9 Rad Things to Do in Arches National Park

1. Drive the 18-Mile Scenic Road

If you only have a half-day, the easiest way to see an overview of the park is on the Scenic Drive. Carve out at least 4-5 hours to drive every paved road with 10 minutes at each viewpoint. 

Pro Tip: The Windows area is the perfect easy stop for those passing through

2. Hike a Trail →

Arches is a great hiking park whether you want a 15-minute stroll or a multi-day hike.

We highly recommend the 7.2-mile Devil’s Garden Loop Trail, one of the park’s most iconic hikes. It takes you to several famous arches, and the hike was a lot of fun, with diverse landscapes and some scrambling.

See all the best hikes in Arches National Park, including their difficulties here.

See More: 11 Best Hikes in Arches National Park You Simply Can’t Miss

3. Enjoy Sunrise or Sunset at Delicate Arch →

Delicate Arch is hands down the most famous arch in the park and arguably in the world. Depending on how you look at it, sunset can be the best or worst time of day. 

Sunset gives you the best light on the arch, but it is the most crowded time. We opted to avoid the crowd and try our luck at sunrise.

The 3-mile hike can be tricky to navigate in the dark since there are many portions where it’s easy to get lost, but we were able to make it to the Arch before sunrise, and we enjoyed the Arch peacefully with two other people.

Even when it’s crowded, the iconic arch is still worth visiting. However, the rest of the park has plenty of incredible rock formations, including arches, fins, balanced rocks, and more, without the crowds.

Photography Tip: If you go at sunrise, the best light happens before the sun rises over the horizon. After, you will get mixed lighting on the arch from the tall rocks to the left of it.

See More: Delicate Arch Hike in Arches National Park

4. Camp Under the Stars

Arches National Park only has 50 campsites that accommodate up to 10 people, but if you’re lucky enough to get one, you won’t be disappointed. Camp under the stars with the amazing arches and boulders looking over you. Sites can be reserved between March 1 and October 1 and are first-come, first-serve November 1 to February 28.

5. Backpacking

If you can’t get a campsite, you can still stay in the backcountry! Arches is a relatively small park, so there isn’t as much backcountry, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of beautiful spots to discover.

6. Join a Ranger-Led Program

Ranger-led programs let get some unique insight into the park you’re exploring. They have a handful of them at Arches, but we keep hearing that the Fiery Furnace Hike is the best! You can only explore it with a ranger, and it’s a 3-hr, strenuous hike that involves rock scrambling. Unfortunately, for us, it was full when we tried to sign up, but we’ll have to catch it next time we’re at the park.

7. Horseback Ride Through the park

Though we haven’t explored this option much, the more parks we visit, we see that many of them have the option to horseback ride through the park on wash bottom routes. Neither of us are huge on horseback riding, but it’s something that we eventually want to try to see how much the perspective of the park changes on horseback. 😉

8. Rock Climbing and Canyoneering

Although you can’t climb any of the arches (RIP Dean Potter and RIP arch climbing), there are still some great routes to check out. See their rules, regulations, and closures here. On our recent trip, we forgot our climbing shoes, so we only played around a bit, but next time!!!

When the park developed it’s rock climbing routes, it was easy to also put together canyoneering spots. It’s a great way to experience the park as you rappel down the sandstone walls and narrow passageways. See their rules and how to register here.

Essential Tips for Visiting Arches National Park

The park can get really crowded during the summer. Arrive before 8 am or after 3 pm to avoid the busiest times. You can also check out their webcams to help you plan.

Bring plenty of water! It gets hot out here and most hikes are exposed. It’s recommended that you bring 4L per day. There are refill stations at the Visitor Center and Devils Garden Trailhead and Campground. These are our favorite water bottles.

Wear sturdy shoes with good traction. Even if you’re just on a short hike, the ground is uneven and it helps to have good shoes.

Some hikes will require scrambling. Don’t ever do anything beyond your comfort level (though I have to push myself a little beyond mine because I’m scared of everything).

Don’t wander on your own and make sure someone always knows where you are.

Lightning and flash flooding can happen. Keep track of the weather and if you see lighting, head back to your car (avoid lone trees, cliff edges, and high ridges).

Where to Stay

What’s Nearby

Canyonlands National Park (26.2 mi / 30 min, map)

Capitol Reef National Park (133 mi / 2 hr 5 min, map)

Mesa Verde National Park (150 mi / 2 hr 50 min, map)

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Park (191 mi / 3 hr 22 min, map)

More Resources

Arches & Canyonlands National Park Guide

Best Easy Day Hikes Canyonlands and Arches National Parks

Utah Map

Arches National Park Map

Annual National Park Pass

USA National Parks Guide

National Park Passport