Arches National Park

Stargazing Events in Southeast Utah

Rangers occasionally lead stargazing programs and events at parks throughout southeast Utah. Learn about what to expect and check out a schedule of stargazing events at Arches and Canyonlands national parks and Hovenweep and Natural Bridges national monuments. Even when formal programs are not offered, people are welcome to enjoy the parks after dark on their own.

Explore the Fiery Furnace

Entry to the Fiery Furnace is managed by permits and ranger-led tours to ensure the experience of solitude and wilderness.

Canyoneering at Arches

Arches has no real "slot canyons" but does afford some unique on-rope opportunities.

Rock Climbing at Arches

Most climbing routes in the park require advanced techniques. Climbing is not allowed on any arches or certain named features, such as Balanced Rock.

Stargaze at Panorama Point

Arches National Park and the surrounding Colorado Plateau offer some of the darkest night skies remaining in the United States. You can enjoy the park after dark by viewing spectacular night skies.

Hiking at Arches

Arches contains a variety of hiking trails, from easy/moderate to long and strenuous. Many trails use cairns (stacks of rocks) for markers and cross broad rock surfaces, requiring attention to follow. Learn how to Protect Yourself and Protect Your Park with hiking safety and Leave No Trace tips.

Start at Arches Visitor Center

Stop at the visitor center to plan your visit, fill your water bottle, learn about the park, and pick up a souvenir.

Backpacking at Arches

Backpacking at Arches is allowed in designated sites only and requires a permit.

Enjoy Arches from the Road

If you pay close attention, you can see close to two dozen arches from the comfort of your car.

Arches Junior Ranger Program

Filled with fun activities, free Arches Junior Ranger books reveal the wonders of Arches to kids and parents alike.

Arches Entrance Station

Visitors can pay entrance fees and purchase passes at the park entrance station.

Arches Visitor Center Exterior Zone 1

 This exhibit emphasizes the importance of drinking water and reusable bottles. Two panels are located on each side of the first display partition on your left as you enter.

Arches Visitor Center Exterior Zone 10

The area includes the entrance to the interior of the Visitor Center and the amenities in the area. Amenities include restrooms, benches, and water filling stations.

Arches Visitor Center Exterior Zone 2

A panel outside the Visitor Center that describes 13 major points of interest within Arches National Park named "Park Features". The panel features information about 13 popular sites and a map of the park.

Landscape Arch Trail

Landscape Arch is in Devils Garden: a region at the northern end of the park, 18 miles (28 km) from the park entrance. Toilets at the trailhead are open year-round. Drinking water is available spring through fall. This trailhead offers a range of hiking experiences, from easy to strenuous. Three options are listed below. To Landscape Arch Roundtrip Distance: 1.8 mi (2.9 km)  Time: 30-60 min  Elevation Change: 40 ft (12 m)  Difficulty: Easy  Hike Description: A hard-packed trail leads to a spectacular ribbon of rock. Spur trails lead to Pine Tree Arch and Tunnel Arch.  Accessibility: While the trail is considered barrier free, just before Landscape Arch the trail has steep slopes that may require assistance.  Dogs are not allowed on this trail. Service animals are allowed in national parks. What is a service animal? To Double O Arch  Roundtrip Distance: 4.0 mi (2.9 km)  Time: 2-3 hours  Elevation Change: 275 ft (84 m)  Difficulty: Strenuous  Hike Description: Past Landscape Arch, the trail climbs steeply over sandstone slabs. There are uneven surfaces and narrow ledges with steep drop-offs. Spur trails lead to more arches. Dark Angel is 0.4 miles (0.6 km) beyond Double O Arch.  Bring: Bring at least 2 quarts (2 L) of water per person. Avoid wearing shoes with open toes, high heels, or slick soles.  Accessibility: Beyond Landscape Arch, this trail is not accessible to wheelchairs.  Dogs are not allowed on this trail. Service animals are allowed in national parks. What is a service animal? Entire Devils Garden Trail  Roundtrip Distance: 7.9 mi (12.7 km)  Time: 3-5 hours  Elevation Change: 286 ft (87 m)  Difficulty: Strenuous  Hike Description: The full Devils Garden Trail includes Landscape Arch, Double O Arch, Dark Angel, and the primitive trail. This challenging hike involves narrow ledges, steep exposures, uneven surfaces, rock scrambling, and few trail markers. Avoid when rock is wet or icy.   Bring: Bring at least 3 quarts (3 L) of water per person and a headlamp and light jacket in case your return is after sundown. Avoid wearing shoes with open toes, high heels, or slick soles.   Accessibility: Beyond Landscape Arch, this trail is not accessible to wheelchairs.  <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="4" data-aria-posinset="4" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-listid="5"

