Arches National Park in Utah

Blue skies, bright red rocks, and gnarled juniper bushes - Arches National Park in eastern Utah is a photographer's paradise.

This is my third national park that I am visiting on my road trip through Utah. Am I getting tired of the red landscapes? A clear no! The scenery is so diverse, particularly Arches National Park with its more than 2,000 rock arches - there are no other places in the world with so many. What do you need to know if you want to visit Arches National Park, and what should you definitely not miss? In the following article, I will give you an insight.

Arches National Park was formed over 100 million years - extreme temperatures, ice, and erosion shaped the landscape into what you see today. Native Americans have used this area for thousands of years - their documentation and signs can still be seen on the rocks today.

Although millions of years old, the national park is constantly changing. Old arches collapse, and new ones are created. In 1991, an 18 x 3 meter piece broke off the Landscape Arch, resulting in an even slimmer appearance of the arch.

In summer, wildflowers provide a beautiful contrast, while in winter, white snow glistens on the red rocks. Arches National Park is rightly a popular destination year-round.

For Arches National Park, you need a reservation between April 1 and October 31. This is to manage the influx of visitors and ensure everyone has a pleasant experience.

There is only sporadic mobile reception inside the national park, and the visitor center at the park entrance does not have Wi-Fi. However, all services are available in Moab.

There are no restaurants or supply options in the national park; you must bring everything you need for your trip. Drinking water is available at the Arches Visitor Center and the Devils Garden Campground.

Arches National Park is not particularly large - if you just want to drive the scenic route, you'll be through in 1.5 hours. But where's the appeal in not stopping at the overlooks to get a closer look at the spectacular rock arches?

From the park entrance, the road winds 15 kilometers through the national park to 'Balanced Rock.' Here, I highly recommend a short detour to the 'Window Section' - this is where some of the most famous arches are located, including the Double Arch - two intertwined rock arches that you can reach after a short walk.

Back on the main road through the national park, continue north for another 4 kilometers until you reach a fork - the right leads to the viewpoint of the Delicate Arch. From there, you have a view from the road up to the arch. Alternatively, you can park at Wolfe Ranch and take a hike directly to the Delicate Arch - another strong recommendation from me!

Back at the fork going in the opposite direction leads you to the Devils Garden Campground, from where most hikes start, for example, to the famous Landscape Arch or

Just before the campground, the unpaved Salt Valley Road branches off to the left, leading you to the Klondike Bluffs and the Tower Arch. It is usually passable for cars without all-wheel drive, but it's best to check at the Visitor Center, as rain and snow can quickly change conditions.

While you get a good impression of its beauty while driving along the scenic road through Arches National Park - a walk or hike to one of the numerous arches allows you to dive deeper. The selection is vast - below, I will therefore present the most popular and beautiful hikes in the national park.

One of the shortest and most traveled paths in the entire national park. Follow the flat trail for 400 meters from the parking lot to reach the distinctive rock arches that are interconnected.

Although it can be challenging to get a photo of the Double Arch without other people, I believe a visit is definitely a must-see in Arches National Park.

The Landscape Arch is not only the longest arch in the national park but also one of the largest in the world with a span of 92 meters. In 1991, a huge piece broke off its arch, giving it an even more delicate appearance since then. At its thinnest point, the arch is only 3 meters thick. The 2.6-kilometer round trip is easy and relatively flat. The trailhead is located in Devils Garden.

My personal highlight in the park! The Delicate Arch is no longer a hidden gem - the rock arch has truly become a symbol of Utah. And even though the hike is rated as difficult, that doesn't deter visitors from trekking to this fantastic rock arch. The Delicate Arch is rightly used as a postcard motif. During the nearly 5-kilometer round hike, you'll occasionally need to follow rock cairns. Along the way, you will also pass by petroglyphs.

The most difficult hike in the national park. It traverses the entire Devils Garden and offers detours to the Private Arch, Dark Angel, Double O Arch, and Navajo Arch. The 12-kilometer round trip is recommended only for experienced hikers without a fear of heights, as narrow rock slabs and climbing sections must be tackled. Especially during the summer months, great caution is advised due to rising temperatures!

Since Arches National Park is very close to the lively outdoor town of Moab, you can perfectly set up your base here for a few days and take excursions in the surrounding area. After having been long in the solitude of Utah, I enjoyed spending some time in a small town and exploring the area. Looking for long hikes, seeking petroglyphs from Native Americans, or perhaps an off-road adventure? The possibilities are diverse!

Canyonlands National Park is also part of the Mighty 5 - Utah's five national parks. It is divided into three sections - the Needles, the Maze, and Island in the Sky. The northernmost of the three entrances - Island in the Sky is located directly west of Moab and is therefore ideal for a relaxed day trip.

Along the 18-kilometer scenic road, you will find numerous viewpoints. At the Grand View Point at the end of the road, you can gaze far beyond the needle-like part of the national park to the La Sal Mountains in the background. I also highly recommend the short hike to the Mesa Arch - the round trip takes just half an hour, but the view from the rock arch is truly spectacular.

18 kilometers north of Moab along Route 191, you will find the detour to Canyonlands National Park. From here, it is another 34 kilometers to the national park visitor center, where you will receive a brochure and map.

If you want to move a little off the beaten path, then the Shafer Trail is the right place for you. You absolutely need a four-wheel-drive vehicle. While you could possibly drive the winding route of the Shafer Trail down into the canyon with a regular vehicle, it would be impossible when you reach the bottom. Here, the Shafer Trail transitions into the Potash Road, for which you really need a 4x4. For 33 kilometers, you will traverse bare rocks and through small streams before getting back to pavement at the Potash Pools.

