How to See Arches National Park in One Day

Arches National Park in Utah is a rather small park compared to many of the other U.S. national parks. But don’t let the size fool you, the park is full of must-see features. Expect a fun-filled time when you visit Arches National Park in one day.

The best way to get up close and experience some of the 2,000 natural arches is to hit the hiking trails in the park. Many of the trails are relatively short, easy, and flat which makes hiking perfect for all types of visitors. But even when you just want to drive the scenic road in Arches, you will be able to see a lot of uniquely shaped arches.

Ready to visit Arches National Park in one day? Then let’s not waste any time and check out our Arches itinerary for your perfect trip!

Our Other Resources for Arches National Park

• Hike to Delicate Arch
• Trails to Hike in Arches National Park
• How to Save Money with the America the Beautiful Pass

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Where is Arches National Park?

Arches National Park is located in the eastern part of Utah close to the Colorado border. The park lies just north of a little Utah town called Moab. 

It is in close proximity to Utah’s other National Parks: Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, and Canyonlands National Park.

How to Get to Arches National Park

The closest airports to Arches National Park are Salt Lake City International Airport in Salt Lake City, Utah (3h 45min) and Grand Junction Regional Airport in Grand Junction, Colorado (1h 40min).

The closest town is Moab, which is located 5.5 miles away from the park’s entrance. It is a great base to explore Arches National Park and maybe even the nearby Canyonlands National Park.

If you are interested in a Utah National Park Road Trip, check out the driving distances to the other Mighty 5 National Parks:

• Canyonlands National Park to Arches 30 miles, 32 minutes
• Capitol Reef National Park to Arches 141 miles, 2 hours 15 minutes
• Bryce Canyon National Park to Arches 271 miles, 4 hours
• Zion National Park to Arches 309 miles, 4 hours 30 minutes

Arches National Park 1 Day Overview with Hiking Distances and Times

Here is a quick breakdown of what you will see and do during your one day in Arches National Park:

• Visitor Center
• Drive the entire Arches Scenic Drive – 36 miles
• Landscape Arch (Devil’s Garden Trail) – 1.6 miles, 1 hour
• Skyline Arch – 0.4 miles, 30 minutes
• Sand Dune Arch – 0.3 miles, 30 minutes
• Fiery Furnace Viewpoint
• The Windows + Turret Arch – 1 mile, 45 minutes
• Double Arch – 0.5 miles, 25 minutes 
• Balanced Rock Viewpoint
• Park Avenue Viewpoint
• Hike Delicate Arch for sunset – 3.0 miles, 2.5 hours
• Optional: Broken Arch – 1.7, 1 hour

Arches National Park 1 Day Itinerary  

When we have adventure-packed days like this, we start our day early, around 7:00 AM or 8:00 AM, to maximize our time in the park. Arches National Park is open 24 hours, which gives you the opportunity to arrive early.

Note: Since 2022 you can’t just show up at Arches National Park during certain hours of the day in the main season. You will need to make a reservation to visit the park in advance. Read more about this important change below.

Travel Tip: Timed Entry System

As of April 3, 2022, Arches National Park implemented a temporary pilot timed entry ticket system to help with traffic and improve visitor experiences. 

Now to enter the park from April 3 through October 3, you will need a timed entry ticket, photo ID, and either a National Park pass or you have to pay the park’s entrance fee. 

First come, first serve tickets are available 3 months in advance. The ticketed entry times will go from 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM. 

Visitors with a backcountry, camping, Fiery Furnance, or other booked activities will not need a timed entry ticket. 

To find out more information on how to purchase a timed entry ticket for Arches, visit the park’s website for the most up to date information.

Visitor Center

The only downside of arriving early in the park is that the Visitor Center might not be open. If you want to purchase permits, book an activity, pick up a map, or just want to get additional information, it might be good to come back later, or even better to go there the afternoon before.

Learn more about the Visitor Center’s opening hours on the park’s website.

The Visitor Center is located right behind the entrance, so you cannot miss it when you enter Arches National Park.

Scenic Drive

When you arrive at the park, immediately drive Arches Scenic Drive to the end at Devils Garden Trailhead. It will be tempting to want to stop as you drive along the Scenic Drive, but we promise you will want to save these stops for later to help avoid the crowds. 

We highly recommend driving the entire 36 miles of the Arches Scenic Drive. To best explore the park along the scenic drive we suggest making stops on the way back at the various viewpoints and getting out to hike Arches National Park easily accessible trails.

Landscape Arch 

To reach Landscape Arch, you will start on the Devil’s Garden Trail, which is a 7.8-mile trail leading to various arches in the park. 

You do not have to hike the entire 7.8 miles on the Devil’s Garden Trail to see Landscape Arch. To reach the arch you will hike a round trip of 1.6 miles. The nice part about the Devil’s Garden Trail is that you can choose to turn around at any point along the way. 

