Arches National Park: Best Hikes, Must-See Stops & 1-Day Itinerary
Updated September 2026
IN THIS GUIDE
Delicate Arch • One-Day Itinerary • Best Hikes • Devils Garden • Fiery Furnace • Entrance Fees • Where to Stay • What to Pack • Canyonlands
Planning a Trip to Arches National Park near Moab, Utah?
This is one national park that absolutely lived up to the hype for us.
Home to more than 2,000 documented natural stone arches, Arches is one of those places that almost doesn't look real. Massive walls of orange sandstone rise out of the desert, impossibly thin arches stretch across the sky, and huge boulders appear to balance in places where gravity says they shouldn't.
We hiked to Delicate Arch in triple-digit heat, entered the maze of the Fiery Furnace with a park ranger, set out toward Double O Arch by headlamp before sunrise, and discovered a number of smaller hikes that ended up being some of our favorites.
And getting there led us to one of the best scenic drives of our entire trip.
This updated Arches National Park guide covers the best hikes, must-see arches, current 2026 entrance information, where to stay in Moab, what to bring, and how I would spend one day in Arches National Park knowing what I know now.
Arches National Park at a Glance
Arches National Park sits just outside Moab in southeastern Utah and protects more than 2,000 documented natural stone arches, along with fins, pinnacles, balanced rocks and some truly bizarre geological formations. Landscape Arch alone has a 306-foot opening and is the longest natural arch in North America.
A few things to know before you go:
Entrance fee: $30 per private vehicle for a seven-day pass.
Timed entry in 2026: Arches is not requiring advance timed-entry reservations in 2026, although entrance lines and full parking lots can still occur during busy periods.
Best time to visit: Spring and fall generally provide the most comfortable hiking temperatures. Summer can be brutally hot.
How long do you need? You can see many of the highlights in one full day, but I would recommend at least two days if you want to hike Delicate Arch, Devils Garden or Fiery Furnace without rushing.
Closest town: Moab, Utah.
Don't underestimate the desert: Carry plenty of water, protect yourself from the sun and don't count on cell service.
One other piece of advice: start early. You'll beat some of the crowds, find parking more easily, and avoid the worst heat of the day.
One Day in Arches National Park: How I Would Do It
If I only had one day in Arches National Park, I'd get through the entrance as early as possible and make it a long one.
Start with Park Avenue, one of the first major stops after entering the park. Even if you don't hike the entire trail, walk out to the viewpoint.
From there, continue toward The Windows and Double Arch. This area gives you a tremendous amount of scenery without requiring hours of hiking. Double Arch in particular is one of those places where photographs don't prepare you for the scale of it.
Stop at Balanced Rock on your way through the park. You can see it from the road, but get out of the car and walk around it. It's much more impressive when you're standing underneath this enormous rock trying to figure out why it hasn't fallen over.
Next, head toward Devils Garden. If your time and energy are limited, hike to Landscape Arch and return. If you're an experienced hiker with plenty of time, the trail continues toward Double O Arch and becomes considerably more challenging.
I'd save Delicate Arch for later in the day, especially if temperatures are high. The hike is strenuous, exposed and almost completely without shade. Allow several hours and don't underestimate it.
If hiking Delicate Arch isn't realistic for you, use the Delicate Arch viewpoints instead.
And if you still have energy after sunset, look up.
Arches is spectacular during the day, but the desert night sky can be just as memorable.
The Scenic Route to Moab We Almost Missed
Our trip to Arches actually began several hours away in Aspen.
It was a cool, crisp morning, and the smell of pine was still in the air as we started the roughly three-and-a-half-hour drive toward Moab on Interstate 70.
About two hours into the drive, the Big Gulp-sized coffees we'd consumed that morning made a rest stop less of a suggestion and more of an emergency.
That bathroom break ended up changing our trip.
We struck up a conversation with a retiree working at the Fruita Welcome Center. He happened to be from a town in New Jersey not far from where we lived, and after talking for a few minutes he told us we shouldn't take the normal route into Moab.
Instead, he told us to take Utah Scenic Byway 128.
So we did.
At first, we thought we'd made a terrible mistake.
The road was rough enough that I started wondering whether our rental car was going to survive. We blindly followed the advice of a complete stranger while bouncing along a road that felt more appropriate for cattle than rental cars.
Thankfully, things improved.
And then the scenery became spectacular.
