National Park
Utah
Rockies
Arches National Park
Photo: NPS/Veronica Verdin
Arches National Park in Utah protects 76,679 acres of red-rock desert containing more than 2,000 named natural stone arches — the highest concentration on Earth; established in 1971, the park draws about 1.8 million visitors a year.
About Arches National Park
Arches National Park sits in southeastern Utah, five miles north of Moab on U.S. Route 191. The park covers 76,679 acres of red-rock desert on the Colorado Plateau and contains more than 2,000 named natural stone arches — the highest concentration found anywhere on Earth. Delicate Arch, a 65-foot free-standing sandstone span, appears on Utah's license plate and is the park's defining landmark. Arches ranks 21st among the 63 U.S. national parks by annual visitation, drawing roughly 1.8 million visitors in 2023. One paved scenic drive runs 18 miles from the visitor center to Devils Garden, with spur roads reaching the Windows Section, Balanced Rock, and the Delicate Arch trailhead.
USASymbol Score
72
/100
Personality
40/60
Beauty
14/15
Recreation
10/15
Privacy
5/10
Weather
7/10
Wildlife
4/10
Practicality
32/40
Accessibility
11/15
Amenities
8/10
Lodging
5/5
Affordability
4/5
Family
4/5
Privacy: higher score = less crowded
What Is Arches Known For?
More than 2,000 named natural stone arches, the largest concentration on Earth, all carved from Entrada Sandstone deposited about 150 million years ago. Delicate Arch, a 65-foot free-standing sandstone span that appears on Utah license plates, reached by a 3-mile round-trip trail with 480 feet of elevation gain. Landscape Arch in Devils Garden, one of the longest natural arches in the world at roughly 306 feet span. Dark skies certified by the International Dark Sky Association, with the Milky Way core visible to the naked eye from multiple overlooks along the main road.
Best Things to See in Arches
NPS/Neal Herbert
Delicate Arch
Delicate Arch is a 65-foot free-standing sandstone arch at the lip of a natural sandstone bowl, with the La Sal Mountains rising in the distance. It is the most photographed feature in the park and the symbol of Utah's outdoor identity. The trailhead sits at Wolfe Ranch, 12 miles from the visitor center; the round trip is 3 miles with 480 feet of gain on exposed slickrock.
NPS/Neal Herbert
Landscape Arch
Landscape Arch spans roughly 306 feet from base to base, making it one of the longest natural stone arches in the world. The arch is thin — in 1991 a large rock slab fell from its underside, narrowing the ribbon of stone further. It stands in Devils Garden, 1.9 miles from the trailhead on a flat gravel path.
NPS/Jacob W. Frank
Windows Section
The Windows Section groups four arches within a short walking distance: North Window (93 feet wide), South Window, Turret Arch, and Double Arch. The Windows Loop trail is 1 mile and requires minimal effort. Double Arch, reached by a separate 0.5-mile spur, consists of two arches sharing a single rock base — one of the largest arch spans in the park.
NPS/Kait Thomas
Balanced Rock
Balanced Rock is a 3,577-ton boulder perched on a narrow rock pedestal 128 feet high. The formation sits near the junction of the Windows spur road, 9 miles from the visitor center. A 0.3-mile loop trail circles the base; the formation is especially striking at sunset when the rock turns deep orange.
NPS
Fiery Furnace
The Fiery Furnace is a maze of narrow sandstone fins and hidden alcoves in the center of the park. Self-guided entry requires a permit and completion of a mandatory online orientation; ranger-led walks run in spring and fall and must be reserved at the visitor center. The fins glow orange-red at sunset, which gives the area its name.
NPS/Veronica Verdin
Devils Garden
Devils Garden is a ridge of sandstone fins at the north end of the park containing eight named arches, including Landscape Arch, Partition Arch, and Double O Arch. The main trail runs 4.2 miles round trip to Double O Arch; a primitive loop extension adds 3.7 more miles through scrambling terrain. The Devils Garden Campground sits at the trailhead.
NPS/Wonderly
Night Sky
Arches holds International Dark Sky Park designation from the International Dark Sky Association. The Milky Way core is visible to the naked eye on clear nights from April through October with no equipment required. Balanced Rock and the Windows overlooks are the most used spots for night photography, both accessible directly from the paved road.
