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We absolutely love Utah and are on a mission to visit all of Utah's Mighty 5 National Parks. We’ve explored Zion National Park and Capitol Reef National Park and Arches was next on our list.

We were traveling from California to Tampa and Arches National Park was one of the stops we were making on our cross country road trip. We stayed in the nearest town called Moab (pronounced moh-ab) and had one day to explore this very popular national park. 

MORNING

Visitor Center

We stopped by the visitor center first thing in the morning and chatted with the park ranger on duty. We like getting tips from park rangers because they usually have fun tidbits and information that you sometimes wouldn’t find in a visitor’s guide. For example, we asked the ranger where the best and easiest spots for sunrise and sunset were and he happily gave us his suggestions. 

Devils Garden

We wanted to start our day exploring arches by driving to the end of the park and working our way back to the entrance of the park. Devils Garden Trailhead was our first stop and the drive took us about 40 minutes from the Visitor Center. We were initially just going to drive by Devils Garden to enjoy the scenic views but decided to park and check out the trail.

The entrance of the trailhead is pretty spectacular as you get to walk through large sandstone fins. These rocks can be seen from the parking lot and that is what got us to park our car instead of doing a quick drive-by of the area. We walked a little bit further past the fins and around the corner was this little hidden nook with soft, red sand. It was a cool looking spot, so we took a few photos here.

This is a popular area, so we recommend getting here early if you want to do some hikes. You can see 7 arches on the Devils Garden Loop Trail, which is about 8 miles. If you are limited on time, you can quickly check out the Tunnel Arch, which is a .25 mile hike and/or Pine Tree Arch which is about a mile hike. Both hikes are labeled as easy.

Skyline Arch

Skyline Arch was just a few minutes away from Devils Garden and it was an easy walk from our vehicle. The hike is mostly flat and is about 0.2 miles to the base of the arch. From there, you can see the rubble that tumbled out of the arch, which is how the arch doubled in size about 75 years ago. You can view the arch even if you don’t walk to the foot, which is what we did. We viewed the arch from a distance as it framed against the bright blue sky. 

Sand Dune Arch

Sand Dune Arch was one of our favorite areas inside the park and the entrance into this magical place is a short walk from the parking lot. The trek through the deep red sand to the secluded arch tucked among sandstone fins was a breathtaking scene. Some spots reminded us of Antelope Canyon as the light came through slits of open rock sections.

The large sandstone fins allow the arch to sit in the shade for most of the day, which is much appreciated if you are visiting during the hot summer months. We captured a ton of photos in the wide-open space where the sun’s rays were beaming through and radiated the entire area with a soft glow. Just note that it is nearly impossible to keep the sand out of your shoes here, but worth it for the views. 

AFTERNOON

THE WINDOWS SECTION

This is another popular area of Arches National Park as there are many arches to check out in one place. One section has the North Window, South Window and Turret Arch. The other section has the Double Arch. This area of the park offers hiking, sightseeing, stargazing, and is a fantastic location for photography. Both locations provide parking and restroom facilities with running water. 

The hike to The Windows is approximately 0.5 miles and it’s a gentle climb up a gravel trail. It’s not a difficult hike; however, it was a little tiring when the sun started beaming down on us. As we approached North Window, we were able to stand right under the gigantic arch and even see the views on the other side. There is no railing, so it’s best to wear a pair of shoes with traction and also to avoid climbing to the top if you are afraid of heights. 

We visited the Windows Section once during the day and then returned later in the evening for the sunset. Unfortunately, the weather was very cloudy so we didn’t witness a glorious sunset, but it was nice to have the place nearly to ourselves. 

EVENING

Double Arch

We almost skipped the Double Arch since we were starting to get a little tired from all the other activities we did earlier. We’re so glad we pushed through and trekked the relatively flat half mile round trip trail. The Double Arch takes its name because it consists of two arches that are joined at one end.

We really wanted to climb and stand right under the arch; however, once we got to the base of the two giant arches, it looked pretty scary. We both tried tried to take a crack at the climb and removed our backpacks, but we just couldn’t make it happen. We saw others make the attempt and a few did it with ease, but climbing back down was more of a challenge for them. In the end, we decided to play it safe and just admire the views from where we were standing. 

Scenic Drive

The scenic drive from the Visitor Center to Devils Garden takes about 40 minutes. Of course, this is if you make no stops along the way. If you spend 10 minutes at each viewpoint, this entire drive would take about 3 hours. 

There are numerous viewpoints where you can pull over to the side of the road and we stopped by a handful of points like the Balanced Rock, La Sal Mountains Viewpoint, Courthouse Towers Viewpoint, and Panorama Point. We ran into some light showers at one point and ran back to the car for cover. Luckily, the rain only lasted for about 10 minutes, so don’t give up if it’s starts raining. There’s a chance it’ll go away, like it did for us.

WHERE TO STAY

We stayed at the pet-friendly Homewood Suites by Hilton Moab which is a fantastic location. We were only 10 minutes away from the park and within walking distance to numerous restaurants and cafes in downtown Moab. If you like quesadillas, there is a fabulous food truck right across the street called Quesadilla Mobilla. There is also a small grocery store next to the hotel that sells organic foods. We bought a few groceries here and saved some money by making sandwiches in the hotel’s kitchen.

TIPS

• Trailhead parking is limited, so if the lots are full, move on to the next one and go back later. We didn’t have any issues with parking since we made it a point to arrive early. The visitor’s guide suggests the best times to find a spot are before 9 am or after 3pm. 

• Wear shoes with good traction. This will help if you want to climb the rocks in the Windows Section or other challenging hikes with loose gravel. 

• Bring your own snacks and water. You will not find any concession stands or shops inside the park. You can get water at the Visitor Center and at Devils Garden.

• Do not feed or disturb the animals.

• Do not rely on cell service as the coverage varies throughout the park.

• There is minimal shade, so protect yourself with sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.

• Pets are only allowed on park roads, in parking areas, in picnic areas, and in Devils Garden Campground. They must be leashed at all times.

ARCHES NATIONAL PARK (MAP)
Open All Year-Round
Fee $30
High Season March-October