NPS During peak visitation (spring through fall, 8 am to 3 pm), visitors should expect long wait times and busy parking lots. Parking lots at trailheads often fill before 9 am, causing the park to temporarily restrict access until congestion lessens. Periods of restricted access can last 3-5 hours. Plan ahead. Use the restroom prior to getting in line, and have snacks and water on hand. Ensure you have a full tank of gas prior to your arrival, as there are no opportunities to get gas inside the park. Plan alternative options for places to visit if the park is restricting access when you arrive.
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When you visit Arches in the busy season, you can expect long lines, busy parking, and delays. Rangers at Arches tell you what to expect and ways to avoid the crowds. To avoid long lines at the entrance gate and parking congestion, plan to arrive early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Late afternoon and evening visits can be the most enjoyable. The lighting is better for photography and viewing the park features, temperatures are cooler, and the parking areas and trails are less crowded. More than 1.5 million visitors come to Arches National Park each year, and that number is growing. Between March and October, you can expect limited parking at all destinations. Parking at popular trailheads are usually full most of the day. What are the best times to arrive?The park is open 24 hours a day. Late afternoon and evening hours offer beautiful sunsets and reduced crowding, and naturally dark night skies sparkle overhead. During summer months, arriving early in the morning helps avoid peak heat and crowds. Many trailhead parking lots fill by 7:30 am. Temporary entry delaysOnce parking lots fill up, staff delay vehicles from entering the park until space opens to accommodate more people and vehicles. During these temporary delays (which may last three to five hours), vehicles may not park near the entrance sign or anywhere along the road to wait. Consider visiting other nearby attractions. Lines at the entrance stationAs soon as the park reopens from a temporary restrictions, long lines form on the entrance road and may continue into the afternoon. If the line backs up to the park entrance sign, your wait can last up to an hour. Use the restrooms before waiting in line; there are no restrooms along the entrance road. If the entrance road is backed up, you may not stop on the highway or near the entrance sign to wait. Come back at another time, or consider visiting other nearby attractions You can check traffic conditions in the area around Moab and Arches National Park at the Utah Department of Transportation Traffic Site. Inside the parkOnce inside the park, you can expect increased travel times and congestion along the scenic drive. Parking lots may be full for much of the day. Park rangers regularly work in parking lots to help you find your way. Please follow their instructions. What time of year is busiest?
From March through October, visitation at Arches is extremely high. These holidays and weekends are especially busy:
Where are the crowds?
Parking lots at popular trailheads and viewpoints such as Devils Garden, Delicate Arch, and The Windows are usually full for much of the day. When parking lots are full, please remember:
If you do find a parking spot and go for a hike, expect to see a lot of other people on the trail. It is not uncommon for hundreds of people to visit Delicate Arch at sunset. How can I avoid the crowds?
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Last updated: September 9, 2021