How to See Arches National Park in 1, 2, or 3 Days

Whether you’re planning on spending one, two, or three days, we’ve broken down the top things to do in Arches National Park based on trip length. These three flexible itineraries have been designed to include all of the must-see sites throughout the park, while still leaving time for lunch, dinner, and rest. Stay tuned to the end for essential Arches National Park travel info, like the best time to visit, where to stay, and more!

ℹ️ About Arches National Park

Located just outside of Moab, Utah, Arches National Park is an extraordinary landscape of over 2,000 natural stone arches. This otherworldly environment has been shaped over millions of years by wind and water, resulting in a dramatic display of towering spires, rock fins, and immense balanced rocks.

For thousands of years, this land was also home to a succession of Indigenous groups, including the Ute and Timpanogos peoples (Native Land Digital), who left behind petroglyphs that are still visible to this day.

You can explore the park via its 19-mile (30-km) scenic drive, hike to internationally known arches like Delicate Arch, enjoy some pretty amazing sunrises and sunsets, and more!

📅 How Many Days in Arches National Park?

If you’re still debating how many days to spend in Arches National Park, a trip to Arches can be tailored anywhere from one day to one week. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect from different trip lengths. Click on any # of days for its respective itinerary.

• 1 Day: A single day is perfect for a scenic drive, a few of the most popular, short hikes and overlooks, a picnic in the park, and watching the sunset from a viewpoint.
• 2 Days: Two days will grant you enough time to cover all the major highlights and hike the most popular trails without feeling rushed.
• 3+ Days: Three days or more allows you to hit all of the major trails and viewpoints, fit in an exclusive ranger-led tour of Fiery Furnace, and (especially if more than 3 days) explore nearby attractions in the greater Moab area.

⏰ Timed Entry in Arches National Park

One last thing before getting into the itineraries. If you’re visiting Arches National Park between April 1 and July 6 and August 28 through October 31, 2025, and plan to enter the park between 7 am and 4 pm, you will need to reserve a timed entry slot. We got up before 7 am every day of our visit to catch the sunrise and were able to avoid reserving a time slot. We highly recommend this because, not only will you skip another online reservation, but you’ll be able to enjoy the park at its quietest.

1 Day in Arches National Park

1. Sunrise hike to Delicate Arch
2. Hike the Windows & Double Arch
3. Drive to Park Avenue & Courthouse Towers Overlooks
4. Stop in at the Visitors Center
5. Lunch Break
6. Hike to Landscape Arch & Double O Arch
7. Hike to Sand Dune Arch and Broken Arch
8. Dinner Break
9. Watch the Sunset from Panorama Point or Balanced Rock

Start your morning off by beating Arches National Park’s timed entry hiking to Delicate Arch for sunrise. This is the most photographed arch in the world, and it’s even more spectacular bathed in the early morning light! Feel free to bring breakfast to enjoy at the arch. Once you’re back, head to The Windows section to hike two short, rewarding trails with unique arches—Double Arch and The Windows.

Once it’s mid-morning, make your way back down the scenic drive, stopping to enjoy the hike-free views from Park Avenue and Courthouse Towers. Then, continue your journey to the Visitor Center, now open for the day. Pick up a Junior Ranger booklet, explore their installations, watch the park film, and browse the bookshop, then enjoy lunch at one of the picnic tables outside.

After lunch, hike this shorter version of the Devils Garden Trail, which will bring you past the infamous Landscape Arch, Double O Arch, and others! If you still have hiking energy, tackle the trails to Sand Dune Arch and Broken Arch, which can be combined into a 1-hour hike. Then, break for dinner, either in downtown Moab or within the park at Panorama Point, before making it back for sunset. We recommend Panorama Point or Balanced Rock for hike-free sunset-watching spots.

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2 Days in Arches National Park

Start your first day by beating the timed entry with a sunrise hike to Delicate Arch. This is the most photographed arch in the world, and it’s even more spectacular bathed in the early morning light! Once you’re back, head to The Windows section to hike two short, rewarding trails with unique arches—Double Arch and The Windows.

Afterward, make your way back down the scenic drive to the Visitor Center, now open for the day. Pick up a Junior Ranger booklet, explore their installations, watch the park film, and check out the short Native Plants Trail. Then, enjoy a lunch break at one of the picnic tables outside. After lunch, if you still have hiking energy in you, tackle the Park Avenue Trail, where you’ll also get to see Courthouse Towers. If you prefer to cut down on hiking time today, you have the option to just go to the Park Avenue and Courthouse Towers viewpoints.

Then, continue down the scenic drive again until you reach the parking lot for Sand Dune Arch and Broken Arch, which can be combined into one, 1-hour hike. When you’re ready for a break, refuel with dinner, either in downtown Moab or within the park at Panorama Point, before making it back for a hike-free sunset. We recommend either staying put at Panorama Point (if you ate dinner there) or driving over to Balanced Rock to watch the rock formations turn bright shades of orange.

