Arches National Park
Best Time to Visit the Park
Spring
Spring is characterized by warm, enjoyable days with cool nights and evening breezes. There is a possibility of thunderstorms and rain. It is quite crowded. If you love adventure, you may have the Moab climbing guide. This guided tour covers the remote areas.
This is the best time to explore the surroundings, wildflowers, and enjoy outdoor activities. You can feel the warmer temperature of spring in the month of April.
Summer
Summer comes with warm temperatures and consistent weather. The temperature may exceed 100 degrees with occasional rain, though the mornings and evenings are pleasant. You can take advantage of the longer days to spend your vacation then.
Fall
The popular feature of autumn is the vibrant color over foliage and red rocks. The three months of September, October, and November have their own beauty. The temperature can be hot in September, October may be wet, and November brings low temperatures and snowfall. The overall daytime temperature can be 40 to 70 degrees.
Winter
The weather is unpredictable with cold and snow. The days can be snowy or sunny. This is the quieter time in the park. The average low temperature ranges from 0°F to 20°F and the high remains around 40°F. You can enjoy various winter activities and the popular places are less crowded to explore.
How to Get to the Park
Arches National Park is located in southeast Utah. The entrance of Arches National Park is north of the town of Moab, Utah.
- From Moab, drive north on US 191 for five miles.
- From Interstate 70 (Crescent Junction), drive south on US 191 for 22 miles.
The nearest airport is Canyonlands Field Airport (CNY) and the closest major airport is Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC).
Accommodations
There is no restaurant or lodge in the park. The hotels near the park are in Moab, such as:
- Archway Inn
- Red Cliffs Lodge
- Best Western Plus Canyonlands Inn
- Adventure Inn Moab
- HTR Moab Lodge and Cottage
- Under Canvas Moab
- Devils Garden Campground
- Hotel Moab Downtown
- Moab Spring Ranch
- Moab Gateway Inn
- Inca Inn and Motel
Entry Fees
Visitors must have one of these entrance passes:
- Standard Pass: $15-$30
- Annual Pass: $55
- America the Beautiful Pass: Free-$80 (includes senior passes)
About the Park
The park was established on April 12, 1929, and consists of an area of 76,679 acres. The park is close to the Colorado River and contains more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches. The Delicate Arch is prominent, which is the highest density natural arch in the world. The highest elevation is 5,653 feet at Elephant Butte and the lowest elevation is 4,085 feet at the visitor center. In 2021, 1.8 million visitors visited the park.
Main Attractions of the Park
Delicate Arch
This iconic arch is the largest freestanding arch in the entire world and is a symbol of Utah. It has three different viewpoints. It is visible from the pull-off but at a distance. From Wolfe Ranch, you need a 3-mile round trip to reach there. You can also have a look at it from the Delicate Arch Viewpoint parking.
Courthouse Towers
It is another place where you will love to go. The towers are created by monolithic sandstone. From Park Avenue viewpoint, you can take a 2-mile round trip which leads you to the Courthouse Towers. It is divided into four parts: The Organ, The Tower of Babel, The Three Gossips, and Sheep Rock.
Balanced Rock
It is a huge sandstone boulder of 3,600 tons. As its name suggests, it is balanced on top of an eroding pedestal of mudstone. You shouldn’t miss this historical interest with a pleasing view. There is an easy trail of 0.3 miles round trip and the elevation is less than 50 feet.
Devil’s Garden Area
Devil’s Garden offers numerous arches, spires, and fins. The trail is about 9 miles long and is considered the most difficult trail in the park. The trail features short low-key strolls to longer strenuous hikes. You can experience various outstanding views along with 9 arches through the hike. The hike can give you a view of La Sal mountain from a distance. You can make the hike shorter if you feel not to continue. At the end of the garden road, there is an option of car parking. So, the drive also covers most of the view. There are camping and backpacking trip facilities available.
Elephant Butte
It is the highest elevation of the park with an incredible view. To explore this iconic arch, you are required to do some rock climbing, scrambling, and rappelling. The trail is 1.6 miles long but difficult. If you think you are fit and love adventure, then you may take the hike to explore more.
Fiery Furnace
It is an assemblage of narrow sandstone canyons. It is something different among the arches with a difficult hike. There you can experience unique features of canyons, fins, and arches. Their different formations make this place worth visiting. Exploring the area by foot needs special permission or you may have a guided tour.
- Arches Visitor Center
It is just one mile from the entrance of the park. Informative exhibits, a bookstore, a source of drinking water, a theater, and restrooms are the popular services there. Through the exhibits, you can learn about the geology and biodiversity of the park. The rangers are available to help you by providing information on driving time, trails, and ranger programs.
Things to Do List
- Auto touring
- Backpacking
- Biking
- Camping
- Canyoneering
- Commercial Tours
- Hiking
- Horse Riding
- Photography
- Ranger-led Programs
- Rock Climbing
- Stargazing
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Iconic Natural Arches
- Scenic Drive
- Short Hikes
- Visitor Center
Cons
- Crowds and Reservations
- Limited Camping
- Rough Summer
Achievements and Suggestions
While visiting this place, you can witness different structures of unique arches. Scenic drives, overlooks, hikes, and camping can make your trip memorable. Spring is suitable to visit or if you want to enjoy the snow and cold weather, you may visit in winter. However, the park does not have any accommodation facilities, so try to stay closer to the park. See the list of hotels and choose, then enjoy your trip.
