Ultimate Guide to 1 Day in Arches National Park
1 Day in Arches National Park
My cousin and I drove across the country from Florida to do a road trip over the course of two weeks! While the Grand Canyon was a main goal, we also loved our one day in Arches National Park in Utah!
I had never thought much of doing National Parks until I saw Glacier National Park on a family reunion. That heightened my desire to see Yosemite National Park, which I ended up seeing the year after this Western USA road trip.
After visiting several national parks at this point, I understand why visiting them is so appealing! I love being outdoors and combine that with the opportunity to marvel at God’s beautiful creation and you have a winning combo!
While I loved our time in Arches, I was surprised by the prices of hotels in Moab. I’ll share our experience and offer tips that can hopefully improve yours!
Before you dive in, I want to be transparent: this article includes affiliate links. This simply means that if you click on the link and make a purchase, I may earn a commission. Rest assured, the article includes my genuine advice and it won’t cost you anything extra. Your support is greatly appreciated. Happy reading!
How We Spent 1 Day in Arches National Park
We rolled into Moab the night before, so after breakfast we headed straight to Arches National Park. The entrance sits only minutes away by car from downtown, so it’s very easy to find. While Moab was surprisingly full, the park wasn’t crazy busy, though it did pick up throughout the day. We were there on a Saturday, so perhaps not the best timing on our part.
The hikes were basically long walks, though there was one that involved more of a climb. Due to the prominence of these arches or rocks, you don’t have to walk too far in most cases to see their impressive displays.
It’s also worth doing any of the most popular hikes first thing, especially if you end up there on a weekend day like we did.
Driving Into the Park
As soon as you enter the park, the impressive rock formations will amaze! They are absolutely beautiful and since it was before 8AM when we arrived, we had softer sunlight illuminating them.
In under 10 minutes from the entrance, we passed the impressive rock formation called “the organ.” However, we were heading to Double Arch Trailhead first as this one of the most popular hikes.
Double Arch Trailhead
By 8:10AM, we had parked near the Double Arch Trailhead and began our short walk. Parking was easy to find, but there was a surprising number of people already there.
The walk to the double arches and cove of caves was very easy. Some people walked all the way into the arches, which would involve some light climbing, but we chose to get close and move on after snapping a few photos.
The cove of caves is right by the double arches and was beautiful to see as well. We turned and walked back to the parking lot and admired the north window arch views with the sun glaring above it.
The Windows Trail looked equally as easy, but it’s double in length. We chose to admire from a distance and move on.
Double Arch Trail
- Distance: 0.5 miles (0.8 km) round trip
- Difficulty: Easy
- Description: A short, easy trail that leads you to Double Arch, one of the most dramatic arches in the park. The hike is perfect if you’re short on time but still want to experience something unique.
The Windows Section Hike
- Distance: 1 mile (1.6 km) round trip
- Difficulty: Easy
- Description: A short, easy hike that takes you to the North and South Windows, two of the park’s largest arches. The trail is fairly flat and accessible, with some great views along the way.
Garden of Eden Area
We didn’t drive far back up The Windows Road before stopping again. This was a short stop to see Owl Rock and Garden of Eden. However, we weren’t here long and didn’t walk far either. Overall this isn’t an official hike, but if you’re enjoying the scenery, why not stop?!
Delicate Arch
As we were now approaching 9AM, we headed to the other popular hike to see Delicate Arch. The drive from the Double Arch area takes about 10 minutes. This parking area was bigger and getting busy!
There is a short hike to the Lower Delicate Arch Viewpoint, but we continued on the longer and more difficult hike to the Upper Delicate Arch Viewpoint. This one is definitely more of a hike. There’s some climbing and ascending, but wasn’t as difficult as what I experienced during my three days in Yosemite!
It was October 3rd and still morning, so thankfully we didn’t have to deal with the heat. If you do come in the summer, definitely plan to do this first thing in the morning! There isn’t much shade along the way, so you will not encounter much relief from the blazing sun.
The views on this hike are very expansive, which gave it a very different feel from the Double Arch area. However, I will say the Double Arch had more of a presence and “wow” factor.
We didn’t continue on after the Upper Viewpoint, so I can’t speak to whether it’s worth it or not.
Delicate Arch Trail
- Distance: 3 miles (4.8 km) round trip
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Description: This is the most iconic hike in the park, leading to the famous Delicate Arch. It’s a bit challenging due to the rocky terrain and elevation gain, but the view at the end is well worth it. Be mindful of the exposed sections, especially if you’re hiking in the summer heat.