Highly recommended!

Head north from Moab to the turn-off for Canyonlands National Park. Just before reaching the visitor center, the road leads down to the Shafer Trail on the left. However, it is still worth taking the little detour to the visitor center because from here, you have a phenomenal view of the winding route you want to take down!

Have you not had enough of the rock arches and want to see another? Then I highly recommend the hike to the Corona Arch! The easy trail to the 32-meter-high arch is very popular (unfortunately also very crowded on weekends), but the views are truly worth it. Along the way, you'll have to overcome two simple ladders. The hike is very popular among dog owners.

From Moab, head north and turn left onto Potash Road (Route 279). After a total of 16 kilometers on the narrow road, which winds between the Colorado River and popular climbing rocks, you will arrive at the parking area for the Corona Arch. The nearly 4-kilometer hike (round trip) takes about 2 hours.

Near Moab, there are numerous remnants from the Cretaceous period. You can get an impression of this at Mill Creek Canyon. There, you can admire fossilized footprints of dinosaurs on a short walk. With the scenic backdrop of the area, one can almost envision how prehistoric giants strolled along here millions of years ago. I am typically hard to impress when it comes to archaeological finds, but on the 'Dinosaur Trail', you can actually see some large bones in the rock - and all is vividly explained on information panels.

About 25 kilometers north of Moab, you will find the road to Mill Creek Canyon on the left. A short stretch on the unpaved road will lead you to the Courthouse Rock Campground, where you can park and take the short walk to the dinosaur footprints.

For me, the national parks in Utah were part of my Panamericana trip. My journey led me from Nevada to Utah, where I drove through Bryce Canyon National Park to Capitol Reef National Park and on to Arches National Park.

If you are arriving by plane, Salt Lake City Airport is the most suitable option. Direct flights are available in the summer months from Frankfurt (duration: 11 hours). However, you will likely find cheaper fares if you are willing to have a layover, for example, in Paris. I like to use the platform skyscanner for flight searches.

Make sure to reserve a rental car in advance at the airport so you can start your adventure right away. Generally, a four-wheel-drive vehicle is not necessary for Utah - but it doesn't hurt to have one, as there are truly some fantastic off-road paths that you can drive. However, if you just want to visit the national parks, a regular vehicle will suffice.

By car, it takes about 4 hours from Salt Lake City to Arches National Park.

Enhance your visit to Arches National Park by also visiting the remaining national parks in Utah. They are collectively referred to as the 'Mighty 5' because they are the most beautiful national parks in Utah and take you along the most scenic roads of Utah. Alternatively, you could also supplement your road trip with a visit to the Grand Canyon.

You can find more information and planning tips here

1.5 million visitors flock to the national park each year - a number that continues to rise. From April to October, you need a reservation if you want to visit Arches National Park between 7 AM and 4 PM. These are the most crowded months, and parking lots are regularly full. During the summer months, temperatures often soar to 115°F - and hiking to the popular Delicate Arch can become quite uncomfortable.

If your visit falls within this period, I recommend starting early in the morning or scheduling activities for the evening hours to avoid both the highest temperatures and the largest crowds.

I visited Arches National Park in November - the park was well visited but not overcrowded, and the temperatures were pleasant. However, it does get dark early, and depending on what you want to do, you might want to plan two days for Arches National Park.

There are many German-language guidebooks for the USA. Personally, I like to buy the guidebooks from Lonely Planet, as I find them very detailed and amusing to read. You can choose between the general 'USA' edition or the specific version 'USA West', depending on which regions you plan to travel to.

If you prefer a guidebook with more pictures, there is also a German edition from 360° media that focuses exclusively on the sights and scenic roads in Utah.

Since I travel with my own camper, I have slept in the car. You can usually find free camping spots easily everywhere. Of course, there are also official campgrounds equipped with sanitary facilities.

If you plan to travel with an RV, I recommend the free app 'iOverlander'. It is similar to the European counterpart 'Park4Night' and is the number one for all camper-related matters in the USA. You can find paid and free camping spots and filter by all necessary travel-related criteria such as fresh water, gas stations, supermarkets, Wi-Fi, etc.

Camping in the national parks is logically not allowed. However, Arches National Park is relatively small, and you can enjoy it comfortably as a day trip. You can stay in Moab, where there are plenty of motels, hotels, and Airbnbs. Alternatively, you can camp in Arches National Park, but during the season, it is fully booked every night, and you should make your reservations early.

To enter the USA, you need an ESTA visa. You apply for it online before your trip. Usually, you receive confirmation within a few hours. Katrin has written an article about the visa for the USA with instructions on filling out the ESTA form.

Alternatively, you can also apply for a B-visa at the embassy, which allows you to stay in the country for six months. This would be especially advisable if you plan to travel the Panamericana like I do.

Bryce Canyon National Park is also managed by the National Park Service, so there are entrance fees. Currently (as of 2024), it is $35 per vehicle for Arches National Park.

Generally, it often makes sense to purchase the 'America the Beautiful' national park pass quickly. For $80, you can visit all national parks and national historical sites for a year. You can find more information about this here.

I hope my tips have helped you prepare perfectly for your road trip through Utah.

Do you want more travel inspiration? Then feel free to check out my personal blog www.chasingmemories.de or Instagram (www.instagram.com/chasingmemories.de).

Do you have any further questions or tips about Arches National Park or the Mighty 5?

I hope you enjoyed this article and found it helpful in answering your questions. If you have any ideas or questions, we would greatly appreciate your comment here on the travel blog.

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