The park has actually been the filming site for scenes in “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” and countless Western movies from the 90s. The reason is the scenery in Arches National Park is breathtaking and demands adventure. Although it may look like it, this isn’t the Wild West anymore, so please stay on marked trails!
You should know that during peak season, Arches National Park becomes very crowded, so if you are considering visiting, check out my things to know before visiting Arches National Park. However, no matter the time of year, there are a few secret and solitary spots up for discovery within the park for those who search for them. Some of my go-to places include Sandstone Arch, Partition Arch, and Eye of the Whale Arch.
If you love camping as much as I do, camping around this area is a treat. No matter how you camp, you can find something that is your style. With tons of campgrounds, BLM land, dispersed camping, and glamping options, there is something for everyone. Closer to the park and town of Moab, camping will be more crowded and harder to come by unless you stay somewhere with reservations. If solitude sounds like paradise to you, further away from town, there are many dispersed camping areas, and it is easy to find hidden gems the further you are willing to drive.
Remember to respect the locals and their homes! Locals are there for the same reason you are- because they love the area. Treat them and their environment with kindness and respect, and they will return the favor.
Moab is an adventure town through and through, and the surrounding landscape provides endless opportunities. Arches is not the only national park in the area- Canyonlands National Park is just down the road! Outside of national parks, there are countless other places to explore and new activities to try. Corona Arch and Fisher Towers Trail are a few of my favorite local hiking trails. Moab is also known for mountain bike trails for all levels, river rafting opportunities, and fantastic climbing and canyoneering areas. Another adventure is to explore the rich indigenous history of the area! This part of Utah is filled with petroglyphs, pictographs, handmade structures, and other remnants of the past. If you choose to visit these areas, please remember to practice your best Leave No Trace practices!
Have I convinced you to take a trip to Arches yet? If so, be sure to check out my guide on everything you need to know about visiting Arches National Park!
Home to beautiful landscapes and unique features that you will only find here, Arches National Park is one of my favorite national parks in the United States! I have been to 31 national parks (and counting) and will forever hold Arches close to my heart. Rain or shine, I have always had a fantastic time at this park. What keeps me coming back time and time again is Arches is different from many national parks I have been to because of the otherworldly scenery. After five visits to Arches National Park, here is my list of why I think it is one of the best national parks!
The outdoors is for everyone, but it is up to us to protect it. When enjoying the outdoors, it’s important to practice the Leave No Trace Principles so that we can leave the environment better than we found it and ensure that everyone can continue to enjoy it. Learn more about Leave No Trace here.
I have hiked hundreds and hundreds of trails, but several of my favorites are in Arches National Park. From super short and accessible to advanced hiking and rock scrambling, Arches has something for people at every level. The environment in Arches is unique and also very fragile, so it is crucial to tread cautiously and follow the Parks visitation rules. For more trail information, see my Arches National Park Hiking Guide.
Arches National Park has always been one of my favorite places to visit in spring! Coming from Colorado or Montana, where sunshine and hiking weather come later in the year, Arches was my go-to place to escape the snow for many years. Early spring in Arches is perfect because you can still find warm and sunny days, and the park is much quieter than summer. Although nice weather isn’t always guaranteed during this time of year, the chance of a beautiful day was worth the risk, in my opinion.
Please be respectful of locals and the environment when looking for camping! Do not camp on private property, areas clearly marked for restoration or day use only, archaeological sites, or spaces where you are disturbing plant life or the biological soil crust- camp only in designated or pre-existing spots and on slickrock.
Moab is the closest town to Arches National Park, and what a gem it is! Radiating with art, history, and the spirit of adventure, Moab is absolutely worth exploring. There are great restaurants, breweries, stores, and specialty shops like bike shops and climbing retailers. Moab is a destination town on its own, so the fact that it is so close to Arches creates the opportunity for an even more enjoyable visit.
