How to Visit Arches This Memorial Day
Long weekends like Memorial Day are a wonderful time to gather the kids and head to the red rocks of Arches National Park. But they’re also one of the busiest times of the year. To help your crew make the most of your holiday time, here are some tips to help you navigate like a pro.
1. Fast-Track Your Entry: Get Your Pass Early
The secret to a smoother morning? Buy your Arches park pass before you even reach the entrance gate.
- Where to get it: You can purchase a national park pass at the Moab Information Center (in downtown Moab) or online.
- Why it matters: Having your pass in hand helps the park rangers speed up the entry line, getting your family into the park much faster. While you can still buy passes at the entrance, being prepared is the ultimate win for avoiding long waits.
2. Time Your Visit for Maximum Fun
Arches is most popular for visitors in the middle of the day, so you’ll want to consider visiting during the less busy periods of the day:
- Early Birds: Arrive before 7 a.m. to catch the sunrise and beat the heat.
- Afternoon Explorers: Arrive after 2 p.m. when the morning rush has subsided.
- Pro Tip: Check the Arches Entrance Station Webcam for real-time conditions before you leave your hotel or campsite.
3. Be Flexible and Discover
If the line-up for Arches entry is long, don’t panic. Arches is just the beginning of what the Moab area offers. Consider exploring these nearby gems if the park is at peak capacity:
- Dead Horse Point State Park: Offering breathtaking canyon views that rival any national park.
- Canyonlands National Park: Roughly 30 miles separates the Arches visitor center from the Island in the Sky visitor center in Canyonlands National Park.
- Corona Arch: A stunning hike outside the park boundaries that leads to three arches.
- Utahraptor State Park: Located about 15 miles northwest of Moab, perfect for dinosaur lovers.
4. Practice Parking Patience
During your visit to Arches, please do not wait in roadways for parking spaces to open up. This causes safety issues and traffic jams. If a trailhead is full, use it as an opportunity to drive further into the park to a different scenic viewpoint.
Need more ideas for your long weekend trip? Stop by the Moab Information Center or explore resources from Discover Moab for local dining and hidden-gem trail recommendations.
What's Nearby Arches
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Dead Horse Point State Park
Dead Horse Point State Park specializes in the type of sweeping, jaw-dropping views that make visitors run for their cameras to try and capture the area’s grandeur.
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Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands is home to many different types of travel experiences, from sublime solitude in the more remote stretches of the park to moderate hikes through the Needles district to the opportunity to create your own version of one of the West's most photographed landforms, Mesa Arch.
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Corona Arch
This excellent hike above the Colorado River Canyon leads to three arches, including Corona Arch, one of the largest arches in the Moab area. Excellent hike for those who want to enjoy arches far from the crowds in Arches National Park.
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Utahraptor State Park
Utah's favorite dinosaur now has a state park. Neighboring Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park, Utahraptor State Park is recognized for more than it's red rock formations — it has pre-historic remains lying underneath its surface.
The Complete Arches Trip
Discover a new side of Arches National Park with this four day itinerary. Start exploring the hidden gems in the Arches region today.
Highlights
- Arches National Park
- Colorado River Rafting Trips
- Delicate Arch
- Dead Horse Point State Park
- Manti-La Sal National Forest
