Arches National Park

Arches National Park contains one of the largest concentrations of natural sandstone arches in the world. The arches and numerous other extraordinary geologic features, such as spires, pinnacles, pedestals and balanced rocks, are highlighted in striking foreground and background views created by contrasting colors, landforms and textures. The park is 76,519 acres in size. Visit the >Expanded Web Pages The page below contains basic trip planning information about Arches. The expanded Web pages offer more details about camping, hiking, natural history, ranger-guided programs, and volunteering. There is also a park map, as well as links to the electronic bookstore and travel-related Web sites. Please Note This site contains all the material that can be mailed in response to information requests.

---

Visitation 858,525 in 1997. Visitation is highest March through October; lowest in December and January. Location The park entrance is located on Utah Highway l9l, five miles north of Moab, UT Operating Hours The visitor center is open daily during the following hours: April 5th through October 9th: 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. October 10th through October 23rd: 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. October 24th through March, 2000: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed December 25th. Climate In summer, June through September, temperatures may exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit and winter, December through February, temperatures often drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures may range 50 degrees in a 24-hour period. Very dry! Carry drinking water at all times. Transportation Commercial airlines serve Grand Junction, CO and Salt Lake City, UT. From Salt Lake City, a commuter airline (Alpine Air: 801-575-2839) and a shuttle bus service (Bighorn Express: 435-587-3061) provide transportation to Moab. Amtrak and Greyhound both provide transportation to Green River (fifty miles from Moab), and Greyhound also stop at Crescent Junction (thirty miles away). Taxi and shuttle services can be arranged from these locations. Fees Entrance fee of $10 per vehicle is good for seven consecutive days. Camping fee is $10 per night for individual sites in summer; $5 when water is off (November through mid-March). Fees also charged for Fiery Furnace permits and guided walks. Annual Performance Plan The 1999 Annual Performance Plan is available for download (97K Microsoft Word File) Facilities And Opportunities Visitor Center: Located near park entrance, the visitor center houses a museum with exhibits and a bookstore operated by the Canyonlands Natural History Association. A short orientation program is shown in the auditorium on the hour and half hour. Trails, Roads: The 48 mile round trip paved road in the park travels through spectacular scenery and leads to major park features. Hiking trails of varying length and difficulty lead to and through arches and into the heart of the park. Pets are not allowed on hiking trails. Programs/Activities: Regularly scheduled walks, guided hikes and evening campfire programs by rangers, mid-March through October. Check bulletin boards in the park for details. Reservations must be made for the popular Fiery Furnace guided hike in person at the Arches Visitor Center, up to seven days in advance. Also, check at the visitor center for information on the Junior Ranger program for children ages six through eleven. Lodging and camping facilities: No lodging in park. The Devils Garden Campground, located l8 miles from the park entrance, has 50 tent and trailer sites, plus two walk-in group sites limited to tenting for ten or more persons. Facilities include flush toilets and water until frost. You must pre-register for individual campsites at the Arches Visitor Center between 7:30 and 8:00 a.m., or at the entrance station after 8:00 a.m. Group campsite reservations are available for the two group sites; call (435) 259-4351 for information. The Arches campground fills daily mid-March through October, often by early to mid-morning. Food/supplies: No food is available in the park. In the Arches Visitor Center, you may buy film and water containers, as well as informational materials. Accessibility: The visitor center is handicapped-accessible and there is one designated accessible site in the campground. All flush and vault toilets in the park are accessible. The new Delicate Arch Viewpoint and trail area are accessible. Recommendations Sightseeing by personal car, hiking, biking (established roads only), picnicking (3 designated picnic areas in park), and camping. Join a ranger March through October at a talk, walk, hike or campfire program. The basic road tour with stops at overlooks requires several hours to a half day. Special Tours Special ranger-guided tours for groups can be arranged. Submit requests by telephone or in writing as far in advance as possible. Special Events Annual Easter Sunrise Service in the park. Check bulletin boards for other special events or programs during your visit. Nearby Attractions Area public lands provide a wealth of outdoor recreational opportunities. Canyonlands National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park, the Slickrock Bike Trail, and the Manti-LaSal National Forest are all within 50 miles of Arches National Park. Additonal Information Arches National Park P.O. Box 907 Moab, UT 84532 Phone: (435) 259-8161 TTY: (435) 259-5279 Email: archinfo@nps.gov Note: The expanded Web pages contain all the material that can be mailed in response to information requests. Last Updated: June 29, 1999 Author: Neal Herbert http://www.nps.gov/arch/index.htm