ArchesNational Park

NPS/Neal Herbert

The scenic drive in Arches passes many outstanding natural features. 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. View the Traffic & Travel Tips page for advice on making the most of your time (and avoiding the crowds).

If you have 1.5 hours

Drive to The Windows Section and see some of the park's largest arches. (Add a half hour to stroll beneath either North Window or Double Arch.).

Or drive to Delicate Arch Viewpoint and see the world's most famous arch , a mile distant. Stop at Wolfe Ranch on your way back and imagine what it would have been like to homestead this relatively barren area in the late 1800s.

If you have 3 hours Do both of the above.

If you have 4.5 hours Drive all of the paved park roads, spending 10 minutes at each viewpoint, and be sure to visit The Windows Section, Wolfe Ranch and Delicate Arch Viewpoint.

NPS/Kat Connelly

Rain and snow can quickly change unpaved roads to four-wheel-drive condition or make them impassable. Check at the visitor center for up-to-date road conditions

Salt Valley Road travels from the main park road to Klondike Bluffs and the Tower Arch trailhead. This road is two-wheel-drive in normal conditions.

Other roads require vehicles with high clearance, low-range four-wheel drive and technical driving skills. Vehicles with two-wheel drive or all-wheel drive do not have the ground clearance or low gearing to negotiate the steep grades, loose rocks, and soft sand found on these roads. To see what's available, view the park map or the interactive map below. Off-highway vehicle use (ATVs, UTVs, etc.) is prohibited in the park. Camping is not allowed off any unpaved road within Arches National Park.

NPS information imported 2026-10-17. Confirm current details at NPS

NPS/Kat Connelly

Backpacking at Arches

The park’s backcountry is mostly rough terrain, inaccessible by established trails with very limited water sources. While Arches National Park is known for its outstanding geologic features, it also contains irreplaceable cultural resources and sensitive high desert ecosystems.

Water is rarely available in the backcountry; plan to carry all you need. Primary safety considerations include steep terrain, loose rock, lightning, flash floods, and dehydration. You must know and comply with all regulations.

The park allows overnight backcountry camping only in the four designated backpacking campsites. Designated sites result in minimal impact to park resources, make site selection easier, and allow you to enjoy higher quality backcountry experiences.

A permit is required to camp at any of the four designated backpacking campsites in Arches. Backpacking permits are only available in person at the Backcountry Permit Office two miles south of Moab. Visitors can reserve a permit up to seven days before the trip start date. Each permit is limited to seven people, three nights per campsite, for a total of seven nights. Permits cost $7 per person.

Backcountry Permit Office Open Weekdays (Monday-Friday) 8 am-12 pm and 1-4 pm MT except federal holidays NPS Backcountry Permit Office 2282 SW Resource Blvd. Moab, UT, 84532 Note : The Backcountry Permit Office may close when rangers are needed to respond to emergency search and rescue efforts in the park.

Backcountry Use Requirements

All backcountry use and vehicle access is at your own risk. Plan ahead and prepare for backcountry conditions. Some routes are not trails and are unmarked.

You must have a landfill safe commercial toilet bag system, such as Wag Bag or Restop II. All solid human waste must be packed out of the backcountry. Do not dispose of these bags in park toilets; use specific disposal locations in Moab.

Courthouse Wash is an active flowing drainage with unpredictable flow. Take caution when travelling in a wash during flood conditions.

You are responsible for knowing and abiding by all park rules and regulations including those outlined on your backcountry permit: Wood campfires are not allowed. You must store food securely to prevent animals from gaining access to it. You must pack out all trash. Swimming, bathing, or immersing human bodies is only allowed in water sources with a continuous supply of water. You must keep all camping activities within campsite boundaries at designated campsites and within the boundaries of at-large zones. You must vacate campsites by 10 am. All natural plants, objects, and cultural artifacts are protected and must be left where they are found. Touching rock art and drawing graffiti is not allowed. Pets, discharging firearms, hunting, and feeding wildlife are prohibited.

Wood campfires are not allowed.

You must store food securely to prevent animals from gaining access to it. You must pack out all trash.

Swimming, bathing, or immersing human bodies is only allowed in water sources with a continuous supply of water.

You must keep all camping activities within campsite boundaries at designated campsites and within the boundaries of at-large zones. You must vacate campsites by 10 am.

All natural plants, objects, and cultural artifacts are protected and must be left where they are found. Touching rock art and drawing graffiti is not allowed.

Pets, discharging firearms, hunting, and feeding wildlife are prohibited.

We cannot guarantee your safety. Safety remains your responsibility.

Check the weather. Get forecast information before beginning your trip, and observe changing weather conditions. Desert temperatures can soar above 100°F (37°C) in the summer, making strenuous exercise difficult. We recommend drinking at least one gallon (4 L) of water per day during the summer. Late summer monsoons bring violent storm cells which bring lightning, hail, rain, slippery rock surfaces, hypothermia, and often cause flash floods. Flash floods can also occur during blue skies when heavy rains hit the Book Cliffs. Winter temperatures often drop below 32°F (0°C), and significant ice can persist on north-facing slopes. Temperatures may range 50 degrees in a 24-hour period.

Lightning is a serious concern during a thunderstorm . Rock overhangs and shallow caves are not safe places to hide. Consider returning to your vehicle as soon as a storm approaches. If your hair begins to stand on end, remove large metal objects (such as internal frame backpacks) and squat down low, covering your ears with your hands.

It is often easier to climb up slickrock than to get back down. Sandstone crumbles easily and is slippery when wet or icy. Numerous accidents and rescues as well as several deaths have occurred due to careless climbing. Consider your routes carefully and use common sense.

Do not feed wildlife ; your food does not meet their nutritional needs and might encourage animals to linger near roads where they might be injured or killed. Hand-fed animals can bite and may carry diseases such as rabies. Help keep wild animals wild—don't feed them.