UT: 26 miles – 30 minutes
UT: 136 Miles – 2 hours and 10 minutes
AZ: 153 miles – 2 hours and 45 minutes
The park has actually been the filming site for scenes in “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” and countless Western movies from the 90s. The reason is the scenery in Arches National Park is breathtaking and demands adventure. Although it may look like it, this isn’t the Wild West anymore, so please stay on marked trails!
You should know that during peak season, Arches National Park becomes very crowded, so if you are considering visiting, check out my things to know before visiting Arches National Park. However, no matter the time of year, there are a few secret and solitary spots up for discovery within the park for those who search for them. Some of my go-to places include Sandstone Arch, Partition Arch, and Eye of the Whale Arch.
If you love camping as much as I do, camping around this area is a treat. No matter how you camp, you can find something that is your style. With tons of campgrounds, BLM land, dispersed camping, and glamping options, there is something for everyone. Closer to the park and town of Moab, camping will be more crowded and harder to come by unless you stay somewhere with reservations. If solitude sounds like paradise to you, further away from town, there are many dispersed camping areas, and it is easy to find hidden gems the further you are willing to drive.
Please be respectful of locals and the environment when looking for camping! Do not camp on private property, areas clearly marked for restoration or day use only, archaeological sites, or spaces where you are disturbing plant life or the biological soil crust- camp only in designated or pre-existing spots and on slickrock.
Moab is an adventure town through and through, and the surrounding landscape provides endless opportunities. Arches is not the only national park in the area- Canyonlands National Park is just down the road! Outside of national parks, there are countless other places to explore and new activities to try. Corona Arch and Fisher Towers Trail are a few of my favorite local hiking trails. Moab is also known for mountain bike trails for all levels, river rafting opportunities, and fantastic climbing and canyoneering areas. Another adventure is to explore the rich indigenous history of the area! This part of Utah is filled with petroglyphs, pictographs, handmade structures, and other remnants of the past. If you choose to visit these areas, please remember to practice your best Leave No Trace practices!
Have I convinced you to take a trip to Arches yet? If so, be sure to check out my guide on everything you need to know about visiting Arches National Park!
Home to beautiful landscapes and unique features that you will only find here, Arches National Park is one of my favorite national parks in the United States! I have been to 31 national parks (and counting) and will forever hold Arches close to my heart. Rain or shine, I have always had a fantastic time at this park. What keeps me coming back time and time again is Arches is different from many national parks I have been to because of the otherworldly scenery. After five visits to Arches National Park, here is my list of why I think it is one of the best national parks!
The outdoors is for everyone, but it is up to us to protect it. When enjoying the outdoors, it’s important to practice the Leave No Trace Principles so that we can leave the environment better than we found it and ensure that everyone can continue to enjoy it. Learn more about Leave No Trace here.
I have hiked hundreds and hundreds of trails, but several of my favorites are in Arches National Park. From super short and accessible to advanced hiking and rock scrambling, Arches has something for people at every level. The environment in Arches is unique and also very fragile, so it is crucial to tread cautiously and follow the Parks visitation rules. For more trail information, see my Arches National Park Hiking Guide (coming soon).
Arches National Park has always been one of my favorite places to visit in spring! Coming from Colorado or Montana, where sunshine and hiking weather come later in the year, Arches was my go-to place to escape the snow for many years. Early spring in Arches is perfect because you can still find warm and sunny days, and the park is much quieter than summer. Although nice weather isn’t always guaranteed during this time of year, the chance of a beautiful day was worth the risk, in my opinion.
Moab is the closest town to Arches National Park, and what a gem it is! Radiating with art, history, and the spirit of adventure, Moab is absolutely worth exploring. There are great restaurants, breweries, stores, and specialty shops like bike shops and climbing retailers. Moab is a destination town on its own, so the fact that it is so close to Arches creates the opportunity for an even more enjoyable visit.
Remember to respect the locals and their homes! Locals are there for the same reason you are- because they love the area. Treat them and their environment with kindness and respect, and they will return the favor.
