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 Reservation System Information
Frequently Asked Questions
When are reservations required?
Between April 3, 2022, and October 3, 2022 reservations are required for your vehicle to enter Arches National Park every day between 6 am and 5 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.
You can also exit and re-enter the park on the same day once your Timed Entry Ticket is validated.
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:
- April reservations (April 3-30) open January 3.
- May reservations (May 1-31) open February 1.
- June reservations (June 1-30) open March 1.
- July reservations (July 1-31) open April 1.
- August reservations (August 1-31) open May 1.
- September reservations (September 1-30) open June 1.
- October reservations (October 1-3) open July 1.
One Day Before Your Visit - A limited number of tickets will be available for purchase one day prior to entry at 6 pm MDT through Recreation.gov. These are expected to sell out quickly and 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.
Can't Get a Reservation?
Visit before 6 AM or after 5 PM- Consider visiting the park before 6 am or after 5 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.
Commerical 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.