Last updated on .
Arches National Park is a spectacular desert wonderland featuring over 2,000 natural stone arches, rock formations, and other scenery.
Introduction to Arches National Park
Located in southeastern Utah just outside of Moab, Arches National Park features more than 2,000 natural stone arches and other unique rock formations scattered among a rugged landscape.
Arches was first noticed as a potential tourist attraction by Frank A. Wadleigh, the passenger traffic manager of the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad, and photographer George L. Beam, who visited the area in September 1923. They were invited by prospector Alexander Ringhoffer, who had stumbled upon an area he called Devils Garden (now Klondike Bluffs). Wadleigh contacted National Park Service director Stephen T. Mather (1867–1930) and suggested the area be made a national monument.
After several visits by government officials, President Herbert Hoover established Arches National Monument on April 12, 1929. The name was suggested by National Park Service superintendent Frank Pinkely, who had visited the Windows section in 1925. Franklin D. Roosevelt and Lyndon B. Johnson enlarged the park, in late 1938 and early 1969, respectively, Richard Nixon changed its status to a national park on November 12, 1971, but significantly reduced its total area.
Today, Arches National Park is one of the most popular in the United States.
Planning Your Trip to Arches National Park
I spent one full day at Arches. It would have been enough to cover everything I wanted to see, but our group made two mistakes: we got a late start and lost another two hours for lunch. We were still able to do almost everything minus two hikes I had planned.
Arches is not a big park. If you’re ok with skipping the long hikes, you can see the whole park in a full day. If your time is limited, you can cover a lot in just a half day.
Before getting into some of the trails and highlights of the park, here’s some essential information to help you plan your trip. Check the official website for more info:
Entrance Fees to Arches National Park
The entrance fee to Arches varies depending on your mode of transportation. Prices are current as of September 2025:
- For private vehicles, it’s $30.
- For motorcycles, it’s $25.
- For visitors entering on bicycle or on foot, it’s $15 for adults and free for kids under 16.
- Holders of any interagency pass are covered for one vehicle or four per-person fees.
Entrance fees are good for seven days but don’t include self-guided permits or ranger-guided hikes at the Fiery Furnace. The park is open year-round, however, timed entry permits are required from April through October (as of September 2025).
Arches Visitor Center
There’s one visitor center at the park. It’s located just past the entrance gate and is open year-round. There are interpretive displays about the park and a water bottle station.
Camping at Arches National Park
Devils Garden Campground is the only campground at Arches. The 51 sites cost $25 per night (as of September 2025) and must be reserved in advance from March through October. The rest of the year, all sites are first-come, first served. Click here to reserve.
Because all of the campsites at Arches were booked well in advance of our trip, we camped at Moab Valley RV Resort and Campground, one of the countless campgrounds just a short drive away in Moab. We used the town as our base for both Arches and the Canyonlands Island in the Sky district as well as Dead Horse Point State Park.
Activities at Arches National Park
Rock climbing, stargazing, photography, biking, horseback riding, and other outdoor activities are available. Check the official website for more information on these activities. Information about ranger-guided programs can be found at the visitor center.
Safety at Arches National Park
My only advice is to take plenty of water and use sunscreen. The heat can be brutal, especially at mid-day. Fill up your water bottles at the visitor center and make sure you have enough with you before hiking.
A Note on Parking
Parking is extremely limited at most areas of the park. Finding a spot at the Windows Section was especially a nightmare for us. We followed about 20 other cars and parked illegally in a tow zone. Everywhere else, it wasn’t nearly as bad. Go as early as possible to try and avoid the crowds.
Arches Scenic Drive
Arches Scenic Drive is the main road through Arches National Park, leading from the visitor center all the way to Devils Garden. You’ll find several scenic viewpoints along the way to observe some of the most spectacular rock formations in the park. The first ⅓ of the 18-mile (roughly 29 kilometer) road has a lot more “stop and look” rather than “get out and hike”. Arches Scenic Drive intersects with a couple paved roads leading to popular sections of the park, and there are also a couple unpaved and 4WD-only roads.