Fiery Furnace
We did not do the big hike for Fiery Furnace, but we did come to this area and enjoyed walking around! The landscape is so beautiful.
It’s worth coming here to wander around a bit, but if you do want to do the strenuous hike, you will need a permit or to hire a ranger.
Fiery Furnace Trail
- Distance: 2 miles (3.2 km) round trip
- Difficulty: Strenuous
- Description: This is a unique, maze-like hike through narrow passages and over rock ledges. Due to its complexity, it’s required to take a guided tour (unless you have a permit). It’s an adventurous and relatively challenging hike.
Arches National Park Road
While I think it’s absolutely worth doing some hikes, Arches National Park is magnificent from the car! Just driving along the main road, I felt like I was on another planet.
As I was sorting through my photos, some of my favorites are just along the main road! If you happen to be injured or just not as mobile, this park will still deliver a “wow” factor!
Sometimes my cousin and I would stop to take photos and other times, I simply rolled down the window. This park is stunning and its scenic drive even makes an impact!
Popular Sights & Additional Hikes
There are many famous arches, and if you want to ensure you see certain ones, I’ve compiled the top ones below so you can create a 1 day in Arches National Park itinerary that suits you. There is also mention of where to park and the distance to the arch. Overall, Arches National Park is so beautiful and will make an impact regardless of how you decide to approach your time in the park.
Popular Sights
Delicate Arch
- Distance: 3 miles (4.8 km) round trip, strenuous hike
- Parking: Delicate Arch Parking Area
Landscape Arch
- Distance: 1.8 miles (2.6 km) round trip, moderate hike
- Parking: Devil’s Garden Parking Area
Double O Arch
- Distance: 4.2 miles (6.8 km) round trip, strenuous hike
- Parking: Devil’s Garden Parking Area
The Windows & Double Arch
- Distance:
- Windows – 1.2-mile (1.6 km) loop, easy
- Double Arch – 0.5 miles (0.8 km) loop, easy
- Parking: The Windows Parking Area
Balanced Rock
- Distance: 0.3 miles (0.5 km) round trip, easy
- Parking: Balanced Rock Parking Area
North & South Window Arches
- Distance: 1-mile (1.6 km) loop, easy
- Parking: The Windows Parking Area
Turret Arch
- Distance: 0.6 miles (0.8 km) round trip, moderate
- Parking: The Windows Parking Area
Fiery Furnace
- Distance: 2 miles (3.2 km) round trip, strenuous (requires a permit or ranger-led tour)
- Parking: Fiery Furnace Parking Area
Skyline Arch
- Distance: 0.4 miles (0.6 km) round trip, easy
- Parking: Skyline Arch Parking Area
Sand Dune Arch
- Distance: 0.3 miles (0.5 km) round trip, easy
- Parking: The Windows Parking Area
Broken Arch
- Distance: 2 miles (3.2 km) round trip, moderate
- Parking: The Windows Parking Area
Park Avenue
- Distance: 1 mile (1.6 km) one-way, moderate
- Parking: Park Avenue Parking Area
La Sal Mountains Viewpoint
- Distance: No hiking required
- Parking: La Sal Mountains Viewpoint Parking
Devil’s Garden
- Distance: Varies from 1.6 miles (2.6 km) for Landscape Arch to 7.2 miles (11.5 km) for the full trail
- Parking: Devil’s Garden Parking Area
Additional Hikes to Consider
I mentioned a few popular hikes in my itinerary, but I wanted to add some additional ones to consider. You can easily plan multiple hikes in your 1 day in Arches National Park!
Devil’s Garden Trail
- Distance: 7.2 miles (11.6 km) round trip (for the full loop)
- Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
- Description: This trail offers a variety of arches to explore, including the famous Landscape Arch. It’s one of the longest and most diverse hikes in the park, and you can turn back at any point if you don’t want to complete the full loop. It’s worth noting the full loop includes Primitive Trail which involves climbing steep rocks, so avoid if the weather is wet or icy.
Park Avenue Trail
- Distance: 2 miles (3.2 km) one way
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Description: This hike follows a wide path through a canyon with towering rock formations, giving the feeling of walking through a grand avenue. The views are stunning, and it’s a great hike for beginners or those looking for something short.
Broken Arch Trail
- Distance: 2 miles (3.2 km) round trip
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Description: This trail leads to Broken Arch, which is a picturesque arch in a quieter part of the park. The trail is less trafficked, making it a peaceful experience.
