Welcome to Arches

    435-719-2299 • nps.gov/arch 

    Check website for entrance fees, visitor center hours, closures, and updates. 

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

    The visitor center is located past 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.

    Arches entrance located on US Hwy 191, five miles north of Moab.

    Open year-round.

    View Moab Guest Guide

    Essential Details

    Pets are not allowed on any of the trails, EVER. Pets may accompany visitors in campgrounds, parking lots, and at pullouts along the paved scenic drives, 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. For your safety, it’s advised to ride in this park only in the off-season (November-February). 

    RV drivers must keep in mind that the single two-lane road into and out of Arches is very narrow. Be considerate of other drivers. Off-highway vehicles (ATVs, UTVs, etc.) are not allowed in Arches. Cell service in Arches is spotty and varies among carriers.

    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.

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

    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.

    The famous Delicate Arch is visible from a side road that leads to historic Wolfe Ranch.

    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.

    Commercial tours

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

    GyPSy Guide 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! gypsyguide.com.

    Camping 

    Arches has a 50-site campground among slickrock outcroppings at Devils Garden Campground, 18 miles from the park entrance. Standard individual sites are $25 per night. Check website for group costs. 

    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. 

    The park staff does not make reservations nor have information about site availability.

    Hiking 

    One of the park’s trails is the best way to get to know Arches. There is a full spectrum of hiking trails ranging from short walks (.2 mile) on nature trails to more adventurous hikes of up to seven miles. Books describing self-guided hikes are available at the visitor center.

    Avoid the Crowds

    This popular park is crowded in peak season (March-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.

    During peak hours (8am-3pm), expect travel times to be longer along the scenic drive. It is not uncommon for hundreds of people to visit Delicate Arch at sunset, so you might want to plan a sunrise trip instead.

    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 3- October 3, 2022

    During the pilot season, visitors arriving between 6am and 5pm 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. 

    Timed entry tickets will not be sold at the entrance station.

    Visit go.nps.gov/archesticket for more information.

    Just for Kids 

    Become a Junior Ranger and help protect the park! Little ones can complete a question/answer pamphlet or check out a Red Rock Explorer Pack at the visitor center. Either will earn them a badge or certificate that allows them to join the special ranks of Junior Rangers. For ages 6-12.