Day 2

1. Hike the Devil’s Garden Trail (4-5 hours)
2. Lunch Break
3. Visit Fiery Furnace Viewpoint and Skyline Arch (15 minutes)
4. Ranger-Led Event (Check Calendar)
5. One last drive down the Scenic Drive
6. Hike to Tower Arch (1 hour)
7. Dinner & Sunset at Tower Arch
8. Hike back from Tower Arch (1 hour)

Day 2 is dedicated to exploring the far end of the scenic drive, so you’ll want to get an early start. We recommend starting the Devil’s Garden Trail before 7 a.m. to avoid the crowds, heat, and timed entry. This will be the main event of the day, as this 4-hour trail brings you past the infamous Landscape Arch, Double O Arch, and many others!

After your big morning hike, take your time recharging over lunch before visiting Fiery Furnace Viewpoint and Skyline Arch. In the afternoon, we also recommend checking Arches’ Events Calendar to see if any special events are going on, like the ranger-led talk held daily at 3 p.m. You also have the option to explore the scenic drive that runs through the park one last time, hopping out anywhere you may have missed that piques your interest.

Just before dinner, hike to Tower Arch to enjoy a picnic dinner and sunset away from the crowds. This easily became our #1 favorite spot to watch the sunset in all of Arches National Park. If you prefer a hike-free option, we recommend Panorama Point, Balanced Rock, or (if you’ve already seen both of those) Lower Delicate Arch Viewpoint to see the infamous Delicate Arch one last time.

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3 Days in Arches National Park

Day 1

1. Sunrise Hike to Delicate Arch
2. Short Hikes Along Main Park Road
– Skyline Arch (10 minutes)
– Sand Dune Arch & Broken Arch (1 hour)
– Balanced Rock (10 minutes)
3. Stop in the Visitors Center
4. Break for Lunch
5. Park Avenue (Viewpoint or 1-hour trail)
6. Double Arch & The Windows for Sunset

Start your three-day adventure by beating the crowds with a sunrise hike to Delicate Arch, the most famous arch in the park. Be sure to bring a headlamp or flashlights, as you’ll be hiking in the dark. On the way back, don’t miss out on the petroglyphs and old log cabins, a testament to the area’s past inhabitants.

After warming up with a morning hike, we recommend tackling a few of the drive-up viewpoints and trails on the scenic drive. We really loved Skyline Arch Trail, Sand Dune & Broken Arch Trails (they share one parking lot), and Balanced Rock Trail, hiked in that order.

After your viewpoints and hikes, head down to the Visitor Center to check out their exhibitions, use the restrooms, and then break for lunch. Whether you’re traveling with kids or not, we highly recommend picking up a free Junior Ranger booklet here to complete during the rest of your visit. There’s also a pleasant 10-minute Native Plants Trail just outside of the center we recommend checking out!

After a relaxing lunch, we have a few more short hikes lined up. Just a few minutes’ drive from the Visitors Center, you’ll find the Park Avenue Viewpoint and/or Trail. If you’re not up for the 1-hour out-and-back trail, feel free to stick to the Park Avenue Viewpoint. You can also stop by the nearby Courthouse Towers Viewpoint if you aren’t doing the hike, which would have brought you there.

End the day by heading to The Windows section to hike two short, rewarding trails, Double Arch and The Windows, that conveniently share one parking lot. We recommend visiting Double Arch first, about 90 minutes before sunset, as we found it most beautiful at this time. Then, head to The Windows for the actual sunset (make sure to check the exact sunset time during your visit), where you’ll be able to see the sun go down right in front of you.

Day 2

1. Hike the Devil’s Garden Trail (4-5 hours)
2. Drive into Moab for Lunch
3. Dinner & Sunset from Tower Arch (~2-hour trail)

The main event of Day 2 is tackling the epic Devil’s Garden Trail, which will bring you past the massive Landscape Arch, the unique Double O Arch, and many others! Start as early as possible to avoid the crowds and the heat (and before 7 a.m. to avoid timed entry if you prefer). This is a longer, more challenging hike that will take up most of your morning, so be well-prepared with water (1 litre per person, per hour) and sufficient snacks! It took us almost 5 hours in total.

We generally recommend hiking this loop clockwise. You’ll see the best parts of the trail in the beginning, before tackling the more remote Primitive Trail section. If you’re hiking in the peak of summer, go counter-clockwise to complete the most exposed part of the loop when it’s coolest. After you’ve made it back, enjoy a well-deserved lunch in downtown Moab to refuel and recharge. Take as much time as you need to rest—you’ve hiked a lot!

