How to Spend 36 Hours in Arches National Park
Arches National Park is located right outside of Moab, Utah. This other-worldly national park is home to over 2,000 sand stone arches – the largest concentration of arches in the world. But that’s not all you’ll see at Arches National Park. The landscapes, pinnacles, and other geological features are also worth mentioning. There is so much to see in Arches National Park, so here’s what to see if you’ve only got 36 hours to explore this natural wonder!
When to Visit & Weather in Arches National Park
The best seasons to visit Arches National Park are Spring & Fall for great weather. Plan to visit March-May or September-November for the most pleasant temperatures.
Surprisingly, summer is the most popular time to visit Arches but has the worst weather. You can expect scorching hot temperatures from late-May to September. If you plan to visit in the summer months, brings lots of water & lightweight clothing. Also plan to either hike early in the morning or right before sunset to avoid the hottest part of the day.
Where to Stay near Arches National Park
Moab, Utah is the town right outside of Arches National Park. There are many accommodation options of varying price ranges. Do keep in mind that accommodations fill up very quickly during peak season. It’s best to book in advance to secure best prices.
For a budget option in Moab, consider the Moab Rustic Inn, a basic but clean & comfortable motel only a block from many different dining options in downtown Moab.
Camping
Arches National Park has one campground, Devil’s Garden, that books out way in advance. So if you’re planning your trip 6 months to a year in advance, consider that as an option. Other than the park’s campground, there are several private commercial campgrounds available in the Moab area. As well as many free public lands boondocking spots near the national park to camp for the night.
How Long to Stay
The magic of Arches National Park can be enjoyed in as little as 1-2 days but it won’t be hard to find a weeks worth of activities to keep your jaw dropping. In fact, I think you could spend an entire lifetime in the Arches/Moab area and not get bored. We explored Arches for a full day and a half and were able to see so much! But we don’t all have that kind of time, so here’s my guide on what to do with 36 hours in Arches National Park.
What to Know Before You Go
Arches is Very Crowded – So Arrive Early or Late
Arches National Park becomes very crowded in the middle of the day and it can become very difficult to find a parking spot at any of the trailheads.
The Park Closes When it Reaches Capacity
It’s not uncommon for the park gates to be closed after it reaches capacity. This may happen between 10-2pm. Plan to arrive before 10 am or after 2 pm to avoid being turned away. If you arrive while the gates are closed, no worries, just plan to come back in the afternoon and you’ll be able to get in.
The Desert Sun is HOT, HOT, HOT
The sun in Utah’s desert areas is intense. Even on an early spring day, the sun was very strong and hot. You’ll need to bring a lot of water and don’t forget the sunscreen. Especially if you’re traveling in the summer months.
How to Spend 36 Hours in Arches National Park
Here’s your guide to a day and a half in Arches National Park:
Day 1 – Arrive at Arches National Park
We arrived in Arches National Park late afternoon on our first day and immediately took to the trails. A lot of the trails in Arches are short and easy to see a lot. So I recommend you start your trip with these two trails:
Hike the Park Avenue Trail
- Trail Length: 1.8 miles out-and-back
- Elevation Gain: 298 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
The Park Avenue Trail is located near the entrance of Arches National Park but surprisingly, it’s the most overlooked trail in the park. So much so that it’s usually not that difficult to find a parking spot in it’s small parking lot.
This trail is named for it’s tall sandstone walls that tower above you on both sides, much like the feeling you get when walking down New York’s Park Avenue. The trail is relatively short and won’t take you longer than 45 minutes to enjoy this area.
Take a Sunset Hike to Windows Loop and Turret Arch Trail
- Trail Length: 1.2 mile loop
- Elevation Gain: 154 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
A little bit before sunset on your first day, you’re gonna want to head to the Windows Loop and Turret Arch Trail. This trail is perfect for an easy sunset walk (also would be great for sunrise). This short hike provides several arches that are a short walking distance from the parking lot.
The Turret Arch, North Window Arch, South Window Arch, are the three arches that you’ll find on this hike.
If you have additional time, go check out the Double Arch Trail (in the same parking area).
Day Two – Full Day in Arches National Park
Our day two includes a lot of hiking. So make sure that you get an early start! The parking lot at the first trailhead fills up early so plan to enter the park before 8am (or even earlier).
Devil’s Garden
- Trail Length: 7.9 mile (Loop or Out & Back)
- Elevation Gain: 1,085 feet
- Difficulty: Challenging – requires a significant amount of rock scrambling
Devils Garden is a hike that I will never forget. I set out to do this hike solo (Randy had to work from the hotel that morning) and I didn’t quite know what I was getting myself into – but it was so worth it.
This trail features many different arches including Landscape Arch, Double O arch, Navajo Arch, Pine Tree Arch and many more.
The trail to Landscape Arch is very easy and mostly paved the whole way. This easy section of the trail is perfect for families and all ages. But after Landscape Arch, the trail becomes much more challenging.
Let’s get ready to scramble!
