Visiting Arches National Park
Welcome to my adventure through one of the most awe-inspiring places on Earth—Arches National Park! Nestled in the heart of Utah, this stunning natural wonderland is a true testament to the power of time, wind, and water. With over 2,000 majestic arches carved into the red rock landscape, Arches is a place where nature's artistry takes center stage. Whether you're hiking through breathtaking trails, marveling at the delicate rock formations, or simply soaking in the vast, desert beauty, this park offers an experience that feels otherworldly. Join me as I explore the unique features that make Arches National Park a must-visit destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike!
Located only 10 minutes north of Moab, Utah, Arches national park is easy to get to when staying in town.
A few things to note before you drive through……
You MUST reserve a timed entrance to get in the park
Dates that require reservations:
April 1st -July 6th
Aug 28th – Oct 31st
The park is open daily except for Dec. 25th
Times of day depends on the time of year, so best to check the website
Tickets are $30 per vehicle that you will pay at the entrance, or online ahead of time
Visiting the park in the morning or late evening to watch the sunset is best to avoid the big crowds and heat, but let’s be real…..we can’t always get our schedules to align with a 6am outing!
For those of you visiting morning through mid-day, don’t fret, it’s really not too bad!
Take your time, plan out what you want to see, and hike faster than the tour bus crowds
Parking might get a tad limited in the big areas (like the windows or Double arch, but just wait it out and you’ll find someone is always leaving)
What to bring:
Good hiking shoes or at least tennis shoes with a good sole for gripping
The paths are pretty decent, but expect to climb over some rocks in certain parts
Water, water, water!!
There is a water fill station at the visitors entrance, but I promise you don’t want to run out while you are 30 min. away back in the park. You can always leave it in your car and refill when you hike out, so bring plenty extra
Consider a camelback for easier carry
Sunscreen
Hat
Sunglasses
Change of clothes/socks just in case
Consider layers for weather changes as well. Even in the summer we needed a light jacket for early morning outings
Headlamp in you plan to be there early morning or after sunset
Camera!
backup batteries or a car charger
Snacks! Snacks! Snacks! It would be a shame to leave the park early just because you got hangry
Backpack
Must see spots!
There is 1 main road, with a few pull over roads throughough the whole park, making it very easy to see all of the main sites without getting turned around.
Delicate Arch
Seen by parking lot viewpoint (further away view)
or you can do the 3 miles roundtrip hike to the arch
This is the famous arch on the Utah license plates
The Windows
Easily accessible, parking lot and walk to the arch
Turret Arch is also along the same paths so keep a lookout to the right of the arches for this gem
1 mile roundtrip
Balanced Rock
Seen from the road or you can walk about 0.3 miles to see it up close
Double Arch
Located across from the Windows
0.5 miles roundtrip, easily accessible
I WISH we did this one! It looks incredible, but you can still get the view of them from the road (or from The Windows parking lot like we did)
Fiery Furnace
Parking lot viewpoint
OR get a permit to hike through this area. Recommended to go with a guide (possibly even mandatory)
I was totally happy with the parking lot viewing area to sit and take this scenery in
Landscape Arch
Longest arch in North America
1.6 miles roundtrip (we didn’t do this one)
No viewpoint from the road
Courthouse Towers
View from the road
Sheep Rock
Yes, it actually looks like a sheep
View from the road
Sheep Rock
Sand Dune Arch
Didn’t get to do this one, but absolutely will in the future!
Tucked in a small slot canyon
Small arch, but beautiful setting
Short, 0.3 mile walk to the arch
Arches is ABSOLUTELY a must see on the U.S. National Parks list!