Utah boasts of having the greatest snow on earth. Drive 231 miles southeast of the snow skiing paradise, Park City, though, and you feel like you’re on an entirely different planet. That’s because the beehive state also lays claim to five of the most incredible National Parks America has to offer. Within the “Mighty 5,” Arches National Park shines as the home of some of the country’s most iconic and recognizable landscapes. With over 2,000 naturally occurring sandstone arches, this park has more than earned its name. Located just a short drive from Moab in eastern Utah, Arches National Park sits at an impressive 5,600ft above sea level. That’s over a mile high!
The jaw-dropping scenery will take your breath away as soon as you enter the park. One of the best parts about Arches National Park is how easily accessible it is. Over 40 miles of paved roads take you as close to some of the most famous sites as they possibly can. The majority of the park trails are little more than flat, paved pathways that just about anyone can handle. Often, you can pull your car over and have unobstructed views of unique geological features and unbelievable arches without setting foot on a trail.
I visited the park in June, during my cross-country road trip. You could easily spend a lifetime exploring and admiring the 119 sq. miles of the park. With only a day to check out the park, I wanted to see as much as I possibly could. If you are in the same situation, I want to make it easy for you. Here is everything you need to know about visiting Arches National Park. We’ll start with my top 8 things to see!
1. Delicate Arch
This arch is one of the most recognizable rock formations in the world. Understandably so! Like so many features within the park, it’s difficult to comprehend how this arch can support itself and stay upright. This arch requires a little more effort to visit than some of the others. If you decide to take on the 3-mile hike round trip, you will thank yourself for doing so.
After a 12-mile drive from the visitors center, turn right toward Wolf Creek Ranch. There is a parking area just over a mile down the road, but finding a space can be difficult due to the many visitors the arch draws. Sunset at Delicate Arch is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and will allow you to take truly stunning photos. Although, you will have to be patient to get your turn to pose with the arch.
The trek to the arch is moderately difficult. Aside from one fairly steep section of smooth rock, the hike overall isn’t terribly challenging. However, the desert sees extreme temperatures, and the trail is not marked very well. Follow the little stacked stones known as Cairnes and the crowds of people flocking to this majestic site, and you will be fine.
Be sure to bring plenty of water, the temperature can exceed 100°F, and there is not a fill station at the trailhead. Another tip, hold onto your hat! The narrow path near the arch gets windy, and I saw several people watch helplessly as their hats blow off and over the edge.
2. Park Avenue
Only about a mile from the visitor center, Park Avenue is one of the first and most impressive sites you come across at Arches National Park. The viewpoint is just a few steps from the parking lot, making it very easy to enjoy this must-see attraction. There is a two-mile hike that takes you to Courthouse Towers viewpoint. But you can appreciate the outstanding views without walking more than a few dozen yards.
3. Balanced Rock
Balanced Rock is yet another famous and easily recognizable feature that Arches National Park has to offer. The rock is accessible via a short, mostly flat hike. Only a little more than 9 miles from the visitor center, the 0.3-mile roundtrip walk to balanced rock certainly sees its share of visitors. Due to how accessible it is, this trail is often crowded. Don’t let the crowds scare you away, though. This stop is an absolute must when visiting the park!
4. The Windows
If you have already seen Delicate Arch, then The Windows are the best place to be for sunrise or sunset. Another easy hike of just 1-mile roundtrip will lead you to the two massive arches called The Windows. For some reason, if you walk around to the other side, they are actually called the spectacles. I confess I am not entirely sure why that is the case, but be aware to avoid any confusion.
To reach the windows, hang a right turn shortly after you pass Balanced Rock. Two and a half miles down the road, you will find yourself at the trailhead loop.
Bonus: A short spur trail will take you to Turret Arch. If you opt to take this bonus trail, you benefit from seeing three impressive arches on one short hike. The path to Turret Arch is typically less crowded than the more popular routes.
5. Double Arch
Without having to move your car from its parking spot near The Windows, you can stroll over to Double Arch. The easy half-mile walk from the car is short and flat. Double Arch is the tallest of all Arches National Park’s arches and one of the most fun to explore. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed scrambling up the steep rock faces to experience the spectacular views of the park. Climbing your way up and into the opening of the arch is steep and can be dangerous. So, use caution and know that this is entirely optional. Standing under the colossal arches is a humbling experience. Plus, they provide a ton of shade to give you a welcome break from the scorching desert sun!
6. Courthouse Towers Viewpoint
The Tower of Babel, Three Gossips, Sheep Rock, and The Organ are famous non-arch formations to admire from this viewpoint. Get great views of these formations on the easy 2-mile round trip hike from the Park Avenue viewpoint. If you are traveling in a group with two vehicles, there is a parking lot at the opposite end of the trail, giving you the option to cut the hike’s distance in half.
7. Courthouse Wash Rock Art
Carved and painted onto the rocks are ancient petroglyphs of humans, birds, sheep, and dogs. Sadly, this rock art was severely damaged by deliberate vandalism back in 1980. A silver lining taken from the incident was that archeologists understood the paintings’ timelines better. Additionally, during restoration, multiple layers of artwork were discovered through specialized infrared spectrum photography. The short hike is steep, but it’s just a quick detour on the way to Delicate Arch.
8. Landscape Arch
The award for the longest arch in the park goes to Landscape Arch. This very thin stretch of rock looks like it could collapse at any second, so enjoy it while you still have the chance! Crowded, since it’s a very popular trail. The mostly flat trail to Landscape Arch is very popular and can get quite crowded. Although it’s only a 1.6-mile hike, the intense desert heat can make it feel like much farther of a walk. Again, bring plenty of water with you when visiting Arches National Park.
Landscape Arch can be found 18 miles from the visitors center at the end of Park Road. Parking is available off of a loop marked for the Devil’s Garden Trailhead.
If you’ve got ample time and are looking for adventure, there are several incredible sights and formations located in the harder-to-reach areas of the park. For this list, though, I have focused on the most spectacular and iconic formations that are also relatively easy to access and enjoy. If there are any sights you think I have left off the list, please let me know in the comments section below.
Arches National Park is one of the most popular parks in the country, which doesn’t come as much of a surprise. However, popularity means crowds and traffic. It’s not all bad news, though. The park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year! This park never closes! You are allowed to enter the park as early as you would d like to and stay for as long as you want. Campsites are available within the park. Camping outside of a designated campground, however, is not allowed.
Arches National Park Entrance Fees:
- Private vehicle: $30
- Motorcycle: $25
- Per Person (Pedestrian or Bicycle): $15
- America the Beautiful National Parks Annual Pass: $80
- Southeast Utah Parks Pass: $55
2021 Arches National Park Free Entry Days
- Monday, January 18 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Saturday, April 17 – First Day of National Park Week
- Wednesday, August 4 – First anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
- Wednesday, August 25 – National Park Service Birthday
- Saturday, September 25 – National Public Lands Day
- Thursday, November 11 – Veterans Day