Scorpions, rattlesnakes, black widow spiders, cone-nosed kissing bugs and other desert creatures make their homes here. Watch out for them and give them the right-of way. Place your hands and feet carefully, particularly in dark or damp places. Check clothing, tents, and shoes for unwanted visitors. Leave everything you find undisturbed.

Do your homework and know your route(s). Ask rangers at the backcountry permit office for information on campsite and zone access, or contact us by email .

Be prepared to self-rescue. Know what to do in emergency situations—including injury treatment, evacuations, unplanned overnights, or responding to rapid changes in weather. Ask yourself, "If my leader gets hurt, does my group have the ability to continue and get help?" Cell phone service is limited in the park. If a phone is available, call 911. Be prepared to tell the dispatcher where you are so you can direct assistance to your location. Park staff, if available, will provide assistance to the limit of their abilities; however, help may not arrive on scene for several hours.

Leave No Trace Practices

Only by following a low-impact camping ethic can you protect the park's outstanding natural features and biological diversity for future generations. To accomplish this goal, renew your commitment to leaving no trace and adopt this code of ethics:

Tread lightly. Practice "Leave No Trace" ethics. Plan ahead and properly prepare. Pack out what you pack in. Don't mark on rocks; scratches and carvings are considered graffiti which is against the law. Use a bag system for solid human waste; supplies are available for a minimal charge at the visitor center. Follow the regulations on your permit.

Your steps matter! Help protect the park's sensitive desert soils . Travel in sandy washes (where water flows when it rains) on rock, or on delineated trails. Don't create new or multiple paths (known as "social trails"), even if looks like the shortest distance on a GPS. Short-cutting damages vegetation, increases soil erosion, destroys animal burrows, and promotes the spread of exotic plants.

Be considerate of other visitors. Some of Arches' backpacking is in busy visitor areas or intersect with large visitor groups. Be respectful of other visitors.

The Hayduke Trail is a challenging, 800-mile backcountry route crossing Utah and Arizona. There is no established or maintained trail; hikers must use various forms of navigation to find their way along the route. Sections of the Hayduke pass through many national parks, including Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Grand Canyon, and Zion, and other public lands managed by the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management.

Approximately 40 miles of the main Hayduke Trail are within Arches and Canyonlands. Many alternate routes in these two parks have been created:

Klondike Bluffs (alternate eastern terminus)

Devils Garden (alternate eastern terminus)

through The Needles via established trails in Big Spring Canyon, Elephant Canyon, Lost Canyon, Chesler Park, and Salt Creek

through The Maze from Spanish Bottom to Hans Flat

Packrafting on the Colorado River from Moab to Spanish Bottom

Other Backpacking Options

You can backpack on much of the public land adjacent to Arches National Park, such as areas administered by the Bureau of Land Management and the US Forest Service , and at Canyonlands National Park . Check each agency's website for further information about regulations and permits.

For information about vehicle camping at Arches, visit the camping page .

For information about campgrounds around Moab, visit www.discovermoab.com .

NPS Trip Planning Guide Know before you go! Use this National Park Service guide to be prepared and avoid common mistakes. Make your fun adventure a safe one too!

Safety You should be aware of these safety concerns to make sure you have an enjoyable visit.

NPS information imported 2026-10-17. Confirm current details at NPS

NPS/Neal Herbert

Where can I ride?

Inside the Park

You can ride your bike or e-bike on all paved and unpaved roads in the park. You may not ride your bike on trails or anywhere off a road.

The Salt Valley and Willow Springs dirt roads are less traveled than the paved roads, but they are more suited to mountain bikes due to washboards, deep sand, and other obstacles.

You can pay your entrance fee at the entrance station or at the fee station on the visitor center patio. Read more about fees and passes.

You may experience long lines at the entrance station during busy seasons. Read more about traffic and travel tips.

Outside the Park

There are many options for riding bikes outside the park. Moab is surrounded by mountain biking trails of every difficulty level. Popular road rides abound, as well. A paved bike path connects Moab with the entrance to Arches, and continues along US 191 to UT 313 (which leads to Canyonlands National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park ).

The Moab Area Travel Council website has additional information about mountain biking or road biking outside the park.

Consider coming early in the morning when there isn't as much traffic.

There are no bike lanes or paved shoulders.

Some of the narrowest road sections are along the switchbacks above the visitor center. You can skip this section by driving with your bikes to La Sal Mountains Viewpoint, where there is usually adequate parking.

You must ride single file with the flow of traffic.

You should expect large buses and RVs on the road.

Signs warn drivers to keep a minimum of three feet from all cyclists, but you should remain alert to passing vehicles.

NPS information imported 2026-10-17. Confirm current details at NPS

NPS/Chris Wonderly

Devils Garden Campground

Devils Garden Campground is the only campground at Arches National Park. You can reserve campsites for nights between March 1 and October 31. During this busy season, the campground is usually full every night. If you're arriving at Arches without a reservation, you'll probably have to look for a campsite outside the park . Between November and February, campsites are first-come, first-served. Winter campers are encouraged to download the Recreation.gov app before arriving at the park and use its Scan & Pay function to pay for their site.

Campground Features

Fire/Stove Policy

Operating Hours & Seasons

Contact Information & Directions

Phone number (Voice)

Mailing Address

Physical Address

Additional Information & Regulations

Additional Information

Cell Phone Additional Information

Internet Additional Information

Ranger Programs

Rangers may present evening programs in the campground amphitheater spring through fall. Check at the visitor center for topics and schedules.

Where else can I camp?

If Devils Garden Campground is full, you can try the many other campgrounds in the Moab area. It helps to plan ahead. First-come, first-served campgrounds near Moab can fill by mid-morning during the busy season and all holiday weekends. If you're arriving in the evening, you may have to make other arrangements.

There are some campgrounds in the area that take reservations. For a complete list of area campgrounds, visit www.discovermoab.com .

