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Arches National Park

Visiting Arches? From April 1 to July 6 and August 28 to October 31, visitors are required to have a timed entry ticket to enter the park between 7 am and 4 pm. In this video, rangers outline what you must do to get your ticket.

Arches National Park is the "do not miss" park to see in the Moab area!

Distance from Moab 5 miles (8 km)
Directions from Moab The entrance to Arches is located 5 miles (8 km) north of Moab, along Highway 191.
Park Hours Between April 3 and October 3rd, reservations are required between 6am and 5pm.  More information below.
Arches Entrance Fee $35/vehicle – Good for 7 days (Subject to change)
Visitor Center & Hours The visitor center includes interactive exhibits, educational kiosks, a 150-seat auditorium, and a bookstore featuring guide books, maps, DVD’s, postcards, and much more.  The park is open 24 hours/day, 365 days/year; however, the visitor center hours vary by season.  (435) 719-2299

 

Located just 5 miles (8 km) north of Moab is Arches National Park, which contains the world’s largest concentration of natural sandstone arches. Although over 2,000 arches are located within the park’s 76,518 acres, the park also contains an astounding variety of other geological formations. Colossal sandstone fins, massive balanced rocks, soaring pinnacles and spires dwarf visitors as they explore the park’s viewpoints and hiking trails.  A paved scenic drive takes visitors to many of the major viewpoints within the park.  The park’s rock formations delight children as well as adults. Many easy trails provide opportunities for kids to get out of the car and explore the arches up close.  Hikers can choose from a wide variety of trails, from short twenty-minute walks leading right up to many of the largest arches in the park to more adventurous hikes into lesser-seen areas.

Suggested Activities in Arches National Park

AVAILABLE TIME SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES
2-3 hours Drive the 36 mile (58 km) round trip Scenic Drive through Arches National Park.
1/2 day Drive the Scenic Drive and hike some of the easy short trails in the park, such as the Park Avenue Trail and trails in the Windows Section of the park.
Full Day Drive the Scenic Drive and hike some of the longer trails in the park, such as the trails to Double O Arch, Tower Arch, Delicate Arch, and Landscape Arch.
Several Days Hikers can experience a wide variety of hiking trails, including some of the lesser-seen, yet equally spectacular, areas of the park such as the “Primitive Loop” in the Devil’s Garden Section of the park.

Arches National Park Map

Arches National Park Map

Arches National Park Reservation System Information

Frequently Asked Questions

When are reservations required?

Between April 1 through July 6th and August 28th through October 31, reservations are required for your vehicle to enter Arches National Park every day between 7 am and 4 pm. Reservations will allow visitors to enter the park during a one-hour window. For example, a 7 am ticket will allow entry between 7:00 and 7:59 am. Once you are inside the park, you can stay as long as you like.

Once your Timed Entry Ticket is validated, You can exit and re-enter the park on the same day. Re-entry on a different day will require a new timed entry ticket.

How can I make a reservation?
Reservations are available through any of the following:

  • Online at Recreation.gov (free account required)
  • Using the Recreation.gov mobile app (iOS/Android)
  • Call the Reservation Line at 877-444-6777
  • Call the Reservation Line (TDD) at 877-833-6777
  • Assistance is available in person at the Moab Information Center downtown.

There are no same-day sales at the park or through park offices.

How far in advance can I make my reservation?

  • 3 Months in Advance - Reservations can be made 3 months in advance of your visit.
  • One Day Before Your Visit—A limited number of tickets will be available for purchase one day before entry at 7 p.m. MDT through Recreation.gov. These are expected to sell out quickly, so visitors are encouraged to plan ahead.

How much does it cost to get a reservation?
The non-refundable reservation fee is $2 per day.

Do I need to pay an Entrance Fee in addition to the Reservation Fee?
Yes. Entrance fees still apply. (Park passes are accepted.) Entrance Fees can be paid at the entrance station.

What if I have a campground reservation and/or a Fiery Furnace permit? 
Reservations will not be required for those with camping permits, backcountry permits, or Fiery Furnace permits.  You must show your campground reservation or other permit for entry into the park. Entrance fees still apply.

Do bicycles require reservations?
No, but the appropriate park entrance fee must be paid at the entrance station.

Is the reservation per person or per vehicle?
The reservation is for a vehicle (15 passenger capacity or less) and all its occupants.

Requirements for Entering the Park

From April 1 - July 6 and August 28 - October 31, visitors entering the park in a vehicle will require two things:

1. A timed entry ticket (purchased in advance). Print or save a digital copy of the timed entry ticket with confirmation code and have it available to be scanned at the park entrance station. Timed entry ticket holder must be in the vehicle at time of entry. Photo ID will be required.

2. Park entrance fee paid upon arrival or paid in advance OR a valid annual or lifetime pass (e.g., Annual, Senior, Access, Military, 4th Grade, or Volunteer passes) presented upon arrival. Visitors will have access to the entire park but are not guaranteed parking. Photo ID will be required.

For more information about timed entry, visit the park's Timed Entry Pilot web page .

 

Ticket duration

This timed entry ticket is valid for entry only during the one-hour period reserved. You may not enter before your scheduled entry time. You may arrive anytime within that one hour window. Once you have entered the park you can exit and re-enter the park any time that same day. Re-entry on a different day will require an additional timed entry ticket.

 

Timed Entry Exceptions

You do not need to reserve a timed entry ticket for entry to Arches National Park if: you have a Devils Garden campground permit, backcountry camping permit, Fiery Furnace permit, Special Use Permit, Commercial Use Authorization, hold a Concessions contract with the park OR if you arrive on foot or on bicycle. Please present your other permit or authorization at the entrance station for verification.

 

Annual and Lifetime Pass Holders

Interagency Annual and Lifetime passes are accepted as your park entrance fee, but not as your timed entry reservation. Passholders will be required to pay the $2.00 reservation fee and secure a timed entry ticket to enter between 7 AM and 4 PM.

 

ATV/OHV

Off-highway vehicles (ATVs, OHVs, UTVs, etc.) are prohibited in Arches National Park.

 

Non-transferable

Tickets cannot be sold, auctioned, or transferred.

Can't Get a Reservation?

Visit before 6 AM or after 4 PM- Consider visiting the park before 6 am or after 4 pm.  Reservations are not required during those times.  Sunrise and sunset are two of the most beautiful times to visit and photograph Arches National Park.

Commercial Tours - Take a commercial tour of Arches National Park.  Try the Arches Bus Tour or the National Park 4x4 Tours.
There are also many great tours outside of the park.

Spend some time in Downtown Moab - Enjoy Moab's great selection of restaurants, shops, galleries, and museums.

Visit Moab's Other Parks - Visit some of the other parks in the Moab area, such as Dead Horse Point State Park and Canyonlands National Park.

Hike on BLM Land - Enjoy some hikes on the thousands of square miles of beautiful Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land surrounding Moab.