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Utah

Arches Nationalpark

Over two thousand natural stone arches, each finer than the last.

StateUtah
Park since1971
Size120 sq mi (310 km²)
Entrance feearound 30 USD per vehicle (7 days), timed-entry reservation in high season
Time to planA full day.

Nowhere in the world do so many natural stone arches stand in one place as here. There are over two thousand, from small windows to the famous Delicate Arch, which even adorns Utah's license plate. Add balancing rocks and red towers, all of it right at the gates of Moab.

Over two thousand stone arches, each more impressive than the last.
Over two thousand stone arches, each more impressive than the last.

The Delicate Arch

The emblem of the park and of all Utah. The free-standing arch requires a hike of just under five kilometers without shade, but the sight up there, especially at sunset when it begins to glow, is worth every step.

Easily reachable highlights

Much of it works without a long hike too. The Windows, Double Arch and Balanced Rock lie only a few steps from the road. That makes Arches doable for families and on hot days too.

Moab on the doorstep

Moab lies right by the park, a hub for outdoor fans, with hotels, restaurants and tours. From here it is only minutes into the park and to Canyonlands too.

When you should come

Spring and autumn are ideal. High summer is broiling hot and dangerous without shade, then only hike early in the morning or in the evening. In summer there is also a timed-entry reservation system for the entrance.

Top viewpoints

What you shouldn't miss.

Delicate Arch, Arches Nationalpark
1

Delicate Arch

The most famous arch in the USA, free-standing on a rock bowl. Just under five kilometers of hiking, most beautiful at sunset.

Directions with Google Maps
The Windows and Double Arch, Arches Nationalpark
2

The Windows and Double Arch

Several huge arches right by the road, reachable in a few minutes. Ideal even without a long hike.

Directions with Google Maps
Landscape Arch, Arches Nationalpark
3

Landscape Arch

The longest stone arch in North America, spanned wafer-thin. An easy, level path in the Devils Garden.

Directions with Google Maps
Balanced Rock, Arches Nationalpark
4

Balanced Rock

A mighty boulder that seems to rest weightlessly on a slender base. Right by the road.

Directions with Google Maps

The big questions from the forum

What was discussed most on USA-TALK.DE, with the community verdict.

Delicate Arch, is the shadeless path worth it?

A clear yes in the forum, but only with enough water and ideally in the late afternoon. Anyone who stands up there at sunset forgets the effort at once.

Arches and Canyonlands in one day?

It works, from Moab around 180 kilometers there and back. Nicer, though, are two days, one park each, with sunrise and sunset.

Do you need the timed-entry reservation?

In high season (roughly April to October) during the day yes, it is booked in advance online. Early in the morning and in the evening it usually does not apply, and that is the best time anyway.

Camp in the park or stay in Moab?

Both have fans. The Devils Garden Campground in the park is scenically magnificent, but small and booked out early. Moab, on the other hand, offers hotels, restaurants, breweries and short distances into both national parks.

Practical tips from the forum

Concrete advice from travellers who were there.

The Devils Garden Campground is the only campground in the park and it's in a beautiful spot. If you want to stay there, reserve early, the sites fill up fast.

from the USA-TALK.DE forum

Take advantage of having Moab right there. There are countless Jeep and mountain bike trails, and an off-road tour through the area is its own experience alongside the arches.

from the USA-TALK.DE forum

Do the short Park Avenue Trail right at the start, it's right by the entrance and gives you a first sense of the scale of the rocks.

from the USA-TALK.DE forum

For the Fiery Furnace you need either the guided ranger tour or your own permit. Without a sense of direction you get lost fast in that rock maze.

from the USA-TALK.DE forum

Voices from the community

What travellers experienced on the spot.