You can backpack at Arches in a small number of designated sites. Backpacking at Arches is more challenging than other places. It requires off-trail travel and route finding. Learn more about backpacking at Arches.

NPS information imported 2026-10-17. Confirm current details at NPS

Dragonfly Conditions

After a dry winter, water levels in the Dragonfly potholes are very low. Conditions are more difficult than listed in route beta. You may encounter water levels where swimming and 5th class climbing are required to negotiate the potholes. Do not attempt Dragonfly unless you are skilled at pothole escapes and partner-assist techniques.

Follow rangers as they descend deep into sandstone canyons on an epic adventure. Along the way, they'll show you how to plan ahead, canyoneer safely, and demonstrate minimum impact practices for Leave No Trace.

Canyoneers must obtain a permit for each route and carry it with them throughout the route.

Groups canyoneering in the Fiery Furnace or Lost Spring Canyon are limited to 6 persons . All other canyoneering groups are limited to 10 persons .

Larger groups must split and use different routes or use the same route at different times of the day to avoid queuing at rappel sites and to minimize impact on resources and on other visitors.

It is prohibited to climb, scramble or walk upon, wrap webbing or rope around, or rappel off any named or unnamed arch with an opening greater than three feet.

The physical altering of rock from its natural positions, such as chiseling, breaking rocks to reinforce crevices and pockets as anchors, glue reinforcement of existing holds, and gluing of new holds is prohibited. The intentional removal or "gardening" of lichen or plants from rock is prohibited.

Bathing and immersing human bodies is prohibited in water sources that do not have water flowing both in and out at the time of the activity. Swimming and wading also are prohibited in water sources that do not currently have water flowing both in and out, except in cases where it will be necessary to enter the water source in order to traverse a route.

Use of deadman anchors is prohibited.

Any new installation of fixed gear requires a permit. If an existing item or fixed anchor is judged unsafe, it may be replaced, in kind, without a permit.

Software left in place is required to match the rock surface in color. Bolts, hangers and chains must be painted the color of the rock surface before installation ( see photo ).

The installation of pitons is prohibited.

Use of motorized drills within proposed wilderness areas is prohibited. Drilling outside of proposed wilderness areas requires a special use permit.

Slacklining or "highlining" is prohibited.

Guided canyoneering services are prohibited.

If you are planning to canyoneer in Arches National Park, you must obtain a permit. There are no daily limits on routes (except the Fiery Furnace - see below), so you can get a permit on the day of your trip. Permits increase your safety, and help us maintain the desired conditions of the backcountry. You can obtain a permit in one of the following ways:

Obtain your permit at the self-register kiosk outside the visitor center. In person permits are free OR

Obtain your permit through Recreation.gov starting at 8:00 am MST the day before your trip. Permits reserved online cost $6 per permit

Planning to canyoneer in the Fiery Furnace? Your entire party must also obtain a reservation for a Fiery Furnace Self-Guided Exploration permit ($10 per person) through www.Recreation.gov . Reservation for Fiery Furnace permits are limited and are made available at 8 am MT seven days in advance. They often sell out quickly. Once you have obtained a Fiery Furnace permit, you do not need to obtain an additional Timed Entry Ticket to enter the park.

NPS/Neal Herbert

Canyoneering Safety

We cannot guarantee your safety. Safety remains your responsibility. Canyoneering has inherent risks and you assume complete responsibility for your own safety. You canyoneer at your own risk! Honestly assess your own skill level and your limitations. You should not attempt routes that are not within you abilities or those within your group.

Check the weather. Obtain forecast information before beginning your canyoneering route and observe changing weather conditions. Desert temperatures can soar above 100°F (37°C) in the summer, making strenuous exercise difficult. We recommend drinking at least one gallon (4 L) of water per day during the summer. Late summer monsoons bring violent storm cells which quickly bring lightning, hail, rain, slippery rock surfaces, and hypothermia and often cause flash floods. Flash floods can also occur during blue skies when heavy rains hit the Book Cliffs. Winter temperatures often drop below 32ºF (0°C), and significant ice can persist on north-facing slopes. Temperatures may range 50 degrees in a 24-hour period. Read more about weather.

Do your homework and know your route(s). Many websites, guide books, and local gear shops have specific route information. Canyoneering in the Fiery Furnace is best with the guidance of someone who already knows the route.

Inspect all fixed gear, especially knots in webbing. The harsh desert weather deteriorates webbing quickly. The National Park Service explicitly disclaims all responsibility for the safety of equipment, bolts, or anchor systems in the park. We do not maintain anchors.

If an existing item or fixed anchor is judged unsafe, you may replace it in kind, without a permit, to enable a safe rappel when no other means of descent is possible, to enable emergency retreat, and during self-rescue situations. When existing anchors are deemed to be unsafe, make a reasonable effort to remove the existing hardware and use the existing drill holes for the installation of replacement fixed anchors whenever possible. Before placing fixed anchors on a route, think seriously about whether the route warrants them. Only place fixed anchors as a last resort. Please notify park staff when replacing fixed hardware to help keep an up-to-date inventory of the park's fixed gear.

Be prepared to self-rescue. Be prepared to know what to do in emergency situations – including injury treatment, evacuations, unplanned overnights, or responding to rapid changes in weather. Ask yourself, "If my leader gets hurt, does my group have the ability to continue and get help?" Cell phone service is limited in the park. If a phone is available, call 911. Be prepared to tell the dispatcher the canyoneering route name, nearest landmark and meeting place so you can direct rescuers to the accident site. Park staff, if available, will provide assistance to the limit of their abilities; however, help may not arrive on scene for several hours.

Report significant hazards and any injuries to a ranger, even those that do not require assistance, so that future canyoneers can be warned of the situation. The closest medical facility is Moab Regional Hospital. Watch for snakes, spiny plants, poison ivy, biting insects, and falling rocks. Always wear a helmet!

