ARCHES NATIONAL PARK
Plan on spending at least a few hours in the park, exploring the
scenic drive and several of the viewpoints and short trails. If time
permits, longer hikes lead to many spectacular rock formations,
including Delicate Arch, and the Devils Garden Campground
provides an excellent base camp for multi-day trips. Also, consider
attending an interpretive program. Guided walks, short talks and
campfire programs are offered daily March through October.
Operating Hours & Season
Arches National Park is open year-round. The visitor center is open
daily from 8am to 4:30pm, with extended hours spring through fall.
Visitor Center is closed on December 25th.
FEES
Individual Fees
$5 - 7 Days
Vehicle Fees
$10 - 7 Days
CAR TOURS OF ARCHES NATIONAL PARK
The entrance to Arches is located 5 miles north of Moab along
Highway 191. The road system in Arches passes many outstanding
natural features. As Arches' popularity has increased, people have
begun to park in areas that damage plants and sometimes
endanger other visitors. Please park in established lots only.
Generally, parking spaces are easier to find before 9 a.m. and after
7 p.m.
If your time at Arches will be limited, try one of the following
itineraries:
If you have 1.5 hours
Drive to the Windows Section and see some of the park's largest
arches. (Add one-half hour to stroll beneath either North Window or
Double Arch.).
Alternatively, drive to the Delicate Arch Viewpoint and see the
world's most famous arch, a mile distant. Stop at Wolfe Ranch on
your way back and imagine what it would have been like to
homestead this relatively barren area in the late 1800s.
If you have 4.5 hours
Drive all of the paved park roads, spending ten minutes at each
viewpoint, and be sure to visit the Windows Section, Wolfe Ranch
and the Delicate Arch Viewpoint.
CAMPING AT ARCHES NATIONAL PARK
The Devils Garden Campground is located eighteen miles from the
park entrance and is open year-round. Facilities include potable
water, picnic tables, grills, as well as both pit-style and flush toilets.
There are no showers. Bring your own wood or charcoal for the
grills. Some sites will accommodate RV's up to 30 feet in length.
As of November 2003, Devils Garden is part of the National
Recreation Reservation System (NRRS), which offers telephone
and on-line reservations for both group and individual sites.
Reservations are not accepted by the park, and the park does not
maintain information about site availability.
Individual Sites
The campground has 52 individual sites which are $10 per night
and will accommodate up to ten people. Up to 30 of the individual
sites may be reserved through NRRS for nights between March 1st
and October 31st. Reservations must be made no less than 4 days
and no more than 240 days in advance. The remaining 22
campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis each day
beginning at 7:30 a.m. at the park entrance station or visitor center.
To make a reservation, visit www.ReserveUSA.com, or phone
NRRS at (877) 444-6777, (877) 833-6777 (TDD), or (518) 885-3639.
Group Sites
The campground has two sites for groups of eleven or more
people. The Juniper Basin campsite will accommodate up to 55
people; the Canyon Wren campsite up to 35. The group camping
fee is $3 per person per night, with a $33 per night minimum. No
recreational vehicles or trailers are permitted in the group sites.
Group campsites may be reserved through NRRS year-round.
Reservations must be made no less than 4 days and no more than
360 days in advance. Unreserved group campsites are available on
a first-come, first-served basis on the day of arrival. To make a
reservation, visit www.ReserveUSA.com, or phone NRRS at (877)
444-6777, (877) 833-6777 (TDD), or (518) 885-3639.
Other Camping Options
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) operates many
campgrounds in the Moab area. Some accommodate large groups
and may be reserved in advance. For more information, visit the
BLM's Moab Field Office Web site.
HIKING AT ARCHES NATIONAL PARK
Easy Trails
Balanced Rock
Time: 15 to 30 minutes
A loop trail around the base of a fragile, picturesque rock formation.
Broken Arch
Starting Point: Sand Dune Arch parking area or Devils Garden
campground across from campsite #40
Length: 1.2 mi/2 km round trip; 2 mi/3.2 km including the loop
Time: 30 to 60 minutes
From the Sand Dune Arch parking area, the trail cuts across a large
meadow to the arch and continues to the campground. Loop trail
leads through fin canyons with sand dunes and slickrock.
