Proactive planning is crucial for a pleasant visit. The red rocky landscape near Arches may feel timeless, dreamy or even otherworldly. The national park website has a great graphic showing the busiest times to visit Arches NP, as well as tips on how to avoid the crowds. Be patient, visit nearby attractions, or plan a visit during the slower season.
Relatively speaking, Arches is a fairly compact park (with around 76,000 acres) with very few named routes. Take a hike and you can see even more.
How many days do you need to see Arches National Park?
With just 2 days in Arches National Park, you can do this area justice and spend some time in Moab while you’re at it. If you have any questions about how you can spend a day in Arches National Park, let us know in the comment section below. But if you want to take your time and explore some hidden gems and places off the beaten path, plan a two-day stay in Arches National Park. Especially when visiting in summer, it’s nice to have extra time to interrupt hikes early in the day and later in the evening to avoid the midday heat.
One day is really all you need in Iceland in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park if you stick to the viewpoints and shorter trails.
What is the best month to visit Arches National Park?
Now that you’ve learned the best time to visit Arches, you’re ready to make your dream trip a reality. In November, there are still a few crowds to deal with, but much more manageable compared to the summer months. With ranger-guided hikes and many other programs, May is one of the best months to travel to Arches National Park. The Arches National Park and the other parks in the system are being flooded with families and coaches.
October is a heavenly time to be Arches. You’re likely to have perfect conditions to explore the park.
Is it worth visiting Arches National Park?
The 1.6 mile (round trip) Devils Garden Trail leads to the longest arch in Park Landscape Arch at over 300 feet. Since Arches National Park is open 24 hours a day, you can visit it anytime during the night for fantastic stargazing opportunities. The Delicate Arch is actually considered the most popular in the entire Arches National Park and I had the opportunity to see it on my trip but from afar. Not only will you find over 2,000 arches here, but you’ll also see hoodoos, sandstone fins, massive mesas, and balanced rocks.
If you’ve been looking for “Arches vs Canyonlands,” you probably don’t have much time and want to optimize.
Can you just drive through Arches National Park?
You could spend a few hours or most of a day driving the 36-mile road (round trip) through Arches National Park. Scenic Arches Drive is a busy 22-mile paved road with plenty of great viewpoints and spectacular stops along the way. Continue along Windows Road to the end and park on the property for Windows and Turret Arch. After stopping at the Arches National Park Visitor Center, drive up steep serpentines on a paved park road.
Depending on your thirst for knowledge and your ambition to search it, you may choose to have a professional spoon provide you with information or opt to study books, maps, and information park signs along the way.