By car
A car is the most common way of exploring the park; most visitors will drive to sites and then take short walks to view the amazing geologic formations of the park. There are several four-wheel drive roads in the park's backcountry that may appeal to those with appropriate vehicles.
By foot
There are numerous trails throughout the park, providing an alternative means of travel for those not wanting to spoil the nature experience with a vehicle. Hiking at or around sunrise (5-6 am) can provide a less crowded experience and easier parking.
By bike
Although the summer heat can make a bike a masochistic way of viewing the park, in cooler months it can be a popular option. Though there are no bike lanes and traffic can be heavy at times, biking the scenic drive is a great way to see the park. The Salt Valley and Willow Springs roads are less traveled but are more suited to mountain bikes due to washboards, deep sand and other obstacles. Bicycles are only permitted on roads: there is no single track or trail riding in the park. When biking on the main road, please use caution and ride single file on the edge of the lane.
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NileGuide
Planning a Trip
Getting There -- From Moab, drive 5 miles north on U.S. 191. Arches is located 27 miles east of Canyonlands National Park's Island in the Sky Visitor Center, 233 miles southeast of Salt Lake City, 404 miles northeast of the north rim of Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, and 371 miles west of Denver, Colorado.
Information/Visitor Centers -- For advance information, contact Arches National Park, P.O. Box 907, Moab, UT 84532 (tel. 435/719-2299; www.nps.gov/arch).
Books, maps, and videos on Arches as well as Canyonlands National Park and other southern Utah attractions can be purchased from the nonprofit Canyonlands Natural History Association, 3031 S. U.S. 191, Moab, UT 84532 (tel. 800/840-8978 or 435/259-6003; www.cnha.org). Some publications are available in foreign languages, and a variety of videos can be purchased in DVD and videotape formats.
The attractive new Arches National Park Visitor Center, completed in the summer of 2005, is just inside the entrance gate. It offers maps, brochures, and other information, and a museum explains arch formation and other features of the park. Be sure to take time to watch the orientation film, Secrets of Red Rock, shown in the auditorium. From April through October the visitor center is open daily from 7:30am to 6:30pm; the rest of the year it's open daily from 8am to 4:30pm. On Christmas Day the park is open but the visitor center is closed.
Fees, Regulations & Backcountry Permits -- Entry for up to 7 days costs $20 per private vehicle or $10 per person on foot, motorcycle, or bike. A $40 annual pass is also available; it's good for Arches and Canyonlands national parks as well as Natural Bridges and Hovenweep national monuments. Campsites cost $20 per night. Required permits for overnight trips into the backcountry, available at the visitor center, are free.
Backcountry hikers should practice minimum-impact techniques, packing out all trash. Feeding or otherwise disturbing wildlife is prohibited, as is vandalizing or disturbing any natural, cultural, or historic feature of the park. Wood fires are not permitted. Dogs, which must be leashed at all times, are prohibited in public buildings, on all trails, and in the backcountry.
Seasons/Avoiding the Crowds -- Summer days here are hot, often reaching 100°F (38°C), and winters can be cool or cold, dropping below freezing at night, with snow possible. The best time to visit, especially for hikers, is in spring or fall, when daytime temperatures are usually between 60° and 80°F (16°-27°C) and nights are cool.
Visitation to Arches is highest from March through October, with August the peak month. Parking lots are crowded and the campground is often full by late morning. As with most popular parks, avoid visiting during school vacations if possible.
Ranger Programs -- From mid-March through October, rangers lead guided hikes on the Fiery Furnace Trail twice daily, as well as daily nature walks at various park locations. Evening campfire programs, from April through October, are held on topics such as rock art, geological processes, and wildlife. A schedule of events is posted at the visitor center.
Kids between the ages of 6 and 12 can pick up a Junior Ranger booklet at the visitor center. After completing the activities in the booklet and participating in several programs, kids pick up their badge at the visitor center.
Planning a Trip
Getting There -- From Moab, drive 5 miles north on U.S. 191. Arches is located 27 miles east of Canyonlands National Park's Island in the Sky Visitor Center, 233 miles southeast of Salt Lake City, 404 miles northeast of the north rim of Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, and 371 miles west of Denver, Colorado.
Information/Visitor Centers -- For advance information, contact Arches National Park, P.O. Box 907, Moab, UT 84532 (tel. 435/719-2299; www.nps.gov/arch).
Books, maps, and videos on Arches as well as Canyonlands National Park and other southern Utah attractions can be purchased from the nonprofit Canyonlands Natural History Association, 3031 S. U.S. 191, Moab, UT 84532 (tel. 800/840-8978 or 435/259-6003; www.cnha.org). Some publications are available in foreign languages, and a variety of videos can be purchased in DVD and videotape formats.
The attractive new Arches National Park Visitor Center, completed in the summer of 2005, is just inside the entrance gate. It offers maps, brochures, and other information, and a museum explains arch formation and other features of the park. Be sure to take time to watch the orientation film, Secrets of Red Rock, shown in the auditorium. From April through October the visitor center is open daily from 7:30am to 6:30pm; the rest of the year it's open daily from 8am to 4:30pm. On Christmas Day the park is open but the visitor center is closed.
Fees, Regulations & Backcountry Permits -- Entry for up to 7 days costs $20 per private vehicle or $10 per person on foot, motorcycle, or bike. A $40 annual pass is also available; it's good for Arches and Canyonlands national parks as well as Natural Bridges and Hovenweep national monuments. Campsites cost $20 per night. Required permits for overnight trips into the backcountry, available at the visitor center, are free.
Backcountry hikers should practice minimum-impact techniques, packing out all trash. Feeding or otherwise disturbing wildlife is prohibited, as is vandalizing or disturbing any natural, cultural, or historic feature of the park. Wood fires are not permitted. Dogs, which must be leashed at all times, are prohibited in public buildings, on all trails, and in the backcountry.
Seasons/Avoiding the Crowds -- Summer days here are hot, often reaching 100°F (38°C), and winters can be cool or cold, dropping below freezing at night, with snow possible. The best time to visit, especially for hikers, is in spring or fall, when daytime temperatures are usually between 60° and 80°F (16°-27°C) and nights are cool.
Visitation to Arches is highest from March through October, with August the peak month. Parking lots are crowded and the campground is often full by late morning. As with most popular parks, avoid visiting during school vacations if possible.
Ranger Programs -- From mid-March through October, rangers lead guided hikes on the Fiery Furnace Trail twice daily, as well as daily nature walks at various park locations. Evening campfire programs, from April through October, are held on topics such as rock art, geological processes, and wildlife. A schedule of events is posted at the visitor center.
Kids between the ages of 6 and 12 can pick up a Junior Ranger booklet at the visitor center. After completing the activities in the booklet and participating in several programs, kids pick up their badge at the visitor center.
