windows/Double Arch viewpoint. The double arch is even visible from the parking lot! This is great for those who are exhausted from other hikes in the park.
We visited Double Arch towards the end of the day, so we were pretty tired and decided not to hike into the arch. However, you get a great view of it all along the trail. The trail is very easy and even all the way to the arches.
There are tons of spectacular geological features in this section of the park. This includes the North Window, Elephant Butte, Garden of Eden, Turret Arch, and Parade of Elephants. The parking lot is huge in this area, so you shouldn’t have a difficult time, no matter what time of day you visit.
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Skyline Arch
Sometimes the easiest hikes have the biggest payoffs. That’s true for the case of Skyline Arch, which is a short, 10-minute hike that leads you to one of the most beautiful arches in the park.
The path to Skyline Arch is a little rocky and begins with a few steps up stairs. It’s very short and one of the best views in the park. We were lucky enough to visit while no one else was there!
It’s just a quick stop and the pull-off is just off the main road.
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Petrified Dunes
Another quick stop in Arches National Park is Petrified Dunes. In fact, you can enjoy the view from the comfort of your car without stopping at all.
There’s no hike required to see the petrified dunes, just a quick stop on the side of the road. It’s just one of the many incredible landscapes to be found in the park.
Petrified dunes happen when ancient sand dunes are hardened into stones over centuries. They can also be found in other national parks in the southwest, including Zion National Park.
Also Read: White Sands National Park: Wild & Worth It!
Where to Stay
Moab is the closest town to Arches National Park. We covered where to stay in our Canyonlands article. Go check it out here!
Here’s a TL;DR version:
We stayed at the voco, it was fine, but we probably wouldn’t stay there again. If we returned for another long weekend, we’d probably opt for the SpringHill Suites. If we had more time, I’d definitely want to stay at the Red Cliffs Lodge for some luxurious relaxation.
Where to Eat
Just as we covered where to stay in our Canyonlands article, we also covered where to eat. Check it out!
TL;DR version:
- Breakfast & Lunch: Red Rock Bakery & Cafe
- Dinner: Sunset Grill
- Dessert: Bonjour Bakery & Cafe (this gem isn’t featured in the other article. You’re welcome!)
Tips for Visiting
- Reservations are mandatory (for high season). Reservations open up six months in advance and are first-come, first-served. This allows you to enter the park at the time of your choosing. Check out the National Park Service website for more information.
- If you don’t get a reservation, don’t worry. Reservations are required throughout the high season between 7am and 4pm. However, you can sometimes score a last-minute cancellation like we did. If not, you can enter without a reservation before 7am and after 4pm.
- Get an early start. It’s definitely worth seeing the arches with fewer crowds, especially Delicate Arch. Places like Delicate Arch and Skyline Arch are absolutely stunning at sunrise.
- Bring LOTS of water. The high temps and dry air dehydrate your body quickly. Bring lots of water and fill up when you need to. Many parking lots throughout the park are equipped with water filling stations, but you won’t find any along the hikes.
Final Thoughts
Arches National Park is truly one of the most beautiful national parks we’ve visited to date! You could definitely spend a week in Moab exploring Arches, Canyonlands, and Dead Horse Point State Park. I’d also love to build in some time to explore the fun and quirky shops and cafes of Moab. I think it’s safe to say that we’ll be back at some point!
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