Planning a visit to Arches National Park? Here’s all you need to know.

If you know anything about Utah’s natural beauty, you likely know of Arches National Park – or at least its imagery. Delicate Arch graces countless postcards, Instagram posts, and is featured on the Utah license plate. Contained in relatively small area, Arches National Park is chock full of features that are easily accessible and perfect for a weekend visit.

What we loved:

  • Accessible hikes and views
  • Iconic rock features
  • Easy to fit into a weekend
  • Moab- restaurants, shopping, lodging

What you should keep in mind:

  • Crowds
  • HOT in summer, exposed trails
  • Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and salty snacks

Here are the must-do hikes at Arches National Park as well as your camping/lodging options:

Hiking in Arches National Park

Delicate Arch

Distance: 3 miles, Difficulty: Moderate, Time: 1.5 hours, Elevation Gain: 610 ft., Type: Out and Back

Delicate Arch is arguably one of the most iconic rock features in the country. I admit I initially just wanted to check this one off the list, but it truly lived up to the hype. If you visit Arches, make this one of your top priorities. The trail is about a 3-mile round trip without too much elevation change. Try to do this one early morning to avoid crowds and heat (it is very exposed), or go in the evening after the heat of the day and when the sunset illuminates the Arch. This is where you will get those million-dollar shots.

Delicate Arch

Sand Dune Arch, Broken Arch, and Tapestry Arch Trails

You can break these up into 3 separate out-and-back hikes or combine them into a moderately difficult loop.

Easy Out-and-Back Routes:

Sand Dune Arch: Distance: 0.3 miles, Elevation Gain: 108 ft., Difficulty: Easy, Type: Out and Back
Broken Arch Trail: Distance: 1.7 miles, Elevation Gain: 167 ft., Difficulty: Easy, Route Type: Loop
Tapestry Arch Trail: Distance: 0.6 miles, Elevation Gain: 42 ft., Difficulty: Easy, Route Type: Out and Back
Sand Dune + Broken Arch: Distance: 1.4 miles, Elevation Gain: 183 ft.,  Difficulty: Easy, Type: Out and Back

Moderate Loop Route:

Sand Dune + Broken Arch and Tapestry Arch Loop: Distance 2.8 miles, Elevation Gain: 321 ft., Type: Loop

Note: this is a sandy trail with some minor rock scrambling. Keep an eye out for cairns to stay on trail.

Sand Dune Arch

Skyline Arch

Distance: 0.5 miles, Elevation Gain: 42 ft., Difficulty: Easy, Type: Out and Back

Skyline Arch

Landscape Arch and Double O Arch

Distance: 1.9 miles + 2.2 miles round trip to Double O Arch, Difficulty: Easy-Moderate, Time: 1 hour + 1.5 round trip to Double O Arch, Elevation Gain: 259 ft. to Landscape Arch + 413 ft. to Double O Arch, Type: Out and Back

Landscape Arch is an easy hike with a massive payoff. The arch itself is over 300 feet long! There are pretty views along the way and hikers have the option of hiking an additional 2.2 miles to Double O Arch via Devils Garden Trail. This second leg is quite a bit more difficult and exposed, but the scenery is beautiful. There is also the connecting Primitive Trail from Double O Arch if you would like to do a longer loop hike with different views on the way back.

Double O Arch
Landscape Arch

Windows Loop, Double Arch and Turret Arch

Distance: 1.2 miles, Difficulty: Easy, Time: 30 min-1 hr.,  Elevation Gain: 154 ft., Type: Loop

While visitors can basically drive up to these rock features, there are some short hiking trails in the area that allow you to soak in the beauty from multiple perspectives.

The Windows
Turret Arch
Arches Double Arch
Double Arch

If you have the time and energy…

  • Corona and Bowtie Arch Trail
    • Distance: 2.3 miles, Difficulty: Easy, Elevation Gain: 469 ft., Time: 2 hours, Type: Out and Back
  • Park Avenue Trail
    • Distance: 1.8 miles, Difficulty: Easy, Elevation Gain: 298 ft., Time: 1 hour, Type: Out and Back
  • Fiery Furnace and Surprise Arch
    • Distance: 1.7 miles, Difficulty: Moderate, Elevation Gain: 436 ft., Type: Loop, Note: the park is not currently issuing permits for this trail and a guide is required. Be sure to check the park’s website for updates.
  • Devil’s Garden Loop Trail with Seven Arches
    • Distance: 7.8 miles, Difficulty: Hard, Elevation Gain: 1,131 ft., Time: 4 hours, Type: Loop

Drive-Up Features

Park Avenue Trailhead
Balanced Rock
  • Balanced Rock
  • Double Arch
  • Park Avenue
  • Delicate Arch Viewpoint
  • La Sal Mountains Viewpoint
  • Panorama Point
  • Petrified Dunes Viewpoint
  • Salt Valley Overlook

Camping / Lodging

The Arches National Park entrance is a mere 15 minute drive from downtown Moab which means you won’t have a long drive from the park to great places to lodge and eat. There are accommodations in Moab for every budget and comfort level.

National Park:

Devil’s Garden Campground: $25 for a standard nonelectric site. Sleep among the arches and fins of Arches National Park! There are 51 campsites available by reservation only between March 1st and October 31st. 24 sites are available for first-come first-serve from November through February. Sites include picnic tables, fire rings, flush toilets and drinking water. Pets are allowed. Sites fill up quickly and are reserved on a 6-month rolling basis.

