Welcome to the awe-inspiring wonderland of Arches National Park, where nature’s artistic prowess takes center stage. Tucked away in the red rock canyons of Utah, this hidden gem invites you to step into a surreal landscape straight out of a dream. Arches National Park is located in Utah and is one of Utah’s Mighty 5 (Canyonlands, Arches, Capitol Reef, Bryce, and Zion). Zion National Park is probably the most famous out of all of them, but don’t turn up your nose at Arches, either! Named after the incredible stone arches that are all over the park—there are over 2,000 of them—this national park fits neatly into any itinerary.
One of my favorite things about Arches is how accessible it is. The park entrance is less than a half-hour drive from the outdoorsy town of Moab, which is the most popular and accessible area to stay for those coming to explore Utah’s great natural wonders. The park itself is well-maintained, has clear roads and signage, and can easily be covered in two or three days. Many of the trails are short and family-friendly, but there are also a few longer and more challenging trails for more experienced hikers as well!
What to Expect From Arches National Park
The park has wonderful mild weather in the spring and fall. In the summer, the dry heat and the sunshine become oppressively hot, and it snows regularly in the wintertime. I came in mid-February and there was still a bit of snow here and there, and it was windy enough to wear a heavy jacket. When the sun comes out, it’s lovely though! No matter what time of year you visit, make sure to bring along water.
Below, I’ve suggested a full two-day itinerary layout for covering Arches National Park and some of the surrounding attractions near Moab, but this can easily be shortened to one day or expanded into three or more days. It’s perfect for a weekend getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city! There’s also no pressure to follow these in order—but I tried to pick the best sunrise and sunset spots, so you’re guaranteed some breathtaking views.
Where to stay in Moab, Utah
Budget
Moab Valley Inn: Offering affordable rates and located just a short drive from Arches National Park, Moab Valley Inn provides comfortable rooms, complimentary breakfast, and an outdoor pool. It’s an excellent choice for budget-conscious travelers looking for a convenient stay close to the park.
Expedition Lodge: Situated in the heart of Moab, Expedition Lodge offers budget-friendly accommodations with easy access to Arches National Park. Guests can enjoy clean and cozy rooms, complimentary Wi-Fi, and a convenient location near restaurants and shops.
Mid-range
Best Western Plus Canyonlands Inn: Located in downtown Moab, Best Western Plus Canyonlands Inn provides comfortable rooms with modern amenities. It offers a central location, making it convenient to access Arches National Park, along with complimentary breakfast, an outdoor pool, and a fitness center.
Hoodoo Moab, Curio Collection by Hilton: This contemporary hotel is situated in the heart of Moab and offers stylish rooms, a pool, and an on-site restaurant. With its convenient location and comfortable accommodations, Hoodoo Moab is an excellent mid-range option for those exploring Arches National Park.
Luxury
Sorrel River Ranch Resort & Spa: Nestled along the Colorado River, Sorrel River Ranch Resort & Spa offers a luxurious retreat with breathtaking views. The resort features upscale accommodations, an outdoor pool, a spa, and access to various outdoor activities. It provides a serene and upscale experience for those seeking a touch of luxury near Arches National Park.
Red Cliffs Lodge: Positioned along the Colorado River, Red Cliffs Lodge offers luxurious accommodations with stunning canyon views. Guests can indulge in spacious rooms, on-site dining, a winery, an outdoor pool, and easy access to outdoor activities. This upscale lodge provides a tranquil and upscale experience for visitors exploring Arches National Park.
Remember to check availability and book in advance, especially during peak travel seasons, to secure your preferred accommodation choice.
How to get to Moab
The most popular way to get to Moab is by flying into Salt Lake City (SLC) and driving down, which is about a 4-hour drive. The other option is to fly into Grand Junction, Colorado (GJT) and drive from there, which is only about 2 hours, but this airport is less-frequented than Salt Lake City’s.
No need to dawdle any further. Off we go to Arches National Park, Utah!
⚠️ Important tip: Before you go to any national park, make sure to read the National Park Service’s official page for the park! Here you will find important information like closures, permit requirements, weather warnings, and much more.
⚠️ Visiting Arches? From April 1 to October 31, visitors are required to have a timed entry ticket to enter the park. Get yours at the National Park Service’s official page for Arches National Park.
Arches National Park Day 1
Park Avenue
One of the first trails you’ll find after entering the park, Park Avenue is an easy one-mile trail that meanders down into the beautiful red and orange canyon and out towards some freestanding huge rock formations. It’s particularly beautiful hiking down from the overlook and descending into the valley. This can either be taken as an out-and-back trail where you hike back the way you came (1 mile each way), or if you have another member of your party who doesn’t want to take the trail, there is another parking lot at the end of the trail where you can get picked up.
Balanced Rock
A really cool formation that you’ll pass driving up through the park! There’s not much to do here, and there’s no actual hiking involved, but seeing such a huge rock precariously perched on top of a narrow chimney is still quite a sight to behold. A fun quick stop just to goggle for a minute or two.
Double Arch
This massive arch cavern was one of my favorite things to do in the park. Double Arch was formed by water weathering away a pothole into a cavern and eventually forming the double arch formation as we know it. Following a short quarter-mile walk from the parking lot, you’ll come up underneath these two conjoined arches and be able to climb up into the cave underneath them!
You can see the valley from either arch window, and it’s really amazing to feel just how small you are compared to the vast rocks around you. Climbing up underneath the smaller arch is quite steep, but you get an interesting back view of the valley (and you can even spot Balanced Rock if you look around enough!)
Sand Dune Arch
This one is a slightly different arch—unlike most of the others, Sand Dune Arch is tucked underneath the cover of giant sandstone fins. The hike is very short and great for kids especially—when we came here, it was crawling with children (literally). Compared to many of the other arches in the park which are grandly framed against the sky, this one can be easy to miss. Cross under the arch, climb up into the rocks, and look backward for a more unique viewpoint.
