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Arches National Park

the USA🇺🇸 | national parksArches National ParkSandstone arches, Delicate Arch, timed entry, La Sal views | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Arches
🌟 Highlightnational park ranked #8
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Arches National Park requires a timed-entry reservation during peak months, which surprises plenty of people who show up expecting to roll through the gate. It sits in southeastern Utah, in the United States, a short drive north of Moab. I reached it by rental car on Highway 191, and a cyclist in full neon pulled a U-turn in front of me to photograph a single cow, so the drive had its own entertainment. The park delivers over 2,000 sandstone arches, short trails to Delicate Arch and Windows, and red rock glowing against the La Sal Mountains. Wildlife is mostly lizards, ravens and the odd mule deer. Crowds are real, and parking lots fill by mid-morning. Unlike nearby Canyonlands, which spreads out into vast empty canyon country, Arches packs its icons close together.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #8 national park in the USAThe unique appeal for travelers

Arches National Park suits backpackers who like to plan their own days, because nearly everything sits along one 18-mile paved road with trailheads every few miles. You can string together short walks at your own pace without paying for a guide. The big hitters take only an hour or two each, so a single day can cover several. If you want solitude, the Devils Garden Primitive Loop and the off-trail Fiery Furnace (permit required) thin out the crowds quickly. The park has one campground, Devils Garden, which books out months ahead, but Moab and the surrounding public land offer far more flexible options. The park rewards early risers and anyone willing to walk a mile past the parking lot. Tours exist, yet self-guided travel works well here, since the trails are well marked and the routes are short enough to improvise.

💡 HighlightsKey sights and experiences for travelers

  1. Delicate Arch: The park's emblem and the shape on Utah license plates. A 3-mile round-trip climb over slickrock ends at a freestanding 52-foot arch framing the La Sal Mountains.
  2. Landscape Arch: One of the longest natural spans in the world, at about 290 feet, and thin enough to look improbable. The walk from the Devils Garden trailhead is easy and flat.
  3. The Windows Section: North Window, South Window and Turret Arch cluster together on a short loop. It is the easiest place to see several arches in an hour.
  4. Double Arch: Two spans joined at one end, so you can stand beneath them. A quick flat walk makes it popular with families and photographers.
  5. Balanced Rock: A 128-foot boulder perched on a pedestal beside the main road. You can circle it in minutes.
  6. Fiery Furnace: A maze of narrow sandstone fins
… read more 👉
  1. Delicate Arch: The park's emblem and the shape on Utah license plates. A 3-mile round-trip climb over slickrock ends at a freestanding 52-foot arch framing the La Sal Mountains.
  2. Landscape Arch: One of the longest natural spans in the world, at about 290 feet, and thin enough to look improbable. The walk from the Devils Garden trailhead is easy and flat.
  3. The Windows Section: North Window, South Window and Turret Arch cluster together on a short loop. It is the easiest place to see several arches in an hour.
  4. Double Arch: Two spans joined at one end, so you can stand beneath them. A quick flat walk makes it popular with families and photographers.
  5. Balanced Rock: A 128-foot boulder perched on a pedestal beside the main road. You can circle it in minutes.
  6. Fiery Furnace: A maze of narrow sandstone fins and slot passages. You need a permit or a ranger-led tour, and the route-finding is part of the fun.
  7. Park Avenue: A short trail through a canyon lined with tall sandstone walls that look like a skyline. You walk downhill and can arrange a pickup at the other end.
  8. Sand Dune Arch: A hidden arch tucked between fins, reached by a short sandy path. Shade and soft sand make it a good break from the sun.
Among all these, Balanced Rock costs nothing extra beyond park entry and takes only minutes, so it is the cheapest stop.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do around Arches National Park

Arches National Park Backcountry: Escape The Crowds

Arches National Park Backcountry: Escape The Crowds

4.8(2059)
From €218
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HIGHLY RATED Arches National Park Sightseeing Tour From Moab Utah

HIGHLY RATED Arches National Park Sightseeing Tour From Moab Utah

5.0(874) 4h
From €127
per personViator
Arches NP. Backcountry Morning or Afternoon 4x4 Jeep

Arches NP. Backcountry Morning or Afternoon 4x4 Jeep

4.9(653) 4h 30m
From €191
per personViator
Discover 3 Moab Parks In 1 Day: Arches Canyonlands Dead Horse Pt

Discover 3 Moab Parks In 1 Day: Arches Canyonlands Dead Horse Pt

5.0(367) 8h
From €363
per personViator
Arches & Canyonlands Full Day 4X4 Combo

Arches & Canyonlands Full Day 4X4 Combo

4.9(259) 9h
From €250
per personViator
Full-Day Colorado River Rafting Tour at Fisher Towers

Full-Day Colorado River Rafting Tour at Fisher Towers

4.8(190) 7h 30m
From €125
per personViator
Colorado River Rafting: Afternoon Half-Day at Fisher Towers

Colorado River Rafting: Afternoon Half-Day at Fisher Towers

4.9(158) 4h
From €97
per personViator
Colorado River Rafting: Half-Day Morning at Fisher Towers

