Travel Guide
Everything you need to know — hours, tickets, tips, and how to make the most of your visit.
Overview
Just outside Moab, Arches holds more than 2,000 natural stone arches, including the free-standing Delicate Arch, Landscape Arch and the Windows. It is compact and easy to tour by car, but it is extremely popular and uses a timed-entry reservation system in its busy season.
Insider Knowledge
Book a timed-entry ticket on recreation.gov in advance; in recent years it has been required roughly April to October, 7 AM - 4 PM.
Nearby
utah-mighty-5Just outside Moab, Arches holds more than 2,000 natural stone arches, including the free-standing Delicate Arch, Landscape Arch and the Windows. It is compact and easy to tour by car, but it is extremely popular and uses a timed-entry reservation system in its busy season.
utah-mighty-5A series of natural amphitheaters packed with orange and pink hoodoos, best seen from the rim at Sunrise, Sunset, Inspiration and Bryce points. At 8,000-9,000 feet it is much cooler than the desert parks and has some of the darkest night skies in the country.
utah-mighty-5Utah's largest national park, divided by the Colorado and Green rivers into separate districts. Most visitors explore Island in the Sky, about 40 minutes from Moab, for sweeping overlooks like Grand View Point and the sunrise view through Mesa Arch.
utah-mighty-5The quietest of the Mighty 5, built around the Waterpocket Fold, a 100-mile wrinkle in the earth's crust. Highlights include the Scenic Drive, Fremont petroglyphs, Hickman Bridge and the historic Fruita orchards, where you can pick fruit in season and buy pies at the Gifford Homestead.
utah-mighty-5A Utah state park on the road to Canyonlands, with a famous overlook 2,000 feet above a gooseneck bend of the Colorado River. It is one of the best sunset spots near Moab and is easy to combine with Island in the Sky on the same day.
Utah's most visited park, a deep sandstone canyon cut by the Virgin River with towering walls, hanging gardens and famous hikes like Angels Landing and The Narrows. The main canyon is explored by free shuttle from Springdale for most of the year.
Hike to Delicate Arch (about 3 miles round trip) early or near sunset, and carry plenty of water.
Enter before 7 AM or after the timed-entry window if you could not get a reservation, then check current rules.
Fiery Furnace is accessible only with a ranger-led tour or a self-guided permit, which sell out quickly.
Common Questions
In the busy season, usually yes for entry during the daytime window; outside those hours or months, you can drive in with just the entrance fee.
Timed-entry dates and hours change from year to year, so confirm the current system before your trip.
A Southeast Utah Parks annual pass (approx. USD 55) covers Arches, Canyonlands and nearby monuments; check nps.gov for current fees.
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