Welcome to Arches National Park
Welcome to the Arches National Park Information Guide
Here you will find all you need to know about the natural history of the park.
Learn about the geology, trees, mammals, birds, or other plants and wildlife of the area.
Where is Arches National Park located?
Arches National Park is located in the eastern part of the Utah, in the western United States.
More specifically, it sits just north of the city of Moab. The park is part of the Colorado Plateau desert region and is famous for its natural sandstone arches and red rock landscapes.
If you’re looking at a map, it’s:
- About 370 km (230 miles) southeast of Salt Lake City
- Near the border with Colorado
It’s one of the most iconic national parks in the U.S., known for formations like Delicate Arch and Landscape Arch.
How to get to Arches National Park
By Air (then drive)
The closest airports to Arches National Park are:
- Canyonlands Field Airport (about 20–30 minutes away, limited flights)
- Grand Junction Regional Airport (~1.5 hours drive)
- Salt Lake City International Airport (~4 hours drive)
From any of these, you’ll need to rent a car and drive to the park.
By Car
Most people drive to the park via Moab, which is the main gateway.
- From Salt Lake City → ~4 hours (south via I-15 & US-191)
- From Las Vegas → ~6.5–7 hours
- From Denver → ~5–6 hours
The park entrance is just 5 miles (8 km) north of Moab on US-191.
When Was Arches National Park Established?
In 1929, President Herbert C. Hoover set aside Arches as a National Monument. Arches remained a National Monument until September 1969, when President Richard M. Nixon signed a bill making it a National Park.
In the early 1920’s Alexander Ringhoffer, a prospector in southeastern Utah, traveled through the Klondike Bluffs on the Western edge of Salt Valley. He thought such wonders should be seen by many and suggested that representatives of the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad visit the area. The railroad men, particularly Frank Wadleigh, the D&RGW’s passenger traffic manager, were so impressed that they contacted Stephen T. Mather, the first director of the National Park Service. Mather was intrigued and pushed for the creation of a national monument. Finally in 1929, President Herbert C. Hoover set aside Arches as a National Monument. Through the years the monument’s size was modified by succeeding presidents: enlarged by Franklin Roosevelt, diminished a bit by Dwight Eisenhower, then doubled by Lyndon Johnson. At last, President Richard Nixon signed into law in 1971, an act establishing Arches as a national park.
Size and Visitation of Arches National Park
Arches contains one of the largest concentrations of natural sandstone arches in the world. The arches and numerous other extraordinary geologic features, such as spires, pinnacles, pedestals and balanced rocks, are highlighted in striking foreground and background views created by contrasting colors, landforms and textures. With the addition of the Lost Spring Canyon area, the park is 76,519 acres in size.
Arches National Park is open year round. The majority of park visitors come March through October, with lowest visitation in December and January. You can enjoy sightseeing by personal car, hiking, biking (established roads only), picnicking (3 designated picnic areas in park), and camping.
History of Arches National Park
Native Americans utilized the area for thousands of years. Archaic people, and later ancestral Puebloan, Fremont and Utes searched the arid desert for game animals, wild plant foods and stone for tools and weapons. They also left evidence of their passing on a few pictograph and petroglyph panels. The first white explorers came looking for wealth in the form of minerals. Ranchers found wealth in the grasses for their cattle and sheep. John Wesley Wolfe, a disabled Civil War veteran, and his son, Fred, settled here in the late 1800s. A weathered log cabin, root cellar and a corral remain as evidence of the primitive ranch they operated for more than 20 years. A visit to Wolfe Ranch is a walk into the past.
Paleo-Indians lived in the lush canyons leading to the Green and Colorado rivers from about 10,000 to 7,800 BC and might have been the earliest people to see Arches. Although there is no evidence of Paleo-Indian use in the park, their spear points and camps have been found nearby.
By 9,000 years ago, the climate here became too warm and dry for many large mammals. They and some of their Paleo-Indian hunters moved to higher habitats. Those who stayed in the canyon country depended more on gathering and traveling. This lifestyle, called Archaic, meant that the people had to live in small groups and travel extensively. Archaeologists have found a few spear points, occasional campsites, and quarries for stone needed to make tools. Barrier Canyon style rock art panels, once attributed to the more recent Fremont culture, are the best evidence of the Archaic hunter-gathers in Arches.
