Arches National Park is well worth adding to any US destination bucket list and should be part of any Utah itinerary. With over 2,000 arches in the park, it is easy to see why it is one of Utah’s most popular hiking destinations. Although one day at Arches National Park gives you a good sampling of what the park has to offer, if you have more time, spend at least two days exploring and hiking.
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History of Arches National Park
The Fremont and Puebloan people first lived in this area. Spanish Missionaries and other Europeans encountered them when they lived in this area. The area then shifted to a ranch and farm region.
In 1923, people began to explore more of the area and encountered the beauty of the formations. In April 1929, the area became Arches National Monument and in 1971, it was changed to Arches National Park.
Best Time To Visit Arches National Park
Arches National Park is one of the more popular National Parks and can frequently be crowded. Summertime is the most popular time to spend one day at Arches National Park. During this time, hotels tend to be a lot more expensive. If you can, opt to visit in spring or fall. The weather might be a little chillier, but you will have more of the park to yourself and lodging will be cheaper.
Note that if you visit between April and October, you will need a reservation to enter the park. You can make reservations up to three months in advance here. I highly recommend trying not to come during those times if possible. We went in March and it was perfect. The park was a little crowded but not peak crowded yet. We got to the park by 7:30am and the lots were full by 9am.
How to Get to Arches National Park
Arches National Park is located in Moab, Utah. Moab has a small airport. You can also opt to fly into Salt Lake City which is about 4 hours away.
From the Moab airport, take the 191-S for 14 miles which will take about 15 minutes to end up at the park.
From Salt Lake City, take the 15-S to the 6-E. Then take the 191-S. This should take about 3 hours and 45 minutes to complete the journey.
Transportation Around Arches National Park
To get around during one day at Arches National Park, you will need a car. There are no other transportation options within the park.
Hours and Admission
Arches National Park is open every day of the year. It costs $30 to get into the park or free with the America the Beautiful Pass. The Visitor’s Center is usually open from 8am-5pm or 9am-4pm in the wintertime.
Where to Stay near Arches National Park
TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Search for the best National Park hotels here!
Moab has a ton of hotel options for various budget levels. We opted to stay at the Rustic Inn. It was a good price and we had no qualms with our stay. They even had donuts for you on the weekends! Other popular options include the Hyatt Place Moab and the Hampton Inn Moab.
There are several campsites within the park if that is your thing and you can make reservations online. There are no other lodging options within the park.
Shaka Guide
Shaka Guide is a GPS self-guided audio tour that you can download to your phone. Currently, they have one for several of the Utah Parks. They provide great background information about the area. The best part is you do not need the internet to use them.
What to do During One Day at Arches National Park
There are seriously so many amazing things to see during one day at Arches National Park, it can be hard to choose the best options.
Day 1
Delicate Arch
Distance: 3-miles round trip
Start your one day in Arches National Park with a hike to the Delicate Arch. This is the most popular hike and arch in the park. I highly recommend getting here early in the day to try to beat as many of the crowds as possible. Many people come here for sunrise or sunset. This hike will take 1.5-2 hours.
The hike is not too difficult, but it does have one very steep hill. Also, if you do not like hikes I do NOT recommend this hike. The last bit of the trail is along a cliffside and the path is slightly slanted. Also, once you get to the arch, you are pretty high up and there are some drop-offs.
Devil’s Garden
Distance: 1.9-miles to 7.9-miles round trip
After hiking to Delicate Arch, if you only have one day at Arches National Park, head to the Devil’s Garden trail. If you have another day, save this hike for day two.
If hiking the Devil’s Garden trail, at minimum, hike the 1.9 miles round trip out to the Landscape Arch. This arch spans 306 feet long and is pretty narrow. From there, you can opt to continue onward to some of the other arches such as the Partition Arch, Navajo Arch, and the Double O Arch. Add another 2.2 miles to the trip if you opt to visit those arches.
For those wanting the longest hike, you can take the Primitive Trail back, with stops at Dark Angel and Private Arch. This is the option I recommend if you visit the park for a second day. You can read more specifics about this hike here.
Note that if you go further than the Landscape Arch, the trail includes lots of rock scrambling, steep drop-offs, and lots of climbing.
