Explore Arches Thoughtfully

Give yourself extra days to take in the full Arches region. A drive through nearby Moab, with its canyon-country backdrop and Main Street buzz, makes clear why this town is one of the American West's premier hubs for outdoor recreation. Mountain bikers, river rafters, climbers, canyoneers and off-roaders all call it home base. The Complete Arches Trip itinerary will help you make the most of your time here.

Visiting gateway communities like Moab, Green River or Monticello is also a chance to support local businesses. These towns offer lodging, dining, shops and guided outfitters to enhance every part of your visit.

Visit With Respect

The red rock desert is a fragile ecosystem, and visitors should take special care to protect it. Practice Leave No Trace principles to ensure that all parts of the park are left as nature intended. 

• Pack out everything you bring with you, including food wrappers, tissues and even crumbs. Arches requires visitors to pack out solid human waste, toilet paper and hygiene items. (Read: "How to Poop in the Outdoors")
• Stay on existing trails and do not travel off course or “bust the crust.” A single footstep can cause damage that lasts for decades. Rock cairns, or rock piles, are trail markers. Do not disturb them or add new ones, as they could mislead other hikers.
• Treat the arches and other geologic features with respect, both to protect them and for your safety. Walking, climbing and scrambling on arches — even for a quick photo — is not permitted.
• Leave rocks, plants, animals and natural objects as you found them. Never leave marks or scratches on rocks or other surfaces and admire artifacts and natural features from a distance without touching or disturbing. Tree carvings, rock etchings and spray painting are forms of vandalism and graffiti, which are illegal on public lands.
• Respect the wildlife that make Arches National Park their home. Keep your distance, and if an animal changes its behavior due to your presence, you are too close. Secure your food so animals cannot access it, and never feed wildlife.
• Camp only in designated areas on durable surfaces and follow all campfire rules and regulations. 
• Leave drones and pets at home. The use of off-highway vehicles (ATVs, OHV, UTVs, etc.) is also not allowed in Arches National Park.
• Be courteous to other visitors by minimizing noise, yielding to others on trails and respecting trail and transportation signage.
• Show consideration for other visitors, and be a mindful photographer. Arches is an internationally-certified Dark Sky Park, making it a prime location for night photography or stargazing (Panorama Point and the Windows Section are great spots for evening views). Do note that using artificial light sources to illuminate park features for photography is not permitted.