Established Canyoneering Routes

Here is a list of established routes the park has approved. To establish any other canyoneering routes with fixed gear, you must obtain a special use permit. We reserve the right to remove all fixed gear that is not associated with the following routes:

New Route Establishment

You may establish new routes, but you must obtain a special use permit before establishing any new routes requiring the installation of new fixed gear. You must travel to and from routes only within sandy wash systems, on rock, or on delineated trails.

To request an application to establish a new route, email us.

Good Canyoneering Practices

Only by following a low-impact canyoneering ethic can you protect the park's outstanding natural features and biological diversity for future generations. To accomplish this goal, renew your commitment to leaving no trace and adopt this code of ethics for low impact canyoneering: Tread lightly. Practice "Leave No Trace" ethics. Pack out what you pack in. Don't mark on rocks; scratches and carvings are considered graffiti which is against the law. We recommend using a bag system for human waste; supplies are available for a minimal charge at the visitor center. Your steps matter! Help protect the park's sensitive desert soils . Travel to and from routes in sandy washes (where water flows when it rains) on rock, or on delineated trails . Approach trails to some canyoneering routes have been established with labeled brown posts. Don't create multiple paths to the same route (known as "social trails"), even if looks like the shortest distance on a GPS. Short-cutting damages vegetation, increases soil erosion, destroys animal burrows, and promotes the spread of exotic plants. Be considerate of other visitors. Some of Arches' canyoneering routes begin in busy visitor areas or intersect with large visitor groups, especially in the Fiery Furnace. Do your part to maintain a low profile. Be respectful of visitors and wait to rappel. During peak visitation, spring and fall, we recommend you park in established pullouts and parking lots. Consider leaving your pet at home. While you may have pets in the park, you must have them on a leash at all times, and you may only have them in developed areas like campgrounds and paved areas. You may not take them on or off trails. Desert heat can be deadly to your pet. Temperatures over 65°F (18°C) can turn the inside of your car into an oven.

We recommend using retrievable anchor systems (also known as "ghosting").

Brightly colored software can be a visual impact to other people. Software left in place must match the rock surface in color.

We recommend hardware for new and replacement anchors be modern climbing-specific hardware and of a length adequate for rock conditions at the installation site. We strongly discourage quarter-inch bolts.

We recommend climbing-specific hangers.

Homemade hardware is prohibited.

It is always preferable to use the old bolt hole rather than adding a new scar. Only in a worst-case scenario should you add a new hole.

Fill old holes with epoxy and top them with sand to best camouflage the unused hole.

Bolts, hangers and chains must be painted the color of the rock surface or primered brown before installation ( see photo ).

Some routes or features inside Arches National Park are closed to canyoneering, temporarily or permanently. Access and egress trails may be rerouted to avoid disturbance to wildlife and other resources. Check this webpage or the canyoneering kiosks for updated route closures when you register. We strictly enforce closures.

No established canyoneering routes are closed at this time.

Access Route is the route from an existing parking area, trail or road in which a canyoneer walks to the base of a climb or beginning of a canyoneering route. The park does not formally maintain routes.

Anchors can be any way of attaching the canyoneer, the rope, or a load to rock or tree, by either permanent or temporary means for belaying or rappelling. The goal of an anchor depends on the type of climbing under consideration but usually consists of stopping a fall, or holding a static load. Anchors can be either retrievable or permanent.

Bolts are permanent, man-made articles that require a hole to be drilled or hammered into the rock for their placement, usually consisting of a glued-in or expansion bolt. Bolts are small anchoring devices (usually 3/8 inch diameter by about 3 inches length) used to protect climbers where there are no cracks or openings for other types of protection.

Canyoneering (also known as Canyoning ) is traveling across land and into canyons using a variety of techniques that are associated with technical descents: requiring rappels (abseils) and ropework, technical climbing or down-climbing, technical jumps, and/or technical swims.

Deadman anchor is a buried object such as a large rock or log that functions as an anchor for an attached rope. Use of deadman anchors is prohibited.

Egress or Exit Route is the route from the completed climbing or canyoneering route back to the parking area. The park does not formally maintain routes.

Ephemeral Pool is a naturally occurring sandstone basin that collects rain water and wind-blown sediment that can range from a few millimeters to a few meters in depth and may or may not be located in drainages. Read more about ephemeral pools.

Fixed belay/rappel station or "anchor systems" shall be deemed any configuration of fixed anchor hardware (requiring rock alteration for installation) or software placed at the top of a pitch or rappel for the purpose of belaying or placed for the sole intent of rappelling. The hardware or software is left behind.

Fixed gear is any manufactured article, either hardware or software (webbing, rope, cordelette, etc.), that is used to aid ascent or descent, or as protection, and is left on the route by a canyoneering party after the completion of the route.

Hardware is climbing equipment placed in cracks or on faces to protect climbers and canyoneers from falling. This specialized equipment includes wired nuts, camming devices, hexes, pitons and bolts.

Pothole is a depression in the rock that is large enough to accommodate one or more persons.

Rap rings are made of a single ring of aluminum or steel. Soft aluminum rings are prone to destruction as you pull your sand-impregnated rope across the metal. You may often find rap rings on anchors in canyons.

Rock alteration is the intentional removal of rock from its natural position, drilling, chipping, or gluing of hold.

Vegetation alteration is any intentional removal of vegetation from its natural position, destruction, or damage of vegetation.

Webbing is a synthetic flat rope that is used to tie around anchors.

NPS information imported 2026-10-17. Confirm current details at NPS

Let someone else do the driving and share their knowledge of the park!

These companies are authorized concessioners of the National Park Service to conduct guided four-wheel driving tours in Arches National Park.