Highway 128 follows the Colorado River through towering red-rock walls on the way toward Moab. The sunlight seemed to dance across the river while illuminating the canyon walls around us.
We stopped repeatedly for photographs.
What had started as a questionable detour became one of the best drives of our trip.
Sometimes the best travel advice really does come from a stranger at a rest stop.
The Colorado River along Scenic Byway 128
Why Arches National Park Is So Incredible
There are landscapes that are beautiful, and then there are landscapes that make you continually ask:
How the heck did that happen?
Arches falls into the second category.
The National Park Service has documented more than 2,000 natural stone arches within the park. Water, ice, temperature changes, erosion and the underlying geology have gradually sculpted the sandstone into the landscape we see today.
And it isn't finished.
Arches continue to change. Pieces fall. Openings get larger. Some formations eventually collapse while the long process that forms new ones continues.
Standing underneath these formations makes geological time feel a little more real.
It also makes you feel very, very small.
Arches National Park Entrance Fees and Reservations for 2026
As of 2026, the standard entrance fee for a private vehicle is $30, valid for seven days. Arches also offers its own annual park pass.
One major change from recent years is important for anyone planning a 2026 trip:
Arches National Park is not requiring timed-entry reservations during 2026.
That does not mean crowds have disappeared. The National Park Service warns that temporary entrance delays can occur and that parking at popular trailheads can fill, particularly during weekends, holidays and busy seasons.
Check the official National Park Service website immediately before your trip because park rules can change from year to year.
Best Hikes and Must-See Stops in Arches National Park
Delicate Arch
If Arches National Park has a celebrity, this is it.
Delicate Arch is probably the most recognizable formation in the park and the image most people associate with Utah.
But seeing it in person is completely different.
The hike is approximately 3 miles round trip, takes most people around two to three hours, climbs about 538 feet, and is rated strenuous by the National Park Service. There is little shade, and the route crosses open slickrock before following a narrow ledge near the arch.
We made the questionable decision of doing it in roughly 100-degree temperatures.
Don't do what we did.
Take your time, carry plenty of water, wear proper shoes and avoid the midday summer heat.
Then there was one of my favorite ridiculous travel moments.
While we were at Delicate Arch, someone from a YouTube channel approached me and asked whether I would pretend that Delicate Arch had been stolen for a video they were making.
Of course I said yes.
There was absolutely no way I was passing up an opportunity to embarrass my wife while simultaneously making a fool out of myself on YouTube.
Somewhere in cyberspace, there may still be a video of me yelling about someone stealing Delicate Arch.
I only wish I could remember the name of the channel.
Joking aside, Delicate Arch genuinely affected me.
Sitting there beneath this enormous natural formation, surrounded by desert and sky, was one of those rare moments when everything slows down.
For me, it was a spiritual place.
Delicate Arch
Delicate Arch
Fiery Furnace
The Fiery Furnace is unlike any other hike we did in Arches.
Rather than following a conventional trail, you enter a maze of narrow sandstone passages, fins and dead ends.
Today, you must either join a ranger-guided hike or obtain a self-guided exploration permit. For self-guided visits, permits must currently be reserved in advance, and first-time visitors are encouraged by the National Park Service to go with a ranger or someone experienced with the area.
I highly recommend the ranger experience.
Our hike required squeezing through narrow spaces, scrambling over rock and moving along ledges. It wasn't simply a walk through the desert.
The ranger also taught us something that has stuck with me ever since: watch where you step.
What looks like black crusty dirt in parts of the desert is biological soil crust—a living community that plays an important role in the desert ecosystem. A careless footstep can damage something that took years to develop.
The Fiery Furnace ended up being one of our favorite experiences in the park, not only because of the scenery but because we understood the landscape better when we left.
If you want to do it, plan ahead. Current permits can sell out during busy periods.
Fiery Furnace: Along the Loop Trail with the Ranger.
Fiery Furnace
Landscape Arch and Double O Arch
This was an adventure.
I woke at roughly 3 a.m., drove from Moab into Arches, continued all the way toward Devils Garden and started hiking in complete darkness with headlamps.
My goal was to reach the area around Double O Arch for sunrise.
Once you continue beyond Landscape Arch, the trail becomes much more serious. There are exposed sections, rock scrambling and areas where route-finding requires your attention.
