Top Sites in Arches National Park
Arches National Park, located near Moab Utah, is one of Utah’s Mighty 5 National Parks. Growing up, my family spent every Spring Break camping in Arches National Park. 40 years ago, the Park wasn’t quite as famous, nor was it nearly as crowded as it is now. And as a kid, I certainly took its beauty for granted.
Since local road trips have been our only form of travel during the pandemic, a return to Arches National Park was high on my list. Over a long October weekend, we were able to visit the trifecta of Parks in the Moab area – Arches, Canyonlands NP, and Dead Horse Point State Park. We dedicated one full day to Arches, and saw most of its top sites. Here’s my roundup of those top sites in Arches National Park.
Contents
Delicate Arch
Arguably Utah’s most famous site (it is on my license plate after all), I rank Delicate Arch as the top site in Arches National Park. It is a must-see! But beware, because it’s a must-see, you will likely share your experience with many others. Still worth it though…
Delicate Arch is accessed by a 1.5 mile moderately strenuous hike (one-way). The Arch sits on the edge of a sandstone bowl in a small natural amphitheater. It’s possible to walk right up to the Arch and stand underneath it.
There is a large parking lot at the trailhead. However it fills easily. If full, you will be turned away by a Park Ranger and told to come back later. We arrived shortly after 8am, thinking we were well ahead of the crowds. Not so…..the lot was full! We drove around in circles nearby until the gate opened briefly to let us and a few more cars in. Patience may be required if you want to see Delicate Arch.
Double Arch
Double Arch is certainly the second most photogenic arch in Arches National Park. It’s located in the Windows section of the Park, and is easily accessed via a short flat quarter mile hike from the parking area. Once you arrive at the Arch, you can climb all the way up underneath the two natural stone bridges.
The Windows
The Window Arches are located just east of Double Arch and share its parking area. A half mile trail takes you directly to the three Arches – North Window, South Window and Turret Arch.
Alternatively, consider taking the Primitive Trail that starts on the northern edge of the parking area instead. It’s much less crowded and takes you around and behind the Windows. Plus you’ll enjoy sweeping vistas out across the eastern edge of the Park.
Park Avenue & The Courthouse Towers
Park Avenue is the first viewpoint, hike, and parking area after entering Arches National Park. Don’t be tempted to drive past it on your way to see all the famous arches in the park. Park Avenue is lined on both sides by giant sandstone fins and towers called the Courthouse Towers. The view alone is absolutely worth the stopping for. A 2-mile roundtrip hike will take you down through the sheer sandstone walls, and past named features including Queen Nefertiti, The Three Gossips, and The Organ.
Fiery Furnace
The Fiery Furnace is a concentrated collection of narrow sandstone canyons. It gets its name from the reddish glow that emanates from the sandstone walls at the end of the day as the sun sets. There are several arches within the Fiery Furnace too. Hiking in the Fiery Furnace is allowed with a permit, but it has been closed during the pandemic. Guided tours with rangers are encouraged as it is easy to get lost inside. When we were kids, we used to go into the Fiery Furnace all the time. We always made it out 🙂
Even if closed, it’s still worth a stop at the Fiery Furnace Viewpoint for a look at the tightly packed sandstone fins.
Balanced Rock
Balanced Rock is one of Arches National Park’s iconic and oft-photographed features. It’s easily spotted from the road. This impressive natural structure stands 128 feet tall. There is a small parking area and short hike around the base of the Rock.
Devil’s Garden
Devil’s Garden is a collection of trails and arches at the northmost edge of the park. This is where you’ll find the Park’s only campground, and is where we stayed when I was a kid. Now, you must reserve one of the 51 spots well in advance.
We did not have the time (or energy) in our single day to hike in Devil’s Garden. The full hike to see all of Devil’s Garden is over 5 miles round trip and is rated difficult. Consequently, many Devil’s Garden visitors will only hike the easier first two miles and visit the 306 foot long Landscape Arch.
For a look at the Devil’s Garden Trail and also for an idea of what Arches is like in the winter, check out my friend Jane’s Arches post on her blog AbFabTravels.com
Tips for Visiting Arches National Park
1. The entrance to Arches National Park is located only 5 miles from Moab where you’ll find a large number of lodging choices and restaurants.
2. If you are spending a full day in the Park, I would recommend taking lunch with you. While the Park entrance is close to Moab, it’s a 50-minute drive from Devil’s Garden and a 40-minute drive from Delicate Arch back to town.