Right after Landscape Arch was a real nail-biter or I guess you could say “knee-shaker” section of rock scramble. Let’s just say that my legs were trembling on both the way up and down. After a short section of rock scrambling, the trail leveled out for a bit but there is a significant amount of scrambling required throughout the hike.
I made it all the way to Double-O Arch which is about 3-3.5 miles into the loop hike before turning back. The trail after Double-O Arch becomes much more primitive and difficult. I would have loved to hike this part of the trail, but I was running tight on time. Next time!
With that said, you can as little or as much of this trail as you like. Even if you’re not up for a challenging hike, there are three arches in the first easy section of the trail.
Eat a Picnic Lunch
Like I mentioned earlier, it’s not uncommon for Arches to shut it’s entrance gate during peak hours – making it difficult to re-enter the park if you leave for lunch. So I’d plan ahead, pack a lunch, and plan to picnic in the park to avoid not being able to re-enter the park. There are picnic tables at the Devil’s Garden area or you can find a nice rock to sit on.
Hike the Iconic Delicate Arch Trail
- Trail Length: 3.4 miles out-and-back
- Elevation Gain: 626 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
Definitely one of the most popular hikes in Arches, probably all of Utah, but it’s easy to see why! This super iconic arch is even seen on every Utah license plate.
This is also probably the most crowded trail in all of Arches National Park. We visited at about 4 pm and were able to avoid most of the crowds. The arch would also be gorgeous for sunset, but I wouldn’t want to do the hike down in the dark.
The trail up to Delicate Arch was a steep climb up sandstone rock and if you’re afraid of heights, it can be a little nerve racking but it’s so worth it! Although this trail is rated as “moderate”, don’t be fooled by the steepness of this trail. It’s very steep. But it’s also a must-do.
If you’re all hiked out and don’t want to make the climb up to Delicate Arch, there’s also a shorter lookout trail that you can do to get an incredible view of the arch from a distance.
Do not attempt this hike during rain/ice/snow conditions as the rock becomes very slick & dangerous.
Get Dinner (& ice cream) at Moab Diner
Moab Diner is a classic 50s style diner that offers delicious diner & country-style food. It’s got the full 50s style aesthetic and vibe with amazing ice cream & pie options! After lots of hiking today, ice cream is a necessity.
After only a day and a half in Arches, you’ll really be able to get a good taste of the park and will have been able to see so much in such a short amount of time! I really hope that you’re able to get to Moab and experience Arches National Park, it’s someplace very special!
Pack These for a Utah National Park Road Trip
1. Good Hiking Shoes
Utah is the land of beautiful red rocks. But it also makes for some pretty rocky trails.
When hiking around Utah, it’s super important to wear sturdy hiking shoes or sandals on the trails. I wear brands like Merrell Moab 2 Mid Ventilator, Teva Universal Trail (trail sandal), and Timberland Mt. Maddsen Mid Waterproof. My husband, who is very prone to ankle injuries, wears Salomon X Ultra Low GTX and swears by them.
I love being able to switch between a solid hiking boot and a trail sandal with excellent traction on the easier hike. I’m very prone to blisters and having different shoes to change into makes a world of difference.
2. Water Bottle & Hydration Pack
Most of Utah is a desert, so it’s important to stay hydrated on hiking trails. Especially if you’re traveling during the hot summer season!
To keep your drink extra cold, go with a Hydroflask, which is vacuum-sealed and keeps your liquids cold for up to 24 hours. If you’re looking for something a bit more lightweight, go with the traditional Nalgene.
On longer hikes, fill up your Ospry Hydraulics Reservoir to keep your water easily accessible & hands free. My favorite day pack that accommodates a hydration bladder is the Osprey Mira 22 Hydration Pack.
3. Trail Snacks
A lot of the popular National Park trails in Utah are day-long hikes, so make sure you bring enough energy-boosting food to get you through the day.
Some of our favorite trail snacks are the traditional PB&J, grapes, trail mixes, Go Macro Bars, and RX Bars.
4. Sunscreen & Sun Protection
The sun in Utah is INTENSE. Protect yourself from the sun with sunscreen. This Sun Bum sunscreen is so light and easy to fit in your pack. Also, it’s super protective against the sun. It’s also reef friendly, so save it for your next trip to the beach!
In addition to sunscreen, make sure you protect your face with a sun hat. I really enjoy wearing this Vintage Style Cap from Amazon. It has tons of colors to choose from, I’ve been loving the yellow.
Sunglasses are never a bad idea, either.
5. Lightweight & Moisture-Wicking Clothes
Make sure to choose moisture-wicking clothing (aka NOT cotton), to pull the sweat away from your body and stay cool and dry while hiking.
These Icebreaker T-Shirts have been a favorite of mine recently, they’re excellent at keeping you dry. And the best part is that they don’t stink even after a long sweaty day on the trail!
6. Lots of Layers
Depending on when you visit Utah, you may encounter cooler than expected temperatures. Especially during an early morning or late evening hike. Don’t forget to pack a jacket for your trip to Utah.
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