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Can you just drive around Arches National Park?

You can spend a couple hours or the better part of a day driving the 36 mile (round trip) road through Arches National Park. With plenty of places to stop and snap pictures and panoramic views for miles, you can enjoy the brilliant artistry and majesty of Arches without having to leave your vehicle.



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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.

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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.

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If you don't have the time or ability to hike, don't worry! You can still see many famous arches and rock formations from the scenic drive. You can drive the park roads and visit viewpoints to see some notable features of Arches National Park.

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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.

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

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Although both of these parks are in Utah, they offer very different experiences! Choosing which one you should visit depends on what you are looking for. While Bryce offers stunning views of hoodoos, taking an Arches park tour will bring you close to the iconic natural arches.

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More than 1.5 million visitors come to Arches National Park each year, and that number is growing. During Arches' busy season (March through October), you may experience limited parking at all destinations in the park.

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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.

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Arches National Park is Open On very busy days, when parking lots fill to capacity we temporarily delay additional park entries. Visitors who encounter a closed gate may try back in a few hours or consider visiting other nearby destinations.

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A: The Museum at the Gateway Arch is free, and a ticket is not required to enter the museum or Arch visitor center. However, as in the past, tickets are required for the Tram Ride to the Top and documentary movie, which can be purchased online at www.gateawayarch.com/buytickets.

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MOAB, Utah—Starting Saturday April 1, 2023, Arches National Park will implement a pilot, temporary timed entry system to access the park. From April 1 to October 31, 2023, between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily, visitors will need to purchase a timed entry reservation in advance to enter the park.

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The best easy hikes in Arches are The Windows, Landscape Arch, Double Arch, Sand Dune Arch, and Park Avenue. My name is Ash, and I'm a former park ranger.

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