Arches National Park in 4 Hours or Less

Arches National Park (located in southeast Utah) is great for families. You can actually see a lot of its splendor right from the car. But getting out on foot is a must if you really want a sense of the grandeur of the place.

And what a grand place it is. The National Park service calls Arches a “red rock wonderland,” which about sums it up for me. It’s a place of landforms and textures unlike any other in the world, with more than 2,000 natural stone arches, hundreds of soaring pinnacles, massive fins and giant balanced rocks.

It’s all thanks to Mother Nature. More specifically, to water and ice, extreme temperatures and underground salt movement. Even today new arches are being formed and old ones destroyed while erosion and weathering continue to work their magic.

You could get used to a place like this. But what to do if you find yourself in Arches National Park with only a few hours to spare? Here are some ideas:

Come prepared.
Both climate and landscape can pose special problems. Summer temperatures can reach 110 degrees Fahrenheit, while winter temperatures can drop to below freezing. During the summer, carry at least one gallon of water per person per day.

Get an early start.
During the summer months, an early start can help you beat the heat. Plus, parking lots get crowded during the busy season (April through September), so you’ll have more luck finding a space if you head out early – as in 8 a.m.ish.

Start at the visitor center.
Ask a park ranger for advice on the best use of your time. While you’re there, see the exhibits to get a sense of your surroundings – and don’t forget to stamp your national parks passport.

Drive safely and enjoy the view.
Roads are narrow and winding, so take your time and enjoy the ride. In a just a few hours’ time, you can drive all the paved park roads, plus stop and get out at several of the viewpoints. Which is much better than stopping in the middle of the road to take a picture.

Set out on foot.
This is hands down the best way to get a sense of the scale of Arches. We did a lot of oohing and ahhing from the car, but once we set out on foot we were hooked.

If you’re not quite sure how much hiking you want to do, pick one of the easy trails to start with – there are nine to choose from in the visitor guide. Start with a shady walk, like the .3 mile walk to Sand Dune Arch. It’s a flat trail with a quick reward for the kiddos, plus lots of opportunities to play along the way.

You’ll likely have time for more if you want. In addition to Sand Dune Arch, we also hiked to the Upper Delicate Arch Viewpoint and Double Arch, both a half-mile long.

Allow for some quiet time.
No, not that kind of quiet time. I mean time to sit and enjoy the surroundings. When you find a spot that speaks to you (and you will, trust me), allow yourself a few moments to take it all in.

Practical matters

• Arches National Park is open year-round. The Visitor Center is open every day except December 25. Winter hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Early Spring and Late Fall, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Summer 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Entrance to Arches National Park is $10; pass is good for 7 days.
• Download a variety of official Arches National Park brochures here.
• There is no shuttle service operated by the park. Parking lots can become crowded during the busy season (April through September), so plan accordingly.
• Arches can get very hot in the summer, so bring at least a gallon of water for each person (per day).
• There are flush toilets at the visitor center and pit toilets located at some of the trail heads.
• There is no food or lodging in the park; nearby Moab offers full visitor services just south of the park.
• Camping is available at Devil’s Garden Campground; reservations highly recommended.

Arches National Park
P.O. Box 907
Moab, UT 84532-0907
(435) 719-2299