Delicate Arch Viewpoint
Time: 10 to 15 minutes
In addition to the short accessible trail, another (moderately
strenuous) hiking trail climbs one-half mile (0.8 km) toward
Delicate Arch and ends at the rim of a steep canyon that separates
the viewpoint from the arch. (This is not the popular trail to Delicate
Arch, which starts at the Wolfe Ranch parking area.)
Desert Nature Trail
Starting Point: Arches Visitor Center
Length: 0.2 mile (0.3 km) round trip
Time: 15 to 30 minutes
Discover the adaptations of plants and animals in the desert on a
self-guided nature walk. Trail guide available at the trailhead.
Double Arch
Starting Point: Double Arch parking area
Length: 0.5 mile (0.8 km) round trip
Time: 15 to 30 minutes
A relatively flat, sandy trail leads to the base of two giant arch spans
which are joined at one end.
Landscape Arch
Starting Point: Devils Garden trailhead parking area
Length: 2 miles (3.2 km) round trip
Time: 30 to 60 minutes
A relatively flat, gravel-surfaced trail (usually heavily populated with
hikers) leads to a spectacular ribbon of rock, whose span is more
than a football field in length. Short side trips to Tunnel and Pine
Tree Arches. Trail guide available at trailhead.
Sand Dune Arch
Starting Point: Sand Dune Arch parking area
Length: 0.4 mile (0.6 km) round trip
Time: 15 to 30 minutes
Trail leads through deep sand to a secluded arch among
sandstone fins.
Skyline Arch
Starting Point: Skyline Arch parking area
Length: 0.4 mile (0.6 km) round trip
Time: 10 to 20 minutes
A short hike on a flat, well-defined trail. On a cold November night in
1940, a large chunk fell out of the arch, instantly doubling the size of
its opening.
The Windows
Starting Point: Windows parking area
Length: 1 mile (1.6 km) round trip
Time: 30 to 60 minutes
A gentle climb up a gravel loop trail leads to three massive arches
(North and South Windows and Turret Arch). An alternate return,
slightly longer, is by way of the primitive loop around the back of the
two Windows. The primitive loop trail starts at the South Window
viewpoint.
MODERATE TRAILS AT ARCHES NATIONAL PARK
Park Avenue
Starting Point: Park Avenue parking area
Ending Point: Courthouse Towers parking area
Length: 1 mile (1.6 km) one way
Time: 30 to 60 minutes
Elevation change: 320 feet (98 meters)
From Park Avenue parking area, the trail descends steeply into a
spectacular canyon and continues down the wash to Courthouse
Towers. If you have a shuttle driver, you can begin at one point and
be picked up at the other. For round-trip hiking, retrace your steps
along the trail rather than walk along the park road.
Tower Arch
Starting Point: Klondike Bluffs parking area, via the Salt Valley road
Length: 3.4 miles (5.6 km) round trip
Time: 2 to 3 hours
The trail climbs a steep, but short, rock wall, cuts across a valley
and then meanders through sandstone fins and sand dunes. An
alternate, shorter trail (0.3 mile [0.4 km] one way), begins at the end
of the four-wheel-drive road on the west side of Tower Arch. This
unpaved road washes out quickly in rainstorms; inquire at the
visitor center about road conditions before heading out.
LONG TRAILS AT ARCHES NATIONAL PARK
Delicate Arch
Starting Point: Wolfe Ranch parking area
Length: 3 miles (4.8 km) round trip
Time: 2 to 3 hours
Elevation change: 480 feet (146 meters)
Take at least 1 quart (1 liter) of water per person! There is no
shade. Open slickrock with some exposure to heights. The first
half-mile is a wide, well-defined trail. Upon reaching the slickrock,
follow the rock cairns. The trail climbs gradually and levels out
toward the top of this rock face. Just before you get to Delicate Arch,
the trail goes along a rock ledge for about 200 yards.
