Is one day enough for Arches National Park?


Is one day enough for Arches National Park? You could easily spend several days exploring the trails here, so visiting Arches National Park in one day requires some planning ahead to make sure you don't miss the best scenery. Especially since the park often hits capacity by 8 or 9 a.m. during the busy season and the entrance gates close for several hours.


How long does it take to drive thru Arches National Park?

The only fully-paved road in Arches is Scenic Drive, a 25-mile, out-and-back road that passes the majority of the park's viewpoints and trailheads. If you're tight on time or don't enjoy hiking, you could drive the park—stopping 10 minutes at each viewpoint—in about three hours.


Which is busier Arches or Canyonlands?

Of the two parks, Arches gets significantly more traffic than Canyonlands National Park. On average, 1.5 million people visit Arches every year, while only 500,000 make it over to Canyonlands per year.


How do you avoid crowds at Arches National Park?

Here's how to minimize the crowds at Arches National Park:
  1. Avoid summer travel and during holidays. ...
  2. Plan your trip to arrive and explore during the week, avoiding weekends.
  3. Start your day early. ...
  4. Get out and hike. ...
  5. If you're in a hurry, with limited time, save this park for another vacation.


Is there more to do in Zion or Arches?

If you want a couple of long hikes, Zion. If you want a lot of shorter hikes with a couple slightly longer, then Arches. With one day in Zion you could hike the Narrows and Angels Landing (assuming you can get a permit) or you could do a few other hikes and stop at pull-offs on the east side.


What can you not miss in Arches National Park?

Best Things To Do in Arches National Park
  • Arches Scenic Drive. There is one road that travels through Arches National Park and that is Arches Scenic Drive. ...
  • Park Avenue. ...
  • La Sal Mountains Viewpoint. ...
  • Balanced Rock. ...
  • The Windows and Turret Arch. ...
  • Double Arch. ...
  • Garden of Eden. ...
  • Hike to Delicate Arch.


What is the most beautiful arch in Arches National Park?

Without a doubt, Delicate Arch is the most famous natural stone arch in the world. Referred to as The Arch by many arriving visitors for whom it is No. 1 on their must-see lists, Delicate has an allure that is hard to explain but impossible to deny. The light opening beneath Delicate Arch is 46 feet (14 m) high.


How far apart are Canyonlands and Arches?

The distance from Canyonlands to Arches is only 26 miles which makes for a 30-minute drive without traffic.


Which is better to see Canyonlands or Arches?

This does not mean you should not visit Canyonlands, but you may want to spend more time in Arches than Canyonlands if you are short on time. We would also agree that Arches is a better visit, but if you want to explore the wilderness by 4×4, then Canyonlands is a better option.


Can arches and Canyonlands be done in one day?

If you only want to see a few highlights in each park, then yes, one day in Arches and Canyonlands is enough time. For a better experience, add one more day to your itinerary, so you can spend one full day in Arches and one full day in Canyonlands.


Can you see Delicate Arch without hiking?

For those who aren't up for the hike, there are two other viewing options: The Lower Delicate Arch Viewpoint just down the road only requires a 100-yard walk over flat ground to get a fine look at the arch from a mile away.


Can you do arches in half a day?

In half a day: Drive the whole park road, spending 10 minutes at each viewpoint, and take a short walk at The Windows Section, Delicate Arch Viewpoint, or Balanced Rock.


What is the best month to visit Arches National Park?

The best time to visit Arches National Park is April through May and September through October, when daytime temperatures average about 60 to 80 degrees. In the summer, temperatures can exceed 100 degrees, which can make exploring the park's trails very uncomfortable.


How long does it take to drive through Arches National Park without stopping?

To complete the journey through Arches National Park on the paved roads it takes only 1 hour 30 minutes without stops. To drive through Arches National Park on both paved and unpaved roads it'll take 2 hours and 30 minutes without stops to go to the notable landmarks, which is highly recommended.


What can be see by car in Arches National Park?

5 Stops on Arches National Park's Scenic Drive
  • Park Avenue. Park Avenue rock formations in Arches National Park. Steve Greenwood. ...
  • 2 Double Arch. Double Arch. ...
  • Delicate Arch. Sunset at Delicate Arch. ...
  • Fiery Furnace. The Fiery Furnace Viewpoint at sunset with the La Sal Mountains in the background. ...
  • Sand Dune Arch. Sand Dune Arch.


Can you do Bryce Canyon and Arches in one day?

Can you do Bryce Canyon and the arches in one day? Yes, but barely, and it isn't recommended. It takes roughly 4 hours and 50 minutes to drive from Bryce Canyon National Park to Arches National Park, which would leave you with very little time to explore either park.


How much time do you need at Arches National Park?

Two days in Arches is ideal though and would give you enough time to explore the Fiery Furnace on the ranger-led hike and do a few more of the longer hikes. One day is really all you need at the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park if you're sticking to the overlooks and shorter trails.


Do you need reservations for Arches National Park?

Yes. A timed entry reservation is required to enter the park even if you have an existing pass. Annual passes cover the payment of entrance fees, so annual or senior pass holders only need to pay the $2 reservation fee.


What is the best day of the week to visit Arches National Park?

However, if possible, try to schedule your vacation for the late fall, winter or early spring months. Shoot for November to April. If you're insistent on a red-hot Moab summer, stick with the weekdays — Tuesday and Wednesday are the best days to go. And on any day in any season, go before 8 a.m. or in the afternoon.


Is Arches worth driving through?

Because most stops don't require much if any walking, this is a great way to see the park in any weather. Also in winter when some trails might be inaccessible for hiking, Arches Scenic Drive remains accessible and allows you to enjoy your visit to the park.


Is Bryce Canyon better than Arches?

Bryce and Arches are both stunning. But Arches offer more variety. You can see a good portion of Bryce just from overlooks. And while the view of the hoodoos is otherworldly, if you're not a huge hoodoo fan, the view can start to grow monotonous.


Can you see Arches without going into Arches National Park?

Arches National Park isn't the only place in Moab to see epic arches. If you're looking for more places to put on your Utah or Moab itinerary, check out these 3 arches that aren't in the park, but are still as beautiful! All arches are also FREE and less crowded than the National Park!


Can you just drive around Arches National Park?

You can spend a couple hours or the better part of a day driving the 36 mile (round trip) road through Arches National Park. With plenty of places to stop and snap pictures and panoramic views for miles, you can enjoy the brilliant artistry and majesty of Arches without having to leave your vehicle.