How to Get to Arches National Park
Flying
If you want to fly into this area, the closest airport is Canyonlands Field Airport (CNY). Commercial flights do fly into this airport, but they are very limited.
Another airport not too far is Grand Junction’s airport, but Salt Lake City and Denver are the closest major airports! Colorado and Utah are great states for a road trip, so either would work well! I review other sights you can add to your road trip in the next section.
- Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT) – 110 miles (177 km), ~1 hour 45 minutes drive
- Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) – 234 miles (377 km), ~4-hour drive
- Denver International Airport (DEN) – 355 miles (571 km), ~5.5-hour drive
Driving
If you plan to drive and make a road trip of it, Moab and the entrance to Arches National Park sit on Highway 191. To the north, Highway 191 connects to Interstate 70. Travel from Grand Junction, Denver or Salt Lake City will involve Interstate 70 and Highway 191.
My cousin and I, on our Western USA road trip, drove from the south after spending 2 days in the Grand Canyon. We stopped in Horseshoe Bend and drove through Monument Valley before hopping on Highway 191 and driving north into Moab.
The drive was very pleasant up Highway 191 and I distinctly remember the beautiful sunset. We also drove to Grand Junction after Arches National Park, and while that was drive was easy, we didn’t end up stopping in Grand Junction. Ouray and Telluride are beautiful mountain towns in Colorado that we enjoyed and you can get to both by going south on 191 and east on the 46, basically avoiding the big interstate highway altogether.
Beautiful Sights Nearby & Road Trip Options
I know “nearby” is subjective, so I’ve provided estimated driving times.
Most likely you will be driving into Moab and making a road trip of this part of the USA, so I’ll include stops to consider from Denver and Salt Lake City.
Sights within One Hour of Moab
If you decided to base yourself in Moab for a few days, here are some sights you can add to your itinerary!
National & State Parks:
- Arches National Park (10 min) – Delicate Arch, Landscape Arch, The Windows
- Canyonlands National Park (Island in the Sky District) (40 min) – Mesa Arch, Grand View Point
- Dead Horse Point State Park (35 min) – Stunning overlook of the Colorado River
Scenic Drives & Viewpoints:
- La Sal Mountain Loop Road (30 min) – A beautiful drive with alpine views
- Potash Road & Dinosaur Tracks (20 min) – Scenic drive with petroglyphs and dinosaur tracks
- Shafer Trail Road (40 min) – A dramatic, winding dirt road with epic canyon views
Adventure & Unique Attractions:
- Corona Arch (45 min) – A stunning, free-standing arch outside the national park
- Fisher Towers (45 min) – Striking red rock formations popular for hiking & climbing
- Gemini Bridges (49 min) – A short hike to a pair of natural rock bridges
Road Trip
The beauty of road trips is you have the ultimate freedom! With so many beautiful areas in Utah and Colorado, here are two itineraries you can use to gather ideas.
My cousin and I drove from the Grand Canyon with stops at Horseshoe Bend and Monument Valley before pulling into Moab. When we left, we went to Grand Junction but chose to stop in Ridgeway for the night. From there Telluride and Ouray were highlights before heading down Million Dollar Highway, with its stunning views, to Durango.
From Salt Lake City:
Salt Lake City to Moab (~4-hour drive)
- Bonneville Salt Flats (optional, ~1.5-hour detour west)
- Scenic drive through Utah’s Wasatch Mountains
Arches National Park
- Delicate Arch
- Devil’s Garden (Landscape Arch, Double O Arch)
- The Windows & Double Arch
Canyonlands National Park (Island in the Sky District) (~40-minute drive from Moab)
- Mesa Arch
- Grand View Point
- Shafer Trail Overlook
Dead Horse Point State Park & Goblin Valley State Park (~1-hour drive to Dead Horse, ~2 more hours to Goblin Valley)
- Dead Horse Point Overlook
- Goblin Valley Hoodoos
Capitol Reef National Park (~1.25 hour drive from Goblin Valley)
- Scenic drive on Highway 24 through Capitol Reef
- Hickman Bridge or Goosenecks Overlook
Nebo Loop National Scenic Byway (~2.25-hour drive from Capitol Reef)
- Devils Kitchen (mini Bryce Canyon-like rock formations)
- Payson Lakes (great for a peaceful stop)
From Denver:
Denver to Moab (~6.5-hour drive)
- Vail (popular mountain town)
- Glenwood Canyon (scenic drive)
- Colorado National Monument
- Rattlesnake Arches
Arches National Park
- Delicate Arch
- Devil’s Garden (Landscape Arch, Double O Arch)
- The Windows & Double Arch
Canyonlands National Park (Island in the Sky District) (~40-minute drive from Moab)
- Mesa Arch
- Grand View Point
- Shafer Trail Overlook
Dead Horse Point State Park & Goblin Valley State Park (~1-hour drive to Dead Horse, ~2 more hours to Goblin Valley)
- Dead Horse Point Overlook
- Goblin Valley Hoodoos
Moab to Colorado via the San Juan Mountains (~5.5 hours)
- Telluride, CO (1.5-hour detour)
- Ouray then down Million Dollar Highway to Durango, CO
Durango to Denver (~6.5-hour drive)
- Pagosa Springs (hot springs)
- Alamosa (Great Sand Dunes)
- Colorado Springs
Weather & Best Time to Visit
My cousin and I visited in early October and the weather was perfect! It was nice and cool in the morning, but sunny with clear skies! It certainly made our 1 day in Arches National Park very pleasant.
