Arches National Park

State: Utah. Type: national park in Grand County, about 4 miles north of Moab. Originally designated a national monument April 12, 1929; redesignated a national park November 12, 1971. Size: 76,679 acres. Visitors: 1.46 million in 2022. Mailing address: PO Box 907, Moab, UT 84532.

Arches National Park protects more than 2,000 documented natural sandstone arches on the Colorado Plateau, the highest concentration of such formations in the world. The park's dramatic shapes, mostly carved from Entrada Sandstone, owe their existence to subsurface salt deposits roughly 300 million years old that shifted the overlying rock over time. Delicate Arch, the park's most iconic feature, appears on Utah's state quarter, while Landscape Arch is the park's longest span at 290 feet. Other highlights include Balanced Rock, Devils Garden and the narrow passages of the Fiery Furnace. Sitting just north of Moab, a major outdoor-recreation hub, Arches draws well over a million visitors a year for hiking, auto touring, rock climbing and stargazing across a high-desert landscape with elevations from about 4,085 to 5,653 feet.

Arches National Park is located in Grand County, Utah, approximately 4 miles north of Moab, on the Colorado Plateau. Mailing address: PO Box 907, Moab, UT 84532.

The park has a cold semi-arid climate with less than 10 inches of precipitation annually. Intense sun with little natural shade is typical, and the NPS warns that dehydration is a risk even in cooler temperatures.

Sources reviewed did not specify a definitive best month, but the park's climate guidance to avoid peak heat above 90°F points toward spring and fall as more comfortable hiking seasons than summer.

The area was first protected as a national monument on April 12, 1929, and was redesignated Arches National Park on November 12, 1971. Its more than 2,000 sandstone arches formed primarily within the Entrada Sandstone layer, driven by the movement of ancient subsurface salt deposits dating back roughly 300 million years.

Popular activities include hiking trails ranging from a few hundred yards to more than 7 miles, camping at Devils Garden, stargazing, ranger programs, and Junior Ranger activities. Rock climbing and canyoneering are permitted with restrictions, and auto touring along the park's scenic roads is a common way to see multiple arches in a day.

Delicate Arch is the park's most recognizable feature and appears on Utah's state quarter. Landscape Arch, the longest arch in the park at 290 feet, Balanced Rock, Devils Garden, and the Fiery Furnace (guided or permitted access only) are other key sights.

The park sits about 4 miles north of Moab, Utah, off U.S. Highway 191; most visitors drive in via Moab. Canyonlands Field airport serves the Moab area with limited air service; check current airline schedules before booking flights.

The park references a dedicated Operating Hours and Seasons page for exact times; as of 2026, advanced timed-entry reservations were not required to enter Arches, though reservations remain mandatory for Devils Garden Campground and Fiery Furnace hikes.

As of research, standard entrance passes (valid 7 days) were: private vehicle $30, motorcycle $25, individual/pedestrian $15 (youth 15 and under free). An annual pass covering Arches, Canyonlands and two national monuments was $55 for U.S. residents. Confirm current pricing and reservation rules on nps.gov/arch before visiting.

A half-day to full day allows time to drive the main scenic road and hike to several arches; a full day or more is recommended for longer hikes such as Devils Garden or a permitted Fiery Furnace route.

Moab, about 4 miles south of the park, is the primary gateway town with a wide range of hotels, motels and vacation rentals serving both Arches and Canyonlands visitors. The park's own Devils Garden Campground offers in-park camping but requires advance reservation.

Moab has a substantial dining scene given its role as the base town for both Arches and Canyonlands national parks, ranging from casual cafes to sit-down restaurants; specific business names were not sourced and are intentionally omitted.

Canyonlands National Park lies a short drive from Moab and is commonly paired with an Arches visit given their shared gateway town. Moab itself is a major hub for mountain biking, off-roading and river activities on the Colorado River.

Canyonlands Field, near Moab, serves the area with limited commercial air service. Most visitors drive to the park via Moab from Salt Lake City or Grand Junction, Colorado, both several hours away by car.

The park advises drinking at least 1 gallon (4 liters) of water per day, staying on marked trails to protect fragile soil crusts, and avoiding climbing on named arches or Balanced Rock. Drones and ATVs are prohibited. Cell service is unreliable in the park; dial 911 for emergencies.

Ample water (at least a gallon per person per day is recommended by NPS), sun protection, and sturdy hiking shoes are essential given the intense sun and limited shade. A paper map or downloaded offline map is useful given unreliable cell service.

Check current timed-entry and reservation requirements before your trip, since rules for Devils Garden Campground and Fiery Furnace hikes require advance booking even when general park entry does not. Visiting early morning or evening helps avoid both peak heat and midday crowds at popular arches like Delicate Arch. Basing yourself in Moab makes it easy to combine a visit with nearby Canyonlands National Park.

Dial 911 for emergencies (cell service is unreliable in the park). For visitor information, call Arches National Park at 435-719-2299.

Arches National Park (National Park Service) - https://www.nps.gov/arch/index.htm

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.