Arches National Park

A Desert Wonderland of Stone Arches

Arches National Park in Utah showcases over 2,000 natural stone arches formed by wind and water erosion. The landscape features towering sandstone formations like Delicate Arch and Landscape Arch, set against a backdrop of red rock canyons and desert plains. Visitors explore trails that pass close to these structures while learning about the area’s geology and history through ranger programs and visitor centers. The park experiences extreme temperature changes between seasons, influencing both wildlife and plant life adapted to arid conditions.

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National Park in United States

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$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 7.2

General Safety:	8
Health & medical:	6
Accessibility:	5
Tap water:	8

Read details

5/5

English is the main language, and all signs, tours, and services are in English. Some staff and locals in Moab may speak Spanish, but English is widely understood.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Arches National Park Summary

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‘Best for’ scores:
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Famous for natural rock arches. Hike desert trails, photograph dramatic formations, watch sunset views and enjoy scenic drives through red rock landscapes.

Place score

8.2

Best at:

Spotless

Natural sites

Deserts

Van travel

Stargazing

Personal score

Suited for

👶 8

Families

🧓 6

Seniors

♻️ 9

Sustainability

❤️ 8

Couples

United States – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	120 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B Type A: Type B: Read about power adapters
Currency:	US Dollar (USD) £1 ≈ US$1.33
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 The U.S. is highly cashless, with credit and debit cards accepted almost everywhere. Mobile payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely used. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary and expected in the U.S. In restaurants, 15-20% is standard. Taxi drivers, hotel staff, and tour guides also expect tips, usually around 10-20% depending on the service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking laws vary by state, but it is generally prohibited in public spaces without a permit.
Public smoking:	Smoking is restricted in most indoor public spaces and some outdoor areas. Local laws vary.
Etiquette:	Greet with a firm handshake, maintain eye contact, respect personal space, and avoid discussing politics or income unless invited to share opinions. Politeness and friendliness are appreciated.

Thanksgiving (November)	A major holiday with closures and domestic travel surges.
Independence Day (July)	Expect parades, fireworks, and celebrations nationwide.
Christmas (December)	Markets, festive events, and crowded tourist spots.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 911 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Lyft, Bolt
Helpful links:	Wikipedia Visa regulations Customs & border control Travel with medicine
Other:	The U.S. is known for its diverse landscapes, cultural experiences, and regional cuisines. Public transport is efficient in cities but less so in rural areas. Renting a car is recommended for exploring national parks.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Arches National Park, United States

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High season:	April - May, Sep. - Oct.
Shoulder season:	March, June - Aug., Nov.
Crowdedness:	7 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Summer afternoons are dangerously hot, hike at sunrise or evening and carry plenty of water

Thunderstorms and flash floods possible July to September, avoid washes and slot canyons

Fiery Furnace can only be entered with a permit or on a ranger-led tour

Don't miss

🧗‍♂️ Hike to Delicate Arch, the park’s iconic symbol
🥾 Explore Devils Garden Trail with multiple arches
🌉 Visit Double Arch and climb beneath its massive spans
🚗 Drive the scenic Arches National Park Scenic Drive
🔥 Experience the Fiery Furnace with a ranger-led hike

You've been here?

Why travel to Arches National Park?

If you've ever wanted to see nature’s artistry on a grand scale, Arches delivers. The park is home to some of the most stunning rock formations in the world, with iconic spots like Delicate Arch and Landscape Arch. The red rock scenery shifts beautifully with the light, making sunrise and sunset must-see moments. Whether you're up for a short stroll or a backcountry adventure, there's something here for every explorer.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Sand Dune Arch

🎡Places for activities

1 Broken Arch Trail
2 Delicate Arch Trail
3 Park Avenue Trail

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Balanced Rock
2 Courthouse Towers
3 Delicate Arch
4 Devil's Garden Primitive Trail Loop
5 Double Arch
6 Fiery Furnace Loop
7 Landscape Arch
8 Petrified Dunes
9 The Windows Trailhead
10 Tower Arch

🛍️Shopping

1 GearHeads Outdoor Store
2 Moab Garage
3 Moab Rock Shop
4 Rim Cyclery

🎈Events

Moab Jeep Safari (April)
Moab Arts Festival (May)
Moab Music Festival (September)
The Other Half Marathon (October)
Moab Folk Festival (November)
Canyonlands PRCA Rodeo (June)
Moab Trail Marathon (November)
Arches Ultra (January)
Moab Pride Festival (September)
24 Hours of Moab Mountain Bike Race (October)

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Knowledge before you go

Carry plenty of water; sun and heat demand constant hydration.
Wear sturdy footwear for slick rock and uneven trails; bring sun protection.
Start hikes early or late to avoid peak heat and crowds at viewpoints.
Delicate balance of sandstone arches requires staying on trails and adhering to park rules for preservation.

How to travel to Arches National Park

The nearest airport is Canyonlands Field Airport (CNY) in Moab, but Salt Lake City (SLC) and Grand Junction (GJT) offer better flight options. Moab is the gateway town, about a 10-minute drive from the park entrance.

Access summary

From Moab’s Canyonlands Airport (CNY): Rental car or shuttle, about 20–30 minutes.
From Moab town: Drive north on US‑191, roughly 10–15 minutes.
From Salt Lake City: Fly in, then 3.5–4‑hour scenic drive southeast.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Arches National Park

Moab has a range of hotels, from budget motels to upscale lodges. Camping is available inside the park at Devils Garden Campground, but it fills up fast – reserve early.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Wingate by Wyndham Moab

9.3

Best Western Plus Canyonlands Inn

9.5

Hotel Moab Downtown

8.1

Comfort Suites Moab near Arches National Park

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Moab By IHG

8.7

Hoodoo Moab, Curio Collection by Hilton

9.1

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Arches National Park

A car is essential to explore the park, as there’s no public transportation. The scenic drive has several pullouts for views and hikes. Parking can be limited at popular spots, so arrive early.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-5 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 5% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend around the same on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-4 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to USD) is 4% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs (Data for Grand Junction, United States - 97 km away)

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£71	£138	£370
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£26	£60	£150
🍝 Food per day	£34	£69	£193
🚕 Transportation per day	£10	£9	£27

Notable additional fees: US$30 (£22.53) per vehicle (7 days), plus a US$2 (£1.50) timed-entry reservation Apr–Oct. No non-resident surcharge; the America the Beautiful annual pass is US$250 (£187.78) for non-US residents.

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£23
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£16
🍟 Fast food combo	£11.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£11.50
☕ Cappuccino	£4.20
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£4.40

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£2.80
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£15
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.60

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£11.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£105
🤧 Cold medication	£8
💇 Basic haircut	£17

Safety information overview

General safety

Generally safe, but extreme heat and dehydration are major risks. Always carry water, avoid hiking in midday summer heat and watch for sudden weather changes.

Health & Medical

Moab has medical facilities, but serious emergencies may require transport to Grand Junction or Salt Lake City. Be aware of heat exhaustion and dehydration risks.

Accessibility

Some viewpoints and trails are accessible, but many paths involve uneven terrain. The park's main scenic drive allows for good views without hiking.

Tap water

Tap water is safe in Moab and available at the visitor center, but none is available inside the park – bring all the water you need for your visit.