Alert: Road work happening Sept-Oct; brief delays & some closures expected

National Park

Arches

A crowd of people sit and watch the sunset at delicate arch.
Exploration awaits at Arches NPS/Veronica Verdin

Overview

Discover a landscape of contrasting colors, land forms, and textures unlike any other. The park has over 2,000 natural stone arches, hundreds of soaring pinnacles, massive rock fins, and giant balanced rocks. This red-rock wonderland will amaze you with its formations, refresh you with its trails, and inspire you with its sunsets.

State: UT4357192299

Hours

  • Sunday: All Day
  • Monday: All Day
  • Tuesday: All Day
  • Wednesday: All Day
  • Thursday: All Day
  • Friday: All Day
  • Saturday: All Day

Fees & Passes

  • Timed Entry Reservation - Park:  2.00

    From April 1 through October 31, 2023, visitors entering the park in a vehicle between 7 am and 4 pm will need to have already purchased a Timed Entry Ticket from Recreation.gov before arriving. One ticket is needed per vehicle. This fee is a Recreation.gov service charge, so it is not waived by any of the interagency passes.


  • Entrance - Private Vehicle:  30.00

    Admits one private, non-commercial vehicle (15 passenger capacity or less) and all its occupants.


  • Entrance - Motorcycle:  25.00

    Admits one private, non-commercial motorcycle and its riders


  • Entrance - Per Person:  15.00

    Admits one individual with no car. Typically used for bicyclists, hikers, and pedestrians. Youth 15 and under are admitted free.


Map

Things To Do

Category

6 Results
    people illuminated in red gather around a telescope pointed at a starry sky

    Stargazing Events in Southeast Utah

    Free

    Description

    Rangers occasionally lead stargazing programs and events at parks throughout southeast Utah. Learn about what to expect and check out a schedule of stargazing events at Arches and Canyonlands national parks and Hovenweep and Natural Bridges national monuments. Even when formal programs are not offered, people are welcome to enjoy the parks after dark on their own.

    More info
    Time:1-3 Hours
    Three hikers silhouetted by the sunset

    Backpacking at Arches

    $

    Description

    Backpacking at Arches is allowed in designated sites only and requires a permit.

    More info

    Fees

    Overnight backcountry permit fees cost $7 per person.

    A person harnessed to a rope prepares to rappel into a canyon

    Canyoneering at Arches

    Free

    Description

    Arches has no real "slot canyons" but does afford some unique on-rope opportunities.

    More info
    Climber ascends a crack in red sandstone

    Rock Climbing at Arches

    Free

    Description

    Most climbing routes in the park require advanced techniques. Climbing is not allowed on any arches or certain named features, such as Balanced Rock.

    More info
    Three hikers walk on a narrow fin of sandstone, with more fins behind them

    Hiking at Arches

    Free

    Description

    Arches contains a variety of hiking trails, from easy/moderate to long and strenuous. Many trails use cairns (stacks of rocks) for markers and cross broad rock surfaces, requiring attention to follow. Learn how to Protect Yourself and Protect Your Park with hiking safety and Leave No Trace tips.

    More info
    A tan car drives through Arches, sandstone features are visible in the back.

    Enjoy Arches from the Road

    Free

    Description

    If you pay close attention, you can see close to two dozen arches from the comfort of your car.

    More info
    Pet FriendlyTime:2-4 Hours

More Images

A crowd of people sit and watch the sunset at delicate arch.
A crowd of people sit and watch the sunset at delicate arch.
a broad, red arch with rock pinnacles in the background
a broad, red arch with rock pinnacles in the background
a stone arch
a stone arch
the Milky Way arcs above silhouetted stone pinnacles
the Milky Way arcs above silhouetted stone pinnacles
two hikers descend a broad wash with tall rock walls on either side.
two hikers descend a broad wash with tall rock walls on either side.