The Best Arches National Park 1 Day Itinerary
Arches National Park is a gem for road trippers, and 1 day itineraries! While some National Parks are overwhelming due to size, amount of attractions, or even the distance between top destinations in the park itself, Arches National Park is the perfect setting for a day trip’s worth of explorations! You can absolutely see ALL the highlights in a day at Arches National Park, simply by following this easy Arches National Park 1 Day Itinerary!
*Make sure not to miss out on the bonus maps and customized, sample itineraries for 1 day in Arches National Park at the end of this post!
This 1 Day Arches National Park Itinerary includes:
- Can You See Arches National Park in One Day?
- What to Know Before You Go
- Location of Arches National Park
- Best Time to Visit Arches National Park
- Tips for Visiting Arches National Park in One Day
- Best Hikes for 1 Day in Arches National Park
- Best Viewpoints and Overlooks on the Scenic Drive
- Map of Recommended Arches National Park 1 Day Itinerary Highlights
- BONUS – Sample Arches National Park 1 Day Itineraries and Maps
- Accommodations for Your Arches National Park Itinerary
- Other Nearby Attractions
Disclosure: Below are some affiliate links-these are all products I highly recommend. I won’t make any recommendations on this page that I haven’t tested or personally used! Enjoy this Arches National Park 1 Day Itinerary!
Table of Contents
The Best Arches National Park 1 Day Itinerary
Make the most of a day in Arches National Park by taking advantage of every red rock minute that you can! This means checking out the best hikes for a 1 day itinerary, plus easy viewpoints and overlooks scattered across the park, and the scenic drive!
Can You See Arches National Park in One Day?
YES. You can absolutely see the best of Arches National Park in just one day. To do so requires knowledge of the park itself and planning of the logistics, in order to have an efficient itinerary that allows you to make the absolute most of your time!
Luckily, Arches National Park is relatively compact with only one entrance, unlike other massive parks with multiple entrances (think Yellowstone National Park).
CHECK OUT: the perfect 1 day itinerary for Yellowstone National Park
This logistics and size of Arches National Park makes a 1 day itinerary less complicated logistically. Arches National Park is very user friendly for 1 day visitors! All the highlights you will want to experience are all located off of the one main park road.
What to Know Before You Go
Entrance Fees: $30 per vehicle
Reservations: Reservations are REQUIRED April 1st – October 31sts
Hours: Arches National Park is open daily, year round, 24 hours a day
Pet Policy: Pets are NOT allowed on hiking trails, viewpoints, or overlooks
Camping: Campsites are available at the Devil’s Garden Campground. Sites are reservable online between March 1st – October 1st. November 1st – February 28th sites are first come first serve.
Closest Town(s): Moab, UT (10 minute drive)
Closest Airport(s): Canyonlands Field Airport, UT (15 minutes), Grand Junction Regional Airport, CO (2.5 hours), and Salt Lake City International Airport, UT (4.5 hours)
Location of Arches National Park
Arches National Park is located southeast of Salt Lake City, close to the border of neighboring Colorado. The closest city is Moab, Utah, approximately 10 minutes south of the park.
Best Time to Visit Arches National Park
While the park is open daily, 24 hours a day, there are certain considerations for deciding the best time of year to plan your 1 day in Arches National Park.
- Early spring through late fall are the busiest months for Arches National Park, and this includes the summer months. The shoulder seasons of spring and fall are great times to visit, as the temperatures are still moderate, but you can avoid many of the summer crowds.
- Summer is the busiest month, as far as visitors go. Roads, facilities, parking, campgrounds, and trails will fill up quick, so be prepared to arrive early, start early, and have a backup plan if visiting in the summer. It is also important to note that while Arches is very busy and very visited in the summer, the daytime temperatures can soar into the triple digits, requiring extra precautions.
- Winter is a great time to visit Arches National Park, as long as you are prepared for the cold temperatures that can dip below freezing. With the proper fabrics and the right layering for winter weather, you can easily enjoy the emptiness of the park and the trails! Just be sure to check the weather forecast ahead of your trip for the occasional winter storm.
Tips for Spending One Day in Arches National Park
- Plan on traffic/delays – build in some bubble time if possible for driving/parking delays
- Have a full tank – make sure you have plenty of gas before heading into the park
- Start early – more parking and fewer crowds
- Don’t overplan – remain flexible as things can come up (like having to wait extra for a parking space)
- Bring a picnic lunch – this will save time, and allow you to appreciate more of Arches too!