Flora and Fauna
Pinyon and gnarled juniper trees add a splash of green contrast to the red sandstone terrain. When conditions are just right, wildflowers bloom in profusion from April to July. Most species of mammals are nocturnal, but you might see mule deer, kit fox, or more often, jackrabbits and cottontails, kangaroo rats and other rodents, and small reptiles. Flocks of blue pinyon jays chatter in tree tops; migratory species such as mountain bluebirds and residents such as golden eagles are seen by careful observers.
Accessibility
Visitors with mobility impairments can access the visitor center, restrooms throughout the park, Devils Garden Campground site #37, the Park Avenue Viewpoint and the Delicate Arch Viewpoint. For visitors with hearing impairments, a variety of publications may be obtained at the Visitor Center. Wayside exhibits with illustrations and text on natural and cultural features are situated throughout the Park and in the Vistitor Center. Park Information is also available by TDD phone at: 435-719-2319.
Backpacking
Arches is a relatively small park, with very few areas far enough from roads to qualify as backcountry. Outside the developed areas there are no designated trails, campsites, or reliable water sources.
Basic Visit Recommendations
The basic road tour with stops at overlooks requires several hours to a half day. Allow more time if you plan to hike or otherwise experience the park.
Biking
Bicycles are welcome on roads in the park. There are no designated bike trails. All bicycles must abide by vehicle regulations and are not allowed on any hiking trails or off established roads.
Camping
The Devils Garden Campground, located 18 miles from the park entrance, has 52 tent and trailer sites, plus two walk-in group sites limited to tenting for ten or more persons. Facilities include flush toilets and water until frost. Camping reservation may be made and you can pre-register for individual campsites at the Arches Visitor Center between 7:30 and 8:00 am, or at the Entrance Atation after 8:00 am. Group campsite reservations are available for the two group sites. The campground fills daily mid-March through October, often by early to mid-morning.
Climbing
Technical climbing is allowed but is only for experienced climbers. Climbing is not permitted on any arches named on the USGS topographic map, on Balanced Rock and a few other locations.
Entrance Fees
- Private Non-commercial Vehicle $ 30.00 (7 Day Pass)
- Motocycle: $ 25.00 (7 Day Pass)
- Individual Entry (Bike, Foot) $ 15.00 (7 Day Pass)
- Gold Access Pass (Blind or permanently disabled individuals) Free (Lifetime – good in all natl parks)
- Golden Age Pass (1 time fee – for those 62+ years young) $ 10.00 (Lifetime – good in all natl parks)
- Golden Eagle Pass (Good 1 year from date of purchase) $ 50.00 (Good in all natl parks)
To update Arches National Park Entrance Fees you visit here: https://www.nps.gov/arch/planyourvisit/fees.htm
Food and Supplies
No food is available in the park. In the Arches Visitor Center, you may buy film, water containers or chilled bottled water, as well as informational materials. Bring your own food or there are restaurants in the local communities.
Hiking
Hiking trails of varying length and difficulty lead to and through arches and into the heart of the park.
Lodging
Park lodging is limited to one campground. Devils Garden Campgrounds takes reservations. There are local campgrounds and lodging in the nearby communities. The Devils Garden Campground, located l8 miles from the park entrance, has 52 tent and trailer sites, plus two walk-in group sites limited to tenting for ten or more persons. Facilities include flush toilets and water until frost.
Pet Information
Where Pets ARE Allowed
You can bring your pet, but only in limited areas:
- 🚗 Along roads and parking areas
- 🏕️ In campgrounds (e.g., Devils Garden)
- 🍽️ At picnic areas
👉 Pets must be on a leash (max 6 ft / 1.8 m) at all times
Where Pets Are NOT Allowed
Pets are not allowed in most of the park:
- 🚫 All hiking trails
- 🚫 Overlooks and viewpoints
- 🚫 Visitor centers or buildings
- 🚫 Backcountry/off-trail areas
Even being carried in a bag doesn’t make it allowed
Key Rules
- 🪢 Must be leashed at all times
- 💩 You must clean up waste immediately
- 🔇 No excessive barking or disturbance
- 🚫 Cannot be left unattended (except under strict conditions)
- 🚗 Do not leave pets in hot cars (dangerous even at ~18°C+)
Visitor Center
The visitor center is your main starting point when entering Arches National Park. It’s located just inside the park entrance, making it easy to stop before exploring.