UT: 26 miles – 30 minutes
UT: 136 Miles – 2 hours and 10 minutes
AZ: 153 miles – 2 hours and 45 minutes
Home to beautiful landscapes and unique features that you will only find here, Arches National Park is one of my favorite national parks in the United States! I have been to 31 national parks (and counting) and will forever hold Arches close to my heart. Rain or shine, I have always had a fantastic time at this park. What keeps me coming back time and time again is Arches is different from many national parks I have been to because of the otherworldly scenery. After five visits to Arches National Park, here is my list of why I think it is one of the best national parks!
The outdoors is for everyone, but it is up to us to protect it. When enjoying the outdoors, it’s important to practice the Leave No Trace Principles so that we can leave the environment better than we found it and ensure that everyone can continue to enjoy it. Learn more about Leave No Trace here.
The park has actually been the filming site for scenes in “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” and countless Western movies from the 90s. The reason is the scenery in Arches National Park is breathtaking and demands adventure. Although it may look like it, this isn’t the Wild West anymore, so please stay on marked trails!
I have hiked hundreds and hundreds of trails, but several of my favorites are in Arches National Park. From super short and accessible to advanced hiking and rock scrambling, Arches has something for people at every level. The environment in Arches is unique and also very fragile, so it is crucial to tread cautiously and follow the Parks visitation rules. For more trail information, see my Arches National Park Hiking Guide (coming soon).
You should know that during peak season, Arches National Park becomes very crowded, so if you are considering visiting, check out my things to know before visiting Arches National Park. However, no matter the time of year, there are a few secret and solitary spots up for discovery within the park for those who search for them. Some of my go-to places include Sandstone Arch, Partition Arch, and Eye of the Whale Arch.
Arches National Park has always been one of my favorite places to visit in spring! Coming from Colorado or Montana, where sunshine and hiking weather come later in the year, Arches was my go-to place to escape the snow for many years. Early spring in Arches is perfect because you can still find warm and sunny days, and the park is much quieter than summer. Although nice weather isn’t always guaranteed during this time of year, the chance of a beautiful day was worth the risk, in my opinion.
If you love camping as much as I do, camping around this area is a treat. No matter how you camp, you can find something that is your style. With tons of campgrounds, BLM land, dispersed camping, and glamping options, there is something for everyone. Closer to the park and town of Moab, camping will be more crowded and harder to come by unless you stay somewhere with reservations. If solitude sounds like paradise to you, further away from town, there are many dispersed camping areas, and it is easy to find hidden gems the further you are willing to drive.
*Please be respectful of locals and the environment when looking for camping! Do not camp on private property, areas clearly marked for restoration or day use only, archaeological sites, or spaces where you are disturbing plant life or the biological soil crust- camp only in designated or pre-existing spots and on slickrock.
Moab is the closest town to Arches National Park, and what a gem it is! Radiating with art, history, and the spirit of adventure, Moab is absolutely worth exploring. There are great restaurants, breweries, stores, and specialty shops like bike shops and climbing retailers. Moab is a destination town on its own, so the fact that it is so close to Arches creates the opportunity for an even more enjoyable visit.
*Remember to respect the locals and their homes! Locals are there for the same reason you are- because they love the area. Treat them and their environment with kindness and respect, and they will return the favor.
Moab is an adventure town through and through, and the surrounding landscape provides endless opportunities. Arches is not the only national park in the area- Canyonlands National Park is just down the road! Outside of national parks, there are countless other places to explore and new activities to try. Corona Arch and Fisher Towers Trail are a few of my favorite local hiking trails. Moab is also known for mountain bike trails for all levels, river rafting opportunities, and fantastic climbing and canyoneering areas. Another adventure is to explore the rich indigenous history of the area! This part of Utah is filled with petroglyphs, pictographs, handmade structures, and other remnants of the past. If you choose to visit these areas, please remember to practice your best Leave No Trace practices!
Have I convinced you to take a trip to Arches yet? If so, be sure to check out my guide on everything you need to know about visiting Arches National Park!
UT: 26 miles – 30 minutes
UT: 136 Miles – 2 hours and 10 minutes
AZ: 153 miles – 2 hours and 45 minutes