If you are not looking for a strenuous hike, we would recommend only going to Landscape Arch along Devil’s Garden Trail. After Landscape Arch, the trail becomes more strenuous leading to Double O Arch. 

Hiking the 1.6 miles round trip to Landscape Arch will take about an hour or so. You may also want to think about adding the Pine Tree Arch and Tunnel Arch on your way back for an additional 0.8 miles which are along spur trails from the Devil’s Garden Trail. 

Skyline Arch

After hiking to Landscape Arch, you will be making your way back on the Arches Scenic Drive. About 0.5 miles from the Devil’s Garden parking lot is the trailhead for Skyline Arch. A quick and easy trail, 0.4 miles, brings you to Skyline Arch. The arch is also visible from the scenic drive. 

Sand Dune Arch

Next up on the Arches Scenic Drive is the unique Sand Dune Arch. This hidden arch is pinched between the fins of sandstone rock. The trail is a short, easy, sandy 0.3 miles to the impressive arch. It should only take around 30 minutes or so to visit Sand Dune Arch.

Optional add-on: If you are up for a long day of hiking you can add on hiking to Broken Arch which shares the same trail as Sand Dune Arch. To see both Sand Dune Arch and Broken Arch, you will be hiking 1.7 miles round trip. This will take you roughly 1.5 hours.

Fiery Furnace Viewpoint

Back on the Scenic Drive, we decided to take a quick pit stop at the Fiery Furnace Viewpoint, located on the left-hand side, to check out this fascinating section of the park. Fiery Furnace is a collection of small narrow sandstone canyons.

To go beyond the viewpoint, you will need a day-use permit or join a ranger-led guided hike. This adventure tends to book out quickly. If you are adventurous enough to navigate through this maze, you need to plan an additional day in Arches National Park.

Unfortunately, we did not plan enough in advance to get a permit to hike through the narrow sandstone canyons, but it is on top of our bucket list for our next visit.

It was still worth a quick look, to get an idea of this very unique area covered with boulders, and fins.

Read More: Interested in seeing more weird-looking rock formations? Then you will love the hoodoos in Bryce Canyon National Park. Read our Bryce Canyon in One Day: What Not to Miss itinerary to get to know more.

The Windows Section 

To find the Windows Section you will need to turn left onto Windows Road which will lead you to a large concentration of arches. Here you will find a few prominent arch formations in the park, including Double Arch, North Window Arch, South Window Arch, and Turret Arch.

1. North Window Arch, South Window Arch, and Turret Arch

To see all of these gorgeous arches, you can follow a mile round trip trail. It should take about 45 minutes to an hour to hike and explore. 

2. Double Arch

In the same area, you can reach Double Arch. You can either walk from the same parking lot you are in for the Window Arches or drive down the road to the parking area for Double Arch, however, parking can be limited in this area. Once you find a spot, we would recommend staying in it until you have seen everything in the area you want. 

Double Arch is the tallest arch in the park. Climbing up and standing underneath this 112 feet high landmark, left us speechless. When you have the right position, you can look through both arches at the same time. We spent about 30 minutes or so taking pictures and scenery. 

In total, we spent about 1.5 hours in the Window Section of Arches National Park. 

Panorama Point

To reach this viewpoint you will have to make a right from the Scenic Drive on a side road. At this point, you will take in the view of the lower Salt Valley from the rim. 

Balanced Rock

This incredible formation seems to defy gravity with its balancing act. The gigantic boulder weighs approximately 3,577 tons and rests atop a sandstone pillar. You can easily view Balanced Rock from Arches Scenic Drive. If your legs are not tired yet, you can also get out and stroll the short 0.3-mile loop trail around its base.

Park Avenue Viewpoint

The Park Avenue Viewpoint is the first or the last viewpoint you will reach on the Arches Scenic Drive. The view got its name because the towering walls of the canyon reminded visitors of tall city buildings that line the city streets.

Here, you can choose to just take in the view or take the 2 miles moderate round trip hike through the wash to Courthouse Towers, showcasing many interesting rock formations such as Three Gossips, Sheep Rock, the Organ, and the Tower of Babel.

Top Tip: When in this area, also check out the La Sal Mountains Viewpoint, which will provide you with a beautiful view of the La Sal Mountains in the distance. You can also see Balanced Rock and the Window Section of Arches National Park.

Delicate Arch

To end your day in Arches National Park, hike to Delicate Arch for sunset. 

Delicate Arch is the most popular and iconic feature in the park. It is also a famous Utah landmark and can be seen on the state’s license plates. With its 46 feet in height and 32 feet in width, it is the largest freestanding natural arch in the park.

From the Park Avenue Viewpoint, you will have to backtrack on the Arches Scenic Drive to Delicate Arch Road. You will turn right off the Scenic Drive and left into the parking lot. There are restrooms in the parking lot. 

