Moab, UT
Arches National Park
Red-rock arches, pinnacles, and desert trails near Moab, Utah.
Arches National Park protects one of Utah's most iconic red-rock landscapes, showcasing thousands of natural stone arches, towering pinnacles, and sculptured rock formations near Moab. The park draws visitors to hike among its otherworldly geology, photograph dramatic desert vistas, and explore some of the American West's most recognizable geological features.
Access to the park is organized around one developed campground and two wilderness recreation areas: Devils Garden Campground for vehicle camping, Arches National Park Canyoneering Permits for backcountry climbing and canyoneering, and Fiery Furnace - Guided & Self-Guided Tours for guided and self-led exploration of a dense maze of slot canyons and fins.
No entrance permit is required to visit Arches. The park sits in the high desert near Moab, making spring and fall the most popular seasons for exploring its trails and formations. The landscape's contrasting colors and textures—from deep red rock to pale sandstone—shift dramatically with the light, offering photographers and visitors equally compelling reasons to spend time here.
Experiences
Camping
Explore 1 camping location in Arches National Park.
Experiences
Wilderness Areas
Explore 2 wilderness areas locations in Arches National Park.
Common Questions
What visitors most often want to know about Arches National Park.
Do I need a permit or reservation to enter Arches National Park?
No, Arches does not require a permit for general entry, and as of 2026 the park removed its timed-entry reservation requirement, so visitors can arrive at any time during operating hours. A valid park pass or entrance fee is still required at the gate. Certain activities inside the park, like Fiery Furnace tours and canyoneering, do require their own separate permits.
What is the Fiery Furnace and how do I get access to it?
The Fiery Furnace is a maze of narrow sandstone fins and passages that requires either a ranger-guided walk or a permit for self-guided exploration. Because the terrain is tight and disorienting, access is limited to protect both hikers and the fragile rock formations. Both the guided tours and self-guided permits are booked through Recreation.gov.
Is camping available inside Arches National Park?
Yes, Devils Garden Campground is the park's only in-park campground, and sites must be reserved in advance rather than claimed first-come. Since it's the sole camping option within Arches, availability tends to book up quickly, especially in peak season. Reservations are managed through Recreation.gov.
Do I need a permit for canyoneering in Arches?
Yes, canyoneering routes in Arches require a separate canyoneering permit beyond standard park admission. This permit is distinct from the Fiery Furnace permit and covers routes through the park's designated wilderness areas. Like other park activities, canyoneering permits are issued through Recreation.gov.
When is the best time to visit Arches National Park?
Spring and fall are generally the most comfortable seasons to visit, since temperatures are milder than the intense summer heat. Sunrise and sunset are popular times to see the arches and rock fins in dramatic light. Because most trails offer little shade, visiting during the cooler parts of the day is more comfortable year-round.
How can Open Canyon help me get into sold-out spots like Devils Garden Campground or Fiery Furnace tours?
Open Canyon monitors Recreation.gov listings for Arches, including Devils Garden Campground and Fiery Furnace tours, and can alert you the moment a previously booked slot opens up due to a cancellation. This gives you a chance to grab a spot that was fully booked before, without having to refresh Recreation.gov yourself. Since canyoneering permits and guided tours all run through the same Recreation.gov booking system, alerts work the same way across each of these categories.