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If you’re looking for an epic adventure, Arches National Park is the place to go. This park is home to some of the most beautiful and unique landscapes in the world. However, if you only have one day to visit Arches National Park, it can be tough to know what to see and do. That’s why we’ve put together this guide! In this blog post, we’ll give you a complete itinerary for visiting Arches National Park in just one day. So pack your bags and get ready for an adventure!

Why Visit Arches National Park

Arches National Park is one of the most popular destinations in Utah, and for good reason! With over 2,000 arches and a variety of landscapes, Arches National Park offers something for everyone. It is also part of the Mighty 5 National Parks in Utah and one of the best national parks in Utah to visit if you are on limited time. This blog will help you figure out how to make the most of your one day in Arches National Park.

How to Get to Arches National Park

Of course having more time is nice, but visiting Arches National Park in one day is doable. The most likely way to get to Arches National Park is via car. Stopping in Arches National Park can be easily done on a Utah Mighty 5 national parks road trip. If driving from Salt Lake City to Moab, you should expect a 3.5-4 hour drive.

But if you are coming from farther away, another option is to fly into Canyonlands Field Airport (CNY) airport which has flights from Salt Lake City on Delta and from Denver on United. Right in the airport you can rent a car from Enterprise to begin your one day in Arches National Park.

Tips for Visiting Arches National Park

If you are planning to visit Arches National Park for the day, make sure you have an up-to-date national parks pass. This pass provides access to all national parks and usually costs $80. The pass will essentially pay for itself by visiting 3 national parks in a 12 month period.

Be sure to stock your car with the essentials before heading off on your adventure. There is no food, water, or gas in the park. And since you only have one day in Arches National Park, you don’t want to waste time leaving the park for food. Consider packing a first aid kit, snacks, water, a map, sunscreen, changes of clothes in case of emergencies, and whatever other things you think you might need for the day.

One of the best things about national parks is that they are here for us to enjoy now and for others to enjoy for generations to come. Remember when you’re visiting Arches National Park to pick up after yourself, pack out all trash, food, and waste that you bring into the park. Don’t carve your name into the rocks and be respectful of the other park visitors.

When is the Best Time to Visit Arches National Park

The best time to visit Arches National Park is the time that you have available. Waiting for the perfect time may keep you from ever making the trip. However, if you have choices, let’s talk about the best time to visit.

Arches National Park is a popular destination. Therefore, visiting in off-season or shoulder season will make for a more enjoyable experience. Peak season is April-October. This is also the timing that requires timed entry reservations (see below).

Visiting Arches National Park for the day during November-March means less crowds, better weather, and maybe even the potential for snow which looks beautiful against the red rocks. However, visiting at this time of year also means shorter days so you will want to be sure to make the most of your one day in Arches National Park.

Arches National Park Reservations

During peak season, Arches National Park requires a timed-entry reservation for each private vehicle entering the park to spread out the crowds. In 2023, if you plan to visit between April 1 and October 31, make your reservation here. Timed entry reservations are free but require a $2 processing fee.

If you forgot to make a reservation, a limited number of tickets will be available one day prior to entry at 6 pm MDT through Recreation.gov. These are expected to sell out quickly so advanced planning is ideal.

Once you enter the park and your timed entry ticket is validated, you can stay in the park for the rest of the day. If your ticket is correctly validated you can also leave the park and return.

As of now, you only need a reservation to enter between 7am-4pm. If you enter before 7am or after 4pm, you will not need a ticket. Keep in mind, traffic can back up at the park entrance. Do not plan to arrive at 6:55am without a time entry ticket.

Timed entry reservations do not exclude you from having to pay the entry fee which is $30 per car. This fee is covered under your America the Beautiful Annual Parks Pass.

Arches National Park One Day Itinerary

Now that we have discussed all of the pre-trip preparations, let’s plan out the best way to spend your day.

Sunrise at Delicate Arch

Exploring Arches National Park in one day is a daunting task, so the day will start early. But even with more time, hiking to the Delicate Arch at sunrise is a must-do for any visitor.

As the day slowly reveals itself around you, witness the sun quickly overtake and blanket the canyon in its morning light while standing in awe of such an incredible natural formation that was thousands of years in the making.

Although it’s only a three-mile roundtrip, with nearly 500 feet of elevation gain, hikers must be prepared for rocky terrain and desert heat depending on the season. But the difficulty is rewarded with stunning views of this awe-inspiring 65ft-high natural arch against the backdrop of a truly breathtaking sunrise.

Be sure to pack a headlamp, extra batteries, water, snacks to eat while taking in the beauty of the arch, and layers of clothing for your trip. Additionally, it is a great idea to download the trail map ahead of time since it will be dark and cell service is limited in the park. If you are new to hiking, be sure to check out this hiking 101 guide before setting out.

Optional: Garden of Eden

Because you are at Delicate Arch trailhead anyway, it might be worth it to make a short stop at the Garden of Eden too.

From Delicate Arch Road, turn left onto The Windows Road and enjoy stunning panoramic views of the park that feature the La Sal Mountains, Turret Arch, and the Windows. After all, the Garden of Eden is known for having some of the best views in Arches National Park.

Midday at The Windows

Next up, you will head over to The Windows parking area. Here you will have your picnic lunch and visit several arches. First up, you will do the Windows and Turret Arch Trail. This hike is 1.2 miles with 154 feet of elevation gain.