The full Devils Garden trail system can extend to about 7.9 miles, while the route toward Double O includes steep climbs, ledges and drop-offs.
Walking through the desert before dawn was eerie and beautiful at the same time.
And then the sky began to change.
Watching sunrise out there was one of the most breathtaking moments of our trip.
On the return, I stopped at Landscape Arch.
Landscape Arch has an opening measuring approximately 306 feet, making it the longest natural arch in North America. At its narrowest point, it looks almost impossibly thin. Large pieces have broken away from the formation in the past, which is a powerful reminder that these landscapes are not permanent.
If you want an easier experience, simply hike to Landscape Arch and turn around.
If you're continuing toward Double O, understand that you're entering much more challenging terrain.
Landscape Arch
Pondering my spirituality and faith. I was truly thankful for this experience.
Park Avenue
Having grown up in New York City, there was no way I was going to Arches National Park without seeing Park Avenue.
It appears shortly after entering the park and is surrounded by enormous sandstone walls and formations including the Three Gossips, The Organ and Tower of Babel.
The Park Avenue trail is about 1.8 miles round trip and is currently rated moderate. If you don't want to do the full hike, the viewpoint alone is worth the stop.
New York City will always be my favorite city.
But I'll admit it:
Arches has the better Park Avenue. (See Below)
Park Avenue
Skyline Arch
Skyline Arch is easy to overlook because it competes with so many famous formations nearby.
Don't skip it.
The trail is only about 0.4 mile round trip and generally takes 10–20 minutes. In 1940, a large piece of sandstone fell from the arch, dramatically enlarging its opening. Remnants of that rockfall can still be seen at its base.
For the amount of effort required, Skyline Arch gives you a pretty impressive payoff.
Skyline Arch
Broken Arch
The first time I heard the name Broken Arch, I assumed the obvious.
I figured it was broken.
It's not.
Broken Arch is another beautiful formation, but it doesn't attract the attention that Delicate Arch and Landscape Arch receive.
From the Sand Dune Arch trailhead, the current out-and-back hike to Broken Arch is about 1.2 miles, takes roughly 30–60 minutes and is rated easy.
That makes it a great option if you're trying to get away from some of the more crowded areas of the park.
Broken Arch
Double Arch
If you want a huge visual payoff without committing to something like the Delicate Arch hike, put Double Arch high on your list.
The approach is relatively short and the main trail has a hard-packed surface.
But it's the scale that gets you.
You can see Double Arch in photographs a hundred times and still not understand how massive it is until you're standing at its base.
It's absolutely jaw-dropping.
For visitors who aren't physically able to make the Delicate Arch hike, the Windows area and Double Arch provide some of the biggest scenery in Arches with considerably less effort.
Double Arch
Double Arch
Balanced Rock
Balanced Rock is different from most of the formations you'll see in Arches because the first question everyone seems to ask is the same:
How is that thing still standing?
You can see it from the park road, but I strongly recommend getting out of the car.
Walk around it.
Change your perspective.
Then stare at the enormous rock perched above you and try to convince yourself that gravity has everything under control.
I just wouldn't want to be standing there on the day gravity finally wins.
Balanced Rock
What to Bring to Arches National Park
My biggest recommendation is simple:
Bring more water than you think you'll need.
This is a desert environment, and summer temperatures can become dangerous quickly. The National Park Service specifically warns hikers on exposed trails such as Delicate Arch to avoid midday summer heat and notes that there is no drinking water at the Delicate Arch trailhead.
I would carry plenty of water, electrolytes, sunscreen, a hat, snacks, a small first-aid kit, a downloaded trail map or paper copy and a headlamp if there's any possibility you'll be hiking near sunrise or sunset.
Wear actual hiking shoes with good traction.
And don't rely entirely on your phone.
Cell coverage can be limited. Download maps before entering the park and know where you're going before setting out.
The desert is beautiful.
It is also completely indifferent to the fact that you're on vacation.
A few things I might bring:
If you are looking to travel lighter, check out my men’s packing list article!
Where We Stayed in Moab
We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites in Moab.
I'm normally partial to boutique hotels, but this was one of those occasions when a chain hotel worked perfectly for us.
We had easy access to town and Arches, a comfortable place to come back to after hiking all day, breakfast before heading out and—possibly the most important feature after hiking through Utah in the heat—a pool.
