What do I need to know before visiting Arches National Park?

Top 10 Tips
  • Pack your Patience. ...
  • Plan out the activities you want to do ahead of time.
  • Have a backup plan in case Arches is already full (temporarily restricting access) when you arrive. ...
  • Stay up to date on park closures and restricted access times by checking our Alerts or visiting Twitter.
  • Be ready for the desert.




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With one busy day you can see the highlights of Arches National Park. But if you want to take your time and explore a few hidden gems and off the beaten path places, plan on spending two days in Arches National Park.

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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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Best Things To Do in Arches National Park
  • Arches Scenic Drive. There is one road that travels through Arches National Park and that is Arches Scenic Drive. ...
  • Park Avenue. ...
  • La Sal Mountains Viewpoint. ...
  • Balanced Rock. ...
  • The Windows and Turret Arch. ...
  • Double Arch. ...
  • Garden of Eden. ...
  • Hike to Delicate Arch.


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For those who aren't up for the hike, there are two other viewing options: The Lower Delicate Arch Viewpoint just down the road only requires a 100-yard walk over flat ground to get a fine look at the arch from a mile away.

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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.

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

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Arches contains a variety of hiking trails, many of which are considered easy to moderate. Trails provide access to outstanding viewpoints and arches not visible from the road. Many trails use cairns (stacks of rocks) for markers and cross broad rock surfaces, requiring attention to follow.

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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.

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Arches contains a variety of hiking trails, many of which are considered easy to moderate. Trails provide access to outstanding viewpoints and arches not visible from the road. Many trails use cairns (stacks of rocks) for markers and cross broad rock surfaces, requiring attention to follow.

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There are no restaurants or lodges in Arches National Park. The nearest restaurants and hotels are in Moab, Utah, about five miles from the park entrance. Canyonlands Natural History Association sells some hiking snacks in the bookstore. Visit discovermoab.com for information on Moab area lodging and dining options.

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Mostly nocturnal animals include kangaroo rats, woodrats (also called packrats), and most other small desert rodents, skunks, ringtails, foxes, bobcats, mountain lions, bats, and owls.

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Without a doubt, Delicate Arch is the most famous natural stone arch in the world. Referred to as The Arch by many arriving visitors for whom it is No. 1 on their must-see lists, Delicate has an allure that is hard to explain but impossible to deny. The light opening beneath Delicate Arch is 46 feet (14 m) high.

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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.


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The best time for stargazing is when you can't see the moon and the skies are at their darkest — which would be during the time around the new moon. You can check out Discover Moab for more information about the moon phases. However, the park is open year-round, so you can plan your visit for any time of year.

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