Moab Fault Viewpoint
The first pullout along Arches Scenic Drive is the Moab Fault Viewpoint, where you can observe the mountain ridge and fault line running just outside the park.
Park Avenue Viewpoint
Next is one of my favorites, Park Avenue. It’s named for the steep walls on both sides of a natural corridor that make it seem as if you’re looking down a big city street with tall skyscrapers.
A popular hike starts from the overlook and ends at the fourth stop, Courthouse Towers Viewpoint. It’s 1.8 miles (3.2 kilometers) round-trip and classified moderately difficult. On the return leg, you should return the same way you came rather than walk along the road.
La Sal Mountains Viewpoint
The third stop is the La Sal Mountains Viewpoint, where you can see the La Sal Mountains in the distance to the southeast. However, the views are phenomenal in every direction.
It’s possible to spot some of the more recognizable features of the park, such as the monoliths at Courthouse Towers and the Windows Section.
Courthouse Towers Viewpoint
The Courthouse Towers Viewpoint is the fourth stop. This is where you can observe four enormous monoliths. On the east side of the road are the Organ and the Tower of Babel — to the south and north, respectively. Both rise about 500 feet from the desert floor.
On the west side of the road are Sheep Rock and the Three Gossips, at 440 feet and 350 feet tall, respectively.
Petrified Dunes Viewpoint
Petrified Dunes Viewpoint is the final stop before the majority of the hiking trails. 200-million-year-old sand dunes that were covered in sediment and cemented by quartz and calcite have been exposed by erosion for all to see.
Balanced Rock
Balanced Rock is the sixth stop along Arches Scenic Drive, sitting at about the halfway point and shortly before the turn to the Windows Section. You’ll find a short and easy 0.3-mile (500 meter) loop around a popular rock formation.
The fragile formation was created by erosion and looks like a giant boulder carefully balanced on top of a pedestal, although it’s actually not balanced at all. It stands 128 feet (39 meters) tall. The boulder itself is 55 feet (17 meters) tall and weighs 3,600 tons. Eventually, nature will take its course and the boulder will fall off its pedestal.
The trail takes you around the rock formation, offering different perspectives from every angle. The views from the trail are also amazing. If you visit at sunset, you’ll witness the rock taking on different colors.
Panorama Point
Returning to Arches Scenic Drive after exploring the Windows Section is Panorama Point. From here, you’ll get a panoramic look at both the Fiery Furnace and the Windows Section. The La Sal Mountains and Devils Garden are also visible.
Salt Valley Overlook
After Delicate Arch Road, the next stop on Arches Scenic Drive is the Salt Valley Overlook, where there are sweeping views of the Salt Valley and the Windows Section, one of the most popular areas at Arches National Park.
Fiery Furnace Viewpoint
A short drive away is the Fiery Furnace, which is described as “a natural labyrinth of narrow passages between towering sandstone walls”. A viewpoint allows you to see the formations from afar. You can also see the Windows Section as well as the La Sal Mountains in the distance.
Contrary to its name, the Fiery Furnace is actually a cool, shady place. It’s named for the “warm glow seen on the rocks in late afternoon”.
Ranger-Guided Hikes at Fiery Furnace
There are no trails in the Fiery Furnace. For your safety, a ranger-guided hike is the recommended way to see it. They last about 2 ½ hours and are typically offered daily during the high season. Tours sell out quickly but you can book online up to six months in advance. They cost $16 per person (as of September 2025), and only visitors age 5+ can enter. The hike is strenuous and some scrambling is required.
Self-Guided Visits to Fiery Furnace
A permit is required to enter for a self-guided visit.
- Permits cost $10 per person for visitors age 5+ (as of September 2025). They can sell out quickly during the high season.
- Reservations can only be made online or by phone between 48 hours and seven days in advance — you can’t get a permit in person.
- Permits are available for pick-up at the visitor center the day before or day of your visit.
- Groups are limited to six people and kids under 5 are not allowed to enter.
- Anyone visiting on a self-guided tour is required to watch a short educational video and listen to an orientation talk.
- Entering the Fiery Furnace without a permit is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by fines and even jail time!