Hours
- Typically open daily year-round
- Common hours: ~9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (shorter in winter, longer in peak season)
👉 Hours can change seasonally, so it’s smart to check before you go.
What You Can Do There
Get Information
- Park maps and brochures
- Trail recommendations based on your time/fitness
- Current conditions (weather, closures)
Learn About the Park
- Short orientation film about geology and history
- Exhibits on arches formation and desert ecology
Shop
- Bookstore run by Canyonlands Natural History Association
- Maps, guidebooks, souvenirs
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Water refill stations
Weather of Arches National Park
In summer, June through September, temperatures may exceed 100 F and in winter, December through February, temperatures often drop below 32 F. Temperatures may range 50 F in a 24-hour period. Dress accordingly. Very dry! Carry drinking water at all times.
40 FAQs about Arches National Park
1. What is Arches National Park known for?
It is known for over 2,000 natural sandstone arches, including the famous Delicate Arch.
2. Where is Arches National Park located?
It is located in Utah, near Moab.
3. When was Arches National Park established?
It was established as a national park in 1971.
4. How large is Arches National Park?
It covers about 76,500 acres (310 km²).
5. Why does Arches National Park have so many arches?
They formed through erosion caused by wind, water, and freezing.
6. What is the best time to visit Arches National Park?
Spring and fall offer the best weather.
7. How much is the entrance fee for Arches National Park?
Around $30 per vehicle for a 7-day pass.
8. Do you need reservations to enter Arches National Park?
Timed entry reservations may be required during peak seasons.
9. What are the opening hours of Arches National Park?
It is open 24 hours a day, year-round.
10. How many days should you spend at Arches National Park?
1–2 days for highlights, 3+ days for deeper exploration.
11. What is the nearest airport to Arches National Park?
Canyonlands Field Airport is the closest, with larger airports in Salt Lake City.
12. Is Arches National Park near other national parks?
Yes, it is close to Canyonlands National Park.
13. Can you visit Arches National Park without a car?
It is difficult; a car is highly recommended.
14. What are the best hikes in Arches National Park?
Popular hikes include Delicate Arch Trail, Landscape Arch Trail, and Devils Garden Trail.
15. Is the Delicate Arch hike in Arches National Park difficult?
It is considered moderate with some steep sections.
16. Are there easy trails in Arches National Park?
Yes, such as Balanced Rock and the Windows Section.
17. Can you camp in Arches National Park?
Yes, at Devils Garden Campground.
18. Is Arches National Park good for stargazing?
Yes, it is an International Dark Sky Park.
19. What is the most famous arch in Arches National Park?
The most famous is Delicate Arch.
20. What is Landscape Arch in Arches National Park?
It is one of the longest natural arches in the world.
21. What is Balanced Rock in Arches National Park?
A large rock formation balanced on a narrow base.
22. How old are the rocks in Arches National Park?
Some formations are over 300 million years old.
23. Are arches still forming in Arches National Park?
Yes, while some are also collapsing over time.
24. How hot does it get in Arches National Park?
Summer temperatures can exceed 40°C (104°F).
25. Is it safe to visit Arches National Park in summer?
Yes, but you should bring plenty of water and avoid midday heat.
26. Are there dangerous animals in Arches National Park?
Mostly safe, but watch for snakes and scorpions.
27. Is there cell service in Arches National Park?
Coverage is very limited.
28. What should you bring to Arches National Park?
Water, sunscreen, a hat, and sturdy shoes.
29. When is the best time for photography in Arches National Park?
Sunrise and sunset provide the best lighting.
30. Can you see the Milky Way in Arches National Park?
Yes, especially in summer due to low light pollution.
31. Are drones allowed in Arches National Park?
No, drones are prohibited.
32. What wildlife can you see in Arches National Park?
Desert animals like lizards, foxes, and birds.
33. Is Arches National Park family-friendly?
Yes, there are many short and easy trails.
34. Are pets allowed in Arches National Park?
Only in limited areas like parking lots and roads.
35. Are there restaurants in Arches National Park?
No, but nearby Moab has many dining options.
36. Is Arches National Park crowded?
Yes, especially during peak seasons.
37. How can you avoid crowds in Arches National Park?
Visit early morning or late evening.
38. Can you go off-roading in Arches National Park?
Off-roading is not allowed inside the park.
39. Is rock climbing allowed in Arches National Park?
Yes, but it is regulated.
40. Why is it called Arches National Park?
Because of its high concentration of natural rock arches.