Adrift Adventures call 800-874-4483 or 435-259-8594

NAVTEC Expeditions call 800-833-1278 or 435-259-7983

Moab Scenic Adventures call 435-260-8913

Other local authorized commercial use activities include guided van tours and hikes inside Arches, while many more companies offer shuttle service to the visitor center or trailheads within the park. A list of companies is available on the Moab Travel Council website. Are you interested in leading commercial tours in the park? Visit Do Business With Us .

NPS information imported 2026-10-17. Confirm current details at NPS

NPS/D. Dunajski

Arches contains a variety of hiking trails, many of which are considered easy to moderate. Trails provide access to outstanding viewpoints and arches not visible from the road. Many trails use cairns (stacks of rocks) for markers and cross broad rock surfaces, requiring attention to follow. For details like grade, tread width, and cross slope for each trail, see the Physical Accessibility page of this website.

Protect Yourself

Each year, park rangers respond to hundreds of search and rescue incidents in the park. Many involve heat and sun exposure, twisted knees or ankles, or getting lost. Before hiking, review our safety page for tips on having a safe and enjoyable visit.

Protect Your Park

Watch Your Step. Help us protect biological soil crusts during your visit. Please walk only on trails, rock or in sandy washes (where water flows when it rains), and keep all vehicles and bikes on designated roads.

Protect Ephemeral Pools. Sandstone basins called ephemeral pools or potholes are home to a variety of life. Tiny organisms depend on the water in these shallow pools. To protect these life forms, please do not swim, bathe, or drink the water in desert potholes, and do not walk through dry ones.

Keep off the Arches. To promote visitor safety and the opportunity to view natural features undisturbed, climbing, scrambling, walking or standing upon, or rappelling off any arch is prohibited in the park.

Leave the Rocks as You See Them. Graffiti —carving, scratching, chalking, or any type of marking—is illegal and unsightly. If you see someone marking on the rocks, please report it to a ranger. Learn how to be a good visitor to archeological sites .

Short and Moderate Hikes

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Longer, More Strenuous Hikes

NPS information imported 2026-10-17. Confirm current details at NPS

If your preferred mode of transport for exploring new country is on the back of a horse, you're in luck. Horses are permitted in Arches, though there are restrictions on their use and where they can go. Please read through the following regulations before you arrive in the park.

Effective September 6, 2016, horseback riding and pack animal use is restricted to day-use only. The park is revisiting the Backcountry Management Plan to examine impacts caused by increased use in the backcountry.

Horses, mules and burros are designated as pack animals. No other animals, including llamas and goats, are designated as pack animals.

The use of saddle and pack animals is permitted in the following roadless areas: Salt Wash upstream from the Delicate Arch road, Courthouse Wash and Seven Mile Canyon.

All travel in roadless areas is confined to the wash bottoms. Leaving wash bottoms to avoid quicksand when it is present is an exception to this regulation.

Use is permitted on all designated four-wheel roads within the park, which include: The Willow Springs road, the "four-wheel-drive road" (from Salt Valley to Willow Flats including the Tower Arch loop road) and the Cache Valley road.

Use is permitted on the following two-wheel drive, non-paved roads: Salt Valley road from the main park road to the park's west boundary and the Klondike Bluffs road.

Maximum group size for trips is 10 people and 10 pack animals.

Where possible, horses will be watered downstream from the source. All manure dropped in or near any spring or non-flowing water source must be immediately removed to avoid contamination.

At trailheads and other loading areas, any manure spilled from the trailering unit, fresh excrement, or feed must be picked up prior to departing.

Horses must be picketed in locations which least damage the vegetation. Animals may not be directly tied to trees and other vegetation except tamarisk (salt cedar). Animals may be tied directly to this exotic species.

Grazing, or loose herding of pack and saddle stock is not allowed in the park and horse and pack stock users are required to carry feed for overnight trips. In the backcountry, the use of loose hay or grain containing viable seeds is prohibited. Stock users are required to carry supplemental weed free feed on all trips.

NPS information imported 2026-10-17. Confirm current details at NPS

NPS/Chris Wonderly

Delicate Arch at sunset might be the most famous image to photograph in the park, but it certainly isn't the only one, nor is it necessarily "the best." In this land of wonderous rock shapes, timeless vistas, and piercing contrasts, visitors are literally surrounded by compelling subjects for photographs. When choosing where to focus, pay attention to composition and lighting.

NPS/Andrew Kuhn

Frame your Focus

Look at a really good photograph and you'll find the subject is placed off-center, and probably falls along an imaginary line that connects the opposite corners of the frame. Or, the "Rule of Thirds" draws an imaginary 3 x 3 grid (top to bottom and right to left) and places subjects at the intersection of a horizontal and a vertical line in that grid. However you arrange subjects, fill the frame! If your subject fills only 10 percent of the picture, the other 90 percent probably is wasted. You might need to move in closer, use a zoom or a longer focal length lens. Then, look closely at what the lens sees. Is there a yucca plant sticking out of the top of someone's head? Is the red car in the background more obvious than the kids in front of the arch? Focus on what really tells the story, and eliminate the rest. A photograph is not about an object, it is about light on an object. The best photographic light occurs early in the morning and late in the afternoon, as the lower angle of light gives your subject depth and a greater sense of reality. The warmth of the light deepens the redness of the rock into amazing hues, the very reason this land is often called "color country." Check this table of sunrise & sunset times to know when the magic hours might begin during your visit.

The features listed in the table below will serve as fine starting points for your photographic odyssey. Those places should keep your eyes - and shutter fingers - busy, but remember, they are just the starting points. Countless other opportunities will present themselves if you keep an open mind and simply respond to that place within you that says, "Wow, look at that!"

Courthouse Towers

Petrified Dunes

Watch Your Step

This land is every bit as fragile as it is beautiful. If you step off the trail or away from the pullout, you may injure its living surface. When biological soil crust is damaged, it can take centuries (literally) to recover. Allow others who will be inspired by your photos to come and see this land as Nature intended: organic and alive.