Moab has grown into a major outdoor-travel destination, so there are now plenty of lodging choices ranging from hotels and resorts to campgrounds and vacation rentals.
If your primary reason for visiting is Arches, I'd prioritize location and convenience over luxury.
When you're waking up before sunrise to hike, twenty extra minutes in the car suddenly matters.
Moab can also get extremely busy during the peak spring and fall seasons, so I’d compare lodging prices before your travel dates are locked in
Affiliate disclosure: Some links in this article are affiliate links. If you make a booking or purchase a product through one of these links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting Riel American!
Photo courtesy of Holiday Inn Express https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/moab/cnymb/hoteldetail
Where We Ate in Moab
We tried several restaurants during our stay.
Some were forgettable.
One place we returned to was the Moab Brewery, which had a good selection and became one of our better casual meals in town.
But honestly, many of our meals weren't glamorous.
We bought fruit, salads and food from the local grocery store and ate either at the hotel or while we were out exploring.
When you're hiking all day, sometimes convenience wins.
Don't Miss Canyonlands National Park
If you're staying in Moab for several days, don't make the mistake of visiting Arches and immediately leaving.
Canyonlands National Park is nearby and deserves its own day if your schedule allows.
One of its most famous attractions is Mesa Arch in the Island in the Sky district.
The trail is currently about 0.6 mile round trip, takes approximately 30 minutes and is rated easy. Mesa Arch sits right at the edge of the mesa and frames an extraordinary view of the canyon and La Sal Mountains in the distance.
Sunrise is especially famous here.
One word of caution:
This is real wilderness.
There are significant drop-offs in Canyonlands, and not every scenic overlook comes with the kind of barrier you may expect at a tourist attraction.
Respect the edge.
No photograph is worth falling off a cliff for.
Mesa Arch Just beyond that opening is the 500 foot drop.
Arches National Park FAQ
Can you see Arches National Park in one day?
Yes. One full day gives you enough time to drive through much of the park and see several major attractions including Park Avenue, Balanced Rock, the Windows area and Double Arch. You can also fit in one longer hike if you start early.
Two days is better if you want to hike both Delicate Arch and Devils Garden without feeling rushed.
Do you need a reservation for Arches National Park in 2026?
No advance timed-entry reservation is required for Arches National Park in 2026. However, the park can temporarily slow or delay entrance when traffic and parking become congested.
Is the Delicate Arch hike difficult?
Yes. The National Park Service rates the 3-mile round-trip hike as strenuous. It includes approximately 538 feet of elevation change, significant sun exposure, slickrock and a narrow ledge near the end.
What is the best easy hike in Arches National Park?
If you want maximum scenery for relatively little hiking, I'd look at Double Arch, Skyline Arch or the Windows area. Landscape Arch is longer but is another excellent choice for visitors who don't want to attempt the more strenuous trails beyond it.
How far is Arches National Park from Moab?
The entrance to Arches is only a few miles north of Moab, making Moab the natural base for exploring the park.
Is Arches National Park worth visiting?
Without question.
I've visited places that looked incredible in photographs and were disappointing in person.
Arches was the opposite!!
The photographs don't capture the scale.
Double O Arch at Sunrise
Final Thoughts: More Than Rocks in the Desert
Arches National Park surprised me.
I expected beautiful scenery.
I didn't expect the place to affect me emotionally.
There were moments when I stopped thinking about how many miles we'd hiked, how hot it was or where we were going next and simply looked around.
Standing beneath Delicate Arch, walking through the desert before sunrise, seeing those enormous sandstone formations against the sky—it makes you contemplate how briefly we're actually here.
“By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host.”
— Psalm 33:6
For me, Arches was a spiritual experience and a reminder of God's wonder.
Even if you aren't particularly religious, I think it's difficult to stand in a place like this and not feel something.
The rocks have been here for an incomprehensible amount of time.
We get, what, 70, 80, maybe 90 years if we're fortunate?
That thought doesn't make me sad.
It makes me grateful.
Grateful for the crazy life I've been able to live. Grateful for the people with whom I've shared it. Grateful that I've been fortunate enough to stand in places like this and stare in wonder.
And maybe that's one of the reasons we travel in the first place.
Not simply to see another place.
But to occasionally be reminded just how incredible it is that we're here at all.
We left Arches already talking about coming back.
I still want to.
And next time, I'm bringing more water.
Canyonlands NP Doing stupid things for a photo.