Best Time to Visit Arches
spring
March – May
high
Rim: 50–75 °F (10–24 °C)
Best weather and desert wildflowers, but spring break and Easter weekend push crowds to peak.
summer
June – August
high
Rim: 90–105 °F (32–41 °C)
All facilities open, but midday temperatures are dangerous — hike before 8 a.m. or after 5 p.m.
fall
September – November
Moderate
Rim: 55–80 °F (13–27 °C)
Cooler than summer, thinner crowds than spring, and low-angle light sharpens the color of the arches.
winter
December – February
Low crowds
Rim: 20–45 °F (-7–7 °C)
Quietest season; snow-dusted arches photograph well but ice on slickrock makes some trails hazardous.
Spring (March through May) is the most popular season and offers the best combination of mild temperatures and desert color. Daytime highs reach 50–75 °F and wildflowers bloom in March and April. The trade-off is demand: spring break and Easter weekend fill the Devils Garden Campground and narrow the Delicate Arch trailhead parking lot to a long queue by 8 a.m.
Summer (June through August) brings temperatures of 90–105 °F and direct sun on exposed slickrock with no shade cover. All facilities stay open and the park is busiest, but midday hiking is genuinely dangerous. Visitors who start before 8 a.m. or wait until after 5 p.m. and carry at least one liter of water per person per hour can still reach the main arches without serious risk.
Fall (September through November) is the second-best window. Temperatures drop to 55–80 °F, crowds thin after Labor Day, and low-angle October light produces strong shadows that bring out the depth and color of the sandstone. Most facilities remain open through October.
Winter (December through February) is the quietest time in the park. Temperatures range from 20–45 °F and snowfall is occasional. Snow-dusted arches are photogenic, but ice collects on slickrock and the exposed sections of the Delicate Arch trail, making traction devices advisable.
Summer (June through August) brings temperatures of 90–105 °F and direct sun on exposed slickrock with no shade cover. All facilities stay open and the park is busiest, but midday hiking is genuinely dangerous. Visitors who start before 8 a.m. or wait until after 5 p.m. and carry at least one liter of water per person per hour can still reach the main arches without serious risk.
Fall (September through November) is the second-best window. Temperatures drop to 55–80 °F, crowds thin after Labor Day, and low-angle October light produces strong shadows that bring out the depth and color of the sandstone. Most facilities remain open through October.
Winter (December through February) is the quietest time in the park. Temperatures range from 20–45 °F and snowfall is occasional. Snow-dusted arches are photogenic, but ice collects on slickrock and the exposed sections of the Delicate Arch trail, making traction devices advisable.
Location
The interactive map is temporarily unavailable. Use the links below to open this park in Google Maps.
Nearest city: Moab, Utah Canyonlands Regional (CNY), ~18 miles
Hiking in Arches
| Trail | Difficulty | Distance | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balanced Rock Trail | Easy | 0.3 mi (0.5 km) loop | ~30 ft (9 m) |
| Short loop around the base of the 128-foot formation on packed gravel. Suitable for all ages. | |||
| Sand Dune Arch | Easy | 0.4 mi (0.6 km) round trip | Minimal |
| Narrow slot between sandstone fins leads to a sand-floored arch. Shaded and cool on hot afternoons. | |||
| Windows Loop | Easy | 1.0 mi (1.6 km) loop | ~100 ft (30 m) |
| Visits North Window, South Window, and Turret Arch. A 0.5-mi spur reaches Double Arch. | |||
| Landscape Arch | Easy | 1.9 mi (3.1 km) round trip | ~50 ft (15 m) |
| Flat gravel path from Devils Garden trailhead to one of the world's longest arches. No shade; bring water. | |||
| Park Avenue | Moderate | 2.0 mi (3.2 km) one-way | ~320 ft (98 m) descent |
| Passes towering sandstone fins resembling city skyscrapers. Typically done one-way with a car shuttle. | |||
| Delicate Arch Trail | Moderate | 3.0 mi (4.8 km) round trip | ~480 ft (146 m) |
| Exposed slickrock with no shade. Start before 8 a.m. or after 4 p.m. in summer. Carry at least 1 liter per person. | |||
| Devils Garden Primitive Loop | Strenuous | 7.9 mi (12.7 km) loop | ~500 ft (152 m) |
| Passes Landscape Arch and seven more named arches. Primitive sections require scrambling and cairn navigation. Not recommended in wet or icy conditions. | |||
Easy trails reach several major arches with minimal effort. Balanced Rock Trail (0.3-mile loop) circles the 128-foot formation on flat packed gravel. Sand Dune Arch (0.4 miles round trip) passes through a narrow slot to a shaded, sand-floored arch — one of the cooler spots in the park on hot days. Windows Loop (1.0-mile loop) connects North Window, South Window, and Turret Arch, with a 0.5-mile spur to Double Arch. Landscape Arch is a 1.9-mile round trip on flat gravel from the Devils Garden trailhead to a 306-foot span; there is no shade, so bring water regardless of the season.