NPS/Jacob W. Frank

Night Photography

Photographing the park after dark is a spectacular way to enjoy the unique landscape of Arches National Park. Here are some quick tips to improve your next astrophotography session:

Make sure your camera is set to manual- this will give you more control over your settings and resulting photographs.

Let the Light in

When photographing in low light, you'll want to let as much light into your camera as possible. A long exposure lets you do just that. Experiment by lowering your shutter speed, keeping the shudder open up to 30 seconds. The longer it is open, the more light will fill your camera, and photo. Don't forget to play with your Aperture and ISO settings, which also control how much light enters your camera.

When attempting a long exposure, blurriness is common, caused by any small bump or movement while holding the camera. To avoid blurriness, you'll want to hold your camera still using a tripod. Forgot your tripod at home? Setting your camera on the hood of a car, a backpack, or the ground works just as well.

Experiment, Experiment, Experiment!

Now you're ready to get out there and try night photography. The best way to hone your skills is to practice, and of course, have fun.

Please note that using artificial light sources to light up landscapes, rock formations, or other park features is prohibited. Artificial light sources may be used for personal route-finding or minimum impact camping only. Learn more about rules and regulations regarding artificial light sources .

NPS/ Will Pedro

More Information

Places to Go Learn about the major sites inside the park.

Things to Do Driving, hiking, cycling, camping, stargazing, and ranger programs: there's something for everyone.

Safety You should be aware of these safety concerns to make sure you have an enjoyable visit.

NPS information imported 2026-10-17. Confirm current details at NPS

NPS/Andrew Kuhn

Ranger Programs

Rangers and volunteers normally offer a variety of programs every day, spring through fall. Program types, times, and locations vary throughout the year and may change due to weather or other factors.

Fiery Furnace Hikes

We offer ranger-guided hikes into the Fiery Furnace spring through fall. Reservations are required.

You can enter the Fiery Furnace on your own with a permit. We offer limited numbers of permits each day.

NPS information imported 2026-10-17. Confirm current details at NPS

The rock at Arches offers excellent climbing opportunities, despite its sandy nature. Most climbing routes in the park require advanced techniques.

Arches National Park developed a Climbing and Canyoneering Management Plan (CCMP) in December 2013 in order to protect the natural environment and the park's resources and visitor experience. Primary actions of the CCMP are the implementation of group size limits, climber registration, improved climber education program, safety standards, and climbing access routes. We ask all climbers to act responsibly and observe park regulations.

Rock climbing groups are limited to five persons per group.

White chalk is prohibited. Chalk must be similar in color to the rock being climbed.

The physical altering of rock faces by chiseling, glue reinforcement of existing holds, gluing of new holds, and the intentional removal of lichen or plants from rock are prohibited.

Rock climbing should be mostly free climbing or clean aid climbing.

Any new installation of fixed gear requires a permit. If an existing item or fixed anchor is judged unsafe, it may be replaced, in kind, without a permit. Bolts, hangers and chains must be painted the color of the rock surface ( see photo ).

Protection may not be placed with the use of a hammer except to replace existing belay and rappel anchors and bolts on existing routes, or for emergency self-rescue. The use of motorized power drills is prohibited.

If an existing software item (sling, etc.) is unsafe, it may be replaced. Software left in place must match the rock surface in color.

Leaving fixed ropes in place for more than 24 hours is prohibited, unless the park has been notified.

Slacklining (or “highlining”) and BASE jumping are prohibited.

Guided rock climbing services are prohibited.

Use of motorized drills within wilderness boundaries is prohibited. Use of motorized drills outside of wilderness boundaries requires a special use permit.

Overnight camping in Arches is only allowed in the Devils Garden Campground and in designated backcountry camping sites. Permits for the designated backcountry campsites can be acquired at the visitor center up to seven days in advance.

New Route Establishment

Establishment of new climbing routes is allowed. However, climbers must obtain a special use permit before establishing any new routes requiring the installation of new fixed gear. Travel to and from new routes must be on rock, within drainages or sandy washes, or on designated trails.

To apply for a new route, email us to request a new fixed gear application.

Climber Registration

All persons planning to climb in Arches National Park are encouraged to register by obtaining a free permit. There are no daily limits on routes, so climbers can get their permits on the day of the climb. Registration is free, it increases climbers' safety, and helps the park maintain desired conditions in the backcountry zone. It is in your best interest to register.

Climbers can self-register at the kiosk outside the visitor center.

Climbing Safely

The National Park Service cannot guarantee the safety of park visitors. Safety remains the sole responsibility of the climber. Climbers should understand the inherent danger of the activity, have basic knowledge of self-rescue methods and plan accordingly. Climbers should not attempt routes that are not within their abilities or those within their group.

Check the weather first. Obtain forecast information before beginning your climb and observe changing weather conditions. Thunderstorms can develop quickly bringing lightning, hail, rain, slippery rock surfaces, and hypothermia. Summer days can reach a scorching 100°F.

Do your homework and know your route. Most climbing in Arches is technical and requires advanced skills. Arches National Park offers sustained multi-pitch towers, easier one pitch towers, and hard cracks on amazing buttresses. Routes are typically sandy or in soft Entrada Sandstone. Many websites, guide books, and local gear shops are available for specific route information.

Inspect all fixed gear. The NPS explicitly disclaims all responsibility for the safety of equipment, bolts, or anchor systems in the park. The NPS does not maintain anchors. If an existing item or fixed anchor is judged unsafe, it may be replaced to enable a safe rappel when no other means of descent is possible, to enable emergency retreat, and during self-rescue situations, in kind, without a permit. When existing anchors are deemed to be unsafe, a reasonable effort to remove the existing hardware will be made and existing drill holes will be used in the installation of replacement fixed anchors whenever possible.

Before placing fixed anchors on a route, think seriously about whether the route warrants them. Only place fixed anchors as a last resort. Please notify the NPS when replacing fixed gear to help keep an up to date inventory of the park's fixed gear.

