Travel Guide
Everything you need to know β hours, tickets, tips, and how to make the most of your visit.
Overview
A 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.
Insider Knowledge
Watch sunrise from Sunrise or Inspiration Point; it is the park's signature moment and well worth the early alarm.
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.
Combine the Navajo Loop and Queen's Garden trails for a classic 3-mile hike down among the hoodoos.
Bring layers, because mornings can be near freezing even in early summer at this elevation.
Join a ranger-led astronomy program if one is running during your visit.
Common Questions
Bryce Canyon City at the park entrance is closest, while the small town of Tropic, about 15 minutes away, is often quieter and cheaper.
Some roads and trails close temporarily after winter storms, so check conditions before you drive up.
An America the Beautiful annual pass (approx. USD 80 for US residents) covers all five parks; non-US residents may pay more, so check nps.gov for current fees.
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