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a broad, red arch with rock pinnacles in the background
UT

Arches National Park

Entrance Fee

$30.00

/ Entrance - Private Vehicle

Park Hours (Today)

All Day

Arches Visitor Center: 7:30AM - 6:00PM

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About the Park

Discover a landscape of contrasting colors, land forms, and textures unlike any other. The park has over 2,000 natural stone arches, hundreds of soaring pinnacles, massive rock fins, and giant balanced rocks. This red-rock wonderland will amaze you with its formations, refresh you with its trails, and inspire you with its sunsets.

Archeology Farming and Agriculture Ranches Native American Heritage Animals Birds Geology Night Sky

What to See & Do

people illuminated in red gather around a telescope pointed at a starry sky
Stargazing

Stargazing Events in Southeast Utah

Rangers occasionally lead stargazing programs and events at parks throughout southeast Utah. Learn about what to expect and check out a schedule of stargazing events at Arches and Canyonlands national parks and Hovenweep and Natural Bridges national monuments. Even when formal programs are not offered, people are welcome to enjoy the parks after dark on their own.

Locations Vary1-3 Hours
hiker with permit in narrow path between tall rock walls
Off-Trail Permitted Hiking

Explore the Fiery Furnace

Entry to the Fiery Furnace is managed by permits and ranger-led tours to ensure the experience of solitude and wilderness.

In Park
A person harnessed to a rope prepares to rappel into a canyon
Canyoneering

Canyoneering at Arches

Arches has no real "slot canyons" but does afford some unique on-rope opportunities.

In Park
Climber ascends a crack in red sandstone
Rock Climbing

Rock Climbing at Arches

Most climbing routes in the park require advanced techniques. Climbing is not allowed on any arches or certain named features, such as Balanced Rock.

In Park
Three hikers walk on a narrow fin of sandstone, with more fins behind them
Hiking

Hiking at Arches

Arches contains a variety of hiking trails, from easy/moderate to long and strenuous. Many trails use cairns (stacks of rocks) for markers and cross broad rock surfaces, requiring attention to follow. Learn how to Protect Yourself and Protect Your Park with hiking safety and Leave No Trace tips.

In Park
Three hikers silhouetted by the sunset
Backcountry Camping

Backpacking at Arches

Backpacking at Arches is allowed in designated sites only and requires a permit.

In Park

Self-Guided Tours

Two sandstone arches reach across a blue sky.

Geology

Over two thousand natural sandstone arches, the greatest concentration of rock arches in the world, are preserved in Arches National Park. Arches is also home to an extraordinary collection of balanced rocks, salt dissolution structures, folds resulting from salt tectonics, petrified dune fields, and a maze of deep narrow canyons. Explore just a few of these features on a geologic tour of Arches.

4-6 min 8 stops
Petroglyphs (pecked rock markings) horse riders and a herd of several bighorn sheep.

Human History

Explore the depth of human history in Arches National Park. The archeological record tells us that humans have been travelling through and living in this stunning desert landscape for thousands of years. We also know that traditionally associated American Indian tribes have been here since time immemorial. Early settlers, cattle ranchers, and park founders also made a lasting impact on the landscape. Archeological sites are fragile resources. Never touch, leave artifacts in place, and watch your step.

2-5 min 3 stops

Visitor Centers

Arches National Park Visitor Center and sandstone walls on a clear day.

Arches Visitor Center

The visitor center is generally open every day except December 25. Hours vary by season. You can learn about the park from exhibits and a bookstore. Rangers are on duty to answer your questions. Restrooms and drinking water are available.

7:30AM - 6:00PM 4357192299

Where to Stay

tall, stone formations with cars and trailers beneath them

Devils Garden Campground

Camp among slickrock outcroppings at Devils Garden Campground, 18 miles from the park entrance. Facilities include drinking water, picnic tables, grills, and both pit-style and flush toilets. You can reserve standard campsites up to 6 months in advance for stays March 1-October 31. All sites are usually reserved months in advance. Between November 1 and February 28, sites are first-come, first-served. Winter campers are encouraged to download the Recreation.gov app **before arriving** to use for payment.

🏕 51 sites🚽 ToiletsReservable
Book on Recreation.gov

Parking & Access

Getting Here

Arches National Park is located in southeast Utah, five miles north of Moab on US 191. From Moab, Utah, drive five miles north on Main Street/US 191. Turn right at the stoplight. From Interstate 70, take exit 182 (Crescent Junction), then drive south 28 miles on US 191. Turn left at the stoplight.