Be prepared to self-rescue. Cell phone service is limited in the park. Make plans for self-rescue or get assistance from other climbers should an unexpected incident arise. Clearly and loudly call out for help. If a phone is available, call 911. Be prepared to tell the dispatcher the rock formation, climbing route name, nearest landmark and meeting place so that you can direct rescuers to the accident site. Park staff, if available, will provide assistance to the limit of their abilities;however, help may not arrive on-scene for several hours.

Report significant hazards and any injuries to a ranger, even those that do not require assistance, so that future climbers can be warned of the situation. The closest medical facility is Moab Regional Hospital. Watch for snakes, spiny plants, poison ivy, biting insects, and falling rocks. Always wear a helmet!

Good Climbing Practices

Only by following a low-impact climbing ethic can climbers protect the park's outstanding natural features and biological diversity for future generations. To accomplish this goal, renew your commitment to leaving no trace and adopt this code of ethics for low impact climbing:

Tread Lightly. Practice "Leave No Trace" ethics. Pack out what you pack in. Don't mark on rocks; scratches and carvings are considered graffiti which is against the law. Use of a bag system for human waste is recommended. Supplies are available for a minimal charge at the visitor center.

Your steps matter! Help protect the park's sensitive desert soils. Travel to and from routes in sandy washes (where water flows when it rains), on rock, or on designated trails. Approach trails to some climbing routes will be established with labeled brown carsonite posts. Don't create multiple paths to the same cliff (known as "social trails"), even if it is the shortest distance to your climb. Short-cutting damages vegetation, increases soil erosion, destroys animal burrows, and promotes the spread of exotic plants.

Be considerate of other visitors. The majority of Arches' rock climbs are very close to the road or located in busy areas of the park. Do your part to maintain a low profile. During peak visitation, spring through fall, climbers are recommended to park in established pullouts and parking lots.

Consider leaving your pet at home. While pets are allowed in the park, they must be on a leash at all times and are only allowed in developed areas like campgrounds and paved areas. They are not allowed on or off trails. Desert heat can be deadly to your pet. Temperatures over 65°F can turn the inside of your car into an oven, and animals tied outside to your car can suffer just as much.

Experts use gear expertly. It is essential that fixed gear be of high quality and the installers be experienced and skilled in setting bolts to ensure not only the first ascent party's safety but ensure the safety of future climbers. Please keep the following best practices in mind regarding fixed gear:

We recommend hardware for new and replacement anchors be modern climbing-specific hardware and of a length adequate for rock conditions at the installation site. Quarter-inch bolts are highly discouraged.

Climbing-specific hangers are recommended.

Homemade hardware is prohibited.

It is always preferable to use the old bolt hole rather than adding a new scar. Only in a worst-case scenario should a new hole be added.

All old holes will be filled with epoxy and topped with sand to best camouflage the unused hole.

Software left in place is required to match the rock surface in color.

Bolts, hangers and chains must be painted the color of the rock surface or primered brown before installation.

Climbing Closures

It is your responsibility to know all route closures. Some routes or features inside Arches National Park are closed to rock climbing, temporarily or permanently, and access and/or egress trails may be rerouted to avoid harm to wildlife and other resources. Check this list or the visitor center's climber kiosk for updated route closures every time you register to climb. Closures are strictly enforced.

Permanent Closures

It is prohibited to climb, scramble or walk upon, wrap webbing or rope around, or rappel off any named or unnamed arch with an opening greater than three feet.

Balanced Rock is closed to climbing.

Bouldering, rock climbing, rock scrambling and other similar activities are prohibited in the area known as "Arches Boulders" or "Highway 191 Boulders" ( see photo ).

Temporary Closures

The craggy rock outcroppings of Arches National Park are excellent habitat for birds of prey. Raptors are sensitive to human disturbance, so climbing routes are frequently closed between January and August -- the period of many raptors' breeding seasons. Even when climbers do not have direct contact with eggs, young, or adults, behavior such as shouting and other noises are disturbing enough to cause a parent bird to abandon its nest. Intentionally disturbing wildlife nesting, breeding, and other activities is a violation of Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations (Section 2.2 (a) (2)). Thank you for your assistance in protecting these magnificent birds. By coming to Arches and following these recommendations, you are a vital component to the success of maintaining a healthy raptor population. The following list of closures will remain in effect through the time specified below, or until surveys determine habitats to be unoccupied by sensitive wildlife.

Access route is the route from an existing parking area, trail or road in which a climber or canyoneer walks to the base of a climb or beginning of a canyoneering route. Routes are not formally maintained.

Anchors can be any way of attaching the climber/canyoneer, the rope, or a load to rock or tree, by either permanent or temporary means for belaying or rappelling. The goal of an anchor depends on the type of climbing under consideration but usually consists of stopping a fall, or holding a static load. Anchors can be either retrievable or permanent.

Bivying (also known as bivouacking ) is the act of camping overnight while on a climbing route above the ground. This may involve nothing more than lying down or sitting on a rock ledge overnight, or use of a cot or 'portaledge' suspended from anchors to serve as a bivouac.

Bolt is a permanent, man-made article that requires a hole to be drilled or hammered into the rock for its placement, usually consisting of a glued-in or expansion bolt. Bolts are small anchoring devices (usually 3/8" diameter by about 3" length) used to protect climbers where there are no cracks or openings for other types of protection.

Bouldering is a style of rock climbing undertaken without a rope that requires the use of specialized equipment (rock climbing shoes, crash pads, etc.) and normally limited to very short climbs over a crash pad so that a fall will not result in serious injury. It is typically practiced on large natural boulders or at the base of larger rock faces. Chalk is typically used.

Chalk is the common name for magnesium carbonate powder, which climbers carry in a pouch (chalk bag) at the waist. It dries the hands and is used in rock climbing in the same way it is used in gymnastics, to improve grip.

