Arches National Park
Things To Do
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Camping
Start your day with the best access to the park’s hiking trails and viewpoints, then wind down as the sun sets behind arches and rock formations. Arches National Park has a single campground within the park, and plenty more camping options nearby.
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Hiking
Hike the world-famous Delicate Arch trail, see three separate arches on the Windows Primitive Loop, or simply soak in one of the many awe-inspiring viewpoints. No matter how you hike, Arches National Park has trails you just can’t miss.
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Photography
As home to some of the most famous natural formations in the world, the park will have you reaching for your camera at every stop. Explore can’t-miss photo op’s, when conditions are best, and much more.
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Stargazing
After the sun sets and the sandstone has cooled you can see countless stars set against a pitch black night sky. See the night sky like you may never have before after dark in Arches National Park.
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Tours
It took millions of years for the park’s arches, hoodoos, towers, and fins to take form. Explore the most popular destinations in the park and learn about how they were formed with a guided tour.
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Winter Activities
Arches National Park is internationally known for its namesake arches and stunning red rock scenery. Winter is the park’s quietest season and a perfect time to see the fiery red arches with a soft dusting of white snow. Skip the crowded peak season and embrace a quiet winter hike or scenic drive.
Start Planning
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How to Visit Arches
Arches National Park is a red rock paradise — and also a very popular destination. Discover tips for how to visit responsibly and maximize your enjoyment.
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Things To Do In Arches National Park
Arches National Park is a vast playground for the adventurous, where everyone can find an unforgettable experience.
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Nearby Towns
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Green River
The city of Green River was once a stomping ground for Butch Cassidy and his Wild Bunch, and is a haven for river runners who raft places such as Desolation and Gray Canyons.
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Moab
Moab is surrounded by a sea of buckled, twisted and worn sandstone sculpted by millennia of sun, wind and rain
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Monticello
The southeastern Utah town of Monticello lies on the sheltered eastern slope of the Abajo Mountains, overlooking a maze of sandstone canyons and plateaus.
Travel Tips
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Arches National Park is open 24 hours a day, year-round, though the visitor center is typically open 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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The park is very busy between March and October. To avoid traffic, park service recommends entering the park before 8 am or after 3 pm. For the best experience, review Arches National Park's traffic information while planning.
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Arches is far less crowded at sunrise and sunset, and maybe the most striking time to visit. March–October is busy, especially on holidays, weekends and mid-morning.
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Well-prepared hikers can escape the crowd on the 8-mile Devils Garden trail. With stamina, agility and a permit or guide, visit the stunning labyrinth called the Fiery Furnace.
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Follow @archesnps on Twitter and Facebook and visit nps.gov/arch for park alerts about current conditions and to view the entrance station webcam.
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The short Dead Horse Point Mesa Scenic Byway (S.R. 313) connects Moab and Arches to the road’s namesake state park and the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands.
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Read these resources to learn how to travel thoughtfully and experience Arches National Park most fully.
- View a downloadable map of Arches National Park
Read more travel tips for how to visit Arches.
What's Nearby?
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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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Dead Horse Point State Park
A broad peninsula of land jutting out over the spectacular White Rim of the Colorado River, 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. In recent years, a tight network of fun singletrack trails has begun attracting mountain bikers who want epic views with moderate rides, increasing the popularity of the park.
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Green River
The city of Green River was once a stomping ground for Butch Cassidy and his Wild Bunch, and is a haven for river runners who raft places such as Desolation and Gray Canyons.
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Manti-La Sal National Forest
The Manti-La Sal National Forest consists of three blocks located in central, eastern and southeastern Utah. The area has an abundance of lakes and is great for fishing, hiking and more.
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Moab
Moab is surrounded by a sea of buckled, twisted and worn sandstone sculpted by millennia of sun, wind and rain
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Iconic Classics
Looking to spend a week on the open roads of Southern Utah? Spend your Utah destinations vacation at The Mighty 5 — our iconic national parks — and at the equally majestic national monuments and state parks in between.
Highlights
- Stargazing Bryce Canyon
- Boating Lake Powell
- Zion National Park
- Horsebacking Riding
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The Mighty 5: Ultimate Journey
Grab a national parks annual pass for best access to The Mighty 5®.
Highlights
- Arches National Park
- Zion National Park
- Canyonlands National Park
- Bryce Canyon National Park
- Capitol Reef National Park