Devils Garden Primitive Loop
Starting Point: Devils Garden Trailhead parking area
Length: 7.2 mi/11.5 km round-trip, including all points of interest
Time: 3 to 5 hours
Longest of the maintained trails in the park, the Devils Garden Trail
leads to eight awe-inspiring arches. Expect narrow ledges with
rocky surface hiking and scrambling on slickrock. Not
recommended when rock is wet or snowy. Trail guide available at
trailhead.
Double O Arch
Starting Point: Devils Garden Trailhead parking area
Length: 4 miles (6.4 km) round trip
Time: 2 to 3 hours
Beyond Landscape Arch, the trail becomes more challenging as it
climbs over sandstone slabs; footing is rocky; there are narrow
ledges with exposure to heights. Spur trails lead to Partition and
Navajo Arches. Dark Angel is one-half mile (0.8 km) farther. Trail
guide available at trailhead.
Fiery Furnace
The Fiery Furnace is a labyrinth of narrow sandstone canyons and
fins. There are no marked trails and the area has suffered resource
damage due to increased visitation. Hikers who want to explore the
Fiery Furnace must obtain a permit at the visitor center (fee
charged) and watch a minimum impact video. All visitors are
encouraged to sign up for a ranger-guided hike.
PETS
Activities with pets are very limited at Arches. Pets are not allowed
on any hiking trails. Pets may accompany visitors in the
campground, and at overlooks and pullouts along the paved scenic
drives. Pets may be walked on roads or in parking lots, but must be
leashed at all times when outside a vehicle. Pets may not be left
unattended (except in a paid-for campsite in the Devils Garden
campground, where they must not cause a disturbance).
Important!
The desert can be deadly for pets. Car temperatures rise quickly in
the sun, even on cool days. Your pet can easily die of heat
exhaustion. If you are leaving a pet in a car, crack the windows as
much as possible and leave water to drink. We recommend you not
leave pets in the car at all when temperatures are above 68
degrees, even with the windows cracked.
ARCHES NATIONAL PARK LODGING
There are no overnight accommodations in Arches National Park.
The best selection of hotels is in the nearby town of Moab. Book
your hotel early since they do fill up months in advance.
Plan on spending at least a few hours in the park, exploring the
scenic drive and several of the viewpoints and short trails. If time
permits, longer hikes lead to many spectacular rock formations,
including Delicate Arch, and the Devils Garden Campground
provides an excellent base camp for multi-day trips. Also, consider
attending an interpretive program. Guided walks, short talks and
campfire programs are offered daily March through October.
Operating Hours & Season
Arches National Park is open year-round. The visitor center is open
daily from 8am to 4:30pm, with extended hours spring through fall.
Visitor Center is closed on December 25th.
FEES
Individual Fees
$5 - 7 Days
Vehicle Fees
$10 - 7 Days
CAR TOURS OF ARCHES NATIONAL PARK
The entrance to Arches is located 5 miles north of Moab along
Highway 191. The road system in Arches passes many outstanding
natural features. As Arches' popularity has increased, people have
begun to park in areas that damage plants and sometimes
endanger other visitors. Please park in established lots only.
Generally, parking spaces are easier to find before 9 a.m. and after
7 p.m.
If your time at Arches will be limited, try one of the following
itineraries:
If you have 1.5 hours
Drive to the Windows Section and see some of the park's largest
arches. (Add one-half hour to stroll beneath either North Window or
Double Arch.).
Alternatively, drive to the Delicate Arch Viewpoint and see the
world's most famous arch, a mile distant. Stop at Wolfe Ranch on
your way back and imagine what it would have been like to
homestead this relatively barren area in the late 1800s.
If you have 4.5 hours
Drive all of the paved park roads, spending ten minutes at each
viewpoint, and be sure to visit the Windows Section, Wolfe Ranch
and the Delicate Arch Viewpoint.
CAMPING AT ARCHES NATIONAL PARK
The Devils Garden Campground is located eighteen miles from the
park entrance and is open year-round. Facilities include potable
water, picnic tables, grills, as well as both pit-style and flush toilets.
There are no showers. Bring your own wood or charcoal for the
grills. Some sites will accommodate RV's up to 30 feet in length.
