Get the app

Utah, United States

Arches

Spend 1–2 days from Moab: Delicate Arch at sunset, Windows and Devils Garden, then dinner on Main Street. This guide pulls together 2 sights, 3 activities and 2 outdoor spots from our curated routes.

Plan Arches with friendsBrowse 10 places
Arches, Utah, United States
Places
10

2 See · 3 Do · 2 Outdoors · 2 Eat · 1 Drink

Curated routes
1

Utah Mighty Five

Best season
Mar – May

from our route notes

Warmest month
July

36°C / 97°F avg high

Coolest month
December

6°C / 42°F avg high

Wettest month
September

about 34 mm rain

Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.

Things to do in Arches

10 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.

See

The landmarks we would not skip in Arches across Park entrance and Balanced Rock. All 2 are free to visit.

  • Arches Visitor Center in ArchesPhoto: Yinzú Nairouz · Google
    See

    Arches Visitor Center

    Park entrance with exhibits and ranger trail updates.

    Tip Timed-entry reservations are required in peak season; check recreation.gov.

    • Park entrance
    • Free
    • 30 min
    • Morning
  • Balanced Rock in ArchesPhoto: Thomas Wolf, www.foto-tw.de · CC BY-SA 3.0
    See

    Balanced Rock

    A 128-ft rock pinnacle with a big boulder on top, with a short loop trail around it.

    Tip Quick stop between the entrance and Windows.

    • Balanced Rock
    • Free
    • 20 min
    • Any

Do

Hands-on ways to spend time in Arches across Wolfe Ranch, Devils Garden and Fiery Furnace. 2 of them are free.

  • Delicate Arch Trail in ArchesPhoto: Francesco Garbagnati · Google
    Do

    Delicate Arch Trail

    Three-mile round trip over slickrock to Utah's most famous arch.

    Tip Go for sunset; bring a headlamp for the walk down.

    • Wolfe Ranch
    • Free
    • 2.5 hr
    • Sunset
  • Devils Garden Trail in ArchesPhoto: Michele Iotti · Google
    Do

    Devils Garden Trail

    Trail to Landscape Arch, with an optional primitive loop past several more arches.

    Tip Start early; parking fills fast.

    • Devils Garden
    • Free
    • 3 hr
    • Early morning
  • Fiery Furnace in ArchesPhoto: Murray Foubister · CC BY-SA 2.0
    Do

    Fiery Furnace

    Maze of sandstone fins explored on a ranger-led hike or with a self-guided permit.

    Tip Book ranger tours months ahead on recreation.gov.

    • Fiery Furnace
    • $
    • 3 hr
    • Spring or fall

Outdoors

Trails, views and open space in and around Arches. All 2 are free to visit.

  • Park Avenue Trail in ArchesPhoto: Holly Bailey · Google
    Outdoors

    Park Avenue Trail

    Short walk between tall fins that look like a city skyline.

    Tip Do it one-way if someone can meet you with the car.

    • Park Avenue
    • Free
    • 45 min
    • Morning
  • Windows Section in ArchesPhoto: Shannon E · Google
    Outdoors

    Windows Section

    North and South Windows and Turret Arch on short trails; Double Arch is next door.

    Tip Great for stargazing; it's an International Dark Sky Park.

    • Windows
    • Free
    • 1.5 hr
    • Sunrise

Eat

2 places to eat in Moab, picked for groups who care about the food.

  • Milt's Stop & Eat in ArchesPhoto: Phil Whitehouse from London, United Kingdom · CC BY 2.0
    Eat

    Milt's Stop & Eat

    Moab burger stand since 1954 with hand-cut fries and milkshakes.

    Tip Expect a line at dinner; worth it.

    • Moab
    • $
    • 45 min
    • Lunch
  • Desert Bistro in ArchesPhoto: Desert Bistro · Google
    Eat

    Desert Bistro

    Moab's best-known fine-dining restaurant, with game meats and local produce.

    Tip Reserve ahead; closed in winter.

    • Moab
    • $$$$
    • 2 hr
    • Dinner

Drink

1 bar or café in Moab for coffee, a round or a nightcap.

  • Moab Brewery in ArchesPhoto: Moab Brewery · Google
    Drink

    Moab Brewery

    Moab's original brewpub with house beers and a big menu.

    Tip Utah draft beer is now 5% ABV; ask about bottles for stronger beers.

    • Moab
    • $$
    • 75 min
    • Evening

How to fit Arches into a trip

Arches is stop 4 of 5 on our Utah Mighty Five route. Follow it as-is or lift Arches into your own plan.

Getting here and onward

Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.

Arches month by month

Average daily highs run from 6°C / 42°F in December to 36°C / 97°F in July. September is the wettest month, with about 34 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.

Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Arches weather and the best time to visit →

Near Arches

8 other destinations from our guides within about 300 km (186 mi), measured in a straight line.

Arches questions, answered

How many days do you need in Arches?

Our route notes suggest 1–2 days in Arches. On our Utah Mighty Five route it is stop 4 of 5 in a 8-day trip. The listed visit times for our 10 places add up to roughly 16 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.

What is Arches best known for?

Spend 1–2 days from Moab: Delicate Arch at sunset, Windows and Devils Garden, then dinner on Main Street. Standouts on our list: Arches Visitor Center (Park entrance with exhibits and ranger trail updates); Balanced Rock (A 128-ft rock pinnacle with a big boulder on top, with a short loop trail around it); Park Avenue Trail (Short walk between tall fins that look like a city skyline).

When is the best time to visit Arches?

Our Utah Mighty Five route is best Mar – May. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in July (36°C / 97°F), the coolest in December (6°C / 42°F) and the most rain in September (about 34 mm).

What are the best things to do in Arches?

Start with Arches Visitor Center, Park Avenue Trail, Balanced Rock, Windows Section and Delicate Arch Trail. Our guide lists 10 places in all, from 2 sights, 3 activities, 2 outdoor spots, 2 places to eat and 1 bar or café.

Where should a group eat in Arches?

Our picks: Milt's Stop & Eat (Moab); Desert Bistro (Moab). Expect a line at dinner; worth it (Milt's Stop & Eat).

What is near Arches?

The closest destinations in our guides are Canyonlands (about 52 km / 32 mi), Capitol Reef (about 153 km / 95 mi) and Aspen (about 245 km / 152 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.

Plan Arches with your crew

Open the Utah Mighty Five route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 10 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.

Get TripsCircle

Plan around Arches

More in Utah

More in United States

Plan it together

Plan Arches