There is limited shade in Arches National Park, so I wouldn’t advise going in the summer when the sun and heat would be unbearable. One way around that is to only visit the park in the early mornings or late evenings. There is a timed entry ticket required now, but there are dates in July when this type of ticket is not required. This is most likely due to the heat, so if you find yourself visiting then consider staying out of the midday sun!
The ideal time to visit is Spring (April to May) and Fall (September to October). While timed entry tickets are required during these months, suggesting they can get crowded, it’s also good news because it keeps the crowds manageable!
Winter can be a magical time to visit if you don’t mind the cold, offering a quiet experience and a chance to see the park in a different, serene light.
Spring | March to May
- Temperature: 50°F to 80°F (10°C to 27°C)
- Conditions: Mild and comfortable, but temperatures can vary. Nights may still be cool, so bring layers. Spring wildflowers add beauty to the park.
Summer | June to August
- Temperature: 80°F to 100°F (27°C to 38°C)
- Conditions: Hot during the day, often exceeding 100°F (38°C). Evenings are cooler, but you’ll want to hike early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid the heat. Be prepared for intense sun exposure.
Fall | September to November
- Temperature: 60°F to 80°F (15°C to 27°C)
- Conditions: Pleasant weather, with cooler temperatures.
Winter | December to February
- Temperature: 20°F to 50°F (-6°C to 10°C)
- Conditions: Cold and potentially snowy, especially in the higher elevations. Most trails are still accessible, but it can be slippery. Days are shorter, but the park is quieter.
Reservations for Arches National Park Might Be Required
As with all National Parks, you will need to pay to get in. For a vehicle the ticket is $30 and will include everyone in the car. You can also buy the America the Beautiful pass which is $80 and includes all National Parks for one year!
Reservations
When I had my 1 day in Arches National Park , they didn’t have this requirement, but the crowds have continued to grow! The year after I visited, they implemented a timed entry permit for certain dates.
I think this is great, because when places get too crowded it negatively impacts the experience, in my opinion! Be sure to check the official website as dates and requirements could change. As of now, you need a timed entry ticket reservation from April 1 to July 6 and August 28 to October 31 to visit between 7AM and 4PM.
Where to Stay in Moab
Wondering where to stay for your 1 day in Arches National Park? Moab is the obvious choice since it’s so close to the park! However, we pulled in on a Friday night and were left flabbergasted by the prices!
Truly, Disney has cheaper prices! The Motel 6 was close to $300! We couldn’t believe it! Since we were road tripping, we were booking last minute, but based on our experience I don’t recommend that approach, especially if you visit on a weekend! We ended up pulling into a hostel because we just couldn’t wrap our heads around paying that much for what should be a cheap motel.
There are SO many accommodation options for such a small town! You could stay an hour or two away, but an early start is recommended, so it’s better to be close!
*Prices are subject to change and are shown on the low end. High season prices can vary a lot, so I recommend booking in advance.
Under Canvas Moab | $200+ | Glamping
Aarchway Inn | $80+ | Budget
Lazy Lizard Hostel | $17+ | Hostel
Field Station Moab | $140+ | Rooms available up to 8 people
Hyatt Place Moab | $150+ | Mid-Range
1 Day in Arches National Park
Well I hope this post was helpful as you plan your 1 day in Arches National Park! It’s absolutely stunning from the moment you drive in! Of course, the time of year, crowds, and weather can all impact your experience so i hope this helped you decide what will be best for you!
The United States has so many beautiful national parks and it does seem that the West has a lot of epic destinations in general! I hope you have the best trip and that Arches National Park provides the same awe for you that it did for me!