As of November 2003, Devils Garden is part of the National
Recreation Reservation System (NRRS), which offers telephone
and on-line reservations for both group and individual sites.
Reservations are not accepted by the park, and the park does not
maintain information about site availability.
Individual Sites
The campground has 52 individual sites which are $10 per night
and will accommodate up to ten people. Up to 30 of the individual
sites may be reserved through NRRS for nights between March 1st
and October 31st. Reservations must be made no less than 4 days
and no more than 240 days in advance. The remaining 22
campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis each day
beginning at 7:30 a.m. at the park entrance station or visitor center.
To make a reservation, visit www.ReserveUSA.com, or phone
NRRS at (877) 444-6777, (877) 833-6777 (TDD), or (518) 885-3639.
Group Sites
The campground has two sites for groups of eleven or more
people. The Juniper Basin campsite will accommodate up to 55
people; the Canyon Wren campsite up to 35. The group camping
fee is $3 per person per night, with a $33 per night minimum. No
recreational vehicles or trailers are permitted in the group sites.
Group campsites may be reserved through NRRS year-round.
Reservations must be made no less than 4 days and no more than
360 days in advance. Unreserved group campsites are available on
a first-come, first-served basis on the day of arrival. To make a
reservation, visit www.ReserveUSA.com, or phone NRRS at (877)
444-6777, (877) 833-6777 (TDD), or (518) 885-3639.
Other Camping Options
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) operates many
campgrounds in the Moab area. Some accommodate large groups
and may be reserved in advance. For more information, visit the
BLM's Moab Field Office Web site.
HIKING AT ARCHES NATIONAL PARK
Easy Trails
Balanced Rock
Time: 15 to 30 minutes
A loop trail around the base of a fragile, picturesque rock formation.
Broken Arch
Starting Point: Sand Dune Arch parking area or Devils Garden
campground across from campsite #40
Length: 1.2 mi/2 km round trip; 2 mi/3.2 km including the loop
Time: 30 to 60 minutes
From the Sand Dune Arch parking area, the trail cuts across a large
meadow to the arch and continues to the campground. Loop trail
leads through fin canyons with sand dunes and slickrock.
Delicate Arch Viewpoint
Time: 10 to 15 minutes
In addition to the short accessible trail, another (moderately
strenuous) hiking trail climbs one-half mile (0.8 km) toward
Delicate Arch and ends at the rim of a steep canyon that separates
the viewpoint from the arch. (This is not the popular trail to Delicate
Arch, which starts at the Wolfe Ranch parking area.)
Desert Nature Trail
Starting Point: Arches Visitor Center
Length: 0.2 mile (0.3 km) round trip
Time: 15 to 30 minutes
Discover the adaptations of plants and animals in the desert on a
self-guided nature walk. Trail guide available at the trailhead.
Double Arch
Starting Point: Double Arch parking area
Length: 0.5 mile (0.8 km) round trip
Time: 15 to 30 minutes
A relatively flat, sandy trail leads to the base of two giant arch spans
which are joined at one end.
Landscape Arch
Starting Point: Devils Garden trailhead parking area
Length: 2 miles (3.2 km) round trip
Time: 30 to 60 minutes
A relatively flat, gravel-surfaced trail (usually heavily populated with
hikers) leads to a spectacular ribbon of rock, whose span is more
than a football field in length. Short side trips to Tunnel and Pine
Tree Arches. Trail guide available at trailhead.
Sand Dune Arch
Starting Point: Sand Dune Arch parking area
Length: 0.4 mile (0.6 km) round trip
Time: 15 to 30 minutes
Trail leads through deep sand to a secluded arch among
sandstone fins.
Skyline Arch
Starting Point: Skyline Arch parking area
Length: 0.4 mile (0.6 km) round trip
Time: 10 to 20 minutes
A short hike on a flat, well-defined trail. On a cold November night in
1940, a large chunk fell out of the arch, instantly doubling the size of
its opening.
The Windows
Starting Point: Windows parking area
Length: 1 mile (1.6 km) round trip
Time: 30 to 60 minutes
A gentle climb up a gravel loop trail leads to three massive arches
(North and South Windows and Turret Arch). An alternate return,
slightly longer, is by way of the primitive loop around the back of the
two Windows. The primitive loop trail starts at the South Window
viewpoint.