From the parking lot, to reach Delicate Arch you will hike along the 3.0 mile round trip moderate trail. On average hiking, exploring, and taking photos takes about 2 to 3 hours to complete. But do keep in mind it is an uphill climb for almost the entire way to the arch. This may help plan your time accordingly. 

More than 1 Day in Arches National Park

We can never get enough of America’s National Parks because there is always more to see. Here are our suggestions for what to do with more than 1 day in Arches National Park:

1. Explore Fiery Furnace – Make plans ahead of time to obtain a permit to explore this natural maze on your own, or register for a ranger-led guided hike. Plan a few hours for this adventure.

2. Add some hikes from the Devil’s Garden Area – There are many arches you can admire when hiking in this area of the park. Enjoy a more challenging hike to the Double O Arch with a little rock scrambling along narrow ridges and steep drop-offs. Or see all of Devil’s Garden, including 8 arches, when you follow the Primitive Trail.

3. Go Stargazing – Arches National Park is an official Dark Sky Park. Here, you’ll find one of the best stargazing places in the United States with a perfect dark sky. An amazing spot to see them is Panorama Point. Hopefully, you will come up with a good wish when you see a shooting star.

4. Visit Canyonlands National Park – If you can’t get enough of natural arches and the vast desert landscape, drive 26 miles (30 min) to Canyonlands National Park and check out Mesa Arch. Follow the quick and easy trail, and get rewarded with spectacular views.

Extend Your Trip – Utah’s National Park Road Trip Ideas

Arches National Park can be easily combined with visiting other nearby Utah National Parks for an awesome road trip experience. 

For help planning a trip through Utah’s National Parks and visiting Zion National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and Bryce Canyon National Park check out our post Utahs National Parks in One Unforgettable Road Trip. 

• Capitol Reef National Park: Navigate yourself through narrow canyon walls.
• Canyonlands National Park: Get a birds-eye view of the vast, deep canyon landscape.
• Bryce Canyon National Park: See the park’s famous hoodoo formations. 
• Zion National Park: Hike on some of the coolest trails in the United States.

Don’t have as much time? Then read our post about how to visit Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks in one trip. 

What to Pack

Packing for your trip to Arches National Park will require some specific gear for a more enjoyable experience. Here is a quick list of the essentials for Arches National Park in one day. 

Daypack – A daypack is essential for your hikes. Try out the comfortable lightweight Deuter Speed Lite daypack. It is our choice when hitting the trails.

Water Bottle – Keep your water cool by bringing an insulated water bottle. We always carry our Hydro Flask water bottles with us.

Comfortable Hiking Boots – One of the worst things when heading out for a hike is not having comfortable footwear. For hiking in Arches, it is best to use over-the-ankle hiking boots because they provide you with good support on the more rocky and difficult terrain.

Sun Protection – Most of the trails in Arches are in the direct sun. Don’t forget to use sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses to protect yourself from the grueling sun beating down on you.

Camera & Accessories – Don’t forget to pack a camera to capture all the memories you are about to make during your trip to Arches National Park. Our essential camera gear is our Olympus OMD Em Mark ii, the Rollei travel tripod, a camera remote, and our Peak Design capture clip.

What is the Best Time of Year to Go to Arches National Park?

Spring and Fall – Similar to the other Mighty 5 national parks, Arches National Park can be visited in all seasons, but the most popular time of year is spring (April-May) and fall (September-October). During these seasons daytime temperatures are the most enjoyable for outdoor activities, ranging from 60-80 degrees.

Summer – We visited Arches National Park in the summer and it was hot. Temperatures can reach 100 degrees during the day. If you want to enjoy some of the longer, more difficult hikes, we would highly recommend starting them early in the day and bringing lots of water. Most of those hikes are unshaded and walking around in the harsh midday sun is not a fun experience.

Winter – If you want to avoid the crowds and don’t mind hiking in colder weather, the winter is a great option to visit Arches National Park. Expect temperatures to range from 30 to 50 during the day. December offers the most moderate temperatures in the winter and is also the snowiest month of the year. To see a dusting of snow on the red glowing arches is a very special experience, we can’t wait to see it in person.

Top Tips for Visiting Arches National Park

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1. Use a personal car to get around

There is no shuttle service to bring you around this park. The use of a personal car is the easiest, fastest, and most convenient way to get around in Arches National Park. If you don’t have a vehicle, you have to book a private tour with an outside company.

2. Bring your own food and drinks

There is no food or drink sold within the park, so make sure you are prepared with all the snacks and drinks you will need for your visit. The closest place to buy food and drinks is in Moab. You will also find cute little restaurants in this charming town.

If you need to fill up your water in the park, you can use either the water filling station at the Visitor Center or at the Devils Garden Trailhead.