Garden of Eden
This is a quick stop on the way back from Sand Dune Arch. It makes a lovely little picnic spot, and there’s not really a hike to speak of—but might as well take some time to chill out and enjoy the view while you’re already here.
Sunset: Delicate Arch
This is the most famous hike in the entire park. Chances are, if you’ve seen any pictures of Utah anywhere, you’ve seen this iconic freestanding arch—heck, it’s even on the Utah license plate. The hike to Delicate Arch is a relatively easy 3-mile out-and-back trail that I would recommend for everyone to try if you’re coming to Arches National Park. We came at sunset and the warm light over the arch was just beautiful!
Because it’s so popular, there will doubtless be many people also sitting there enjoying the view. Be considerate about your noise levels and soak in the peace and quiet!
⚠️ Reminder: Please remember to always Leave No Trace when hiking or enjoying outdoor activities! We want to preserve these natural beauties for generations to come.
Arches National Park Day 2
Sunrise: The Windows
Definitely one of the coolest places to catch the sunrise in the entire park. There’s no real “hike” to be had as it takes all of two minutes to reach the window from the parking lot, so you don’t have to worry about hiking in the dark. You can get a great and unique view of the sunlight coming up and illuminating the rest of the park through the window if you’re willing to climb through the window, down, and then back up the right side.
It’s a popular spot for photographers, too—the morning we went there were 4 or 5 other photographers there with their tripods waiting for the morning light. (Pro tip: it looks like a dangerous place to climb up, but it’s not risky at all!)
Devil’s Garden
Depending on which route you take, this trail varies between 5 miles or as long as 8 miles. The standard out-and-back trail to Double O Arch is the more popular option and takes you past all the arches described below. The primitive but well-worn trail will also take you to Double O Arch in the full Devil’s Garden Loop, but it is significantly longer and offers a few other arches to detour and see along the way.
It’s worth noting that the Devil’s Garden trails are not particularly well-marked, especially as you get out towards Double O Arch. There are plenty of portions that include wandering around or scrambling on unmarked rock fins, with relatively little signage. We definitely took a few wrong turns on our way out and on our way back, and judging by the number of hikers who stopped and asked us for directions, we weren’t the only ones. Some of the trail routes are pretty unorthodox and since much of it is on exposed rock, it can be hard to tell which direction to go.
Arches you’ll pass along the way:
- Landscape Arch: A long, flat arch at the beginning of the Devil’s Garden trail—you can’t really miss it. You can’t get too close, but it’s so massive that that’s not necessary. Pictured above.
- Partition Arch: A small detour from the midway point on the way to Double O Arch. This one makes a beautiful window over the valley and was probably my favorite point along the trail to sit and just look out for a bit.
- Navajo Arch: Another arch from the same fork that you take for Partition Arch. I didn’t think this one was particularly impressive.
- Double O Arch: The final point of the Devil’s Garden. It’s an incredibly unique arch made of two circular windows stacked on top of one another and very beautiful.
Corona Arch
Corona Arch is located outside of Arches National Park, but this huge freestanding arch is so spectacular that I have to recommend it. Parking is free. The trail is relatively well marked with a silver-blue line, and the only dodgy part is when you have to cross a railroad surrounded by barbed wire—just walk on through and be careful not to get scratched.
The trail is not difficult, but it requires some maneuvering and climbing. There are two points where you have to scale vertical surfaces—one a rock wall with a rope, and one a small metal ladder. However, don’t let this put you off if you have the mobility; these sections are extremely small and short. At the very end, you’ll be rewarded with this gorgeous, massive arch.
Pro tip: The lighting here can be quite harsh, so I would recommend coming in the early morning or close to sunset if you want a photo with softer lighting.
Sunset: Dead Horse Point State Park
Dead Horse Point is located in a state park outside of Arches, but don’t overlook this beautiful spot. The absolute prettiest time is to come here at sunset and walk all the way to Dead Horse Point where you can watch the sun setting over the river bend.
⚠️ Pro tip: Because Dead Horse Point is a state park and not a national park, America the Beautiful passes will not exempt you from the entry fee here.
As your incredible 2-day adventure wraps up, you’ll be left spellbound by the sheer beauty of nature that envelops Arches National Park and the enchanting Moab area. From the jaw-dropping arches to the captivating red rock formations, you’ll carry the essence of this awe-inspiring playground with you forever.
Beyond Arches National Park: Additional Options
Arches National Park and the surrounding Moab area are just stunning in terms of natural wonders to explore and see, no matter what time of year you’re visiting. If you’re planning on incorporating this into a longer road trip and want to hit more of the great outdoors, here are some easy additions to make:
Canyonlands National Park: It’s a huge, sprawling national park divided into four districts, and has all the views of the Grand Canyon and none of the crowds. Best of all, it’s also accessible from Moab! However, Islands in the Sky is the only district that should be explored without specialized outdoor vehicles.
Zion National Park: One of the most famous national parks in the United States, especially for its two most popular hikes: Angel’s Landing and the Narrows. Zion is located a few hours’ drive from Moab—I would recommend changing accommodation if you’re planning on going here to cut down on commute time.
Bryce Canyon National Park: Another national park located just next to Zion National Park for its beautiful rock formations called hoodoos. For more information, I’ve written an article about Bryce Canyon here.
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument: A highly underrated set of canyons also near the Bryce Canyon area. If you’re interested in hiking some slot canyons, Staircase-Escalante has plenty of them (and they’re much less crowded than the famous Antelope Canyon).
Wondering how Arches stacks up to the other national parks? Check out my U.S. National Park ranking here.
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