North and South Windows/Turret Arch
Distance: 1-mile round trip
Next, head to do the Windows Trail. This easy one-mile loop trail takes visitors to two arches that form perfect windows into the gorgeous landscape. It also takes you past Turret Arch, which has some turret-like rocks next to it. The trail is full of gravel and has some steps, but it is not too difficult.
Double Arch
Distance: 0.5-miles round trip.
You can add on a short half-mile hike to Double Arch from the Windows Trail. It is definitely worth adding this to your one day at Arches National Park. This arch was formed when too much water collected on the roof of a cave and the top collapsed in. Now, there are two arches that come out of one area!
Balanced Rock Viewpoint
Balanced Rock is another big feature to see during one day at Arches National Park. This formation stands at 128 feet high and it looks like a rock is balanced at the top of the formation. You can opt to walk the 0.3-miles around the rock or just view it from the viewpoint.
Park Avenue/Courthouse Towers Viewpoints
Both of these viewpoints offer awesome views of rock formations. You can opt to hike the 1-mile each way Park Avenue trail between the two or just check out the view from the viewpoints. Park Avenue gets its name due to the building-like feeling the formations give off. You will not be sorry if you add these viewpoints to your one day at Arches National Park.
More Than One Day at Arches National Park?
With so many options for hiking trails, you can easily spend more than one day at Arches National Park. If you have two days, opt to add these things to your itinerary.
Upper Delicate Arch Viewpoint
Distance: 1-mile round trip
If you do not want to do the entire Delicate Arch hike, you can see it from a distance at the Upper Delicate Arch viewpoint. This walk is a mile round trip up a hill. It is not as cool as seeing it up close, but it is a good alternative option to add to your one day at Arches National Park.
Lower Delicate Arch Viewpoint
Distance: Short Walk
For those who really do not want to walk far at all, you can stop at the Lower Delicate Arch viewpoint. This viewpoint offers a far-away glimpse of the Delicate Arch. It is less than 100 yards to get here and flat the entire time.
Fiery Furnace
Distance: Varies
Another super popular hike to take during one day at Arches National Park is the Fiery Furnace. This hike is only accessible via a ranger-led tour or you can get a permit online in advance. Both of them can be booked online here. Note that if you opt to do the self-guided tour, make sure to be aware of your surroundings as it is very easy to get lost.
Sand Dune Arch/Broken Arch/Tapestry Arch
Distance: 1.6 miles round trip
The Sand Dune Arch is one of the easier arches to hike to. At 0.3-miles round trip, this is great for families and people who are not as into hiking. You can add on to the hike by heading to Broken Arch and Tapestry Arch. If you complete the loop, it will be about a 1.6-mile hike.
No matter how much time you choose to spend in Arches National Park, there is a ton of fun to be had and some amazing sites to see.
Tips for Spending One Day at Arches National Park
- Bring lunch with you as you may not be able to get back into the park if you leave and there are no food options within the park.
- Get into the park as early as possible to beat the crowds and the heat.
- If you have a fear of heights, a lot of the trails in this park are not for you.
- Wear shoes with a good grip because a lot of the trails are over rocks.
- Make sure to follow the cairns (stacked rocks) on the trail to not lose your way.
- Drink a ton of water! This is the desert and you will still need to stay hydrated even in the wintertime.
- Wear sunscreen. I made the mistake of not thinking about it since it was early spring and got burned.
Where to Eat in Moab
After hiking around during one day at Arches National Park day, you will be hungry for a good dinner. Moab has a ton of awesome food options for all types of cuisines. If you are craving good Thai food, head to Arches Thai or good barbeque, eat at Spitfire Smokehouse. If looking for a fancy date night atmosphere, you cannot go wrong with the Desert Bistro. It was easily the best place I ate at during my time in Moab.
Gloria’s Corner Cafe was a great breakfast option but they also serve lunch and dinner. If looking for a more casual option or somewhere for a large group, check out the Moab Food Truck Park. The Moab Brewery is also a great place to grab a snack or sample some of their beers.
Final Thoughts About One Day in Arches National Park
Arches National Park is definitely one of the top-visited National Parks and should definitely be part of any Utah road trip. If you have more time, make sure to visit the other National Parks nearby: Canyonlands, Mesa Verde, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, and Capitol Reef. You can also head to Grand Junction or Salt Lake City as well.
