Arches National Park protects the highest concentration of natural sandstone arches anywhere on Earth — over 2,000 of them scattered across a red-rock landscape near Moab, Utah. Formed over 100 million years as wind and water eroded away weaker layers of ancient sandstone, these formations range from delicate spans that could collapse at any time to massive arches that have stood for tens of thousands of years.
Top Things to Do in Arches
Delicate Arch is the park's icon, and the one you've seen on Utah license plates — a free-standing arch perched on the edge of a sandstone bowl with the La Sal Mountains as a backdrop. The 3-mile round-trip hike to reach it is moderately strenuous but essential, especially at sunset when the rock glows deep orange. Devils Garden, in the park's northern section, is a hiker's paradise with a trail connecting seven arches, including Landscape Arch — one of the longest natural stone spans in the world.
The Windows Section offers some of the easiest arch access in the park, with North Window, South Window, and Turret Arch all reachable on short walks from the same parking area — ideal for visitors short on time or energy. Arches gets brutally hot in summer, so spring and fall, when temperatures are milder and the light is especially good for photography, are the best times to visit.
What to Pack for Arches
Arches is high desert with intense sun and minimal shade — water, sun protection, and sturdy footwear are essential on every hike, even short ones. The VacationGrabs Big Outdoor Leather Backpack has the capacity for extra water and layers on longer hikes like Devils Garden. For a Moab basecamp trip, the VacationGrabs Leather Duffel is a compact, rugged option for the drive out.
Book Arches Tours and Experiences
Sunset photography tours, Delicate Arch guided hikes, and Moab-area jeep and rafting excursions are among the best ways to experience the region. Browse Arches National Park tours and experiences below to plan your trip.
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