Moderate trails require more time and gain but reach the park's signature features. Delicate Arch Trail (3.0 miles round trip, 480 ft gain) climbs exposed slickrock with no shade at all. In summer, start before 8 a.m. or after 4 p.m. and carry at least 1 liter of water per person. Park Avenue (2.0 miles one-way, 320 ft descent) runs between towering sandstone fins and works best as a one-way hike with a car shuttle between the two trailheads.
Strenuous routes extend into the back of Devils Garden. The Devils Garden Primitive Loop (7.9 miles, ~500 ft gain) visits Landscape Arch and seven additional named arches, with scrambling sections and cairn navigation across the primitive stretch. Wet or icy rock makes the primitive sections dangerous; ask a ranger at the trailhead about current conditions before starting. Carry at least 2 liters of water per person for any route over 4 miles in warm months.
Moderate trails require more time and gain but reach the park's signature features. Delicate Arch Trail (3.0 miles round trip, 480 ft gain) climbs exposed slickrock with no shade at all. In summer, start before 8 a.m. or after 4 p.m. and carry at least 1 liter of water per person. Park Avenue (2.0 miles one-way, 320 ft descent) runs between towering sandstone fins and works best as a one-way hike with a car shuttle between the two trailheads.
Strenuous routes extend into the back of Devils Garden. The Devils Garden Primitive Loop (7.9 miles, ~500 ft gain) visits Landscape Arch and seven additional named arches, with scrambling sections and cairn navigation across the primitive stretch. Wet or icy rock makes the primitive sections dangerous; ask a ranger at the trailhead about current conditions before starting. Carry at least 2 liters of water per person for any route over 4 miles in warm months.
Camping & Lodging
| Campground | Sites | Season |
|---|---|---|
|
Devils Garden Campground
Only campground in the park, at the end of the 18-mile scenic drive near the Devils Garden trailhead. No hookups; bear boxes at each site.
|
51 | Year-round |
| Required March 1 – October 31 via Recreation.gov; first-come, first-served November – February. | ||
Devils Garden Campground is the only NPS campground inside Arches. It has 51 sites at the far end of the 18-mile scenic drive, immediately next to the Devils Garden trailhead. Reservations are required from March 1 through October 31 and are made through Recreation.gov; release dates open several months in advance and slots fill within minutes. From November through February, sites are first-come, first-served and rarely full on weekdays. The campground has no hookups and generators are not permitted; bear boxes are provided at each site for food storage.
Arches has no designated backcountry camping and no dispersed camping anywhere on park land. Private campgrounds and RV parks in Moab, five miles south, provide additional options at multiple price points; reservations are strongly recommended from March through October.
Arches has no designated backcountry camping and no dispersed camping anywhere on park land. Private campgrounds and RV parks in Moab, five miles south, provide additional options at multiple price points; reservations are strongly recommended from March through October.
Entrance Fees & Reservations
Private vehicle (7-day)
$30
Covers the vehicle and all passengers for 7 consecutive days.
Motorcycle (7-day)
$25
Covers the motorcycle and all riders for 7 consecutive days.
Individual (foot or bicycle, 7-day)
$15
Per person entering on foot or by bicycle for 7 consecutive days.
America the Beautiful Annual Pass
$80/year
Covers entrance to all U.S. national parks and federal recreation areas for 12 months.
The entrance fee is $30 per vehicle for a 7-day pass. Motorcycles pay $25 and individuals entering on foot or by bicycle pay $15 per person for 7 days. The America the Beautiful Annual Pass ($80/year) covers Arches and all other U.S. national parks and federal recreation areas for 12 months.
No timed-entry reservation is currently required to drive into the park by car, though this requirement has been in place during past peak seasons. The Devils Garden Campground (51 sites) requires a reservation from March 1 through October 31 via Recreation.gov; slots open months in advance and fill within hours. The Fiery Furnace requires a separate self-guided permit and completion of a mandatory online orientation; ranger-led walks must be reserved at the visitor center.
Confirm current fees and rules at the official park page before your visit.
No timed-entry reservation is currently required to drive into the park by car, though this requirement has been in place during past peak seasons. The Devils Garden Campground (51 sites) requires a reservation from March 1 through October 31 via Recreation.gov; slots open months in advance and fill within hours. The Fiery Furnace requires a separate self-guided permit and completion of a mandatory online orientation; ranger-led walks must be reserved at the visitor center.