Double Arch Viewpoint and Trail

Visible from the parking loop at The Windows, Double Arch is an impressive feature—the tallest (112 ft/34 m) and second-longest (144 ft/44 m) arch in the park. A gently sloping path leads to its base. Roundtrip Distance: 0.6 mi (1 km)  Time: 15-30 min  Elevation Change: 30 ft (10 m)  Difficulty: Easy  Hike Description: This gently sloping trail leads to the base of two giant arch spans that are joined at one end. Hikers choosing to scramble up the rock beneath the arches should plan their route carefully, as climbing up is often easier than climbing back down.  Trail tip: Across from this trailhead, a connector trail climbs stairs to the upper parking lot and the Windows trailhead. Consider parking in one place and walking between the two lots, if you want to see more arches. Accessibility: This hard-packed trail with a gradual slope is considered barrier-free and may be accessible to wheelchairs with some assistance.  Dogs are not allowed on this trail. Service animals are allowed in national parks. What is a service animal?  Double Arch is in The Windows Section, which is considered by some to be the beating heart of Arches National Park. The area contains a large concentration of arches and is one of the most scenic locations in the park. North Window, Turret Arch, and Double Arch are just a few of the awe-inspiring expanses you’ll find in just over two square miles. Other named features in this area include Garden of Eden, Elephant Butte, and Parade of Elephants.

Arches Visitor Center Exterior Zone 3

A panel located at the Arches National Park Visitor Center that explains some of the activities that you can do at Arches National Park. They are sightseeing, walking, picnicking, camping, biking, and four-wheel driving. A park map is featured on the panel.

Arches Visitor Center Exterior Zone 4

This panel, titled Park Trails, identifies hiking trails throughout the park, providing important data to know before hiking, and notes trail locations on a large map.

Arches Visitor Center Exterior Zone 5

This panel, titled Canyon Country, identifies and describes a number of parks and recreation areas within the greater Utah region that provide more opportunities to explore a variety of scenic and historic wonders. A map notes their locations.  

Arches Visitor Center Exterior Zone 7

This panel informs visitors of the rules and safety practices for climbing and canyoneering in the park, as well as instructs how to obtain a permit for these activities.

Arches Visitor Center Exterior Zone 8

A panel that describes the best practices for cycling at Arches National Park. Includes rules and safety information.

Arches Visitor Center Exterior Zone 9

Panel that describes the variety of wildlife that you can find in Arches National Park.

Arches Visitor Center

The visitor center is generally open every day except December 25. Hours vary by season. You can learn about the park from exhibits and a bookstore. Rangers are on duty to answer your questions. Restrooms and drinking water are available.

Water Resources on the Colorado Plateau

Project Profile: Produce Seed for Intermountain Grasslands

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Burned Area Rehabilitation funds support restoration of native plants in southeast Utah

NPS Geodiversity Atlas—Arches National Park, Utah

Research suggests most visitors welcome actions to preserve night sky quality

Traits, Tradeoffs, and Pivot Points: How Climate, Plant, and Soil Properties Affect Vegetation Growth on the Northern Colorado Plateau

Landbird Population Trends in the Northern Colorado Plateau Network, 2023

Localized Drought Impacts on Northern Colorado Plateau Landbirds

I Didn't Know That!: Biological Soil Crusts

Landbird Population Trends in the Northern Colorado Plateau Network, 2020

Monitoring Hanging Gardens in National Parks of Southeast Utah, 2013–2020

Landbird Population Trends in the Northern Colorado Plateau Network, 2021