Arches
More than 2,000 natural stone arches in red desert rock.
- Hours
- Open 24 hours, all year
- Entry
- $30 per car
- Reservations
- Not required
- Size
- 76,700 acres
Arches Weather Now
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Arches holds the densest concentration of natural stone arches in the world, more than 2,000 of them. They formed because a thick layer of salt lies beneath the sandstone. As the salt shifted and dissolved, the rock above cracked into tall fins, and wind, water and frost slowly opened holes through them.
The arches are not permanent. Wall Arch collapsed overnight in 2008, and Landscape Arch, with a span of 306 feet, dropped large slabs in the 1990s. That fragility is part of the draw. The park is also an International Dark Sky Park, so staying after sunset shows you skies filled with stars over the red rock.
The park and surrounding area
- Other parks
- Major highway
- Road
- Rivers and lakes
- Town
The park boundary isn't included in this map's data source, so the park is shown by its icon.
Plan your trip
- Best time to go
- March to May and September to October. Summer days often top 100°F.
- How long to stay
- 1 to 2 days; pair it with nearby Canyonlands.
- Getting there
- Canyonlands Regional (CNY) is near Moab. Grand Junction (GJT) is about 1.75 hours and Salt Lake City about 3.5 to 4 hours.
- Wildlife
- Desert bighorn sheep, mule deer, kit foxes, ravens and collared lizards.
Plan and book
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Where to stay
- Hotels in Moab (opens in a new tab)Utah
- Hotels in Green River (opens in a new tab)Utah
- No lodging inside the park. The towns above are the closest bases.
Tours and activities
- Guided tours on Viator (opens in a new tab)Day trips, wildlife, photography
- Tours on GetYourGuide (opens in a new tab)Compare options and reviews
- Campsites on Recreation.gov (opens in a new tab)Official federal booking site
What to pack for Arches
- Hydration packPlan on a gallon of water per person per day in summer.
- Wide-brim sun hatThere is no shade on the Delicate Arch trail.
- SunscreenDesert sun reflects off the rock.
- Grippy hiking shoesSlickrock needs good traction.
- Red-light headlampFor stargazing in an International Dark Sky Park.
A first day, start to finish
- Hike to Delicate Arch at sunrise
- The Windows and Double Arch
- Balanced Rock
- Devils Garden Trail to Landscape Arch
- Park Avenue at sunset, then stay for the stars
Don't miss
- Delicate ArchThe arch on Utah license plates; 3-mile round trip with steady climbing.
- The WindowsSeveral big arches within a short, easy walk.
- Double ArchTwo arches sharing one end, a few minutes from parking.
- Landscape ArchOne of the longest natural arches in the world, at Devils Garden.
- Fiery FurnaceMaze of sandstone fins; ranger-led hike ($16) or self-guided permit ($10).
Know before you go
Do
- Carry at least a gallon of water per person per day in summer.
- Arrive before 8 a.m. or late afternoon; parking fills mid-morning.
- Stay on trails and slickrock to protect the soil crust.
Don't
- Climb on or walk under any named arch.
- Step on the dark biological soil crust; it takes decades to regrow.
- Stack rocks or build cairns.
Open 24 hours, all year. It is an International Dark Sky Park, so night visits are encouraged.
The Southeast Utah annual pass ($55) also covers Canyonlands, Natural Bridges and Hovenweep.Trekker's tip