Sand Dune Arch Trail
The Sand Dune Arch Trail is the next stop along Arches Scenic Drive. An easy 0.4-mile (600 meter) round-trip trail leads to a collection of giant sandstone fins. They’ll give you an immediate respite from the scorching desert sun.
Once you’re between the fins, the trail turns into a fine sand and leads to Sand Dune Arch. It’s forbidden to climb the arch.
Broken Arch Trail
Across the field you can see Broken Arch. It isn’t actually broken — a crack at the top makes it appear that way. If you continue on the connector trail from Sand Dune Arch, you’ll hike a total of 1.2 miles (2 kilometers) round-trip back to the trailhead. Another loop from Broken Arch leads to the Devils Garden Campground.
Skyline Arch
Skyline Arch is a bit further up the road. It’s the last stop along Arches Scenic Drive before reaching Devils Garden. An easy 0.4-mile (600 meter) round-trip hike leads to the arch. It’s also visible from the road, but much more impressive up close.
The opening of Skyline Arch doubled in size after a boulder fell out in 1940. I also enjoyed the small secluded section of desert grassland surrounding the arch.
The Windows Section at Arches National Park
Turning on The Windows Road, just past Balanced Rock, takes you to The Windows Section. With a large concentration of arches in a small area, it’s considered by many to be the most scenic area of Arches National Park.
The Windows Section was by far the busiest part of the park we visited. Parking was a nightmare. At the end of the drive, We circled around the lot for at least 30 minutes waiting for a spot to open up. Nothing. Finally, we decided to follow the rebel crowd and park in the tow zone.
Garden of Eden
The first stop you’ll come to will be the Garden of Eden. It’s a short climb up to a viewpoint from where you’ll see a landscape dotted with a collection of rock formations.
Double Arch
Personally, I think Double Arch is the most spectacular arch in the park. Although you can see it from the parking lot, it’s worth the hike to get up closed. The trail is an easy 0.6-mile (1 kilometer) round-trip on sand.
While walking to the arch, you’ll spot the Parade of Elephants on your lefthand side. You can’t quite see the “elephants” until you reach the perfect angle on the trail.
Continuing along, Double Arch comes into view much clearer. It formed much differently than the other arches in the park, with the erosion occurring from above rather than from the side.
As the tallest and second-longest arch at the park, it’s 112 feet (34 meters) high and 144 feet (44 meters) long. You’re allowed to climb the arch to enjoy the views from the openings.
The Windows Trail
The Windows Trail is on the other side of the parking lot. It’s an easy 1-mile (1.6 kilometer) round-trip loop with access to four arches. We hiked it counter-clockwise, with North Window clearly in view at the start.
Taking the fork to the right, you’ll reach Turret Arch. You can walk under the arch and enjoy the views from the other side.
Turning back towards North and South Windows, the two arches resemble a superhero’s mask staring back at you. The trail then winds around South Window where you can enjoy different looks at both arches.
As you complete the loop, the views out to the desert are incredible.
Delicate Arch Road at Arches National Park
Shortly after Panorama Point, you’ll find the turn to Delicate Arch Road. A couple highlights sit along the road.
Delicate Arch Trailhead
Delicate Arch is one of the iconic symbols of Arches National Park and the state of Utah. At 52 feet (~16 meters) high and 32 feet (~10 meters) wide, it’s the largest free-standing arch in the park. It’s accessible via a strenuous 3-mile (4.8 kilometer) round-trip trail with an elevation change of 538 feet (164 meters), passing the Wolfe Ranch and a wall of Ute petroglyphs along the way.
There’s no shade along the trail so it’s best to avoid hiking during extreme temperatures, especially hot summer afternoons. You’ll also have to cross a narrow rock ledge for about 200 yards (183 meters). The arch isn’t visible until the end of the trail. To avoid a difficult hike, you can also see the arch from two viewpoints that I’ve written about below.
Wolfe Ranch
Wolfe Ranch is a short walk from the parking lot. This tiny settlement dates back to 1898, when 69-year-old Civil War veteran John Wesley Wolfe left Ohio with his oldest son, Fred, in search of a drier climate to soothe his war injuries. They built a simple log cabin with a dirt floor, no windows, and no door, and started a small ranch, eventually grazing more than 1,000 head of cattle.