BLM (Bureau of Land Management) Campsites:

These campsites are on public land in Moab. Individual sites are $20/night and are first come first serve. Group sites can be reserved and are more expensive. It’s better to get to your site earlier in the day especially during peak season of March-May and September-October. There are some group sites that can be reserved in advance. The 26 BLM sites in the Moab area include picnic tables, vault toilets and fire rings. Drinking water is not provided so be sure to bring plenty with you. See the map towards the top of this post for locations/coordinates.

Goose Island Campground: Located on Highway 128, this campground is a mere ten minute drive from the entrance to Arches National Park. There are 19 sites and 2 RV sites which accommodate RVs up to 40′ long.

Williams Bottom Campground: 17 sites are located on highway 279 and can accommodate RVs up to 24′.

If your group has large RVs, check out Horsethief Campground: This campground is a 26 minute drive from the Arches National Park entrance but offers 83 individual sites and 5 group sites which all can handle 40′ RVs. In addition, you will be a 15 minute drive away from the entrance to the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park.

Privately Owned Campsites:

If you want to camp but also want more amenities such as electric, showers, WiFi, even a pool!, check out commercial sites around Moab.

Moab KOA: at ~$60/night you can have a tent site that accommodates up to 6 people with access to showers, restrooms, your own charcoal grill and picnic table. The Moab KOA also has Moab’s largest pool which is open between March 15-November 10, 2020. There are also cabins and RV sites available.

Slickrock Campground: single tent sites are  ~$50/night. Covered and uncovered sites are available, in addition Slickrock Campground offers WiFi access, laundry facilities, restrooms and showers, a pool, and a playground. Cabins and RV sites are also available.

About Moab

Restaurants:

Moab Brewery: Brewery, distillery, gelato and pub food

Zax Restaurant: Pizza, burgers, soup, salad and bar

Miguel’s Baja Grill: Mexican food inspired by Baja California Sur and traditional dishes

Desert Bistro: Upscale southwestern cuisine. Open for dinner.

Sunset Grill: Steakhouse and seafood with patio seating and a scenic view. Open for dinner.

Quick stops for lunch:

Sweet Cravings Bakery and Bistro: coffee, warm cinnamon rolls, breakfast, and lunch options. Stop by for breakfast and then get a sandwich, wrap, or salad to go for lunch in the park.

Moab Food Truck Park: If you have a large group and can’t decide on a single restaurant, try the Moab Food Truck Park! They have everything from Chinese to Hawaiian shave ice.

Quesadilla Mobilla: food truck serving gourmet quesadillas with unique ingredients like kimchi and green chili chicken

Coffee and Breakfast:

Moab Diner: American diner with all-day breakfast

Doughbird: Fresh donuts and coffee

Moab Garage Co.: Unique ice cream flavors, breakfast and lunch fare and coffee

Love Muffin Café: Breakfast burritos, paninis, and gluten-free and vegetarian options- and of course, coffee!

Jailhouse Café: Classic American breakfast and brunch

Eklectica Coffee: Coffee shop with breakfast and brunch

Shopping and Other Attractions:

Grocery: The Village Market, City Market and Pharmacy

Outdoor Gear: Gearheads Outdoor Store, Moab Gear Trader, Anasazi Desert Gear, Pagan Mountaineering

Gear rental: Chile Pepper Bike Shop, Moab Water Sports and Gear Rentals, Twisted Jeep Rentals, Canyon Voyages Adventure

Shopping: Moab Rock Shop, Moab Made, Back of Beyond Books, Ye Ol Geezer Meat Shop, Hogan Trading Company

Itinerary for a 2-Day Trip

Day 1:

Morning:

Hike 1: Beat the heat and the crowds and make a beeline for the Delicate Arch trailhead.

Hike 2: Sand Dune Arch, Broken Arch, Tapestry Arch Trails: Each arch can be accessed by a shorter out-and-back trail from different trailheads or can be completed as a loop. Bring plenty of water on this exposed loop and keep an eye out for the cairns.

Hike 3: Skyline Arch Trail

Lunch: Have a picnic in the park at the Devils Garden Campground

Depending on the time of year, the early afternoon heat can be punishing. You can easily drive into town and grab some gelato at Moab Brewery, ice cream at Moab Garage Co., or MOYO frozen yogurt.

Afternoon:

Spend the afternoon driving along the full length of the park.

Drive-up Features: Balanced Rock, Park Avenue Trailhead, Double Arch, La Sal Mountains viewpoint, Petrified Dunes Viewpoint, Salt Valley Overlook, Panorama Point.

Late afternoon hike: Windows Loop and Turret Arch

Dinner: Check out one of the many restaurants in Moab or enjoy a drink at Moab Brewery

Evening: Sunset in the Park at Delicate Arch Viewpoint

Day 2:

Morning:

Have breakfast at Jailhouse Café and donuts and coffee from Doughbird

Hike: Landscape Arch and then continue to the Double O Arch. There is also the option to complete the full 7.8 mile Devils Garden Loop Trail with 7 Arches– be sure to plenty lots of water (at least 3L of water/person) if you opt for this one!

Lunch: Enjoy a well-earned lunch in town or have another picnic at a shady spot in the park.

Afternoon:

Hike: Corona and Bowtie Arch Trail: Although these arches are not within the Arches National Park, they are well worth the hike.  Get away from the crowds and hike up Bootlegger Canyon to this pair of arches.

Drive along Utah state highway 128 for some incredible views. This highway skirts along the southern edge of Arches National Park and the Colorado River.

Explore downtown Moab and pick up a souvenir.

Dinner: Sunset Grill in Moab- consider making reservations

Summing Up

Arches National Park may be one of the smaller national parks but is not lacking in great hiking, outdoor activities, or breathtaking views. If you are traveling through Utah, take a couple days and explore the natural wonders of Arches National park.