MODERATE TRAILS AT ARCHES NATIONAL PARK
Park Avenue
Starting Point: Park Avenue parking area
Ending Point: Courthouse Towers parking area
Length: 1 mile (1.6 km) one way
Time: 30 to 60 minutes
Elevation change: 320 feet (98 meters)
From Park Avenue parking area, the trail descends steeply into a
spectacular canyon and continues down the wash to Courthouse
Towers. If you have a shuttle driver, you can begin at one point and
be picked up at the other. For round-trip hiking, retrace your steps
along the trail rather than walk along the park road.
Tower Arch
Starting Point: Klondike Bluffs parking area, via the Salt Valley road
Length: 3.4 miles (5.6 km) round trip
Time: 2 to 3 hours
The trail climbs a steep, but short, rock wall, cuts across a valley
and then meanders through sandstone fins and sand dunes. An
alternate, shorter trail (0.3 mile [0.4 km] one way), begins at the end
of the four-wheel-drive road on the west side of Tower Arch. This
unpaved road washes out quickly in rainstorms; inquire at the
visitor center about road conditions before heading out.
LONG TRAILS AT ARCHES NATIONAL PARK
Delicate Arch
Starting Point: Wolfe Ranch parking area
Length: 3 miles (4.8 km) round trip
Time: 2 to 3 hours
Elevation change: 480 feet (146 meters)
Take at least 1 quart (1 liter) of water per person! There is no
shade. Open slickrock with some exposure to heights. The first
half-mile is a wide, well-defined trail. Upon reaching the slickrock,
follow the rock cairns. The trail climbs gradually and levels out
toward the top of this rock face. Just before you get to Delicate Arch,
the trail goes along a rock ledge for about 200 yards.
Devils Garden Primitive Loop
Starting Point: Devils Garden Trailhead parking area
Length: 7.2 mi/11.5 km round-trip, including all points of interest
Time: 3 to 5 hours
Longest of the maintained trails in the park, the Devils Garden Trail
leads to eight awe-inspiring arches. Expect narrow ledges with
rocky surface hiking and scrambling on slickrock. Not
recommended when rock is wet or snowy. Trail guide available at
trailhead.
Double O Arch
Starting Point: Devils Garden Trailhead parking area
Length: 4 miles (6.4 km) round trip
Time: 2 to 3 hours
Beyond Landscape Arch, the trail becomes more challenging as it
climbs over sandstone slabs; footing is rocky; there are narrow
ledges with exposure to heights. Spur trails lead to Partition and
Navajo Arches. Dark Angel is one-half mile (0.8 km) farther. Trail
guide available at trailhead.
Fiery Furnace
The Fiery Furnace is a labyrinth of narrow sandstone canyons and
fins. There are no marked trails and the area has suffered resource
damage due to increased visitation. Hikers who want to explore the
Fiery Furnace must obtain a permit at the visitor center (fee
charged) and watch a minimum impact video. All visitors are
encouraged to sign up for a ranger-guided hike.
PETS
Activities with pets are very limited at Arches. Pets are not allowed
on any hiking trails. Pets may accompany visitors in the
campground, and at overlooks and pullouts along the paved scenic
drives. Pets may be walked on roads or in parking lots, but must be
leashed at all times when outside a vehicle. Pets may not be left
unattended (except in a paid-for campsite in the Devils Garden
campground, where they must not cause a disturbance).
Important!
The desert can be deadly for pets. Car temperatures rise quickly in
the sun, even on cool days. Your pet can easily die of heat
exhaustion. If you are leaving a pet in a car, crack the windows as
much as possible and leave water to drink. We recommend you not
leave pets in the car at all when temperatures are above 68
degrees, even with the windows cracked.
ARCHES NATIONAL PARK LODGING
There are no overnight accommodations in Arches National Park.
The best selection of hotels is in the nearby town of Moab. Book
your hotel early since they do fill up months in advance.
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FAMILY TRAVEL FUN