Colorado River Rafting: Half-Day Morning at Fisher Towers

4.9(155) 4h
From €97
per personViator
Flatwater Fun: Stand Up Paddleboarding on the Colorado River

Flatwater Fun: Stand Up Paddleboarding on the Colorado River

4.9(136)
From €86
per personViator
Moab Arches Sunset Tour W/ Optional Stargazing Add-On Small Group

Moab Arches Sunset Tour W/ Optional Stargazing Add-On Small Group

5.0(118)
From €172
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Seasonal considerations and timing

  • Spring (April to May): Highs run 18 to 29°C (65 to 85°F) with cool nights near 4 to 10°C (40 to 50°F). Wildflowers bloom, but the park is busy and Moab lodging peaks in price.
  • Summer (June to August): Highs hit 35 to 41°C (95 to 105°F). Hike at dawn or after dinner, when daylight lasts about 14 hours. Afternoon thunderstorms can flash-flood washes in July and August.
  • Fall (September to October): Highs of 21 to 32°C (70 to 90°F) and clear skies. Crowds stay heavy until mid-October.
  • Winter (November to March): Highs sit at 2 to 10°C (35 to 50°F), lows fall below freezing, and light snow dusts the red rock. Daylight is about 10 hours. Rooms cost the least, and parking lots are mostly empty.
Arrive before 8 a.m. in any busy month to beat the parking squeeze at Delicate Arch and the Windows.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: fair for travelingFEBFebruary: fair for travelingMARMarch: excellent for travelingAPRApril: excellent for travelingMAYMay: highly recommended for travelingJUNJune: fair for travelingJULJuly: below average for travelingAUGAugust: below average for travelingSEPSeptember: excellent for travelingOCTOctober: excellent for travelingNOVNovember: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: fair for traveling
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🛏️ Where to stay?How to pick the right area

Moab, Utah, about 8 km (5 miles) from the park entrance, is where nearly every backpacker sleeps. Inside Arches there is one option: Devils Garden Campground, with about 50 sites at the end of the main road, roughly 29 km (18 miles) from the entrance. It books out months ahead in spring and fall through recreation.gov, at about US$25 a night, and has no showers.
In Moab, hostels and budget motels suit solo travelers. Dorm beds run about US$35 to 60, and basic motel rooms US$100 to 200 in high season. Private and BLM campgrounds along Highway 128 and Highway 191 cost roughly US$15 to 30 per site, … read more 👉
Moab, Utah, about 8 km (5 miles) from the park entrance, is where nearly every backpacker sleeps. Inside Arches there is one option: Devils Garden Campground, with about 50 sites at the end of the main road, roughly 29 km (18 miles) from the entrance. It books out months ahead in spring and fall through recreation.gov, at about US$25 a night, and has no showers.
In Moab, hostels and budget motels suit solo travelers. Dorm beds run about US$35 to 60, and basic motel rooms US$100 to 200 in high season. Private and BLM campgrounds along Highway 128 and Highway 191 cost roughly US$15 to 30 per site, and many sit just outside town on the Colorado River. Moab has groceries, outfitters, laundromats and gear rental, so it works well for resupply.
Book early for April, May, September and October. If Moab is full, Green River, about 80 km (50 miles) northwest, and Monticello, about 90 km (55 miles) south, have cheaper rooms.
Best hostels in the USA


Best quality hotels in the USA

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)Money, prices, and spending tips

Arches National Park costs a backpacker roughly US$95 to 110 per day in high season, mostly for lodging. The park charges US$30 per vehicle, US$15 per person on foot or bike, and timed-entry reservations may apply in peak months.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entrance feeUS$15 to 30US$15 per person on foot or bike, US$30 per car. The America the Beautiful annual pass (US$80 for US residents, US$250 for nonresidents) covers all national parks.
AccommodationUS$25 to 60Devils Garden camping is about US$25. Moab hostel dorms run US$35 to 60. Motels cost US$100 or more.
Local transportUS$0 to 15Hitching and shuttles are limited. Bike rentals run about US$40 a day, and gas for a shared car adds up.
Food and suppliesUS$20 to 35Self-catering from Moab groceries is cheapest. A restaurant meal is US$15
… read more 👉
Arches National Park costs a backpacker roughly US$95 to 110 per day in high season, mostly for lodging. The park charges US$30 per vehicle, US$15 per person on foot or bike, and timed-entry reservations may apply in peak months.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entrance feeUS$15 to 30US$15 per person on foot or bike, US$30 per car. The America the Beautiful annual pass (US$80 for US residents, US$250 for nonresidents) covers all national parks.
AccommodationUS$25 to 60Devils Garden camping is about US$25. Moab hostel dorms run US$35 to 60. Motels cost US$100 or more.
Local transportUS$0 to 15Hitching and shuttles are limited. Bike rentals run about US$40 a day, and gas for a shared car adds up.
Food and suppliesUS$20 to 35Self-catering from Moab groceries is cheapest. A restaurant meal is US$15 to 25. Inside the park there is no food service.
Gear and extrasUS$0 to 10Bring your own water bottles. Water refills are free at the visitor center.
Total Daily BudgetUS$95One day with entry on foot, camping, groceries and light transport.


