Curator’s statement
The Arches National Park, located in Moab, Utah, is breathtaking! Who knew that desert sand and rock formations could be so stunning? The Arches National Park holds the highest density of rock arches on this planet, with more than 2,000 arches within a 116-square-mile radius. You can spend days and days exploring and still feel like you haven’t seen it all. Between all the hiking trails, camping, scenic drives, rock climbing, biking, and off-road Jeeping, Moab alone is a destination for the adventurer.
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Day 1: Arches National Park Scenic Drive
The Windows
If you are short on time and want to see as much as you can, the scenic drive will be the best route. This 19-mile drive through the park starts from the floor of the Moab Canyon (the entrance) and goes to Devil’s Garden (the campground).
With plenty of scenic pull-offs, the drive can take anywhere from half a day to a full day. If you are like me and want to hit all the scenic pull-offs and capture as many photos as possible, then definitely plan on spending a whole day doing just the scenic drive. My favorite pull-offs are The Windows Section and the Garden of Eden.
Make sure to bring the following:
Camera
Plenty of water
Snacks/lunch
Layers! The weather changes quickly in the desert.
Day 2: Delicate Arch hike
Delicate Arch
This trail is the most popular and the star of the show when you Google Arches National Park. But despite its popularity, it is actually a fun hike! 3 miles round-trip, gaining 500 feet in elevation, climbing slickrock with some crazy winds depending on the time of year—this is no easy feat. The views and the challenge alone are definitely worth it.
You’ll want to make sure you have the right gear and are prepared to fully enjoy this hike. Here are some recommended gear and tips.
Make sure your shoes have good grips! You are literally climbing Slickrock the entire time.
Windbreaker
Plenty of water
Snacks/lunch
Sunscreen (no shade)
Camera
Day 3: Off-road Jeeping
Outside the confines of the park, one of my other favorite activities and something Moab is most known for (besides the National Park) is its Jeeping! If you don’t have your own off-road vehicle, you can rent one.
Some of my favorite trails are Fins & Things (great for beginners) and Poison Spider Mesa (for more intermediate-to-advanced experienced drivers).
If you’re uncomfortable going by yourself (absolutely no judgment here), they do have guided tours.
Now, with that being said, you are going to want to avoid one of the biggest events of the year in Moab if you want to do some Jeeping. Every year, Moab hosts Easter Jeep Safari (usually late March/early April), and hundreds of people gather to hit the trails. This means it’s very hard to find lodging, and it’s packed to the brim, so for the sake of really enjoying your off-road experience, I highly recommend skipping this weekend.
Need to know
The park is open year-round; however, the best time to go is spring and fall. This will give you moderate temperatures and put you at the peak of the wildflower season (during the spring).
Getting there & around
The best and most affordable option would be flying into Grand Junction, Colorado. There is a tiny airport in Moab, but it’s very limited on which days you can fly in and out, and it’s primarily for bush planes. It also costs more to fly in and out of this airport because of its limited availability.
The drive from Grand Junction, Colorado, to Moab, Utah, is two hours. Part of this drive has a scenic route along the river, which is stunning! I highly recommend this option, and the best part is that it doesn’t add any extra drive time!
It’s $25 per vehicle per week, and allows for multiple entries.
Travel Advisor
Michelle Gonzales
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For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Moab page.