His daughter Flora — along with her husband, Ed Stanley, and two children, Esther and Ferol — joined them in 1906. She was appalled by their living conditions and had a sturdier cabin built — with a wooden floor, windows, and a real door. All six people lived in the cabin measuring 17 by 15 feet (5.2 by 4.6 meters).
Flora’s family moved to Moab in 1908 so the children could attend school, while John and Fred joined them two years later. The entire clan left Moab later in 1910, eventually returning to Ohio where John died on October 22, 1913, at the age of 84.
Delicate Arch Viewpoints
While we didn’t allot any time for the trail during our visit, we did take advantage of a trail to the viewpoints. The trailheads are at the end of Delicate Arch Road.
Lower Delicate Arch Viewpoint is an easy 100 yards (91 meters) from the parking lot. The view is partially obstructed.
You can reach Upper Delicate Arch Viewpoint on a moderately difficult ½-mile (800 meter) trail. At that end of the trail, the arch is separated from the viewpoint by a rugged valley, but you’ll enjoy a much clearer view.
Delicate Arch was originally called the Chaps and the Schoolmarm’s Bloomers by local cowboys. Other names include Bloomers Arch, Marys Bloomers, Old Maids Bloomers, Pants Crotch, and Salt Wash Arch. Frank Beckwith, the leader of the Arches National Monument Scientific Expedition, gave it its current name during his exploration in the winter of 1933–1934. Interestingly, Delicate Arch wasn’t included in the original boundaries of the park; it was added when the monument was enlarged in 1938.
Devils Garden at Arches National Park
Devils Garden is at the very end of Arches Scenic Drive. It features a large concentration of arches, spires, fins. There are also three trails combining for a difficult 7.2-mile (11.5 kilometer) loop called the Devils Garden Trail. They include:
- The Landscape Arch Trail is the easiest of the three. On its own, it’s 1.9 miles (3.1 kilometers) round-trip with no significant elevation gain. There are also two short spur trails to Pine Tree Arch and Tunnel Arch.
- The Double O Arch Trail is much more difficult. From the parking lot, it’s a 4.1-mile (6.6 kilometer) hike, with short spur trails to Navajo Arch and Partition Arch. Scrambling is required.
- The Primitive Trail is the most difficult of the three. From Double O Arch, it loops back to near Landscape Arch. The segment is 2.1 miles (3.5 kilometers) one-way, with short spur trails to Dark Angel and Private Arch. Scrambling is required, there are steep slopes and narrow drop-offs along the trail, and you’ll have to cross a pool that may contain water. The Primitive Trail isn’t recommended in wet or icy conditions, or for those afraid of heights.
We arrived at Devils Garden at dusk. After a quick glance at the map — due to our extremely late start and losing two hours having to return to Moab — we decided we only had enough time to get to Landscape Arch and back to the car.
Landscape Arch Trail
We set off on the Landscape Arch Trail, hiking a bit faster than our normal pace.
We took in the breathtaking scenery as the vibrant colors of the desert began disappearing with every passing moment.
After 25 minutes of hiking, we arrived at Landscape Arch, named by Frank Beckwith in 1933–1934. Considered the world’s fifth longest natural arch, it spans 290.1 feet (88.4 meters) with a height of 77 ½ feet (23.6 meters) and a width of 18 feet (5.5 meters). The trail used to pass underneath, but a 60-foot-long rock slab broke off on September 1, 1991, making it dangerous to approach.
As we began our hike back to the parking lot, everyone on the trail stopped in their tracks to allow a small family of mule deer to pass. The adults darted across the trail but the fawn was afraid to pass. We could tell the adults were worried about their young, so we all backed off a bit. The buck ran back across the trail and then escorted the fawn to where the doe was standing. As they continued on their way, it seemed as if the parents were scolding their young child for not obeying their orders.
Finally, the moon began to rise in the east. This was no ordinary moon — it was a blood moon. We stopped to admire this phenomenon and I was able to snap a few photos. I wasn’t carrying my tripod so they aren’t as clear as I had hoped.
