Best Things To Do in Arches National Park
The red rock wonderland that is Arches National Park is a fascinating place to explore. Whether you're simply driving through the captivating landscape or opting for an adventurous hike or guided tour, the park is enchanting. It's good to get your bearings at the visitor center, where you can learn about the park's various trails and viewpoints and learn about available ranger programs. Though you can easily marvel at the otherworldly scene from your car, you'll want to stop, park and explore, especially at must-see sights like the famous Delicate Arch and Balanced Rock.
How we rank Things to Do.#1
#1 in Arches National Park
Free
Located in the Devils Garden area, Landscape Arch is North America's longest arch, stretching an amazing 306 feet. To view the arch, you can take an easy, flat 50-minute hike from the Devils Garden trailhead to the arch.
...
more
Located in the Devils Garden area, Landscape Arch is North America's longest arch, stretching an amazing 306 feet. To view the arch, you can take an easy, flat 50-minute hike from the Devils Garden trailhead to the arch.
...
more
#2
#2 in Arches National Park
Free
This iconic, 128-foot boulder, precariously perched on top of a thin pedestal of rock, is one of the park's top sights. Though it seems like it might fall over, the rock is actually attached to its eroding pedestal of Dewey Bridge mudstone.
...
more
This iconic, 128-foot boulder, precariously perched on top of a thin pedestal of rock, is one of the park's top sights. Though it seems like it might fall over, the rock is actually attached to its eroding pedestal of Dewey Bridge mudstone.
...
more
#3
#3 in Arches National Park
Free
The Windows Section, which is about 2 square miles in size, is home to some of the largest arches in the park, including North Window, South Window, Turret Arch and Double Arch. It's also considered one of the park's most scenic areas. From the parking lot, there are a handful of easy trails that bring travelers to all of the arches. A short (less than a mile round-trip) gravel trail leads to the North Window, South Window and Turret Arch. You can also take a slightly longer primitive trail (about a mile in length) that leads around the Windows by starting at the South Window viewpoint.
...
more
The Windows Section, which is about 2 square miles in size, is home to some of the largest arches in the park, including North Window, South Window, Turret Arch and Double Arch. It's also considered one of the park's most scenic areas. From the parking lot, there are a handful of easy trails that bring travelers to all of the arches. A short (less than a mile round-trip) gravel trail leads to the North Window, South Window and Turret Arch. You can also take a slightly longer primitive trail (about a mile in length) that leads around the Windows by starting at the South Window viewpoint.
...
more
Powered by Viator
#4
#4 in Arches National Park
Free#5
#5 in Arches National Park
Free
Double Arch, at 112 feet, is the tallest arch in the park. At 144 feet in length, it's also the second-longest arch in the park. Luckily, this natural wonder is easy to reach. The half-mile trail to Double Arch is a relatively flat, gravel-surfaced path that leads directly from the parking lot to the attraction. For those with limited time, or mobility, this is a very accessible, not-to-miss sight.
...
more
Double Arch, at 112 feet, is the tallest arch in the park. At 144 feet in length, it's also the second-longest arch in the park. Luckily, this natural wonder is easy to reach. The half-mile trail to Double Arch is a relatively flat, gravel-surfaced path that leads directly from the parking lot to the attraction. For those with limited time, or mobility, this is a very accessible, not-to-miss sight.
...
more
#6
#6 in Arches National Park
Free
Start your park experience at Arches Visitor Center, located just a mile inside the entrance. Recent visitors call the center a "treasure trove of information." Along with exhibits inside and outside the center detailing the park's history, geology, plants and animals, on-site rangers can help you decide where to go and offer advice on trails and staying safe. There's also a bookstore and gift shop. Don't miss the park's film, "Window in Time," which plays every 30 minutes. Kids can pick up a junior ranger activity book and learn how to earn a junior ranger badge. This is also an ideal place to fill up your water bottles; water and restrooms are available 24 hours a day.
The visitor center, which is accessible for free with park admission, is located just inside the park, near the main entrance and is open daily (except for Christmas Day). Hours vary. From April through September, it is open from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. From October through early November, it is open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. In November, it is open from 8 to 4:30 p.m. and from December through February it is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, check out the NPS website.
The visitor center, which is accessible for free with park admission, is located just inside the park, near the main entrance and is open daily (except for Christmas Day). Hours vary. From April through September, it is open from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. From October through early November, it is open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. In November, it is open from 8 to 4:30 p.m. and from December through February it is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, check out the NPS website.
