As you’re planning your trip to Utah, you 1000% want to put Arches National Park on the list of places to see. It’s an iconic destination with more access than you knew existed. Hence the name. It’s also pretty easy and simple to tackle.
The national park has one way in and one way out (which also makes it feel congested at peak times). Still, for those looking to check off the top activities in Arches National Park, you don’t have to drive too much to see the sights.
Inside, we’ll dive into all the things to do in Arches, where to stay, when to visit, and so much more. Let’s explore, shall we!?
Best Things To Do in Arches National Park
1. Walk through park avenue
I did this when I was five and had to reenact it with my dad 28 years later. It’s a beautiful place – probably a perfect sunrise or sunset spot – and it’s too hard a walk. If you’ve been driving for a while and this is your first spot in Arches, it’s not a bad place to start off your trip!
2. See double arch
One of the more impressive arch formations in the park. This one is in the same parking area as Windows and Turrett Arch. So you can knock out three in one fell swoop. The hike out to Double Arch is less than a half a mile – all flat.
Then, if you want to, you can explore higher up on the rock.
3. Walk between the north & south windows and turret arch
This is a fun meander. I finally nailed a photo I’ve been wanting for years. If you hike through North Window and go clockwise, you’ll come to a viewpoint where you can see Turret Arch through the eye of North Window.
4. Take a guided tour of fiery furnace
This is a permit-only hike. You can either go ranger guided or, during the winter months, get an individual permit. You can learn more about the Fiery Furnace trip here.
I’ve always wanted to go and do this, but the first time in 2020, they weren’t offering winter trips. I thought that was the case in 2025, but I was wrong and could have gotten a permit. It’s hands down one of the best things to do in Arches.
Permits cost $10 per person and have to be reserved in advance.
5. Watch sunrise or sunset at delicate arch
Delicate Arch is a CLASSIC! It is (was?) the license plate for the state of Utah and offers terrific views of the La Sal Mountains as well. The hike up here isn’t too bad, but be prepared for plenty of people.
If you want to avoid the crowds, aim to be up there before sunrise. Or, visit in December or January. Whenever you visit, just know you’re seeing of the best views in Arches.
6. Check out sandstone and broken arch
Sandstone Arch is unique as it’s inside a large slot canyon of sorts. You can get cool photos hiking up behind it and shooting back down/inside. It was iced over in 2020, so I decided not to break any limbs and try that shot.
7. Hike out to double-o arch
One of my favorite hikes in Arches is the one I mention below. This trail hits a few other arches as well, making for a big bang-for-your-buck trail. It was snowy when I went, but if you go in drier conditions, go to the backside of the Double-O arch. The view looks pretty cool from that angle.
8. See the balanced rock
The aptly named viewpoint looks like a rock is balancing on a rock pillar. This is viewable from the road, but there’s also a pull-off to get out and walk near it.
9. Watch sunset at la Sal mountains viewpoint
This is a magical place to watch the sunset. On my trip, the sky absolutely erupted above the snow-capped La Sal Mountains. It made for a perfect and easy place to watch the sunset. It’s also near the front of the park, so that you can get back to Moab in less than 25 minutes.
It’s easily one of the best things to do in Arches.
10. Visit the arches national park visitor center
This is the place to ask questions, get park information, fill up on water, and more! Don’t be shy. The staff is there to help!
11. Drive the arches national park road
The 18-mile one-way drive (36 miles total) gives you access to everything on this list. Dozens and dozens and dozens of arches, plenty of impressive rock formations, and enough views to last you all weekend.
12. Visit courthouse towers
There’s a small parking lot here to pull into to check out the towers. There’s not a ton to see, but it’s worthwhile. On the other hand, you can park here and do the Park Avenue hike backwards. It looks somewhat similar to nearby Fisher Towers.
13. See 7 arches on one hike (Including landscape arch, double-o, tunnel arch)
One of the best things to do in Arches National Park is the Devil’s Garden Trail. This is a longer version of the Double-O trail, giving you opportunities to see seven arches over eight miles. I haven’t done this full trail, but it looks pretty epic to me!
14. Astrophotography and night sky watching in arches
Arches offers some of the darkest night skies in the nation and is a fantastic place to watch the stars come out and photograph the Milky Way.
Book a night stargazing tour in Arches.
15. Go flightseeing over arches
I LOVE me some flightseeing! I’ve flown over Yosemite National Park, Denali, the Selkirks in Idaho, and around Kauai. It’s a fantastic way to see the landscape. And with drones prohibited in the national parks, this is the only way to get an aerial view of Arches.
This article first appeared on ExplorewithAlec.com.