It’s a momentous occasion folks, as we unveil the priceless know-how of the land of many embows and judgmental hoodoos, and thus, share our insider tips about Arches National Park.
We know you know this, okay— Arches should definitely be on the agenda when boppin’ around Moab, especially for the first time. It’s so obvious it didn’t even need to be said. But we said it anyway, because as we’ve learned from those who play music through their speakers and leave trash on the trails out here, well known and universally agreed upon sentiments are, in fact, not always so obvious to others.
Another obvious sentiment— This national park never gets old, not even for the arch-ogling veterans like the ones writing to you now. And because of our fruitful experience and good Moaboan nature, we thought it was time to put an end to the gatekeeping. So go forth, and cherry pick from the riveting local insights we’ve laid out below!
Go Early or Late
First things first, when in the hoo-doo heck should you go? Heading to the park during early morning or evening is definitely our favorite time to be in Arches National Park. Not only are the temperatures far more obliging than the midday heat (not to mention in a destination indubitably short on shade), but there’s also a lot more solitude. And we’re big on that.
Tips for Morning Visits:
For the early birds flocking into Arches, we like to get to the park between 4 am and 6 am to catch the sunrise at Delicate Arch, and in turn enjoy the rare opportunity to have it all to ourselves. Like we said, solitude. Ahhh.
Now, if you’re understandably uninterested in hiking uphill for 1.5 miles first thing in the morning, head over to the Delicate Arch Lower Viewpoint parking lot. And if you’re up for just a half mile jaunt, head to the Upper Viewpoint. This is just as fine a place to enjoy the sun rise upon the park’s poster child, coffee in one hand, DSLR in the other.
Tips for Evening Visits:
For a later rendezvous, we’re hot on the Devil’s Garden at the very end of the park. While this arch-filled area can be superbly busy during the day, we’ve had the trails all to ourselves after 4 pm. If this seems too late to enjoy it but you’re visiting between June and August, you’ll have sunlight until 9 pm.
For sunset, there’s no beating a quick trip over to The Windows Section and Double Arch to watch things glow down, or up. Or across, for that matter.
And once the almighty Utah sun has called it a day, the stargazing is absolutely impeccable in Arches. However if you’re planning to hike, it can definitely be hazardous if you don’t have some existing knowledge of the trails, along with a good headlamp and backup lights.
So if you’re going to Arches for the first time to stargaze, we recommend staying on trails without exposure and terrain that’ll easily break an ankle. Balanced Rock, Park Avenue and the Upper Viewpoint of Delicate Arch are great options for night walks and viewing areas.
Busy Season Workarounds
The busiest months in Arches National Park are May, June and September. And with the new Timed Entry System that requires a reservation from 7 am to 4 pm, getting into the park during these months can be a little tricky if you’re not diligent about snagging your ticket a month in advance.
If you’re not able to get a timeslot, don’t be salty— there are plenty of alternatives to exploring Moab’s many, many arches beyond the park. You can read about other arches to see around Moab here. OR! As we mentioned earlier, you can always go before 7 am or after 4 pm, our preferred times to go anyway.
Visiting During Winter:
The least busy months in Arches are December, January and February. This is a pretty magical time to be in Moab, not only for that sweet, sweet solitude, but also for the unique beauty of snow on red rock.
But if waltzing around on snow covered trails isn’t your thing, but you’d like to visit when the park is barren of your fellow species, November and December are typically dry. For those who are interested in coming with the snow, bring some high traction, waterproof footwear and hiking poles— it gets pretty slick on the slickrock when there’s ice.
Also, be sure to bring substantial winter clothing. It may be the desert, but the winters are just as harsh as the summers out here. On top of the low temperatures, the wind chill is pretty intense, so have a wind shell to go over your layers, and something to cover your ears. It also never hurts to put some hot chocolate (or a hot toddy) in a thermos during your winter jaunt in Arches.
Lesser Known Hikes in Arches
Ring Arch, 2.9 miles
Why we love it: Big wide meadows with jaw dropping, 360° views the entire trek, and a massive, circular, thin arch as the prize. Hence the name!
The Ring Arch trail isn’t well marked, so downloading a trail map can be handy. And like many of the trails in Arches, there’s no shade. So cover up!
As for the trailhead— it isn’t marked at all, which helps it stay under the radar. It starts from a small parking strip along the main road at Courthouse Wash which is about 8 miles into the park. Use this Google Maps link to ensure you don’t drive past it. Then cross the crosswalk to start on the trail.
Tower Arch, 2.6 miles
Why we love it: The hoodoos, sand dune scrambles, and fins you’ll traverse getting to an impressive arch.