...
more
Start your park experience at Arches Visitor Center, located just a mile inside the entrance. Recent visitors call the center a "treasure trove of information." Along with exhibits inside and outside the center detailing the park's history, geology, plants and animals, on-site rangers can help you decide where to go and offer advice on trails and staying safe. There's also a bookstore and gift shop. Don't miss the park's film, "Window in Time," which plays every 30 minutes. Kids can pick up a junior ranger activity book and learn how to earn a junior ranger badge. This is also an ideal place to fill up your water bottles; water and restrooms are available 24 hours a day.
The visitor center, which is accessible for free with park admission, is located just inside the park, near the main entrance and is open daily (except for Christmas Day). Hours vary. From April through September, it is open from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. From October through early November, it is open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. In November, it is open from 8 to 4:30 p.m. and from December through February it is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, check out the NPS website.
The visitor center, which is accessible for free with park admission, is located just inside the park, near the main entrance and is open daily (except for Christmas Day). Hours vary. From April through September, it is open from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. From October through early November, it is open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. In November, it is open from 8 to 4:30 p.m. and from December through February it is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, check out the NPS website.
...
more
#7
#7 in Arches National Park
Free
Adventurous types love to explore the Fiery Furnace, a series of narrow passageways that leads through towering sandstone walls. Since it's easy to get lost among the labyrinth and because GPS technology does not work effectively within the walls, visitors must either take a ranger-guided hike or apply for a permit to enter the area alone (after watching a required orientation video). This is no ordinary hike. It is physically demanding, with areas that have irregular and broken sandstone, narrow ledges above drop-offs, gaps you must jump across and narrow spaces you must squeeze into and pull yourself up and through. In some places, you must hold yourself above the ground by pushing against the sandstone walls with your hands and feet.
...
more
Adventurous types love to explore the Fiery Furnace, a series of narrow passageways that leads through towering sandstone walls. Since it's easy to get lost among the labyrinth and because GPS technology does not work effectively within the walls, visitors must either take a ranger-guided hike or apply for a permit to enter the area alone (after watching a required orientation video). This is no ordinary hike. It is physically demanding, with areas that have irregular and broken sandstone, narrow ledges above drop-offs, gaps you must jump across and narrow spaces you must squeeze into and pull yourself up and through. In some places, you must hold yourself above the ground by pushing against the sandstone walls with your hands and feet.
...
more
#8
#8 in Arches National Park
Free
In 1898, John Wesley Wolfe settled 100 acres here with his son, where they had a few head of cattle and eked out a living. They lived in a rough cabin for nearly a decade, but in 1906, when Wolfe's daughter, her husband and two kids arrived, she demanded they build a better cabin, one with real windows and wooden floors, which is what remains to this day.
...
more
In 1898, John Wesley Wolfe settled 100 acres here with his son, where they had a few head of cattle and eked out a living. They lived in a rough cabin for nearly a decade, but in 1906, when Wolfe's daughter, her husband and two kids arrived, she demanded they build a better cabin, one with real windows and wooden floors, which is what remains to this day.
...
more
Powered by Viator
Powered by Viator
Explore More of Arches National Park
Recommended Articles
The 50 Best Hotels in the USA 2019
Feb 05, 2019
U.S. News ranked 3,877 top properties for 2019. Check out the 50 best.
30 Hot New Hotels to Check Out in 2019
Feb 05, 2019
See which new properties offer surprising and fun features.
10 Top All-Inclusive Resorts in the USA
Feb 05, 2019
Go all-in for these luxe resorts flush with amenities.
The Caribbean Comeback: 12 New and Renovated Caribbean Hotels to Visit
Feb 05, 2019
These island properties are sure to impress travelers.
17 Amazing Kid-Friendly Hotels
Feb 05, 2019
Discover which properties offer ample amenities for children.
AAA Announces 2019 Diamond Award Winners
Jan 31, 2019
Of the more than 27,000 properties evaluated, 1,843 hotels earned Four and Five Diamond awards.
30 Cheap Beach Vacations for Travelers on a Budget
Jan 24, 2019
See which waterfront escapes won't burn a hole in your wallet.
The 14 Most Exotic Black Sand Beaches in the World
Jan 14, 2019
Explore unusual shorelines across the globe.
30 Great Girls Weekend Getaways
Dec 21, 2018
See which amazing locales around the globe are ideal for a girls-only vacation.
How to Find Cheap Flights
Dec 13, 2018
These tips can help you see the world at prices you can afford.
