Top 10 BEST Activities in Arches National Park: Something for Everyone
Get ready for a jaw-dropping adventure at Arches National Park! This place is like a fairytale land, with over 2,000 stunning arches just waiting to be explored. And that's not all – you'll also stumble upon balanced rocks, unique salt formations, petrified dune fields, epic canyons, and massive rock fins. It's a nature lover's dream come true!
Arches National Park proudly boasts the highest concentration of natural stone arches on the planet. Picture-perfect gems like Delicate Arch, Sand Dune Arch, Navajo Arch, Devil's Garden, and more will leave you in awe. And don't forget about the famous Balanced Rock, the Three Gossips, and a whole bunch of other sandstone wonders.
To top it off, this incredible park is nestled along the magnificent Colorado River. So pack your sense of adventure and get ready to experience the best Mother Nature has to offer. Arches National Park is waiting for you!
Know Before You Go
Delicate Arch is one of the better-known formations at Arches National Park. You can find it on Utah license plates. Photo by Todd Nighswonger
Timed reservations are required for Arches National Park. You can pay your park entrance fee online when you make your reservation. Reservations can be made three months in advance. To skip the reservation, enter the park before 6 am or after 5 pm. Learn more about timed reservations at Arches National Park HERE.
The park is open year-round; however, the average temperature is 98 degrees in the summer. During the winter, average temps are in the mid 40s. Early Spring and Fall make for the most moderate temperatures at Arches.
Be prepared for crowds if you go in October, as we did. The line to get into the park was long, and there was limited parking near the trailheads. The newly instituted timed reservations should reduce crowding during the peak season.
Pets are allowed in your vehicle and parking areas but not on the trails.
There is no public transportation at this national park. Parking areas and trailheads will fill up fast, so go early if you want to avoid fighting the crowd.
Arches Fun Facts
There are 2,000 natural stone arches.
Arches National Park was once underwater. It was covered by a shallow inland sea. When the water retreated, it left behind sand which the wind formed into dunes. Over time the dunes petrified and turned into the formations that are seen today.
Temperatures can fluctuate as much as 40 degrees in single day.
Landscape Arch is the longest arch in the world.
More than 1.8 million people visited Arches in 2021.
More than 11 movies were filmed in Arches, including Thelma & Louise and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
best Arches activities
pop into the Visitor’s Center
This should be your first stop if you are looking for tips and info about Arches. Visitors centers usually are a treasure trove of information! You can also learn about the park's geology and check out the museum exhibit, which features a timeline of geologic events in the region. Don't forget to pick up some souvenirs at the gift shop.
Take a Scenic Drive
Much of the beautiful scenery at Arches can be experienced with a car ride around the park. Many overlooks provide views of stone arches and bridges that Arches is known for. Some of the largest arches can be seen from the Windows Section of the park. You can view the most famous arch from Delicate Arch Viewpoint.
Attend a Ranger-Led Program
Programs occur daily in the spring and fall. Check the visitor center for a schedule. A guided walk or evening program will allow you to learn more about the park's spectacular rock formations and high desert landscape. Most evening programs are located at Devils Garden Campground.
Watch the Sunrise
Some of the best places to view the sunrise include Sand Dune Arch, Turret Arch, Double Arch, Landscape Arch, and Delicate Arch. You can also check it out at Balanced Rock.
Stargaze
With over 2,000 square miles of protected landscape, you will find some of the best stargazing at Arches National Park. Find a spot along the scenic drive for fewer crowds.
Take a Park Tour
The area offers many commercial tours, including helicopter adventures, guided hikes, and jeep tours—plenty of fun for everyone.
Hike to an arch
Arches National Park is known for its epic hikes. You will find trails of all experience levels and distances. These trails will get you up close and personal with the famous arches. The park map details the difficulty of each trail so you can choose the one best for you.
Don’t miss Balanced Rock. You can view it from your car or take a short hike to see it up close.
Pop into Moab
Moab National Park is only 5 miles from Arches. You will want to include this beautiful park in your itinerary!
cruise on the Colorado
Enjoy a cowboy-style dinner and boat ride on the Colorado River. The dinner cruise comes complete with a light and sound show which describes the story of the canyon's creation. The unique display is projected onto the rock face above the river.
Raft the Colorado
Experience a Colorado River white water rafting trip. This seven mile trip down the Colorado will have you rafting on class 1 and 2 rapids. It is full of fantastic scenery, informative guides, and loads of fun.
There are so many views to take in at Arches. Don’t forget your camera! Photo by Todd Nighswonger
Arches is a Must-See National Park
All in all, Arches national park is an incredible spot to experience the best of nature. From thrilling hikes to impressive rock formations, there's something for everyone to appreciate and enjoy. Even if you only have a day or two to spare, don't miss out on this fantastic destination—you'll find that there are many incredible things to cherish about the beauty of Arches national park.
Whether you're looking for a relaxing weekend getaway or an ultra-adventurous wild ride, Arches will surely have what you need. Just make sure to pack plenty of water and get ready for some eye-opening views!
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About the Author: Terri Nighswonger and her husband, Todd, are well-traveled RVers and work campers. They've work camped from Maine to Arizona with their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Newton, and their Minnie Australian Shepherd, Remi.
They plan to enjoy the West for a while. Writing is Terri's passion, but she also loves hiking, kayaking, walking her dogs, and anything she can do outdoors.