Clean aid climbing is aid climbing without the use of bolting gear, pitons or other gear that scars the rock or becomes fixed after ascent.

Egress or Exit route is the route from the completed climbing or canyoneering route back to the parking area. Routes are not formally maintained.

Fixed belay/rappel station or " anchor systems " shall be deemed any configuration of fixed anchor hardware (requiring rock alteration for installation) or software placed at the top of a pitch or rappel for the purpose of belaying or placed for the sole intent of rappelling. The hardware or software is left behind.

Fixed gear is any man-made article, either hardware or software (webbing, rope, cordelette, etc.), that is used to aid ascent or descent, or as protection, and is left on the route by a climbing party after the completion of the climb.

Free climbing (also known as Traditional climbing ) is a minimum-impact approach that employs chocks, stoppers, nuts and camming devices, rather than pitons or bolts, for protection or direct support. These are climbing aids that are removable and do not damage the rock. Traditional climbing is how the sport of rock climbing has been practiced since its inception, and has strong historic associations.

Hardware is climbing equipment placed in cracks or on faces to protect climbers from falling. This specialized equipment includes wired nuts, camming devices, hexes, pitons and bolts.

Nut (or chock ) is a metal wedge threaded on a wire, used for protection by wedging it into a crack in the rock.

Piton (also called a pin or peg ) is a metal spike (usually steel) that is driven into a crack or seam in the rock with a hammer, and which acts as an anchor to protect the climber against the consequences of a fall, or to assist progress in aid climbing. Pitons are equipped with an eye hole or a ring to which a carabiner is attached; the carabiner can then be directly or indirectly attached (through more equipment) to a climbing rope.

Rap rings are made of a single ring of aluminum or steel. Soft aluminum rings are prone to destruction as you pull your sand-impregnated rope across the metal. Rap rings are often found on anchors in canyons.

Rock alteration is the intentional removal of rock from its natural position, drilling, chipping, or gluing of hold.

Rock climb is any independent line of ascent of a rock face. A climb may follow a crack system or other natural features, or it may strike out across a "blank" face. A climb is considered to be created when it is first ascended, and is usually given a name by the first ascensionist. The climb is typically recorded and described in a guidebook or internet site so that other climbers can identify and climb the route.

Slacklining/highlining is defined as walking on a rope, webbing, or other line that is tensioned horizontally between two points such as rock formations, trees, or any other natural features. Height of the rope above the ground is immaterial.

Spring-loaded camming device (also SLCD , cam ) is used for protecting a climber's fall. It consists of three or four cams mounted on a common axle or two adjacent axles, so that pulling on the axle forces the cams to spread farther apart. The SLCD is used by pulling on the "trigger" (a small handle) so the cams move together, then inserting it into a crack or pocket in the rock and releasing the trigger to allow the cams to expand. Camming devices can be manually removed and should leave no trace of use on the rock.

Stopper is a wedge-shaped nut or a knot used as passive protection while rock climbing.

Technical rock climbing is defined as ascending or descending a rock formation utilizing specialized rock climbing equipment.

Vegetation alteration is any intentional removal of vegetation from its natural position, destruction, or damage of vegetation.

Webbing is synthetic flat rope that is used to tie around anchors.

NPS information imported 2026-10-17. Confirm current details at NPS

The national parks and monuments of the Colorado Plateau have long been popular destinations for travelers. In addition to their stunning landscapes and rich cultural history, these areas share another resource: some of the darkest skies remaining in the contiguous 48 United States.

The darkness of a moonless night at Arches surprises many visitors. As few as one in ten Americans lives in an area where they can see the estimated 2,500 stars that should be visible under normal conditions. In many cities, the night sky is completely obscured by the glow of urban settlement . At Arches, the naked eye is sufficient to witness a wealth of stars. Under the right conditions, common binoculars may even reveal the rings of Saturn. Arches' relative isolation from the artificial light of urban areas makes it an ideal place for viewing the night sky. In 2019 Arches National Park became certified as an official International Dark Sky Park .

NPS/Kat Connelly

Stargazing Tips

Plan ahead & check conditions. No two nights are alike at Arches so it's helpful to check conditions and moon phases before you head out to stargaze. You'll see the darkest skies during a new moon or when the moon is below the horizon. Even the light from a thin crescent moon can make it more difficult to see fainter stars or even the Milky Way. Keep track of sunrise and sunset times and moon phases at discovermoab.com . Choose an ideal location. A good stargazing location is key. Look for a high viewpoint or a wide open area with limited light interference (away from roads & buildings) to see the most stars. Give yourself time. It can take 20-30 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the dark. Spend enough time outside away from bright lights to allow your eyes to adjust. Use a red light. White lights from flashlights, cell phones, or vehicle headlights can harm your night vision. A red light won't impact your night vision as much. Many flashlights and headlamps have a red-light feature, or you can simply cover your white light with red cellophane. Bring a star chart. A star chart or planisphere can help you find the constellations and Milky Way. Check for star charts and other stargazing tips at park visitor centers.

Where to Stargaze

On a clear night, you can see great stars just about anywhere in the park. Areas off the main park road with few obstructions of the sky are best. The farther north you drive, away from the lights of Moab, the darker the sky will be.

Try stargazing at these areas :

Balanced Rock Picnic Area

The Windows Section

Garden of Eden Viewpoint

2026 Night Sky Almanac

Equinoxes and Solstices

Spring Equinox March 20

Summer Solstice June 21

Autumnal Equinox September 23

Winter Solstice December 21

Quadrantids January 3-4

Lyrids April 22-23

Eta Aquarids May 5-6

Perseids August 12-13

Draconids October 8-9

Orionids October 20-21

Leonids November 17-18

Geminids December 13-14

Ursids December 22-23

Stargaze with a Ranger

Visit the page listed below for a calendar of stargazing events in southeast Utah.

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NPS information imported 2026-10-17. Confirm current details at NPS