- Leave No Trace – pack it in, pack it out, and leave things how you found them
- Follow posted rules – don’t leave the trail, approach wildlife, etc.
- Do not approach wildlife – a second warning because it is that important!
- Leave pets at home – pets are not allowed on the trails at Arches National Park
- Be prepared for weather – be prepared for temperature swings or unexpected weather
Best Hikes for 1 Day in Arches National Park
These hikes cover all the best sights and experiences in Arches National Park, specially crafted for the time constrained traveler. As a bonus, they can all be done in around or less than an hour, so you can have the opportunity to sample several of the best short hikes in Arches National Park, without sacrificing on any of the iconic highlights – perfect for a 1 day itinerary!
These hikes include:
- The Delicate Arch Trail
- The Double Arch Trail
- The Balanced Rock Trail
- The Skyline Arch Trail
- Turret Arch Trail
- Park Avenue Trail
#1: Delicate Arch Trail
Quick Facts on the Delicate Arch Trail:
Length: 3.2 miles roundtrip out and back
Rating: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 629 feet
Insider Tip: don’t have time for the full hike to Delicate Arch? Check out either of its two viewpoints, Upper Delicate Arch Viewpoint or Delicate Arch Viewpoint
Quite possibly “the” quintessential arch out of all the arches in Arches National Park. If you need further proof of this, check out Utah’s license plates! The first half mile or so of this trail is very distinguishable, while the final mile climbs slightly and is guided by rock cairns, until you reach the final several hundred yards along a cliff edge. This is a full sun, full exposure hike, so take plenty of water. The reward is one of the most iconic sights in all of Utah!
#2: Double Arch Trail
Quick Facts on the Double Arch Trail:
Length: 0.6 miles roundtrip out and back
Rating: Easy
Elevation Gain: 95 feet
If arches are the distinguishable highlight here amongst the best hikes in Arches National Park, then get ready to double up on the arches! Because one arch is never enough!
This rock formation is essentially a conjoined twin, with two rock “legs” sprouting from a singular rock foundation, to form two adjacent arches. You can walk right up to the base of these arches, and even explore a little in their belly. As stated repeatedly by informational boards throughout, however, never attempt to climb atop the arches. At only a quarter mile in length each way along a paved, flat, concrete path, this is a very easy, family friendly, day hike.
#3: Balanced Rock Trail
Quick Facts on the Balanced Rock Loop Trail:
Length: 0.3 miles roundtrip loop
Rating: Easy
Elevation Gain: 55 feet
This one is pretty much exactly what the name suggests. If you want to gaze in perplexed wander at how a giant boulder can “balance” atop a thinner rock spire, this is the trail for you. This natural balancing act is visible from the park road, but if you want to take a quick jaunt for up close views, the roundtrip trail is under a half mile.
#4: Skyline Arch Trail
Quick Facts on the Skyline Arch Trail:
Length: 0.4 miles roundtrip out and back
Rating: Easy
Elevation Gain: 36 feet
Insider Tip: this hike can also be accessed from the Devil’s Garden Campground
This famous formation is situated amongst the “Devil’s Garden” area of Arches National Park, and thus not only is this arch spectacular in its beauty, but its surroundings as well. In a wall of red rock, this arch provides the perfect “window” through, opening up to the brilliantly blue Utah sky. It is simplistic in its design, but was definitely a standout to me! Another option for an easy hike, although this trail is not completely paved as others are, and contains slightly uneven terrain.
#5: Turret Arch Trail
Quick Facts on the Turret Arch Trail:
Length: 1.2 miles roundtrip loop
Rating: Easy
Elevation Gain: 154 feet
The Turret Arch is a massive, majestic arch carved from a impressive red rock wall. Hikers can walk through the archway, and be rewarded with views not only of Turret Arch from below, but also sweeping views over Arches National Park and other nearby formations, like the Parade of Elephants and the Cove of Caves.
#6: Park Avenue Trail
Quick Facts on the Park Avenue Trail:
Length: 1.8 miles roundtrip out and back
Rating: Easy
Elevation Gain: 298 feet
The Park Avenue hike gets its name from the “boulevard” type landscape of towering columns that converge towards the horizon. It is one of the most awe-inspiring and breathtaking scenes in Arches National Park!