In the late afternoon, a few hours before sunset, make your way back into the park to hike to Tower Arch for a peaceful and secluded sunset experience. We recommend planning to hit the trail 90 minutes before sunset to arrive well before the sun goes down, bringing dinner if you’d like to enjoy it at Tower Arch, and making sure to bring a headlamp or flashlight for the walk back in the dark.

Day 3

1. Fiery Furnace Trail (Ranger-Led Tour or Self-Led with Permit) (4-5 hours)
2. Lunch Break
3. Rest in the Afternoon
4. Panorama Point for Dinner & Sunset

With a full two days behind you, Day 3 is dedicated to tackling the challenging Fiery Furnace Trail, a one-of-a-kind hiking experience. You can choose to either secure a self-led permit in advance or join a ranger-led tour, both lasting between four to five hours. We went with a ranger-led tour and absolutely loved the guided experience. Here’s a quick breakdown of how to secure each:

1. Individual Permits: Individual permits are available for $10/person and can be reserved online from Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777 between 2-7 days before your intended hike date. Permits are on a first-come, first-served basis, so we recommend reserving your spot as soon as they become available. You must then pick up a copy of your permit at the Visitors Center an hour before they close the day prior to your reservation date. When you pick up your permit, you’ll watch an informational video of what to expect during the hike, how to navigate, and how to prepare.
2. Ranger-led tours: Ranger-led tours are available for $16/person up to 7 days before your intended hike date. You can reserve at Recreation.gov or by calling the same number above. You must then pick up a copy of your permit from the Visitor Center on the day of, or before, your hike. This is what we did and found it super helpful since the Park Ranger led us through the challenging navigation.

After your morning in the Furnace, enjoy a relaxing lunch in the park or in Moab and a well-deserved rest for the afternoon. If you somehow have energy well before dinner, feel free to hit any viewpoints or short hikes you might have missed that piqued your interest before capping off Day 3 with dinner and the sunset from Panorama Point for a final, unforgettable view.

With offline maps, wrong-turn alerts, and extra planning features, make the most of every outside adventure with AllTrails Plus. Get 7 days of AllTrails Plus for free!

🔄 Optional Activities (Swap These In!)

If you’ve already done any of the activities mentioned above, or are looking for something different, here are some extra things to do in and around Arches National Park.

1. Become a Junior Ranger — This is our favorite thing to do, no matter which park we go to. To become a Junior Ranger, pick up a free booklet at the Visitor’s Center, which you can then complete throughout the day. Return it later in the afternoon to recieve a special badge!
2. Join a Ranger-Led Program — Check Arches National Park’s Events Calendar to see if any special talks, walks, or events are happening during your visit.
3. Grab Food in Moab — Moab is the closest town to Arches National Park, and is full of popular restaurants like Arches Thai, Trailhead Public House & Eatery, and Antica Forma.
4. Go Stargazing — Arches National Park’s distance from large urban areas has made it an official International Dark Sky Park. Some great spots to stargaze in the park include Balanced Rock, The Windows Section, Garden of Eden Viewpoint, and Panorama Point.
5. Explore Surrounding Parks — Canyonlands National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park are just a short drive away!

🌤️ When to Visit Arches National Park

If you can swing it, October-November and March-April are the perfect months to visit Arches National Park as they tend to experience fewer crowds and more comfortable temperatures. That being said, here’s a breakdown of what you can expect from each season in Arches.

• May – October: This 6-month period experiences the highest crowds of the entire year, lots of programming, weather fit for water activities, and many hours of daylight. Downsides include crowding on popular trails, difficulty parking, extreme mid-day temps, and some potential difficulty finding lodging.
• November – February: The winter months experience low crowds with ample parking and lodging, but frigid conditions with the possibility of ice and snow. Park programming also slows down, so your experience will be mostly self-guided.
• March – April: With medium crowds mid-week and higher crowds on the weekends, Spring in Arches looks like comfortable temperatures, ample park programming, and fairly abundant lodging opportunities.

🚗 How to Get to Arches National Park

Arches National Park is located in Moab, Utah. Driving is easiest, which is how we came in, but other options exist:

• By Car — Arches National Park is located just off US Route 191. A car is also necessary to explore the scenic drive and reach the trailheads. If you don’t have a vehicle, we highly recommend renting a car.
• By Plane — The nearest airport is Canyonlands Field Airport (CNY) in Moab, but most visitors fly into Salt Lake City (SLC) and rent a car for the 4-hour drive to Moab.
• By Public Transport — You can take Greyhound bus lines to Moab or Amtrak rail services to Green River or Grand Junction, then arrange a van service to Moab. Once in Moab, you can find private shuttle services or join a guided tour to explore the park itself.
• By Bike — We saw a sign for a bicycle entrance that connects Arches National Park to the city of Moab (pictured below) which is a fantastic option for any bikers interested in biking into the park.