3. Protect yourself from the sun

Remember, Arches National Park is located in the desert with very little shade. Protect yourself from the hot sun rays with sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and sun protection clothing. Don’t let sunburn ruin your experience.

4. Take long hikes in the morning or evening

To avoid the crowds and enjoy more peaceful hikes, it is a good idea to start your longer hikes early in the day. That also helps to avoid the hot midday sun in the summer. In the afternoon, you will have plenty of time to explore the viewpoints on the Scenic Drive and some shorter trails, which are not exposed to the sun.

Where to Stay

1.Staying in the Park
Staying inside the park is extremely limited because there is no lodging and only 1 campground. Campsites are on a first-come, first-served basis from November to February. Between March and October reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance. The campsites fill up quickly, so make sure to book your spot in advance.

2. Staying outside of the Park
The easiest and most convenient option is to stay in Moab, Utah since it is located only a few miles outside of the park’s entrance. Here, you will find tons of accommodations, from fancy hotels to affordable campgrounds. These are our 3 top picks:

• Camping: Up the Creek
  If you are looking for a tent campsite, Up the Creek is your best bet. It is located off the beaten path in a grove of large shade trees, close to a stream. You would never guess that this beautiful location is also only two blocks away from Downtown Moab with its various restaurant and stores. How convenient is that?!

• Motel: The Virginian Motel
  
• Unique Hotel: Under Canvas Moab

FAQs: Arches National Park

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1. Can you do Arches National Park in a day?

You can absolutely experience Arches National Park in one day, but it will be a very long one. With having one full day in the park, you will be able to see and explore the park’s most popular features on the Scenic Drive, hit some shorter trails, and at least 1 or 2 of the longer trails, depending on what you are up for.

Note that this Arches itinerary works great in the late spring, summer, and early fall months since the days are long and you can get a lot of things done. Keep in mind that the days are shorter in the wintertime, so you might want to consider extending your stay for another day when visiting in that season.

2. Can you see Arches National Park in half a day?

If you only have a half-day in Arches National Park, then we would recommend hiking to Landscape Arch and Delicate Arch is a must. Then admire other features from your car while driving along the Scenic Drive. 

3. How much time do you need at Arches National Park?

To see Arches National Park fully, it is recommended that you have 2 days in the park. This allows you to see more of the longer hikes and explore the Fiery Furnace. 

4. Can you just drive through Arches National Park?

Yes, you can just drive through Arches National Park. Luckily, you can see many of the arches through the window of your car. However, we would not recommend this way to see the park. Arches Scenic Drive is a 36-mile drive through the park. 

5. Is Arches National Park Open 24 Hours?

Yes, Arches National Park is open 24 hours. This means you can start your visit as early as you would like, and you can leave whenever you want to. Getting an early jump on your day will help you maximize your time in the park to see and do more. Another great advantage is that you will avoid the afternoon crowds.

Keep in mind that you are just allowed to stay overnight in Arches National Park when you have secured a campsite in the Devils Garden Campground.

Note: Since 2022 you can’t just show up at Arches National Park during certain hours of the day in the main season. You will need to make a reservation to visit the park in advance. Read more about this important change above.

6. Is Arches Worth Visiting?

That is a definite, yes! Arches National Park is such a unique U.S. national park, which offers awe-inspiring trails to explore its incredible natural arches. It is also a no-brainer when you plan on visiting Utah’s other incredible national parks. Utah is home to 5 of the most fascinating national parks in the country.

Even if you aren’t much of a hiker, Arches is still worth a visit to see the highest number of natural sandstone arches in the world.

What did you accomplish in Arches National Park in one day? Which arch did you like the most?

Share your experiences with us or drop a question in the comments below!

Our Other Resources for Arches National Park:

• 8 Incredible Trails to Hike Arches National Park
• Hike to Delicate Arch: The Must Do Trail in Arches
• How to Save Money with the American the Beautiful Pass

Other Resources for (Utah’s) National Parks

• BRYCE CANYON: Best Bryce Canyon Hikes for Your Bucket List
• CANYONLANDS: The Best of Island in the Sky Canyonlands National Park
• CAPITOL REEF: Explore 10 Striking Capitol Reef Hikes in the Fruita District
• ZION: 11 Best Hikes in Zion National Park
• ROAD TRIP: Explore Utahs National Parks in One Unforgettable Road Trip
• ROAD TRIP: Plan a Trip from Zion to Bryce Canyon: 2 Utah National Parks
• NATIONAL PARK: 16 Best East Coast National Parks You Need to Visit
• NATIONAL PARK: 34 Best West Coast National Park + Western U.S. Parks that Will Blow Your Mind
• NATIONAL PARK: A Complete National Park List by State + Downloadable Checklist and Map
• NATIONAL PARK: First Hand Ranking of National Parks in USA from Best to Worst

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