Top Arches National Park Viewpoints
The scenic park drive through Arches National Park is pretty self explanatory and simple to follow, so if you can do nothing else but drive through this park, these are some of the best viewpoints you should stop at!
La Sal Mountains Viewpoint
Just after the Visitor’s Center on the right, you will find the La Sal Mountains Viewpoint, a stunning, unfurling vista that terminates at the base of the rugged La Sal Mountains.
Upper Delicate Arch Viewpoint and Delicate Arch Viewpoint
Either of these two conveniently located viewpoints will offer you unique and beautiful perspectives on arguably this parks most well known and beloved arch. While hiking there is still my preferred method of observing this natural phenomenon, this option is preferable for those short on time.
***Insider Tip: sunset and sunrise are stunning times to witness Delicate Arch.
Courthouse Towers Viewpoint
These impressive monoliths loom over the main park road, and make for an easy pit stop and picture at their viewpoint.
Fiery Furnace Viewpoint
Not as dangerous as it sounds, but definitely as “fiery” as the name suggests! This area of the park simply comes alive with other-worldly formations, and an impressive display of an infinite amount of orange, red, and yellow at this viewpoint!
Map of Arches National Park 1 Day Itinerary Options
Use this map of all above listed attractions in Arches National Park to help craft the perfect 1 day itinerary for you! I will provide a recommended Arches National Park 1 day itinerary below, but you may also use this map of locations to help craft your own itinerary that is customized to you.
Locations of all the highlights available on a Arches National Park 1 Day Itinerary!
Sample 1 Day Arches National Park Itineraries
Below are 3 sample itineraries for 1 day in Arches National Park, plus bonus maps.
Arches National Park 1 Day Itinerary Option #1:
- STOP #1: Arches Visitor Center
- Timeframe: 1 hour
Stop in at the Visitor Center to learn more about the park, talk to rangers, and view exhibits, before heading out.
- STOP #2: Hike the Park Avenue Trail
- Timeframe: 1 hour
First up is the Park Avenue Trail, just short of 2 miles in roundtrip length, and rated easy. Take in the awe of the park’s massive cliffs and red rock expanses on this hike.
- STOP #3: La Sal Mountains Viewpoint
- Timeframe: 10 minutes – 15 minutes
Enjoy this quick stop at one of the most stunning vistas overlooking Arches National Park!
- STOP #4: Courthouse Towers Viewpoint
- Timeframe: 10 minutes – 15 minutes
Another brief stop at the impressive and stately Courthouse Towers, located right off the park road. Be ready to experience feeling small as you stand beneath the shadows of these natural “towers”.
- STOP #5: Picnic Lunch
- Timeframe: 30 – 45 minutes
A picnic lunch is the way to go if you are trying to make the most out of one day in Arches National Park. There are plenty of picnic spots in the park where you can enjoy a quick lunch while taking in the sights.
- STOP #6: Hike the Balanced Rock Trail
- Timeframe: 30 minutes
The Balanced Rock Trail is short, sweet, and easy, perfect for a 1 day Arches National Park itinerary! Take a little time to enjoy the magical and curious “balancing rock” on this hike.
- STOP #7: Delicate Arch Viewpoint
- Timeframe: 10 minutes – 15 minutes
Arguably the most iconic and recognizable sight in all of Arches National Park. Don’t believe me? Just check out Utah license plates!
Optional Add On: if you have the time, hike the entire Delicate Arch Trail. This hike is 3.2 miles roundtrip in length, and rated moderate. It is estimated to take approximately 1 hour – 1.5 hours, plus time spent on breaks, pictures, and taking in the sights.
Map of Arches National Park 1 Day Itinerary Option #1:
Arches National Park 1 Day Itinerary Option #2:
- STOP #1: Arches Visitor Center
- Timeframe: 1 hour
Stop in at the Visitor Center to learn more about the park, talk to rangers, and view exhibits, before heading out.
- STOP #2: Hike the Balanced Rock Trail
- Timeframe: 30 minutes
The Balanced Rock Trail is a short, sweet, and easy start to exploring the park, perfect for a 1 day Arches National Park itinerary! Take a little time to enjoy the magical and curious “balancing rock” on this hike.