In one day we managed Arches and Canyonlands, easily doable from Moab. Still, next time I would take a day for each.

from the forum USA-TALK.DE

Watching the Delicate Arch glow at sunset was the moment that made the whole trip worthwhile.

from the forum USA-TALK.DE

We were early at the Windows area, almost alone among these huge arches. Later it got really busy.

from the forum USA-TALK.DE

The Park Avenue Trail is a short and truly great path that surprised us. You walk between huge vertical rock walls, it feels like being in a street canyon made of stone.

from the forum USA-TALK.DE

We took in the Corona Arch outside the park near Moab as a hike, around two hours. A great arch entirely without the crowds in the national park.

from the forum USA-TALK.DE

The guided Fiery Furnace tour with the ranger was fantastic. You cannot get through the labyrinth of rock crevices on your own at all, it takes around two and a half hours and is worth it.

from the forum USA-TALK.DE

We were only in Arches from early afternoon and stayed in Moab. For a good impression that is enough, only for extended hikes do you have to plan more time.

from the forum USA-TALK.DE

In the Devils Garden section the arches are not visible directly from the road. Anyone who walks to the Double O Arch is rewarded with Landscape Arch and Navajo Arch along the way.

from the forum USA-TALK.DE

Have you been here? Share your impression

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Climate through the year

Average temperatures, day and night. Large value °C, small value °F.

43°F-7°19°F
Jan
12°54°F-3°27°F
Feb
18°64°F36°F
Mar
23°73°F43°F
Apr
29°84°F11°52°F
May
35°95°F16°61°F
Jun
38°100°F20°68°F
Jul
37°99°F19°66°F
Aug
31°88°F14°57°F
Sep
23°73°F45°F
Oct
13°55°F32°F
Nov
43°F-6°21°F
Dec

Map with viewpoints

Park, entrances and the best viewpoints at a glance.

Loading the map transfers data (including your IP address) to OpenStreetMap.

Official park map

The official National Park Service map. Zoom and pan.

Map: National Park Service, public domain.

Open map as PDF

Trails at a glance

From a short loop to a full-day hike.

TrailLengthDurationDifficultyNote
Delicate Arch3.1 mi (5 km)2 to 3 hrsmoderateUp to the most famous arch. No shade, plenty of water, most beautiful at sunset.
The Windows Loop0.9 mi (1.5 km)1 hreasyA short loop to several large arches, ideal for everyone.
Landscape Arch1.9 mi (3 km)1 hreasyLevel to the longest arch in North America in the Devils Garden.
Devils Garden (full)7.5 mi (12 km)4 to 5 hrshardA longer loop to seven arches, partly over narrow rock fins.

Distances and driving times

How far it is to the key places nearby.

FromDistanceDrive time
Canyonlands (Island in the Sky)31 mi (50 km)approx. 40 min
Moab6.2 mi (10 km)approx. 10 min
Capitol Reef145 mi (230 km)approx. 2.5 hrs
Monument Valley150 mi (240 km)approx. 2.5 hrs

Where to stay

Right in the middle of things, or cheaper a bit further out.

Moab

10 minutes away

A lively outdoor town with many hotels, restaurants and tours. An ideal base for Arches and Canyonlands.

Devils Garden Campground

in the park

The only campground in the park, right in the rock landscape, booked out months ahead.

Along Highway 191

just before Moab

Further hotels and lodges a little outside, often a bit cheaper.

Insider tips and common mistakes

What was worth it and what to skip.

Insider tips

  • The Delicate Arch at sunset, set off early enough and pack a headlamp for the way back.
  • Take in the easily reachable arches (Windows, Double Arch, Balanced Rock) early in the morning, then it is empty and cool.
  • In high season book the timed-entry reservation in advance or drive into the park before 7 a.m.

Common mistakes

  • The Delicate Arch at midday in high summer. The trail is shadeless, that can become dangerous.
  • Setting off without enough water. In the desert you need more than you think.
  • Rushing Arches. Plan a whole day, there is much more than just the Delicate Arch.

Photos

Click to enlarge.

Arches Nationalpark Arches Nationalpark Arches Nationalpark

Videos

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Arches, the Complete Guide

Watch on YouTube ↗

Delicate Arch and 8 Hikes, 4K

Watch on YouTube ↗

The Best Things in Arches

Watch on YouTube ↗

Arches, 20 Arches in Three Days

Watch on YouTube ↗

Frequently asked questions

How long does the hike to Delicate Arch take?

Around five kilometers there and back, about two to three hours. No shade, take plenty of water.

Do I need a reservation for Arches?

In high season during the day yes, a timed-entry ticket, in advance online. Very early or in the evening usually not.

Can I experience Arches without a long hike?

Yes, The Windows, Double Arch and Balanced Rock lie right by the road.

What does admission cost?

Around 30 USD per vehicle for seven days, or with the America the Beautiful pass.

Nearby

Easy to combine on a road trip.

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Last checked . I check changeable details like entrance fees once a year.