Tower Arch is a moderately difficult hike that requires some scrambling and trudging through loose sand without much shade along the way.
The trailhead is accessible either from Arches Salt Wash Road within the park limits, or from Klondike Bluffs Road that starts outside of the park from Willow Springs. Both are dirt roads, with the Salt Wash Road being more maintained and easier to drive. To that, we’d still recommend a 4WD and some extra clearance.
Tips for the Fiery Furnace
Your first question is probably; How fiery is the furnace in there? Our answer; It’s straight fire. So fire, that this area requires a permit. It also comes without super clearly marked trails, so getting turned around is pretty common in this maze of fins.
If that doesn’t sound fun to you, consider going on one of the guided hikes with a park ranger. For the individual permit goers, you should plan for at least 3 hours to explore all the nook and crannies of the side canyons (and the 9 hidden arches within them). Of our most useful insider tips about Arches— definitely save this detail: Go counter-clockwise when you first enter.
This area is all about the scrambles. Before you start thinking about brunch, we’re talking maneuvers, big delicious maneuvers that require all your appendages, and perhaps a couple crab walks if you’re feeling sassy. There’s also exposure in certain areas and steep crevices to cross, so leave your acrophobia at the Visitors Center after you pick up your permit.
This is a primitive area, so bring at least 2 quarts of water, electrolytes, snacks, and sun protection. What else could we boss you around about… Oh! Wear grippy hiking shoes and pants, since you’ll be scraping through narrow passages. It’s also mostly shaded in this sandstone labyrinth, so bring an extra layer for the chilly patches.
Ranger Guided tours are available on a first-come-first-serve basis and are released each day on Recreation.gov at 8:00 am. Individual permits are also first-come-first-serve online, and you can only acquire them between 2 and 7 days before you’re planning to go.
You’ll pick up the permit in person at the Visitor Center either the day of or day before. Both of these options sell out fast, so be ready to snag them first thing in the morning when they become available.
Awesome Spots Just Outside of Arches
Castle Valley River
For everything! River floats, hikes, and extreme sports! Castle Valley is the scenic section of the Colorado River just on the other side of Arches National Park.
It’s a great place for easy rafting, kayaking, and even SUPing for those who want (need) to get on the water. This dramatic area is also popular for hiking, climbing and base jumping.
Spots to check out:
- Fisher Towers
- Onion Creek
- Mary Jane Canyon
Bar M Mountain Bike Trail System
For the newby and black diamond mountain bikers alike, the Bar M Trail System is a must-ride just 15 minutes outside of Moab off HWY 191.
The locals love biking this area for the rolling slickrock, and the variety of difficulty and terrain. It’s located right outside of the Arches boundary lines, so you’ll get great views from just about any route.
Gemini Bridges Off Roading Trails
Located across from Arches National Park on the east side of Highway 191, Gemini Bridges is a popular off-roading area for its amazing canyons, panoramic views, and the Gemini Bridge!
Take a well equipped 4WD, high clearance vehicle for some fun out here. And if you don’t have one of those, you can easily join a Moab Jeep Tour where a knowledgeable and fun loving guide will take you into this beautiful maze of sandstone.
Things Not to Do in Arches National Park
Don’t: Skip out on the Visitor Center. It is so much more fulfilling to explore Arches National Park with the knowledge of the amazing geology that makes these formations possible. Not to mention the incredible human history of the area. Plus it’s air conditioned!
Don’t: Bring one single, sad bottle of water, no sunscreen, and smooth soled sneakers. As for how much water to bring, we say at least 3 quarts. Camelbacks and their knockoffs are great for those long hot hikes.
Don’t: Stop and stand in the middle of a trail when it’s busy. It is remarkable how common this practice has become, regardless of how kerfuffled it makes the flow for other hikers. Just step to the side, and we’ll all love ya for it.
Don’t: Play music on a speaker. Do we really have to explain this one? Why do we keep having to say this? I swear if you don’t put your headphones in—!
Don’t: Bring your pets. Pet’s are never allowed on the trails in any National Park. Plus with the relentless sun no matter what time of year it is, you’re basically leaving them in an oven by keeping them in your car.
Don’t: Act like you don’t know about Leave No Trace. Keep it clean and pristine folks!
Don’t: Forgot to be in the moment, and enjoy this amazing place. Wishing you many embow frolics ahead!
That’s that for our insider tips to Arches National Park. We hope this helps you get the most out of your visit, and you stop by for some more fun with us on the Colorado River or on our Moab Jeep Tours!
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