source: nps.gov
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🥾 TrailsBest hikes in Arches national park

Arches National Park has trails for every energy level, mostly across slickrock, packed sand and gravel, with little shade. Wildlife is subtle: whiptail lizards, ravens, desert cottontails and occasional mule deer near washes.
  • Delicate Arch Trail: About 3 miles round trip, 2 to 3 hours, moderate to strenuous. It climbs roughly 538 feet over exposed slickrock with a ledge near the top, ending at the famous arch.
  • Devils Garden Trail: About 1.9 miles round trip to Landscape Arch, easy, around 1 hour. Gravel path with side spurs to Pine Tree and Tunnel Arches.
  • Devils Garden Primitive Loop: About 7.9
… read more 👉
Arches National Park has trails for every energy level, mostly across slickrock, packed sand and gravel, with little shade. Wildlife is subtle: whiptail lizards, ravens, desert cottontails and occasional mule deer near washes.
  • Delicate Arch Trail: About 3 miles round trip, 2 to 3 hours, moderate to strenuous. It climbs roughly 538 feet over exposed slickrock with a ledge near the top, ending at the famous arch.
  • Devils Garden Trail: About 1.9 miles round trip to Landscape Arch, easy, around 1 hour. Gravel path with side spurs to Pine Tree and Tunnel Arches.
  • Devils Garden Primitive Loop: About 7.9 miles round trip including side trips, 4 to 5 hours, difficult. It involves rock scrambling, narrow fins and cairn navigation.
  • Windows Primitive Loop: About 1 mile, easy, 30 to 60 minutes, with views of North and South Windows and Turret Arch.
  • Park Avenue Trail: About 1 mile one way, easy, 45 minutes, downhill through a canyon.
  • Fiery Furnace: About 2 miles, strenuous, 2 to 3 hours, with scrambling and tight squeezes, by permit or guided tour.
  • Double Arch Trail: About 0.5 mile round trip, easy, 20 minutes, mostly flat sand.
Getting there by public transport is limited, since there is no regular shuttle into Arches National Park from Moab, so most travelers drive or cycle the road from town. Summer brings heavy crowds, and a timed-entry reservation is required during peak periods, with spots released in advance. Entry is charged per vehicle or per person on foot or bike, and passes cover multiple days. Carry plenty of water, since none is available on the trails.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetySafety Tips and Common Scams in Arches

Arches is straightforward and well managed, and heat is the real issue. Summer afternoons are brutal on exposed slickrock with almost no shade, so carry at least 3 to 4 liters of water per person, since there is none on the trails. Start early and turn around when you’re low. The Delicate Arch trail climbs about 164 meters (538 feet) over a sloped rock ledge, and footing gets sketchy when wet or icy. Follow the cairns on slickrock and stay out of washes during storms, as flash floods arrive fast. Fiery Furnace requires a permit or ranger guide because navigation is tricky. Don’t walk on the dark, bumpy biological soil crust, which takes decades to recover. Wildlife is minimal. Rattlesnakes are rare, and you should give them space. Cell service is spotty.
Check Country Safety

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Two days is a comfortable amount for Arches National Park, and one full day covers the highlights. A day lets you see the Windows, Balanced Rock and Delicate Arch (about 4.8 km or 3 miles round trip). Add a second day for Devils Garden, about 11 km (7 miles) with side spurs to Landscape Arch, and for sunrise or sunset photography.
Arches National Park is hard without a car, but doable from Moab, about 8 km (5 miles) from the entrance. You can cycle the paved road in, though the climb and summer heat are tough, and the 29 km (18 miles) park road has no shuttle. Moab outfitters offer guided tours, and rental cars are available in town or at Grand Junction airport, about 175 km (110 miles) away.
Yes, Arches National Park charges US$30 per vehicle or US$15 per person on foot or bike, valid for seven days. Timed-entry reservations have been required in peak months, so check recreation.gov before you go. Fiery Furnace needs a separate permit at about US$10 per person, and backcountry camping requires a free permit.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other American national parks near Arches

Explore more nearby:

  • Mesa Verde National Park—Cliff dwellings, ladder tours, mesa-top drive, ranger tickets| 197 km away
  • Maroon Bells—twin peaks, reflective lake, aspen groves| 227 km away
  • Bryce Canyon—Orange hoodoos, rim amphitheater, Wall Street slot, Fairyland loop| 261 km away

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We 💚 feedbackParting advice and final tips

Arches National Park looks best at the edges of the day, when low light turns the sandstone deep orange and the lots are nearly empty. I would pick an early start for Delicate Arch, then spend the hot middle hours somewhere shaded. Autumn and early spring bring cooler walking weather but still draw crowds.

✈️ When did I visit the USA?
In January 2023 I visited New York. Many years before, before digital cameras existed, I discovered most of the national parks in the West.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in the USA, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

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