Confirm current fees and rules at the official park page before your visit.
Getting There
By car: The main entrance is on U.S. Route 191, five miles north of Moab. From Salt Lake City, allow about 4 hours (235 miles) via I-15 South and U.S. 191 South. From Denver, allow about 5 hours (355 miles) via I-70 West and U.S. 191 South. The park has one entrance; no back roads connect to the interior.
By air: Canyonlands Regional Airport (CNY) is approximately 18 miles from the park entrance and offers limited commercial service. Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT) in Colorado is about 110 miles away with more connections. Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) is the nearest major hub at 235 miles.
By shuttle: Moab has no regular public transit to the park. Several outfitters in town offer hiker shuttle service for one-way trails such as Park Avenue; ask at gear shops on Main Street in Moab.
By air: Canyonlands Regional Airport (CNY) is approximately 18 miles from the park entrance and offers limited commercial service. Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT) in Colorado is about 110 miles away with more connections. Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) is the nearest major hub at 235 miles.
By shuttle: Moab has no regular public transit to the park. Several outfitters in town offer hiker shuttle service for one-way trails such as Park Avenue; ask at gear shops on Main Street in Moab.
Geology
The arches at Arches National Park formed in Entrada Sandstone, a rock layer deposited about 150 million years ago when this region was covered by a vast desert of wind-blown dunes. Over time, additional sediment buried the dunes and the weight and heat compressed them into rock. The red and orange color comes from iron oxide coating the sand grains.
Below the sandstone lies a thick bed of salt left by an ancient inland sea approximately 300 million years ago. Salt is unstable under pressure and flows slowly over geologic time. As it shifted and buckled, it caused the overlying rock layers to crack into parallel ridges called fins — the raw material from which arches eventually form.
Water from rain and snowmelt entered cracks in the fins and froze. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles broke off flakes of rock from inside the cracks, gradually enlarging them into windows and then into open arches. Most arches took millions of years to reach their current form.
Arches are temporary landforms. Landscape Arch lost a large rock slab from its underside in 1991 and continues to thin. The NPS estimates that one or two new arches form somewhere in the park each century while others collapse. Several active fractures in the park are monitored with sensors.
Below the sandstone lies a thick bed of salt left by an ancient inland sea approximately 300 million years ago. Salt is unstable under pressure and flows slowly over geologic time. As it shifted and buckled, it caused the overlying rock layers to crack into parallel ridges called fins — the raw material from which arches eventually form.
Water from rain and snowmelt entered cracks in the fins and froze. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles broke off flakes of rock from inside the cracks, gradually enlarging them into windows and then into open arches. Most arches took millions of years to reach their current form.
Arches are temporary landforms. Landscape Arch lost a large rock slab from its underside in 1991 and continues to thin. The NPS estimates that one or two new arches form somewhere in the park each century while others collapse. Several active fractures in the park are monitored with sensors.
Wildlife
Desert bighorn sheep are the park's most visible large mammal. Reintroduced to the area in the 1980s, the herd now numbers in the hundreds. Sheep are most often spotted on rocky slopes near the Balanced Rock area and along cliffs above the Windows Section, particularly in early morning and late afternoon.
Mule deer move through the park year-round and appear at dawn and dusk near the visitor center and Devils Garden Campground. Coyotes are more often heard than seen; they are active at night and around dawn. Kit foxes use the sandy washes between sandstone fins.
Peregrine falcons nest on cliff faces in spring and early summer. Ravens are year-round residents and the bird most visitors will encounter. Collared lizards — bright green with orange markings — are common on warm slickrock from April through September. Prairie rattlesnakes are present but rarely encountered; watch where you place hands and feet when scrambling off-trail.
The park's International Dark Sky Park designation reflects minimal light pollution. On clear nights from April through October, the Milky Way core is visible to the naked eye, and great horned owls call from the pinyon-juniper woodland around the Devils Garden Campground.
Mule deer move through the park year-round and appear at dawn and dusk near the visitor center and Devils Garden Campground. Coyotes are more often heard than seen; they are active at night and around dawn. Kit foxes use the sandy washes between sandstone fins.
Peregrine falcons nest on cliff faces in spring and early summer. Ravens are year-round residents and the bird most visitors will encounter. Collared lizards — bright green with orange markings — are common on warm slickrock from April through September. Prairie rattlesnakes are present but rarely encountered; watch where you place hands and feet when scrambling off-trail.