Official NPS directions

Parking Lots

several vehicles in a parking lot with rock walls in the background

Devils Garden Parking Lot

Devils Garden is located at the northern end of the park, 18 miles (28 km) from the park entrance. Park here for the trail to Landscape Arch and beyond. Limited oversize parking is available. Toilets are open year-round. Drinking water is available spring through fall.

Open in Maps
a bus, RV and several cars parked before tall rock formations

The Windows Section Parking Lot

The Windows Section is located 12 miles (19 km) from the park entrance. Park here for trails to Turret Arch, North Window, South Window, and Double Arch. Limited oversize parking is available at the lower lot near Double Arch. Toilets are open year-round. There is no drinking water available at the trailhead.

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vehicles parked in a parking lot with a sidewalk

Wolfe Ranch Parking Lot

Wolfe Ranch is located 13 miles (21 km) from the park entrance. The three-mile roundtrip hike (4.8 km) to Delicate Arch begins here. A short walk to Wolfe Ranch and a nearby ancient rock markings panel also begins here. Limited oversize vehicle parking is available across the street from the main lot. Toilets are open year-round. There is no drinking water available at the trailhead.

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Getting Here & Transit

How to Get Here

Arches National Park is located in southeast Utah, five miles north of Moab on US 191. From Moab, Utah, drive five miles north on Main Street/US 191. Turn right at the stoplight. From Interstate 70, take exit 182 (Crescent Junction), then drive south 28 miles on US 191. Turn left at the stoplight.

Park Amenities

Bicycle - Rack
Gifts/Souvenirs/Books
Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits
Information
Information - Ranger/Staff Member Present
Information Kiosk/Bulletin Board
Junior Ranger Booklet Available
Parking - Auto
Parking - Bus/RV
Permits Issued
Picnic Shelter/Pavilion
Picnic Table
Recycling
Restroom
Scenic View/Photo Spot

Permits & Reservations

Permits may be required

Some activities in Arches National Park — including backcountry camping, certain trails, and climbing routes — require advance permits. Check the official NPS website for current requirements before your visit.

Entrance Fees & Passes

Standard Fees

Entrance - Private Vehicle

$30.00

Admits one private, non-commercial vehicle (15 passenger capacity or less) and all its occupants.

Entrance - Motorcycle

$25.00

Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.

Entrance - Per Person

$15.00

Admits one individual with no car. Typically used for bicyclists, hikers, and pedestrians. Youth 15 and under are admitted free.

Annual & Lifetime Passes

Annual Entrance - Park

$55.00

Valid for one year through the month of purchase. Admits one (1) private, non-commercial vehicle or its pass holder to Arches and Canyonlands national parks, and Natural Bridges and Hovenweep national monuments. U.S. residents only.

Operating Hours

Park Hours

Arches National Park is generally open 24 hours a day, year-round. Fees apply. The park is very busy between March and October. To avoid traffic, we recommend entering the park before 8 am or after 3 pm.

  • MondayAll Day
  • TuesdayAll Day
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  • FridayAll Day
  • SaturdayAll Day
  • SundayAll Day

Live Webcams

Click any camera to open the live feed on the NPS website.

When to Go

Crowd Calendar

Plan your trip around peak seasons to avoid crowds or embrace the energy of the busy months. Our crowd predictions are based on historical NPS Visitor Use Statistics.

Jan

Low

Feb

Low

Mar

Moderate

Apr

Moderate

May

High

Jun

High

Jul

Low

Aug

Low

Sep

Moderate

Oct

Moderate

Nov

High

Dec

Low
Low Crowds
Moderate Crowds
High Crowds

Location

5 miles north of Moab, Utah, on US 191
Moab, UT 84532

Around This Park

Find nearby essentials on Google Maps.

Common Questions

Planning Arches

These common questions go deeper into logistics and planning. For real-time updates on road closures and current conditions, always check the Alerts section above.

Reservation policies vary heavily by season. During peak summer months, many popular national parks require timed-entry permits or vehicle reservations just to enter the park, or specific permits for popular hikes (like Half Dome or Angels Landing). Always check the official NPS alerts and recreation.gov before setting your dates.