🏨 Where to Stay Near Arches National Park

There is a range of stay options in and around Arches National Park. Below we’ve rounded up a variety of accommodations, from campgrounds to hotels.

• BLM Land (Free Camping) —  For the most budget-friendly option, consider dispersed camping on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land just outside the park. We use iOverlander to find legal, no-cost sites nearby.
• Inside the Park — Devils Garden Campground is the only accommodation located inside the park. It’s open year-round, with reservations necessary March 1 to October 31, the rest of the year it is first-come, first-serve. A standard site is $25/night.
• Campgrounds & RV Parks (Outside the Park) — Additional campgrounds and RV parks can be found outside the park, such as Moab KOA, Sun Outdoors Arches Gateway, and Moab RV & Glamping Resort.
• Hotels (Outside the Park) — In Moab, you also have plenty of hotels, such as Scenic View Inn & Suites, Wingate by Wyndham Moab, and The Virginian Inn Moab Downtown.

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🎒 What to Pack for Arches National Park

Some of the biggest essentials while hiking in Arches National Park are ample hydration and sun protection. Our favorite ways to hit both of these are by carrying water bladders with our favorite electrolytes instead of tons of heavy water bottles and wearing a mix of sunscreen, sun shirts, and wide-brimmed hats. In this section, we outline everything else that came in handy for us.

Sun Protection

• Sunscreen – No matter the time of year you visit, sunscreen is essential to protect your skin from the sun.
• Sunglasses – Protect your eyes with your favorite pair of sunglasses.
• Wide-brimmed hat – As part of sun safety, we love pairing sunscreen with wide-brimmed hats.
• Sun Shirts – Light, sunshirts are great for protecting against the sun! Here is Elliot’s favorite long-sleeve sun shirt and Jen’s favorite long-sleeve sun shirt.
• Refillable Water Bottle – Staying hydrated is a key part of sun safety. We love this water bottle featuring all of the US National Parks with stickers to check off your visits.
• Water Bladders – A water bladder is super helpful to pack in more water without adding extra weight.

Hiking Essentials

• Hiking pants – We recommend hiking pants to protect against the sun and trails with higher grasses. Elliot’s favorite hiking pants and Jen’s favorite hiking pants.
• Hiking shorts – If hiking during the warm summer months, Jen loves these hiking shorts and Elliot loves these shorts.
• Layers – As the weather can vary, come prepared with layers of fleece jackets, long sleeves, and even coats if you’re coming in the middle of winter.
• Rainjacket – You never know what weather awaits you when hiking. If you’re looking for a new rain jacket fit for hiking, this is Elliot’s favorite rain jacket and Jen’s favorite rain jacket.
• Hiking Boots – Solid footwear with good traction is a must when hiking. Here are Elliot’s favorite trail runners and Jen’s favorite hiking boots.
• Lightweight backpack – Elliot carries this backpack with the included rain cover, while Jen carries this backpack.
• Hat and Gloves – Especially if you’re visiting in the shoulder seasons (spring and fall) or winter, packing a hat and gloves for extra warmth is a must.
• Snacks – We always make sure to pack protein-rich, lightweight snacks with us while hiking.
• Electrolytes – No matter how long the hike, we always bring our favorite electrolyte powder with us to properly rehydrate while hiking.

Safety Essentials

• Trail Maps – We love using AllTrails+ to download maps ahead of time.
• GPS – We carry the Garmin InReach Mini 2 with us on all trails for safety.
• First Aid Kit – This first aid kit is one of those items we hope to never have to use but always carry, just in case.
• Headlamp – A headlamp is especially useful when going on sunrise, sunset, or night hikes.

💰 How Much Does a Trip to Arches Cost?

Depending on your travel style, the cost of a trip to Arches National Park can vary. The biggest costs are lodging and any private tours or activities. Here’s a breakdown of the typical costs so you know what to expect.

🎫 Consider investing in the America the Beautiful pass for $80 like we did if you’re planning on travelling to several parks within the year.

🪧 Learn More: How to Help Arches National Park

Arches National Park in Moab, Utah, is a national landmark home to over 2,000 delicate stone arches. As visitors, the best way to help conserve this park during your visit is by following Leave No Trace Guidelines, staying on the trails, and leaving cairns (rock piles intended to guide hikers) as they are.

If you wish to help combat droughts, invasive species, and other issues exacerbated by climate change, consider donating to the National Parks Conservation Association, who help fund conservation efforts throughout the entire US National Park system. 💚

Read Next:

Top 11 Hikes in Arches National Park (Ranked in Order)

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• Top 11 Hikes in Arches National Park (Ranked in Order)
• More coming soon!

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