Introduction
Arches has a rich history dating back millions of years. Approximately 300 million years ago, inland seas covered the region. These seas repeatedly refilled and evaporated, leaving behind thick salt beds. Over time, erosion sculpted the landscape, creating arches, spires, and balanced rocks. The park lies above an underground salt bed, which plays a crucial role in the formation of these features. Arches was initially established as a national monument on April 12, 1929, and later redesignated as a national park on November 12, 1971. Arches covers 76,519 acres (308 sq km). The highest point is Elephant Butte at 5,653 feet (1,723 m), while the lowest elevation is at the Visitor Center at 4,085 feet (1,245 m). NPS Stats 2025 recorded 1,511,740 recreation visits. A 19-mile road offering breathtaking views of arches, pinnacles, and monoliths.
Wildlife in the park include mule deer, mountain lions, and desert bighorn sheep roam the landscape. Smaller mammals include kangaroo rats, woodrats, and rock squirrels.
For more information on the park visit the wikipedia page.
Important Notice: Timed-entry reservations may be required to enter Arches National Park during posted seasons. Check the official NPS timed-entry page and Recreation.gov for current dates and availability.
Auto Many of the most viewed arches are accessible from the paved scenic drive. Delicate Arch, Devils Garden, North Window and Double Arch can be driven to and hiked in a 4 to 5 hour window. In addition, Balanced Rock can be viewed from the road.
Top Hikes
These three hikes are good starting points for planning, with at least one more difficult option. Distances and elevation gain are rounded; check the official park trail page for current closures, permits, weather, and trail conditions.
Devils Garden Trail (difficult) - 7.9 miles (12.7 km); elevation gain 1,085 feet (331 m). The park's signature long day hike reaches Landscape Arch, Double O Arch, and primitive trail terrain.
Delicate Arch Trail (difficult) - 3.2 miles (5.1 km); elevation gain 629 feet (192 m). A steady slickrock climb to the park's most famous freestanding arch.
Windows Loop and Turret Arch (easy) - 1.2 miles (1.9 km); elevation gain 154 feet (47 m). A shorter route through one of the easiest places to see several major arches.
Other Activities
Bicycling You can ride your bike or e-bike on all paved and unpaved roads in Arches National Park in Utah. However, you may not ride your bike on trails or anywhere off a road. The Salt Valley and Willow Springs dirt roads are less traveled than the paved roads, but they are more suited to mountain bikes due to washboards, deep sand, and other obstacles. See the NPS website for more information.
If you’re interested in renting a bike, Moab Cyclery and Rim Mountain Bike Tours are two popular bike rental services in Moab, UT. Dual Sport Utah is another option for motorcycle rentals and tours in Moab, UT.
Accommodations
There is only one campground in Arches National Park. Reservations can be made at Recreation.com
Devils Garden Campground This is one of my favorite campgrounds in the National Park system. During the peak times the campground can be reserved six months in advance. Reservations are available via recreation.gov. It is situated among natural sandstone arches and fins and is only 18 miles north of the park’s entrance and 23 miles from Moab, Utah. The campground is open year-round and has 51 campsites that can accommodate tents, trailers, and RVs up to 40 feet long. Reservations are accepted from March 1 to October 31 and are first-come, first-served from November 1 to February 28. The campground is located at an elevation of approximately 5,200 ft (1,585 m). The campground is surrounded by stunning natural beauty and offers easy access to many of the park’s popular hiking trails, including the Devils Garden Trailhead. The trailhead is the starting point for several hikes, including the Landscape Arch Trail, the Double O Arch Trail, and the Primitive Trail. The campground is also a great place to stargaze, as it is far from the city lights and offers a clear view of the night sky.
Hotels The closest hotels are in Moab, just a five minute drive from Arches.
Grocery/Restaurants There are no restaurants or grocery stores in Arches. The closest ones are in Moab, 5 minutes outside the park.