3. The fee to enter Arches National Park is $30, which allows you to enter the park for 7 days. If you plan on visiting nearby Canyonlands National Park, then consider buying the Southeast Parks Pass instead for $55. It admits you into both Parks, saves $5 over separate admissions, and is good for a year.
4. The Park is open 365 days a year. It is certainly less crowded in the winter. But keep in mind that Arches is located in the high desert, meaning that wintertime highs are 30-50F, nights will be well below freezing, and snowfall does occur. So prepare accordingly.
5. Arrive early. Arches is a very popular National Park. When we visited during the pandemic, the number of visitors admitted to the Park at any one time was limited. Normally, the parking lots and sites can be very crowded at peak season. (April 2022 update – Arches NP is piloting a timed entry system this season. Here’s the website page with more info).
6. Reservations for camping at Devil’s Garden and for the guided Fiery Furnace hikes can be made up to 6 months in advance through the NPS website.
7. And finally, click here to learn about how to spend additional time in Moab Utah.
22 Comments
John Quinn
You are fast becoming my one stop shop for planning my Utah trip. Loved this. Spectacular photos too. Mind you won’t be any point me writing about it. You are now the resident authority on the subject.
thethoroughtripper
I still hope you’ll write about it too John
Jen Nilsson
I missed Arches on my Utah road trip in 2019, so you can bet that I’m headed back! Especially after reading this post. Thank you for the tips. I’ll follow your map when I head to Moab to this year!
thethoroughtripper
Yes, come back! You need to see Arches
Vinn
This must be on the list when in Utah. Such a glorious work of nature. Thanks for the tips!
thethoroughtripper
Utah is certainly a State filled with natural beauty!
kmf
Utah keeps calling my name and can’t wait until I can answer it! Gorgeous photos! Love this guide!
thethoroughtripper
Hope you get to answer it sooner than later!
Jane
I love Arches NP. So scenic! You did well to get a photo of Delicate Arch without people. Have you ever been in winter? We were there last January and there was a smattering of snow which made the red rocks even more stunning. Enjoyed reading this and seeing your pics.
thethoroughtripper
Definitely took some patience to quickly snap a people-free shot. I would imagine it could be a challenging hike in the winter? Slippery….
Becky Exploring
Great tips for visiting Arches National Park, Steven! Those rock formations are incredible. It’s sort of like deciding what shapes the clouds are in when you first look at them. The first shot of The Windows reminds me of a mask with two holes for the eyes. Now that I’ve seen that, I can’t see anything else when I look at it!
thethoroughtripper
I completely agree 🙂 I thought Batman when I saw it…
Peggy Zipperer
I love Arches NP, it is so beautiful! My regret is that I tripped (so clumsy!!) on the way up to Delicate Arch and while I wasn’t hurt, I was bleeding a bit and didn’t finish the hike; plus, the line at the arch was so long. I’ll definitely go try again with a bit more caution next time & maybe some band-aids. Great tips!
thethoroughtripper
Good thing you live relatively close Peggy. You’ll definitely have to come back over and try it again
Lisa
Stunning post Steven. I’ve never visited Arches National Park, but I want to see it one day. The formations are mesemerising, I could photograph here for hours.
thethoroughtripper
It’s certainly a place that requires a camera, and honestly more time than we were able to spend on this trip
Smalltownplussize Tom
I enjoyed reading this and looking closely at your photos. One of our best memories of Arches was watching the stars one night.
thethoroughtripper
The stars were out in full on a clear night during our trip too 🙂
Stefan (BerkeleySqB)
Growing up going camping in a national park like this on a regular basis sounds pretty fun, Steven.
I grew up with some of these Utah rock formations too and remember them very well… from westerns I watched with my family on the telly.
I love the Bavarian Alps, but the vastness of those U.S. national parks and the abundant and often dangerous wildlife is just a whole different category of adventure.
thethoroughtripper
I love that perspective 🙂
Carolyn Jepson
Steve, you are indeed a “thorough tripper”. These pictures are amazing and your descriptions spot on. You have captured some areas that we never even explored before in those early camping days with you and your brothers. We are now anxious to return and cover more of this incredible and inspiring territory. Great job.
thethoroughtripper
It will be easier to see the rest of the park without 5 kids in tow 🙂