Can you drive straight through Arches National Park?

The only fully-paved road in Arches is Scenic Drive, a 25-mile, out-and-back road that passes the majority of the park's viewpoints and trailheads. If you're tight on time or don't enjoy hiking, you could drive the park—stopping 10 minutes at each viewpoint—in about three hours.



People Also Ask

Yes, you can drive through Arches National Park and easily see some of the most spectacular scenery. That's what makes it one of the most popular National Parks in the USA.

MORE DETAILS

Yes. A timed entry reservation is required to enter the park even if you have an existing pass. Annual passes cover the payment of entrance fees, so annual or senior pass holders only need to pay the $2 reservation fee.

MORE DETAILS

Visitors may enter the park before 7 am and after 4 pm without a timed entry ticket.

MORE DETAILS

To complete the journey through Arches National Park on the paved roads it takes only 1 hour 30 minutes without stops. To drive through Arches National Park on both paved and unpaved roads it'll take 2 hours and 30 minutes without stops to go to the notable landmarks, which is highly recommended.

MORE DETAILS

Hike the Devils Garden Trail to Landscape Arch. If you have the energy, hike the 4.5-mile (round trip) Double O Arch Trail to see all six arches. After a snack, double back along Scenic Drive to the Windows section for a short, 1-mile hike to see three of the largest arches in the park.

MORE DETAILS

It's easy to access and can be visited no matter how much time you have to spend. If, as I was, you're rather short on time, you can make the most of just one day in Arches National Park.

MORE DETAILS

The park is very busy between March and October. To avoid traffic, we recommend entering the park before 8 am or after 3 pm.

MORE DETAILS

The only fully-paved road in Arches is Scenic Drive, a 25-mile, out-and-back road that passes the majority of the park's viewpoints and trailheads. If you're tight on time or don't enjoy hiking, you could drive the park—stopping 10 minutes at each viewpoint—in about three hours.

MORE DETAILS

Arches National Park isn't the only place in Moab to see epic arches. If you're looking for more places to put on your Utah or Moab itinerary, check out these 3 arches that aren't in the park, but are still as beautiful! All arches are also FREE and less crowded than the National Park!

MORE DETAILS

Vehicles must stay on established roads within Arches National Park. Some park roads are unpaved and require high-clearance 4X4 vehicles. These routes lead into parts of the park where there are few visitors and extraordinary scenery.

MORE DETAILS

This does not mean you should not visit Canyonlands, but you may want to spend more time in Arches than Canyonlands if you are short on time. We would also agree that Arches is a better visit, but if you want to explore the wilderness by 4×4, then Canyonlands is a better option.

MORE DETAILS

If you only want to see a few highlights in each park, then yes, one day in Arches and Canyonlands is enough time. For a better experience, add one more day to your itinerary, so you can spend one full day in Arches and one full day in Canyonlands.

MORE DETAILS

The best time to visit Arches National Park is April through May and September through October, when daytime temperatures average about 60 to 80 degrees. In the summer, temperatures can exceed 100 degrees, which can make exploring the park's trails very uncomfortable.

MORE DETAILS

However, if possible, try to schedule your vacation for the late fall, winter or early spring months. Shoot for November to April. If you're insistent on a red-hot Moab summer, stick with the weekdays — Tuesday and Wednesday are the best days to go. And on any day in any season, go before 8 a.m. or in the afternoon.

MORE DETAILS

The park is especially busy on these weekends and holidays: Easter week (date varies; in late March or April) Memorial Day (last Monday in May) Labor Day (first Monday in September)

MORE DETAILS

The distance from Canyonlands to Arches is only 27 miles, around 30 minutes of a drive. That is why it is so easy to combine both national parks in one day.

MORE DETAILS

Here's how to minimize the crowds at Arches National Park:
  1. Avoid summer travel and during holidays. ...
  2. Plan your trip to arrive and explore during the week, avoiding weekends.
  3. Start your day early. ...
  4. Get out and hike. ...
  5. If you're in a hurry, with limited time, save this park for another vacation.


MORE DETAILS