Arches National Park

The largest concentration of natural sandstone arches in the world is in Arches National Park, along with a mind-blowing variety of balanced rocks, sandstone fins, and soaring pinnacles and spires.

Arches Entrance located on US Hwy 191, five miles north of Moab. Open year round.

Visitor Center

The visitor center is located a short distance inside the park entrance. There is an orientation program in the auditorium. You can obtain permits, buy maps, or peruse the gift shop. Restrooms and drinking water are located outside the visitor center. There are no restaurants or hotels in the park.

Sharing the Park

Arches welcomes over a million visitors between March and October. Parking is limited at all destinations. Popular trailheads may fill for hours at a time, especially on weekends and holidays.

Park in designated areas only. Never park on vegetation or in a manner that blocks traffic. Parking for oversized vehicles is extremely limited.

Consider leaving large RVs or trailers outside the park.

Scenic Drive

The 18-mile road in the park starts at the visitor center and provides a good overview of this amazing park. Several sharp switchbacks begin your drive as the road winds through sculptured red rocks. Park Avenue is the first turnoff and a major vista point in Arches.

Next is a great view of the Three Gossips and Courthouse Towers. After Courthouse Towers, the road crosses a vast landscape with eroded pinnacles.
Then a turnoff leads to The Windows, the first major concentration of arches and spires. There is a parking lot and you can hike to the different arches.
The famous Delicate Arch is visible from a side road that leads to historic Wolfe Ranch. The hike to the arch is three miles round trip.

Fiery Furnace is next with good viewpoints from your vehicle. Beyond Fiery Furnace, the road continues past several large arches and ends at Devils Garden. There are numerous pullouts with interpretive signs.

Essential Details

Pets are not allowed on any of the trails, EVER. Pets may accompany visitors in campgrounds, parking lots, and at pullouts but must always be leashed and restrained.

Bicycles are permitted on roads only. You may not ride your bike on trails or anywhere off a road.

RV drivers must keep in mind that the single two-lane road into and out of Arches is very narrow.

Off-highway vehicles (ATVs, UTVs, etc.) are not allowed in Arches.

Cell service in Arches is spotty and varies among carriers.

Climbing, scrambling, standing, walking, or rappelling off any named or unnamed arch with an opening greater than three feet is prohibited in the park.

No drones. The use of unmanned aircraft is prohibited in the park.

Commercial Tours

Taking a commercial tour is an alternative to driving and no park reservations are needed.

GuideAlong has a driving tour app for Arches National Park. Download the app in town. It will then play commentary automatically as you drive so you won’t miss a thing. It works via GPS so no cell service is needed. It’s fun, educational, and enjoyable! GuideAlong.com.

Hiking

There is a full spectrum of hiking trails ranging from short walks (.2 miles) on nature trails to more adventurous hikes of up to seven miles. Books are available at the visitor center.

Camping

Arches has a 50-site campground among slickrock outcroppings at Devils Garden Campground, 18 miles from the park entrance.

You can reserve standard campsites up to six months in advance for stays March 1-Oct. 31. All sites are usually reserved months in advance. Between Nov. 1-Feb. 28, sites are first-come, first-served. Facilities include drinking water, picnic tables, grills, and both pit-style and flush toilets. Reserve at Recreation.gov or call 877-444-6777.

International Dark-Sky Park

Arches was recently recognized as an International Dark-Sky Park, joining an already impressive list of parks in the region committed to preserving their naturally dark skies. These parks are great places to experience timeless, star-studded views.

Visitor Information: 435-719-2299

Please visit NPS.gov/Arches for updated information.

A reservation system is in place April 1- October 31, 2024

From April through October, visitors arriving between 7am and 4pm will need to have a reservation for a certain arrival time in advance. Book your reservation up to three months before the date you want to visit the park at Recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777. See page 34 for more tips. Timed entry tickets will not be sold at the entrance station. Visit Go.NPS.gov/ArchesTicket for more information.