More than 2,000 natural stone arches stand in this small park outside Moab, along with balanced rocks, pinnacles and fins of red Entrada sandstone. The most famous, Delicate Arch, stands alone on the edge of a slickrock bowl with the snowy La Sal Mountains behind it. Combine it with neighboring Canyonlands and Moab’s outdoor playground for two or three days.
Best things to do in Arches
Delicate Arch
A 3-mile return hike over open slickrock, climbing 480 feet, with a final ledge that reveals the arch suddenly. Sunset is magical and busy; sunrise is quieter. There is no shade: carry at least two liters of water each.
Short on time or energy? The Lower and Upper Delicate Arch viewpoints show it from across the canyon in a few minutes.
2The Windows & Double Arch
An easy loop to the North and South Windows and Turret Arch, and the short walk to Double Arch, two arches sharing one end. Beautiful in the morning light.
3Devils Garden & Landscape Arch
At the end of the road, a flat trail leads to Landscape Arch, a thin ribbon of rock 306 feet across — one of the longest in the world. Beyond, the primitive loop scrambles over fins to Double O Arch (7.8 miles).
4Balanced Rock & Park Avenue
Roadside stops: a 3,500-ton boulder on a pedestal, and a sandstone “skyline” walk between towering walls.
5Fiery Furnace
A maze of narrow sandstone fins. Enter on a ranger-led hike or with a self-guided permit, both reserved on recreation.gov.
Canyonlands & Mesa Arch
Thirty minutes away, Canyonlands’ Island in the Sky district looks down on 1,000-foot canyons of the Green and Colorado rivers. Mesa Arch frames the sunrise on the canyon; Grand View Point is the big panorama. Dead Horse Point State Park, next door, has the river’s gooseneck bend.
Arches entrance fees and reservations
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Private vehicle, 7 days | $30 |
| On foot or by bike, per person | $15 |
| America the Beautiful annual pass | US residents $80 · non-residents $250 — covers the whole car and the $100 fee |
Cashless. The $55 Southeast Utah annual pass also covers Canyonlands.
- No timed-entry reservation in 2026; vehicles may be turned away when lots are full.
- Fiery Furnace hikes and Devils Garden Campground need a reservation.
Beating the crowds without a reservation
Arches has a single entrance road and limited parking. With the timed-entry system dropped for 2026, the queue at the entrance can stretch onto the highway from mid-morning, and rangers may temporarily close the gate when lots are full.
- Enter before 8 am or after 3 pm.
- Do Delicate Arch at sunset, when the morning crowds have left.
- Carry a park pass already bought online or an America the Beautiful pass to speed through the gate.
When to go
Spring and fall are ideal, with highs in the 60s to 80s °F (18–28°C). Summer days regularly exceed 100°F (38°C) with almost no shade: hike at dawn. Winter is cold and quiet, with the occasional snow on red rock.
Where to stay in Arches
Moab, 5 minutes from the entrance, has every kind of accommodation; it is an outdoor sports town, so book ahead for spring and fall.
Our 2 hotel picks in Arches
Photos, facilities and tips →
Boutique$$$$Red Cliffs Lodge Moab
Scenic Highway 128 on the Colorado River, upriver from Moab
Cabins and suites on the Colorado River under 2,000-foot red cliffs, on Scenic Highway 128.
Family$$$$Aarchway Inn
North edge of Moab, 2 miles from Arches
An independent 97-room hotel two miles from Arches, with breakfast, a pool and space for children to play.
Downtown Moab
$$$$Best for: restaurants on foot
Hotels and motels along Main Street, outfitters and breweries.
Hotels in Downtown Moab partner linkAlong the Colorado River (Highway 128)
$$$$Best for: scenery
Ranch lodges between red cliffs, 15–30 minutes up the river.
Hotels in Along the Colorado River (Highway 128) partner linkCampgrounds & glamping
$$$$Best for: the night sky
Devils Garden Campground inside the park (reservations essential), BLM sites and glamping tents around town.
Hotels in Campgrounds & glamping partner linkWeather in Arches by month
Compare every destination month by month in the when-to-go explorer.
Arches: your questions
Do you need a reservation for Arches in 2026?
No. Arches did not require timed-entry reservations in 2026. You still need reservations for the Fiery Furnace and the Devils Garden Campground.
How long is the hike to Delicate Arch?
3 miles (4.8 km) return, with 480 ft (146 m) of climbing, on open slickrock. Allow 2 to 3 hours and plenty of water.
How many days do you need in Arches?
One full day for Arches; two to three nights in Moab to add Canyonlands, Dead Horse Point and a river trip.
Arches or Canyonlands?
Both, from the same base: Arches for the arches and short hikes, Canyonlands for vast canyon panoramas. They are 30 minutes apart.
Written by Kylian Dev · Last reviewed October 21, 2026. Prices are in US dollars, before sales tax.