- STOP #3: Hike the Turret Arch Trail
- Timeframe: 30 – 45 minutes
The Turret Arch Trail is 1.2 miles in roundtrip length and rated easy, perfect for lots of different ages and hiking abilities.
- STOP #4: Hike the Double Arch Trail
- Timeframe: 20 – 30 minutes
At just over a half a mile in length, this 0.6 mile roundtrip trek is perfect for those wishing to see as much as they can of Arches National Park in one day! This hike is a perfect candidate, because you get to witness twice the sights, with 2 massive arches on this trail.
- STOP #5: Picnic Lunch
- Timeframe: 30 – 45 minutes
A picnic lunch is the way to go if you are trying to make the most out of one day in Arches National Park. There are plenty of picnic spots in the park where you can enjoy a quick lunch while taking in the sights.
- STOP #6: Delicate Arch Viewpoint
- Timeframe: 10 – 15 minutes
Arguably the most iconic and recognizable sight in all of Arches National Park. Don’t believe me? Just check out Utah license plates!
Optional Add On: if you have the time, hike the entire Delicate Arch Trail. This hike is 3.2 miles roundtrip in length, and rated moderate. It is estimated to take approximately 1 hour – 1.5 hours, plus time spent on breaks, pictures, and taking in the sights.
- STOP #7: Fiery Furnace Viewpoint
- Timeframe: 10 – 15 minutes
This viewpoint lives up to its fiery name, with blazing reds and oranges on display at the Fiery Furnace Viewpoint!
Optional Add On: Fiery Furnace Hike
The only way to hike the whole 2 mile long Fiery Furnace Loop Trail, which provides even more stunning views of this landmark, is with a ranger led tour or individual hiking permit. More information on both these options can be found here. Note that this hike is challenging and not suited for young children.
Map of Arches National Park 1 Day Itinerary Option #2:
Arches National Park 1 Day Itinerary Option #3:
- STOP #1: Arches Visitor Center
- Timeframe: 1 hour
Stop in at the Visitor Center to learn more about the park, talk to rangers, and view exhibits, before heading out.
- STOP #2: Hike the Delicate Arch Trail
- Timeframe: 1 hour 30 minutes – 1 hour 45 minutes
The Delicate Arch Trail is a great way to start your explorations of Arches, as it contains the most iconic arch in the entire park! This is an absolute must see! This trail is 3.2 miles in roundtrip length, and rated moderate. The timeframe allows for the hike time, plus breaks and time for sightseeing and pictures at the Delicate Arch.
Prefer a shorter option to see Delicate Arch? You can view it at the Delicate Arch Viewpoint, adjacent to the actual trailhead.
- STOP #3: Hike the Skyline Arch Trail
- Timeframe: 20 – 30 minutes
Enjoy one of the park’s more humble and dainty arches on this short, easy, 0.4 mile long roundtrip trek. It is a great way to see 2 unique and yet very different arches back to back.
- STOP #4: Fiery Furnace Viewpoint
- Timeframe: 10 – 15 minutes
This viewpoint lives up to its fiery name, with blazing reds and oranges on display at the Fiery Furnace Viewpoint!
Optional Add On: Fiery Furnace Hike
The only way to hike the whole 2 mile long Fiery Furnace Loop Trail, which provides even more stunning views of this landmark, is with a ranger led tour or individual hiking permit. More information on both these options can be found here. Note that this hike is challenging and not suited for young children.
- STOP #5: Picnic Lunch
- Timeframe: 30 – 45 minutes
A picnic lunch is the way to go if you are trying to make the most out of one day in Arches National Park. There are plenty of picnic spots in the park where you can enjoy a quick lunch while taking in the sights.
- STOP #6: Hike the Balanced Rock Trail
- Timeframe: 30 minutes
The Balanced Rock Trail is short, sweet, and easy, perfect for a 1 day Arches National Park itinerary! Take a little time to enjoy the magical and curious “balancing rock” on this hike.
- STOP #7: Courthouse Towers Viewpoint
- Timeframe: 10 – 15 minutes
Another brief stop at the impressive and stately Courthouse Towers, located right off the park road. Be ready to experience feeling small as you stand beneath the shadows of these natural “towers”.
Map of Arches National Park 1 Day Itinerary Option #3:
Accommodations for Your Arches National Park Itinerary
There are multiple accommodation options for your 1 day Arches National Park itinerary, both inside and outside the park itself.