The park's International Dark Sky Park designation reflects minimal light pollution. On clear nights from April through October, the Milky Way core is visible to the naked eye, and great horned owls call from the pinyon-juniper woodland around the Devils Garden Campground.
History
The Fremont people lived in the canyon country of southeastern Utah from roughly 600 to 1300 CE, hunting, farming corn and beans, and leaving rock art on the sandstone walls. A panel of Ute petroglyphs near Wolfe Ranch, visible from the Delicate Arch trailhead, depicts riders on horseback and dates to after European contact. Ancestral Puebloan people also used the area seasonally and left traces of their presence in the surrounding canyons.
The Ute people were the dominant group in the region when European Americans arrived in the 1800s. Fur trapper Denis Julien carved his name and the date 1844 on a canyon wall in what is now the park — one of the earliest documented European presences in the area.
John Wesley Wolfe, a Civil War veteran from Ohio, homesteaded near Salt Wash in 1898 with his son Fred. The log cabin and root cellar at Wolfe Ranch still stand near the Delicate Arch trailhead, preserved as a historic site.
In 1923 railroad executive Frank Wadleigh visited the area and wrote to NPS Director Stephen Mather recommending federal protection. NPS officials confirmed the arches warranted monument status. President Herbert Hoover proclaimed Arches National Monument on April 12, 1929. Congress redesignated and enlarged the area as Arches National Park on November 12, 1971.
The Ute people were the dominant group in the region when European Americans arrived in the 1800s. Fur trapper Denis Julien carved his name and the date 1844 on a canyon wall in what is now the park — one of the earliest documented European presences in the area.
John Wesley Wolfe, a Civil War veteran from Ohio, homesteaded near Salt Wash in 1898 with his son Fred. The log cabin and root cellar at Wolfe Ranch still stand near the Delicate Arch trailhead, preserved as a historic site.
In 1923 railroad executive Frank Wadleigh visited the area and wrote to NPS Director Stephen Mather recommending federal protection. NPS officials confirmed the arches warranted monument status. President Herbert Hoover proclaimed Arches National Monument on April 12, 1929. Congress redesignated and enlarged the area as Arches National Park on November 12, 1971.
Quick Answers
Where is Arches National Park?
Arches is in southeastern Utah, five miles north of Moab on U.S. Route 191. The nearest commercial airport is Canyonlands Regional (CNY), about 18 miles from the park entrance.
When is the best time to visit Arches National Park?
Spring (March–May) and fall (September–November) offer the most comfortable temperatures, 50–80 °F. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100 °F and midday hiking is dangerous. Winter is quiet and the arches look striking with snow, but ice on slickrock can make trails hazardous.
How much does it cost to enter Arches National Park?
The entrance fee is $30 per vehicle for a 7-day pass. Motorcycles pay $25 and individuals entering on foot or by bicycle pay $15 per person. The America the Beautiful Annual Pass ($80) covers Arches and all other U.S. national parks for 12 months. Confirm current fees at nps.gov/arch.
Do I need a reservation to visit Arches National Park?
No timed-entry reservation is currently required to drive into the park by car. The Devils Garden Campground (51 sites) requires advance booking via Recreation.gov from March 1 through October 31, and the Fiery Furnace requires a separate self-guided permit. Entry reservation requirements have changed in past seasons; check nps.gov/arch before visiting.
What is the best hike in Arches National Park?
The Delicate Arch Trail (3.0 miles round trip, 480 ft gain) is the most rewarding hike for most visitors. Start before 8 a.m. or after 4 p.m. in summer and carry at least 1 liter of water per person. For easier access to multiple arches, the Windows Loop (1.0-mile loop) and Landscape Arch (1.9 miles round trip) require little effort.
How far is Arches National Park from Moab?
The park entrance is 5 miles north of Moab on U.S. Route 191, about a 10-minute drive. Moab is the main base for visiting Arches and has hotels, restaurants, gear shops, and private campgrounds.
Are there dangerous animals or hazards in Arches?
Prairie rattlesnakes are present but rarely encountered; watch where you place hands and feet while scrambling. The primary hazard is heat: summer temperatures exceed 100 °F and trails have no shade. Carry at least 1 liter of water per hour of hiking in warm months. Flash floods can move through canyon washes after distant thunderstorms, especially in July and August.
What state is Arches National Park in?
Arches National Park is in Utah, near Moab, Utah.
Sources
- National Park Service — Arches National Park — Official NPS page with current fees, alerts, and visitor information.