Arches National Park has a high desert climate with hot, dry summers and cold, short winters. Summer highs often exceed 34°C, while winter lows can drop below -6°C. Rain is scarce, with most falling during late summer monsoons, and snowfall is light but possible in winter. Sunshine is abundant year-round, making Arches a striking, ever-changing landscape.
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.
Arches National Park, set at elevations between 1,200 and 1,700 metres, experiences dramatic temperature swings and classic high desert weather. Summers (June–August) are intensely hot and dry, with average highs of 34–38°C and nighttime lows of 15–19°C. July and August are the hottest and busiest months, often exceeding 38°C. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in late summer, bringing brief but heavy rain and the risk of flash floods. Despite the heat, skies are mostly clear, and humidity is low, making sun protection and hydration essential. Daylight stretches up to 15 hours in June, and the park is renowned for its brilliant sunsets and stargazing opportunities.
Winters (December–February) are cold and short, with highs of 2–10°C and lows often below -6°C. Snowfall is light but possible, dusting the red rocks and creating a unique winter landscape. Days are shorter, with 8–10 hours of daylight, and sunshine is still common. Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are transitional, bringing mild to warm temperatures (16–28°C), cool nights, and the most comfortable conditions for hiking and outdoor activities. Rainfall is low year-round, averaging 220 mm annually, but peaks slightly during the late summer monsoon and in October. Winds are generally light to moderate, but can increase during storms. The park’s high elevation and arid conditions mean rapid temperature swings between day and night, so layered clothing is recommended in all seasons.
| Average climate data for Arches National Park, United States | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 7 | 11 | 18 | 22 | 28 | 34 | 38 | 36 | 31 | 23 | 13 | 7 | 38 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | -6 | -2 | 2 | 6 | 11 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 13 | 6 | -1 | -5 | -6 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 15 | 13 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 11 | 21 | 24 | 21 | 31 | 15 | 14 | 222 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 4 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 58 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 49 | 23 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 63 | 167 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 9 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 12 |
The best time to visit Arches National Park is from April to May and September to October, when temperatures are mild (16–28°C), skies are clear, and crowds are smaller than in peak summer. These months offer ideal conditions for hiking, photography, and stargazing, with comfortable evenings and vibrant desert scenery.
The least favourable time to visit is from June to August, when daytime temperatures regularly exceed 34°C, the risk of heat-related illness is high, and crowds peak. Afternoon thunderstorms can bring flash floods, and shade is scarce. Winter (December–February) is also challenging due to cold, icy conditions and limited daylight, though the park is quiet and scenic.
Arches has hot, dry summers (highs 34–38°C) and cold, short winters (highs 2–10°C, lows below -6°C). Rain is scarce, with most falling in late summer and autumn. Sunshine is abundant throughout the year.
Yes, light snow is possible from December to February, dusting the red rocks and creating beautiful winter scenes. Snow rarely disrupts travel, but icy trails and roads can occur after storms.
Most rain falls during the late summer monsoon (July–September) and in October. Rain is usually brief but can cause flash floods. Annual precipitation averages 220 mm, making the park very dry overall.
Summer temperatures often exceed 34°C, with July and August the hottest months. Daytime highs can reach 38°C or more, while nights are much cooler. Sun protection and hydration are essential in summer.
Spring and autumn are best for hiking, with mild temperatures and clear skies. Summer hikes should be done early to avoid extreme heat, while winter hikes offer solitude but require preparation for icy conditions.
Pack layers for temperature swings, sunblock, a hat, and plenty of water. In summer, bring light, breathable clothes; in winter, thermal layers and traction for icy trails. Always check the weather before visiting.
Winter (November–February) is the least crowded time, offering solitude and unique snowy scenery. Early spring and late autumn also have fewer visitors than peak summer, with comfortable weather for exploring.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is July (37.8 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (6.6 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 22.3 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is July (19.4 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (-5.7 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 6.3 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is October (31.3 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is June (11.3 mm). Over the whole year there are 222.1 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is August (6.5 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is June (3.1 days). Over the whole year there are 58.4 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is December (62.9 mm). The months with the least snowfall are April, May, June, July, August, September and October (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 167.4 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is January (1.4 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are May, June, July and October (0 days). Over the whole year there are 4.4 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 14.1 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 9 h). Over the whole year there are 11.8 h of daylight per day on average.