After finishing the Windows and Turret Arch Trail, you will head across the parking lot to do Double Arch Trail. This trail is 0.6 miles with 95 feet of elevation gain. Please note that this is a different arch than the “Double O Arch” that is listed under Devil’s Garden.

Balanced Rock

If you are on The Windows Road and want to see Balanced Rock then turn left onto Scenic Drive and enjoy Balanced Rock.

After all, this immortal local landmark can be reached by way of an easy, 0.3-mile trail that culminates in beautiful views of this incredible place.

From here, it will take you around 15 minutes to drive to the Park Avenue Trailhead, where you can stop at a great viewpoint and hike the entire, one-mile-long trail in about 30 minutes.

Just be aware that this is an out-and-back hike. Therefore, it will take you about an hour to do the round-trip hike. Alternatively, you could always to this as a point-to-point hike and just have a member of your group pick you up near Courthouse Towers.

Afternoon at Devil’s Garden

Devil’s Garden is home to many different arches. If you have already hiked Delicate Arch and The Windows, completing the entire Devil’s Garden Loop may be a bit much if you are visiting Arches National Park in one day.

However, even if you are tired or are limited on time after a full day, hiking to Landscape Arch and back is still worth it and should take about an hour. Landscape Arch is the 5th longest arch in the world and the longest arch in the United States.

If you opt for the entire Devil’s Garden Loop, you will see Landscape Arch and several others. This loop is 7.9 miles with 1085 feet of elevation gain. If you don’t have time for the entire loop but want a little extra, consider hiking to Double-O Arch and back. This hike is 4.1 miles with 672 feet of elevation gain.

And if you have some extra time you can also visit Skyline Arch since the trailhead is only about a half-mile from Devil’s Garden parking lot. Then, upon arrival, it’s about a five-minute walk to this stunning local landmark.

Optional: Sand Dune Arch and Broken Arch

If you find yourself going through this one day in Arches National Park itinerary at warp speed then try to visit both Sand Dune Arch and Broken Arch.

After all, it’s easy to hike to Sand Dune Arch since it’s accessible by way of a shaded, sandy trail that will take around half an hour to hike.

Now, because the trail to Broken Arch and the trail to Sand Dune Arch use the same trailhead then it makes sense to do both hikes while you’re here.

Just be aware that it will take you about an hour and a half to complete both hikes since you’ll cover a total distance.

Additionally, you may want to avoid the hike to Broken Arch in the summer since the trail is exposed and won’t provide respite from the intense heat.

Evening Scenic Drive

Since you started hiking before the sun was up, you missed the beauty of the park from the car on the way in. Since Devil’s Garden is opposite the entrance of the park, on your way out, be sure to stop at many of the beautiful overlooks to take in some of sights of Arches National Park.

A few favorites are Panorama Point, Balanced Rock Viewpoint, La Sal Mountains Viewpoint, and Park Avenue.

What to do with More Than One Day in Arches National Park

If you have more time to spend in Arches National Park, consider spreading out the above itinerary to not get too worn out. The hikes are all on slickrock which can be tough on the body.

But if you are looking for additional suggestions, consider hiking Park Avenue or doing a ranger-led tour of the Fiery Furnace. Please note that these are not available year-round. You can also do a self-guided hike of the Fiery Furnace but it requires a permit and significant route-finding.

Arches National Park in One Day FAQ

How Much Time do you need at Arches National Park?

Two full days is the ideal amount of time to spend in Arches National Park since you’ll have enough to explore all of the very best hikes that the park has to offer.

How Long Does it Take to Hike Arches National Park?

You can hike most of the top trails in the park within two days. However, hiking times vary based on the trail you use.

For example, you can complete the hike along the Delicate Arch trail in either two or three hours.

Is Half a Day Enough for Arches National Park?

No. Half a day is not enough time for Arches National Park. Try and spend at least one day in Arches National Park to enjoy all of the area’s major highlights.

Is One Day Enough for Moab?

No, one day is not enough for Moab. If you can, try and spend at least three nights and two full days in the area so that you can spend a day in Canyonlands and a day in Arches National Park.

Alternatively, you could spend a half a day in Canyonlands and then devote the rest of the day to exploring Dead Horse State Park.

But, if you have extra time in the area, do sign up for a rafting trip since they are a ton of fun.

Visiting Arches National Park in One Day

So there you have it, a jam-packed one-day itinerary of all the must-see sights at Arches national park. Be sure to get an early start so you can catch sunrise at Delicate Arch. Then head over to The Windows for some midday exploring before making your way to Devil’s Garden in the afternoon. Top off your day with a scenic drive through the park as the sun sets.

Now all that is left is setting out on your trip. With this guide in hand, you are guaranteed to have a packed but amazing day at Arches National Park. When are you headed to Arches National Park? Let me know in the comments.

You May Also Enjoy These Posts:

• Best Hikes in Utah
• Fiery Furnace Hike in Arches National Park
• 21 Places to Visit in Utah that aren’t National Parks
• Driving the White Rim Trail in Canyonlands
• Driving the Cathedral Valley Loop in Capitol Reef
• Visiting the Utah Mighty 5 National Parks
• Best Scenic Drives in Utah

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