Arches National Park Active and Adventure Vacations

Arches National Park Active and Adventure Travel Guide

Other Guides for Arches National Park

Active and Adventure Destinations In or Near Arches National Park

Mountain West Active and Adventure States/Provinces

Active and Adventure Travel Destinations
Delicate Arch in Arches National Park, Utah
Delicate Arch in Arches National Park, Utah (Jeremy Woodhouse/Photodisc/Getty)

Arches National Park Active and Adventure Highlights

By Travel Expert: Bill Weir

  • To see lots of arches, head down Devils Garden Trail. The central trail is four miles roundtrip, but side trails lead to additional arches.
  • Oft-photographed Delicate Arch has a spectacular setting high atop a sandstone ridge of gracefully curving slickrock. The hike is three miles roundtrip with a 480-foot elevation gain. Sweeping views take in many canyons and the distant La Sal Mountains.
  • You can reach almost any spot in the park on a day hike, though backpacking (all off-trail) is an option as long as you obtain a permit.
  • The rock at Arches offers excellent rock climbing opportunities, despite its sandy nature. Most climbing routes in the park require advanced techniques. Obey park regulations and route closures.

Arches National Park Overview

Natural stone arches and fantastic rock formations, which look as if they were sculpted by an artist's hand, are the defining features of this park, and they exist in remarkable numbers and variety. Just as soon as you've seen the most beautiful, most colorful, most gigantic stone arch you can imagine, walk around the next bend and there's another—bigger, better, and more brilliant than the last. It would take forever to see them all, with more than 2,000 officially listed and more being discovered or "born" every day. Read More

Hotels

from: $312 compare hotel rates expert favorite hotel
Sorrel River Ranch Resort
P.O. Box K
Moab, UT 84532
Hotel Class: 5 class stars
Distance: 5.7 Miles
(from destination center)
Active Expert Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Active and Adventure travel
expert favorite hotel
Red Cliffs Lodge
Mile Post 14 Hwy 128
Moab, UT 84532
Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
Distance: 16.0 Miles
(from destination center)
Active Expert Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Active and Adventure travel
expert favorite hotel
Devils Garden Campground
PO Box 907
Moab, UT 84532-0907
Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
Distance: 11.2 Miles
(from destination center)
Active Expert Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Active and Adventure travel Parks and Outdoors travel
All Arches National Park Hotels
advertisement

Great Hotel Deals in Arches National Park, UT

compare rates

Attractions

expert favorite attraction
Devils Garden Trail
near the end of the main park road
Moab, Utah Map
Distance: 11.6 Miles (from destination center)
Description: Eight arches—more than in any other part of... Read More
Active Expert Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Active and Adventure travel
expert favorite attraction
Landscape Arch
Arches National Park
PO Box 907
Moab, Utah 84532-0907 Map
Distance: 11.7 Miles (from destination center)
Description: Landscape Arch is so long and thin that it looks... Read More
Active Expert Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Active and Adventure travel
expert favorite attraction
Corona Arch and Bowtie Arch Trail
southwest of Moab
BLM Moab Field Office, 82 East Dogwood
Moab, Utah 84532 Map
Distance: 2.7 Miles (from destination center)
Description: This three-mile roundtrip trail leads across... Read More
Active Expert Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Active and Adventure travel
All Arches National Park Attractions

Feature Articles

More Arches National Park Active and Adventure Feature Articles (26)
See All Feature Articles on Arches National Park

Trip Ideas

GORPTravel Trips

See All GORPTravel Trips

Arches National Park Active and Adventure Travel Guides

Hiking and Backpacking:
» All Active and Adventure Guides
advertisement
take me fishing
Select a state:
advertisement

Travel Interest Guides

spring driving guide
Spring Driving Guide
Top itineraries, family-friendly asphalt-obsessed exploration, global four-wheel touring, tips, photos—it's all here.
interactive gift guide guide
Interactive Gift Guide
Surprise your active-minded, travel-obsessed mom with some of the best gear ever profiled in Outside magazine.
family guide
Family Guide
Our esteemed travel experts have chosen the best places, hotels, and attractions to make your summer family outing the best ever.
beach guide
Beach Guide
Whether you dive, kiteboard, windsurf, or just strive to perfect the art of sun-bathing, our experts have got the spot.