Loading Page...

How late can you drive into Arches National Park?

Arches National Park is generally open 24 hours a day, year-round. Fees apply. The park is very busy between March and October. To avoid traffic, we recommend entering the park before 8 am or after 3 pm.



People Also Ask

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

MORE DETAILS

Arches staff strive to ensure outdoor light fixtures like this one are pointed down, shielded, and provide light only where it's needed. Because of the quality dark skies in our area, we have worked to protect and share our dark night skies. While Arches is a relatively large park, its amenities are limited.

MORE DETAILS

In half a day: Drive the whole park road, spending 10 minutes at each viewpoint, and take a short walk at The Windows Section, Delicate Arch Viewpoint, or Balanced Rock.

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

Delicate Arch The overwhelming favorite spot for sunset in Arches National Park is Delicate Arch. It's one of the most photographed spots in the entire National Park Service and the spotlight of almost all the tourism advertising in Utah.

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

Climbing, scrambling, walking or standing upon, or rapelling off any named or unnamed arch with an opening greater than three feet is prohibited in the park. This is to promote visitor safety and the opportunity to view natural features undisturbed. Balanced Rock is also closed to climbing.

MORE DETAILS

Delicate Arch at Night Essentially the hike is the exact same but here are some tips and bit from our experience: FOLLOW THE ROCK STACKS (later learned these are called rock cairns) We have come to the conclusion that these were created to help you find your way and navigate.

MORE DETAILS

You cannot sleep in your car at Arches National Park unless you have a reserved campsite at the Devils Garden Campground, which is the only designated campground within the park.

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

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.

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

The scenic drive in Arches is about 22 miles one way, so about 45 miles in total. You should count at least 4-5 hours to drive the entire road and make short stops (5-30min each) at all the scenic viewpoints. If you are planning to hike in Arches, you'll need more time.

MORE DETAILS

Is Delicate Arch better for Sunrise or Sunset? If you're hoping for the best experience, i.e. fewer crowds, sunrise is going to be the best time to hike Delicate Arch Trail. Keep in mind, in order to beat the crowds, you want to aim to be at Delicate Arch before the sun breaks the horizon.

MORE DETAILS

The dark skies of Moab and the surrounding region are a valuable and rare resource.

MORE DETAILS

5 Stops on Arches National Park's Scenic Drive
  • Park Avenue. Park Avenue rock formations in Arches National Park. Steve Greenwood. ...
  • 2 Double Arch. Double Arch. ...
  • Delicate Arch. Sunset at Delicate Arch. ...
  • Fiery Furnace. The Fiery Furnace Viewpoint at sunset with the La Sal Mountains in the background. ...
  • Sand Dune Arch. Sand Dune Arch.


MORE DETAILS

Those who drive into the park from April 1 and early October between the hours of 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. will need a reservation. Arches implemented a timed-entry pilot program two years ago as a way of spreading out traffic and preventing temporary closures, and it appears it will likely stick.

MORE DETAILS

Bears. Black bears occasionally wander into the park from the nearby mountains.

MORE DETAILS