Arches National Park
Discover a landscape of contrasting colors, land forms, and textures unlike any other. The park has over 2,000 natural stone arches, hundreds of soaring pinnacles, massive rock fins, and giant balanced rocks. This red-rock wonderland will amaze you with its formations, refresh you with its trails, and inspire you with its sunsets. — nps.gov
Arches National Park at a glance
- State
- Utah
- Established
- November 12, 1971
- Size
- 76,679 acres
- 2025 visits
- 1,511,740
- Busiest-park rank
- #21 of 63
- Entrance
- $30 / vehicle
Best time to visit
When is Arches quiet?
Arches is busiest in May and quietest in January. For a quieter visit outside the dead of the off-season, March is the quietest shoulder-season month, going by National Park Service visitor counts for 2021–2025.
In 2025 the park logged 1,511,740 recreation visits, the #21 busiest of the 63 national parks. Quiet months can also mean closed roads or facilities, so check current conditions before you go.
Average visits by month
2021–2025 · NPS IRMAQuietest: JanuaryBusiest: May
Fees & passes
What it costs to visit Arches
From the NPS fees data, checked October 1, 2026. Fees on nps.gov
Visiting several parks this year? The pass calculator shows whether the America the Beautiful pass pays off.
Reservations · 2026
No reservation needed in 2026
Timed-entry reservations
“In 2026, advanced timed-entry reservations will not be required at Arches. Visitors may enter the park at any time during operating hours. Vehicles may be diverted from park entrances when areas become too congested.”
Things to do
Things to do in Arches
- Stargaze at Panorama Point15-120 Minutes · All year
Arches National Park and the surrounding Colorado Plateau offer some of the darkest night skies remaining in the United States. You can enjoy the park after dark by viewing spectacular night skies.
Pets OK - Start at Arches Visitor Center15-60 Minutes · All year
Stop at the visitor center to plan your visit, fill your water bottle, learn about the park, and pick up a souvenir.
- Stargazing Events in Southeast Utah1-3 Hours · Summer
Rangers occasionally lead stargazing programs and events at parks throughout southeast Utah. Learn about what to expect and check out a schedule of stargazing events at Arches and Canyonlands national parks and…
- Enjoy Arches from the Road2-4 Hours
If you pay close attention, you can see close to two dozen arches from the comfort of your car.
Pets OK - Arches Junior Ranger ProgramAll year
Filled with fun activities, free Arches Junior Ranger books reveal the wonders of Arches to kids and parents alike.
Backpacking at Arches is allowed in designated sites only and requires a permit.
Reservation/permitFeeArches has no real "slot canyons" but does afford some unique on-rope opportunities.
Reservation/permitEntry to the Fiery Furnace is managed by permits and ranger-led tours to ensure the experience of solitude and wilderness.
Reservation/permitFee
Show all 10 things to doShow fewer
From the National Park Service (checked October 1, 2026). Each title opens its nps.gov page with current conditions.
By activity
- Arts and Culture26
- Astronomy44
- Backcountry Camping51
- Biking44
- Camping60
- Canyoneering5
- Car or Front Country Camping41
- Climbing26
- Group Camping33
- Guided Tours54
- Hiking60
- Horse Trekking32
- Horseback Riding25
- Rock Climbing15
- Stargazing39
The number shows how many of the 63 national parks offer each activity.
Weather
Weather at Arches
Arches is part of the Colorado Plateau, a "high desert" region that experiences wide temperature fluctuations, sometimes over 40 degrees in a single day. The temperate (and most popular) seasons are spring (April-May) and fall (mid-September-October), when daytime highs average 60 to 80 F and lows average 30 to 50 F.
Summer temperatures often exceed 100 F, making strenuous exercise difficult. Winters are cold, with highs averaging 30 to 50 F, and lows averaging 0 to 20 F.
From the National Park Service.
Getting there
Getting to Arches
Arches National Park is located in southeast Utah, five miles north of Moab on US 191. From Moab, Utah, drive five miles north on Main Street/US 191. Turn right at the stoplight. From Interstate 70, take exit 182 (Crescent Junction), then drive south 28 miles on US 191.
Turn left at the stoplight.
5 miles north of Moab, Utah, on US 191, Moab, UT, 84532 · Directions on nps.gov
Nearby
National parks near Arches
- Canyonlands National Park37 mi~1 h drive (est.)
- Capitol Reef National Park95 mi~2 h drive (est.)
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park101 mi~2 h drive (est.)
- Mesa Verde National Park119 mi~3 h drive (est.)
- Bryce Canyon National Park162 mi~4 h drive (est.)
- Zion National Park212 mi~5 h drive (est.)
Straight-line distance between park centers; drive times are rough estimates.
Closest big cities: Salt Lake City (189 mi) · Denver (262 mi)
Road trip
Arches, Canyonlands & Capitol Reef
3 parks, about 111 miles between them (~3 h of driving, estimated).
Arches is the orange dot. Tap any park to tick it off your checklist.
Photos of Arches National Park
FAQ
Arches, quickly
- When is the best time to visit Arches National Park?
- If you want fewer people, go in March, the quietest shoulder-season month. May is the busiest month on average, and January the quietest, based on NPS recreation visits for 2021–2025. Check nps.gov for seasonal road and facility closures before you go.
- How much does it cost to visit Arches National Park?
- $30 / vehicle. An America the Beautiful annual pass covers entrance fees at every national park.
- Do you need a reservation for Arches National Park in 2026?
- No. In 2026, advanced timed-entry reservations will not be required at Arches. Visitors may enter the park at any time during operating hours. Vehicles may be diverted from park entrances when areas become too congested. (nps.gov, checked October 1, 2026). Some tours, permits and campgrounds may still need booking.
- What are some things to do in Arches National Park?
- The National Park Service lists 10 things to do in Arches National Park, including Stargaze at Panorama Point, Start at Arches Visitor Center, Stargazing Events in Southeast Utah, Enjoy Arches from the Road, Arches Junior Ranger Program. Each has its own page on nps.gov with current conditions.
- When did Arches National Park become a national park?
- Arches National Park was established as a national park on November 12, 1971.
- What is the closest national park to Arches?
- Canyonlands National Park, about 37 miles away in a straight line (roughly 1 hours' drive, estimated).
Sources · 3
- 1.Arches National Park — official site · National Park Service
- 2.NPS Data API — /parks (all park units) · National Park Service (U.S. Department of the Interior)
- 3.Arches National Park — Visitor Use Statistics · National Park Service (IRMA)
About this page
Park facts, photos, fees and visitor counts come from the National Park Service (NPS Data API and Visitor Use Statistics), last checked October 1, 2026. Park'd is an independent app and is not affiliated with the National Park Service. For official, current information, visit nps.gov/arch.
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