Accommodations INSIDE the Park:
There is only 1 campground within Arches National Park, the Devils Garden Campground, which is reservable online March 1st – October 31st at the link below (November – February is first come first serve):
Accommodations OUTSIDE the Park:
There are hotels and vacation rentals in the towns surrounding Arches National Park, like Moab, Utah. MOAB is my #1 recommended town to stay in when spending one day in Arches National Park, as it is only a 10 minute drive to the entrance! But there are other sizable towns nearby as well.
Below are the average driving distances between common bases for Arches National Park:
- Moab, UT to Arches National Park: 10 minutes drive
- Grand Junction, CO to Arches National Park: 1 hour and 45 minutes
- Provo, UT to Arches National Park: 3 hours
- Durango, CO to Arches National Park: 3 hours
- Glenwood Springs, CO to Arches National Park: 3 hours
- Salt Lake City, UT to Arches National Park: 3 hours and 45 minutes
Nearby Attractions to Arches National Park
You can’t talk about Arches without talking about its nearby neighbors. Mostly because there are some seriously stunning neighbors in this neighborhood. Directly south of Arches National Park, along Highway 191, you will encounter Canyonlands National Park. Continue several hours further south into northern Arizona, and you will reach Petrified Forest National Park. To the south and west of Arches are Capitol Reef National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, and finally, Grand Canyon National Park. If you are lucky enough to make it all the way to Grand Canyon National Park, take my recommendation and head to the North Rim over the South Rim, for some of its amazing and more secluded canyon hikes, like the Widforss Trail.
Who knew you could see so much in such a short amount of time. There are plenty of National Parks out there that are so spread out and enormous that they almost become overwhelming in their explorations, but Arches is not one of these. This little jewel offers days of views, in a compact package ! So next time you are road tripping through Utah, plan to stop for one day in Arches National Park, take in some hikes, some views, and some unforgettable memories!
***Curious about some of my other favorite underrated National Parks? The lesser known sibling of Big Bend National Park can be found in the Guadalupe Mountains of Texas. Check out the best things to do in Guadalupe Mountains National Park!
So What’s Next After Arches?
Plan to Visit Each of the Amazing National Parks in the U.S. with this
FREE National Parks Checklist!
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Excellent post. I love that your included the difficulty of the hikes for planning. Thanks for putting this together!
Thanks! I think it is important to have a realistic understanding of the difficulty level of a hike. It’s one of the safety practices I follow myself! It’s good to be paired up with an appropriate hike that matches our current abilities.
Will definitely check back when planning for our trip to the Arches and also Yellowstone! Thanks for sharing!
Wow! This is so gorgeous. Although I have never been to this area, I love visiting The Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. It just amazes me how weather has shaped and formed our Earth! Thanks for the fabulous tips!
Michelle,
I have never visited Garden of the Gods, but I hope to someday. There’s not a bad spot in Colorado! Arches is a prime example of how weather has shaped our world, so many other worldly formations there.
How funny that you just stumbled onto such a beautiful spot for a hike. Sometimes those happy accidents are the best!
It was totally unplanned! I had been roadtripping through Utah, had to adjust my original itinerary, and while stopping for gas in an unplanned spot, happened to notice I was much closer to Arches than I had realized. I almost passed it up, but then decided to see how much I could squeeze into an hour or so! I was amazed at how compact this park was, and at just how much I was able to see. Such a pleasant surprise!
Arches National Park is on my bucket list! I really hope to visit soon to do some hiking. Your photos definitely make me want to get there asap!
Kaylene, I do hope you get to go check it out soon and start your own collection of beautiful pictures!
Oh wow this place looks so amazing. We don’t have anything like this in Australia. Its good that this national park is compact. It makes it kind of a beginners park for those who are too scared/ill equipped to venture into the bigger national parks. Thanks for sharing this!
You’re exactly right, it kind of is a great beginners national park, or a great park for those simply passing by that don’t have the time to stop and devote several days. And even on a shorter timeframe, you will see just as much as some of the bigger national parks, that is what I loved so much about Arches! It’s just a fascinating and other worldly place, and its comparatively very convenient!
Been looking for an itinerary for the Arches that just breaks it down. Thanks.
Sarah,
Great, I hope you love Arches as much as I did! Even on a short time frame, there is so much to take in.
Omg what stunning photos!!
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