Traffic & Travel Tips

Overflow parking at Devils Garden. On busy weekends, popular trailheads like this one may fill for hours at a time.

NPS Photo by Neal Herbert

 

Visitation to Arches has climbed steadily for years, reaching one million visitors for the first time in 2010. However, one thing has not changed: the size of the parking lots. Parking is limited at all destinations, and popular trailheads like Delicate Arch and Devils Garden may fill for hours at a time, especially on weekends and holidays.

There are a few alternatives to driving your car in Arches, but if you're determined to drive (and hike to Delicate Arch), then this page is for you.

Where the Crowds Are

From March through October, the parking lots at Devils Garden, Delicate Arch/Wolfe Ranch or The Windows may be full anytime between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. During these peak hours, expect travel times to be longer than expected along the scenic drive. If you find a parking spot and go for a hike, expect to see a lot of other visitors on the trail. It is not uncommon for hundreds of people to visit Delicate Arch at sunset. The following holidays and weekends are especially busy:

1. Easter week (date varies - usually in April)
2. Memorial Day (last Monday in May)
3. Labor Day (first Monday in September)
4. Utah Education Association break (4 days in October, visit www.myuea.org for details)

Where (and how) to Park

• Park in designated areas only.
• Never park on vegetation or in a manner that blocks traffic.
• Don't block the flow of traffic by waiting for a parking spot.

Planning Your Trip

• Avoid visiting on the holidays/weekends listed above.
• Early morning (sunrise) is always less busy than sunset. To beat the crowds, try entering the park before 8 a.m., though you may encounter groups of early-morning photographers at some destinations.
• Carpool if you can. Consider hiring a company to shuttle you to and from the park (visit www.discovermoab.com to see what's available).
• Parking for oversize vehicles (RVs, trailers) is extremely limited. Leave oversized vehicles in town, or in the visitor center parking lot.