Arches National Park: Everything You Need To Know
With over 2,000 natural sandstone arches, it’s no wonder that Arches National Park is a hot bucket list item. It can be rather time-consuming to navigate so I’m giving you everything that you need to know to plan an amazing trip.
How do I get there?
The closest major international airport to Arches is Salt Lake City International Airport. The drive from Salt Lake City is about 3.5 hours.
If you’re driving from the Grand Canyon, driving time will be about 5.5 hours. If you’re visiting other Utah National Parks then drive time from Zion is 5 hours and 4 hours from Bryce National Park. If you’re already in the area, Canyonlands is a 30 minute drive away.
Where do I stay?
Arches is a bit different from Bryce and Zion for two reasons. One, there is no lodging within Arches National Park. Two, the gateway town of Moab is actually very developed in comparison to Tropic and Springdale.
From craft breweries to gift shops to motels - you won’t need to worry about finding anything. Mostly everything is on Main Street and highly walkable. In terms of accommodation, you have your choice from budget-friendly hotels like Comfort Suites Moab to luxury camping with Under Canvas to upscale resorts like Sorrel River Ranch.
How do I get around the area?
Unlike Bryce and Zion, Arches does not offer a shuttle service and you will need a vehicle (or at the very least, a bike) to drive the 36-mile loop through the park. You can also opt for a guided tour though I do not recommend it as it makes the experience less magical.
Arches gets wildly crowded so you will need to plan ahead. For popular areas like Delicate Arch or the Windows, try getting there at 7 AM or 3 PM when crowds and weather are on their best behavior. Parking at trailheads fills up very quickly so consider going to some less populated trails in the meantime or continue along the scenic loop and try again later - it is a waste of time (and gas) to idle at full parking lots.
What do I need for a day in the park?
For clothing, wear or bring layers including a rain jacket and good hiking boots. The temperature can vary greatly from day to night and rain can come unexpectedly. For sun protection, bring sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.
As far as food and water goes, it is recommended that you bring a few bottles of water with you or a hydration system like a CamelBak - you should be drinking half a liter of water per hour of hiking. There is nowhere to eat in the park, so I recommend that you bring several snacks in your bag like nuts or jerky.
What do I absolutely have to see in the park?
Arches National Park offers a variety of activities from rock climbing to star-gazing to hiking. Depending on how much time you have and how intense you like your activities, there are a variety of trails to choose from.
If time is of the essence, you can see the best of the best by hiking Delicate Arch, Devil’s Garden Trail (including Landscape Arch) and The Windows Section. You can also opt for driving through the park to stop at designated viewpoints such as La Sal Mountains Viewpoint, Courthouse Towers Viewpoint, Windows District and the Fiery Furnace Viewpoint. If you have the time to dedicate to the park, consider adding Broken Arch Loop and Park Avenue to all of the above to experience as much of the park as possible.
Safe travels,
V.