Loading Page...

What time can I get into Arches National Park without a reservation?

Can I enter the park before 7 am or after 4 pm without a reservation? Yes, you may enter the park before 7 am or after 4 pm.



People Also Ask

Timed entry tickets will allow visitors to enter the park during a one-hour window. For example, a 7 am ticket will allow entry between 7:00 and 7:59 am. Visitors may enter the park before 7 am and after 4 pm without a timed entry ticket.

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

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.

MORE DETAILS

Timed entry tickets are required from April 1 - October 31, 2023 to enter Arches National Park between 7 AM and 4 PM daily. In order to enter Arches National Park, visitors will need to pay the park entrance fee.

MORE DETAILS

You'd have commendable focus to get in and out of the Park in under two hours, but it can be done. Even if you don't plan to stray from your vehicle, we recommend you budget an extra hour to take in the magnificent scenery and snap a picture or two.

MORE DETAILS

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

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

Hikers wisely avoiding summer heat may fill up trailhead parking lots before 8 am. Outside of the Timed Entry Pilot Program hours/months, full parking lots may cause the park to temporarily restrict access until congestion lessens. Periods of restricted access can last 3-5 hours. Plan ahead.

MORE DETAILS

Visit at Sunrise or After Sunset Delicate Arch is the busiest destination in the park. If you plan to hike the trail between noon and sunset, expect to share the trail with many other hikers. For a less crowded experience, we'd recommend visiting the arch during sunrise, or after the sun has set.

MORE DETAILS

Two days in Arches is ideal though and would give you enough time to explore the Fiery Furnace on the ranger-led hike and do a few more of the longer hikes. One day is really all you need at the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park if you're sticking to the overlooks and shorter trails.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

With just half a day in Arches National Park, the Windows section is the best place to go to see several impressive rock features in a short span of time. In one area, you can walk half a mile to the massive Double Arch and 1 mile to see the North Window, South Window and Turret Arch.

MORE DETAILS